is it worth buying a 5 strings ?

[jdh3000]

Hello mates! One does really need a 5 ? I am interested about it but since I am intermediate player I dont want to slow down my learning or even complicate my already gained progress, but maybe the 5th also teaches me new things , like expand the scales and stuff...

Its easy to say " go get one" , just keep in mind that I dont have a big budget to own 2 basses so I would have to sell mine 4 string to get a 5.


What do you guys say?

Thanks!

A lot of bass player, myself included, play only 4 strings. 5 strings can be useful but I've never felt like I just had to have one.

I'd personally recommend to anyone starting out to just go ahead and learn on a 5 string, because it's easier if you have no preconceived ideas and conditioning of playing 4.

5 strings typically have slightly less spacing between strings, and/or, depending on the bass, a bit wider neck.

There are just a couple songs I've run across that I tuned E down to D, but it wasn't worth it to me to go slap down a chunk on a 5 string, which typically cost a bit more.

Go play some at a store. See if you feel like it would be for you. I think if you laid off plaing 4 string for a while, you would get used to it.

Good luck!

 

[Snert]

It was a joke.

I know, I just like turning it back, like 'Jaco didn't need no steenkin' tort' in certain threads.

 

[tbz]

Yes. As a bassist it makes sense to own at least one instrument with a low B. If you don’t then you’re not going to be able to correctly play a lot of popular recorded music.

I went from 4s only to owning a few 6 string basses, and I was surprised at how much heft any note has when played on the low B string. It’s a type of texture and sound that cannot be replicated on smaller gauge strings.

 

[Barticus]

i got my first 5 for Christmas last year, and I literally have barely touched my other basses. Everything I can do on a 4, I can do on a five. It is great for me because of all the increased fingering options. I play jazz, and this has been really awesome, as frequently I am playing Eb, it's nice to do that in the money zone. The Ibanez I play SRF 705 is realatively light and doesn't bother me. As far as figuring it out and not messing up, I played Giant Steps at a show 3 weeks after getting it, so it definitely can be done. I vote yes, get one, they're really great!

View attachment 4681762

The Portamento is a great bass!
I bought one in November, as a test for me with the piezo… sold it in late December and immediately ordered a custom headless 5 with piezo… the Portamento is a gateway drug to other fretless!!

 

[Lowandfat]

I have taught students at exactly this level, who asked this exact question, for decades. I have extensive experience in finding solid player level basses, in all configurations/prices. I have matched more bass playing humans than I can count with basses that fit their needs/taste. I am not going to offer an opinion in this thread based on the myopic ignorance, baseless sweeping generalizations, and childish over-reactions already shared. I will gladly do this with the OP by PM, but I have no desire to be attacked by the "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" brigade. Ya'll seriously need to chill on the absolutes.

 

[coy garcia]

I have taught students at exactly this level, who asked this exact question, for decades. I have extensive experience in finding solid player level basses, in all configurations/prices. I have matched more bass playing humans than I can count with basses that fit their needs/taste. I am not going to offer an opinion in this thread based on the myopic ignorance, baseless sweeping generalizations, and childish over-reactions already shared. I will gladly do this with the OP by PM, but I have no desire to be attacked by the "a little knowledge is a dangerous thing" brigade. Ya'll seriously need to chill on the absolutes.

Well said. I recently brought 3 very different basses for a student to try to see what was a best fit for them. Then I recommend something. There is no right or wrong answer.

 

[Raman]

Hello mates! One does really need a 5 ? I am interested about it but since I am intermediate player I dont want to slow down my learning or even complicate my already gained progress, but maybe the 5th also teaches me new things , like expand the scales and stuff...

Its easy to say " go get one" , just keep in mind that I dont have a big budget to own 2 basses so I would have to sell mine 4 string to get a 5.


What do you guys say?

Thanks!

When you play your 4 string bass, do you ever go: "Geez, I wish I had a lower string to play that really cool sound in my head" ?
If no, then I don't see why you'd need a 5er. If yes, you might want to try it.

I've been playing a 5 forever. But recently, I've rediscovered the 4, and I'm rather enjoying the focus.

 

[Lowandfat]

Exactly! A used Ibanez SR series 5er can be had for around $250 (less if your patient/not picky about color), can weigh under 8lbs, and have necks barely wider than a standard P. 1.77" vs 1.63". They are also well made instruments, sometimes better, that play and tune well, and have plenty of usable tones in them.

So that's cheap, good value, bunches on the market everywhere, lighter than most Fender 4's, and a nut .14 wider. The horror of a 5 string....the horror...

Of course it's not the right tool for everybody, far from it. It's still a solid gateway to the world of 5s, and it's existence sure negates a bunch of silly posts up in here.

Yeah yeah, I said no opinions, but I hate to see so much bad advice being thrown at the OP. Sue me.

 

[KenD]

The music you "want" to play or are "asked" to play will answer your question. There's no reason to go to 5 strings unless you need the extra range to satisfy the music or, to put it another way, unless you feel like 4 strings is constraining your musical expression.

I have played 5's for several years and could never go back. When I do try to play a 4, I find myself reaching for something that isn't there (at either end) and it's like stepping off a curb that you didn't see coming up.

If I was still a working musician I would have two 5's: one tuned BEADG and the other EADGC, each for a different style or genre of music.

 

[Barticus]

Exactly! A used Ibanez SR series 5er can be had for around $250 (less if your patient/not picky about color), can weigh under 8lbs, and have necks barely wider than a standard P. 1.77" vs 1.63". They are also well made instruments, sometimes better, that play and tune well, and have plenty of usable tones in them.

So that's cheap, good value, bunches on the market everywhere, lighter than most Fender 4's, and a nut .14 wider. The horror of a 5 string....the horror...

Of course it's not the right tool for everybody, far from it. It's still a solid gateway to the world of 5s, and it's existence sure negates a bunch of silly posts up in here.

Yeah yeah, I said no opinions, but I hate to see so much bad advice being thrown at the OP. Sue me.

And it’s outta here

 

[TyBo]

And his son uses 6.

I have 1 four that I use on occasion as it's sentimental and will never go. The others gather dust and are going to be sold. Once used to them, I see no reason at all not to own a 5 as I've had many 4s heavier than my 5s. As for a wider neck and extra tuner making a 5 neck heavy, no. Ever weighed a traditional Fender style tuner compared to a Gotoh 707 (or clone), or a GB350 or Hipshot UL? Let alone the long 4IL style of headstock compared to a more compact 3+2. Most of my 5 necks aren't much bigger than a P4. Muting an unplayed B isn't difficult with a little practice. Also playing in 5th position is usually easier on the fretting hand/wrist than playing 1st on a 4 and is less of a reach.

If I were to apply to join a band and they insisted I play a 4, I'd not join*. No one in the audience will tell or care and as you're hiring me for my skill, let me choose my own tools. I have some flashier looking 5s and 6s, but my main is plain blue and looks good for everything.

If a kid wanted to start today, I'd hand them a 5, might as well get used to it.

Before the chorus of 'you're a 4 hater' starts, play whatever you like, but most of the arguments I see against 5s seem quite specious to me, with the exception of those that have a physical condition that makes them harder for that individual.

* A tribute band etc, I'd play what I needed, but I'd know that going in, so it's not like I'm going to be surprised by that.

You do know what "all other things being equal" means, right?

I haven't encountered any fiver necks that aren't significantly bigger than any of the fours I use (I like a narrow fretboard) - I've thought about trying to build one such, actually, but there's not much out there for parts to do this. There are some brands that are narrower than others (like say, Ibanez) but their five necks are still wider than their fours. Some people may be bothered by this while others aren't, but let's not pretend it's not so.

I like the five I have, and the op might like one too. But it's not quite realistic to contend there are no potential downsides with playing a five, for any given player. And since the initial question was looking for advice about getting a five, it seems appropriate to put out both up and downsides, as possibilities. I think you've covered a lot of upsides.

 

[Snert]

I think you've covered a lot of upsides.

But the post was just a response to others who only really mentioned downsides. I see no need to point them out again when others have already covered them.

I can also have no idea what will work for "you" or fit best in your hand or ergonomics. I'm an engineer and have been using RPN calculators for decades, even though algebraics are far, far more common and RPNs confuse many. They made more sense to me from day 1, so I've used them ever since. If I'd started playing later, I'm sure I would have started on a 5 as it makes more sense to me in a similar way.

 

[DaveParker39]

So, I just don't like fivers.
Part of it is the feel. Part of it is that I find anything lower than a C# somewhat useless in a band setting, and we already play a half step down and I have a drop tuner. I have yet to find a situation where I wished I could go lower than a C#.
THAT SAID.
If you are learning a bunch of songs originally played on five strings, it might be easier to just get a fiver than to transpose everything.
Alternatively, you can pull an Ian Hill and get a four set up for B E A D with the bottom four strings. You'll have to set it up and widen the nut but it can be done.

 

[TyBo]

But the post was just a response to others who only really mentioned downsides. I see no need to point them out again when others have already covered them.

I can also have no idea what will work for "you" or fit best in your hand or ergonomics. I'm an engineer and have been using RPN calculators for decades, even though algebraics are far, far more common and RPNs confuse many. They made more sense to me from day 1, so I've used them ever since. If I'd started playing later, I'm sure I would have started on a 5 as it makes more sense to me in a similar way.

Thing is, I'm not so unique that there aren't others who also like narrower necks, and don't find a lot of need for five strings, so my point is not exclusively about me as an individual. Rather, I'm one example of such preferences. As we see, there are others. So when discussing the acquisition of a five string, for someone who hasn't played one, these potential downsides that some experience are useful to mention as part of the landscape of it. I don't think they should be dismissed as illusory.

All that said, I do have a fiver, as mentioned, and I like it. But I'm glad I don't have to play it exclusively. So my advice for the op, as others have also said, would be not to sell a bass that's a well liked known quantity for the chance that something else (5 string) might be be suitable. Try before buy.

 

[Snert]

So when discussing the acquisition of a five string, for someone who hasn't played one, these potential downsides that some experience are useful to mention as part of the landscape of it.

I already explained why I posted what I did, and see no need to repeat it. If that doesn't satisfy you, tough.

I don't think they should be dismissed as illusory.

Where did I do that? If you think it, that's your interpretation.

You're being needlessly pedantic and it's boring the hell out of me.

 

[TyBo]

I already explained why I posted what I did, and see no need to repeat it. If that doesn't satisfy you, tough.

Where did I do that? If you think it, that's your interpretation.

You're being needlessly pedantic and it's boring the hell out of me.

Read your post to which I initially responded. You really think that's not dismissive of the downsides mentioned? Reads that way to me. Whatever.

 

[Snert]

You really think that's not dismissive of the downsides mentioned?

I wrote it, and no. Interpret it however you like.

 

[Topkat13]

If you want one bad enough.

 

[Bass-ball]

I say save up for a 5. I have one, but almost never play it, but when someone asks for those lower notes in a project, it's right there ready to go. I didn't really "learn" anything from it though, like you asked. I did all that on a four string.

 

[QweziRider]

What do you guys say?

There's so much thrown towards you in this thread. Do this, don't do that, you need it, you don't need it, this is great, this sucks. In the end, only you can answer what you need or want by just trying it. A reasonably inexpensive way to give it a try with your existing basses would be to string one with the bottom 4 strings of a five string set and tune it BEAD. The cost of a set of strings, probably will need to widen the nut slots a very minor bit (not deeper!), maybe a minor setup. Inexpensive and it will give you a hint of what having the B string can do for you in terms of those lower notes and playing more above the fifth fret. If it works for you, consider saving for a fiver. If not, no harm done, restring with regular EADG tuning.

Or, you can do like I did in '91, just did it, never looked back, love every bit of it.