So I have recently been entertaining the idea of getting a 5-string when my finances allow for it. I've only been playing for a couple years and have never actually played one before. I currently play a Warwick Corvette std 4 and, when the time comes, will probably end up getting a used Vette 5 (love my 4!!!). So I figured a good idea would be to go to Guitar Center on a weekday afternoon and just noodle around on some 5's and get a feel for'em....
So I got out of work early yesterday and went over to the GC right by my house when it was relatively quiet. Gotta say it was pretty cool. I would have loved it had GC actually carried 'Wicks but, since we all know that's hardly ever the case, I played around on some others. The 2 that I primarily played the most were a Schecter Diamond Series 5 and a MM Stingray 5 and I really enjoyed the hell outta both basses. Personally, the Schecter felt a bit more comfortable in terms of playability, but I liked the Ray's tone better... All that aside, I liked playing a 5 but, obviously, it would take a little bit of getting used to. The biggest problem that I had was, when playing songs that I play a lot, I would end up accidentally playing on the B string when meaning to play the E, I'd play the E when I meant the A, etc.... Like I said, it was my 1st time so the learning curve is to expected. Overall, it was fun and I can definately see a 5er in my future at some point!!!
Another cool thing that happened was when I was noodling. There was a guitar player about 10 ft from me trying out some gear. At one point I started playing Santeria by Sublime and, after about 2 measures, the guitar player joined in and we played a full, impromptu Santeria jam, start to finish, right there in GC. It was pretty cool. He even nailed the solo perfectly!!! It actually sounded pretty good. There were two older women holiday shopping who came over to listen and even gave us a lil round of applause when we finished... Guitar-boy and I ended up exchanging #'s to jam in the future.
Overall, this was one of the more productive trips to GC (that didn't involve me buying something) that I've ever had!!!! Just figured I'd share......
So I got out of work early yesterday and went over to the GC right by my house when it was relatively quiet. Gotta say it was pretty cool. I would have loved it had GC actually carried 'Wicks but, since we all know that's hardly ever the case, I played around on some others. The 2 that I primarily played the most were a Schecter Diamond Series 5 and a MM Stingray 5 and I really enjoyed the hell outta both basses. Personally, the Schecter felt a bit more comfortable in terms of playability, but I liked the Ray's tone better... All that aside, I liked playing a 5 but, obviously, it would take a little bit of getting used to. The biggest problem that I had was, when playing songs that I play a lot, I would end up accidentally playing on the B string when meaning to play the E, I'd play the E when I meant the A, etc.... Like I said, it was my 1st time so the learning curve is to expected. Overall, it was fun and I can definately see a 5er in my future at some point!!!
Another cool thing that happened was when I was noodling. There was a guitar player about 10 ft from me trying out some gear. At one point I started playing Santeria by Sublime and, after about 2 measures, the guitar player joined in and we played a full, impromptu Santeria jam, start to finish, right there in GC. It was pretty cool. He even nailed the solo perfectly!!! It actually sounded pretty good. There were two older women holiday shopping who came over to listen and even gave us a lil round of applause when we finished... Guitar-boy and I ended up exchanging #'s to jam in the future.
Overall, this was one of the more productive trips to GC (that didn't involve me buying something) that I've ever had!!!! Just figured I'd share......
YMMV
) just get something inexpensive. Just try to sample the bass before you buy and consider something used.
