Is the 5 string a US phenomenon?

[the yeti]

Honestly, I haven't figured out all the ways to play four strings. Five strings just seems lazy to me, like I actually can't do the job with four, like I would need an extra string to prove how good I am. And, I am American.

I don't need fancy stuff, I just play.

only because this is the 2nd time in a week i've seen this, what is it exactly about a 5 string that seems lazy?

this part about proving how good you are is sort of new but how would a demonstration of laziness be a good way to do that?

i'm not offended, just curious... i play whatever.

 

[Toastfuzz]

Owning 2 4-bangers, a 5, and a 6, I can say each has its uses. The great thing about a 5 or a 6, is that you can do anything you can do on a 4 and more!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I noticed when reading the British Bass magazines that it seemed that the 4 was dominant. In the US I play 4's and 5's but it almost seems like vintage basses and beginner basses are the only thing keeping the 4 alive. (Don't flame me, that's a blanket statement with so many holes.) I also noticed that the Asian market seems to love six strings but that was based on YouTube observations and could be highly skewed.

 

[staindbass]

i think the 5 string being popular is the result of those great keyboard basslines from the 80's. they went lower than a normal bass, and we had to try to even up the playing field.

 

[fivestringdan]

This!

You are correct sir and beat me to it.

i think the 5 string being popular is the result of those great keyboard basslines from the 80's. they went lower than a normal bass, and we had to try to even up the playing field.

 

[Brad Johnson]

Honestly, I haven't figured out all the ways to play four strings. Five strings just seems lazy to me, like I actually can't do the job with four, like I would need an extra string to prove how good I am. And, I am American.

I don't need fancy stuff, I just play.

I enjoyed this post.

 

[capnsandwich]

5 strings are more common in gospel and modern jazz (both of which were started here in the US) than most other genres so it only makes sense that there are more 5'ers and 6'ers here in the US. Not that you can't play gospel or jazz on a 4 banger but that low B and high C sure does make it a whole lot easier to solo and play chords.

 

[Brad Johnson]

only because this is the 2nd time in a week i've seen this, what is it exactly about a 5 string that seems lazy?

this part about proving how good you are is sort of new but how would a demonstration of laziness be a good way to do that?

i'm not offended, just curious... i play whatever.

I often tell people who are intimidated by sixes that they're great for lazy bass players... you have more notes accessible with less position shifts on your neck. And strangely enough that has clicked with a few people and some have even gotten over their aversion.

I also tell people that I do more wanking when I play fours, which flies in the face that more strings equals more wanking.

 

[ehque]

Nope...not popular at all. Why do they even makes those things?

/sarcasm

Based on the most extensive poll, 4s outnumber 5s on Talkbass by 3:1. That's not popular, and all I wanted to point out. Don't twist what I'm saying.

 

[Nedmundo]

I've been to South Africa a few times, where my brother owns a recording studio and plays in a few bands. From my limited exposure, it seems to break down by genre: largely fives for African pop/hip-hop/jazz/gospel, and mostly fours for rock. Fives seem to have a strong presence there. I'll ask my brother to get his take.

 

[Herrick]

your bank account proves how good you are, not the # of strings the 5 string is for extended range, not to make it easier. you get sounds on the 5 that dont exist on the 4.

Yeah I don't see how it's "lazy". I hate tuning down, so I started playing a 7-string guitar. It doesn't make anything easier. In fact it can make things a little more difficult. Depending on how low a song is tuned, I can't just ride the lowest open string like the band does. It can take a little more work to play.

Now that I've gotten back into bass, I'll probably want to get a 5-string eventually for the same reason I got a 7-string guitar.

 

[nismaniac]

A fiver is more normal to me than a four. I don't show up to a gig with less than 5 strings. Being able to drop those low notes is a requirement for me. They have such power and create a nice dynamic impact when used correctly.

 

[bassbenj]

Nope...not popular at all. Why do they even makes those things?

/sarcasm

For guys like me, who never play anything less than a 5 these days.

 

[bassbenj]

I used to have a 6 string bass but to be fair I bought it in the USA.

I've never seen a 7-string, I've never seen anyone gig a 6-string (but I don't go to see metal bands) except Norwood from Fishbone (again, American), and I can't remember the last time I saw someone playing a 5-string either.

So maybe you're right.

Here (Ohio) I don't think I've ever seen anyone gig with a 7 string (including me, although I own one, I don't feel I'm good enough on it to gig yet). 6 string basses are very common in jazz groups. And as others have noted 5 strings are very popular in certain types of music. Still I rarely see them in classic rock bands but I'd still say the general ratio of 4 to 5s is about the same as the poll here. 4s are by far more popular than 5s.

 

[Dave W]

Based on the most extensive poll, 4s outnumber 5s on Talkbass by 3:1. That's not popular, and all I wanted to point out. Don't twist what I'm saying.

I didn't twist anything that you were saying. Just because a poll exists doesn't mean that every player on the forum voted in it.

I do agree with you 4's are more popular than 5's

For guys like me, who never play anything less than a 5 these days.

Did you miss the /sarcasm?

 

[armywalaby]

I also tell people that I do more wanking when I play fours, which flies in the face that more strings equals more wanking.

This is true for me too. Every time I get a four string I'm making chords across all the strings....of course I string up lighter gauges and play on little necks too, so I'm just a really lazy player. Guess I better stop trying to prove myself.

 

[BBox Bass]

In my region of Western PA and NY, 4s seem to outnumber 5s by a small margin. I used to be a diehard 4-stringer until I joined a band that covers modern hard rock bands whose bassists use low D and C a lot. It doesn't sound quite right to my ears to play those notes an octave up. In the process I discovered that my stubby fingers enjoy being able to play how F and G in the middle of the neck where the frets are closer together. I still own a bunch of 4s, but these days find myself spending more time with my much smaller collection of 5s. So much for swearing I would never touch a bass with more than 4 strings.

 

[capnsandwich]

You know, one who plays a 5 or 6 string is no more lazy than one who plays a 4. Just like one is no more lazy going to get groceries in a Ford Excursion than in a Honda Civic. You can just put more groceries in the Ford without having to make more trips.

 

[Altitude]

I think it's a fashion statement.

There is a retro movement afoot in a big part of music right now, and people are more inclined towards old Fenders and Gibsons, which are generally four stringed instruments. IMO, this is especially true for young people picking up the instrument for the first time.

I went to the Austin City Limits music festival a couple of years ago and did a little personal survey. I did not see a five string bass at any point all weekend long. I remember in the 80s and most of the 90s, most people were playing fives.

For me, a five offers more utility that I value, so that's what I generally play. If I had a gig with a band that asked me to play a four in order to uphold a certain image, I would understand.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

the 5 string is for extended range, not to make it easier. you get sounds on the 5 that dont exist on the 4.