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Learned to play 5 string, wound up hating it

#22
Musicman20 said:
Musicman. Done.
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The B-string of my Sting Ray 5 sounds good, but volume-wise it's never up to the other four strings, no matter what strings and pickup position I try. Even fine luthiers couldn't find a solution. I just had to get used to it.

When I tried a Bongo at a music store, the volume of its B-string was almost too much for me. I'm looking for a healthy balance between all strings.

Until now I've never played a Warwick whose B-string I wouldn't have liked. Just two days ago I went to a store and tried out all Warwick 5-strings they had in stock. I don't like all of the Warwick models, but their B-strings have never disappointed me in none.
 
#24
dbd1963 said:
I do not have a light touch at the moment, though I'm trying to learn to hold back. Maybe that's all there was to it. I'll check it out when I get home..
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Perhaps this might "fix" your bass.

I'm not against heavy technique, but check out Gary Willis and his website. He advocates playing softer with a slightly louder amp. With sound being a function of log, playing heavy often means that you'd have to play extremely heavy to get any volume difference when accenting notes. The decay is also quicker, so playing lighter will allow the bass to have a little more natural sustain.
 
#25
I'm with you on this, although like you I don't hate the five string.

I'm an old school, 4 stringer who begrudgingly was dragged into the 5 string world thanks to a cover band I was working in who INSISTED I play a 5. They didn't care if I had the Kubicki's, had to have a 5.

I have short stubby fingers as well, and even the most comfortable 5 string necks are at times not the best for me to play.

But hey, to each his own. I met a ton of guys at Summer NAMM who exclusively play 6's. That I'll never understand.
 
#26
TRichardsbass said:
But hey, to each his own. I met a ton of guys at Summer NAMM who exclusively play 6's. That I'll never understand.
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Heh, me neither!

I don't even like to plink on the upper notes of the G on a 24 fretter. But I know that's just me.

Also, I play a lot of classic prog rock and there's a tone that you strive for that is more mid-rangey than bass most of the time and this no doubt colors my appreciation for the low B.
 
#27
spade2you said:
To a variable extent. My 34" scale CB Rami 6 has a zero fret. Both the open E and 5th fret B sound near identical. E first fret and B 6th fret of my Conklin and Rob Allens also sound near idential.

I use a fairly light touch and am a little OCD with my setups. Just a little. ;)
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Sure, and using some control I can get my ACG's open E to sound pretty much exactly like the same note on the B string, even when playing relatively hard.

But as an extreme example, the open G string still sounds nothing like the 20th fret of the B string.

I smile a bit when I see most bass demos demonstrating a great low B by playing it open. Sure, that's one indication and separates a bass from instruments with a very poor B string. But what I always want to hear (and almost never do) is how the B string sounds higher up the neck.

Most demos of five string basses turn out to really be four string demos with a couple low Bs, Cs, C#s and/or D's thrown in.
 
#28
Jared Lash said:
I smile a bit when I see most bass demos demonstrating a great low B by playing it open. Sure, that's one indication and separates a bass from instruments with a very poor B string. But what I always want to hear (and almost never do) is how the B string sounds higher up the neck.

Most demos of five string basses turn out to really be four string demos with a couple low Bs, Cs, C#s and/or D's thrown in.
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I think it's just an indication of how people don't know how to take advantage of 5-6 string basses. Guitarists and a few bassists get the impression ya just slap the low B and 24th fret of the high C the entire time.
 
#29
I've been working on my 6 string for about a month now. Lots of work still to do, but the advantages are obvious if you want to take the time. I have stubby fingers as well...I used to use it as an excuse but it's not really an excuse if you clean up your technique. a little.

Not sayin' everyone should play a 5 or 6, just sayin'...

Oh, and when I played my Geddy for a couple minutes today, I was very fast and very clean...a little collateral damage from working the 6 maybe...
 
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#30
Now, I did try to use the B to keep from having to move my hand during songs and if it sounded like I wanted it to, I'd think it was fantastic. I was very surprised how easy things became once I got over the learning curve. You can get used to that B being there.

And I can think of a few songs that aren't going to sound good without it -- Eminence Front and Run Like Hell being two that my band is doing right now.
 
#31
SteveC said:
I've been working on my 6 string for about a month now. Lots of work still to do, but the advantages are obvious if you want to take the time. I have stubby fingers as well...I used to use it as an excuse but it's not really an excuse if you clean up your technique. a little.
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My fingers are pretty short compared to the average. But it's not a thick neck that throws me, but wide string spacing. That's why I can't play a precision to save my life, and why playing a 5er turned out to be easier than I thought it would.
 
#32
IMO, IME, I don't think string length matters are much as:
quality wood, quality components, quality setup, quality strings, and good technique.

You can look at my profile to see what I'm playing, but I don't own a 35 anymore.

I prefer 125 taper cores for the B string, and I do feel a lighter gauge, taper cored B string, played with a lighter touch makes a pretty big doff, for me.

ymmv, etc.
 
#33
Chef said:
IMO, IME, I don't think string length matters are much as:
quality wood, quality components, quality setup, quality strings, and good technique.

You can look at my profile to see what I'm playing, but I don't own a 35 anymore.
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For sure. I used to think I had to play a 34 but if you find a bass with the right ergonomics a 35 can feel pretty good. I don't begrudge anyone what they play. Lord knows I've changed my "preferences" plenty of times. :hyper: :hiding: ;)
 
#34
I've had/have 34's that are great,
and 35's that were "meh."

I've also had 35's that were very nice.
I don't feel that's the deciding factor in a really good B string, for me...
 
#39
Like this:

47093_l.jpg


or this:

custom_8_string_bass_spalted_curly_maple_walnut_gabon_ebony_1_large.jpg
 
#40
Good timing on this thread. After 25+ years of 4-stringers, I got my first fiver last night. I wasn't too confident about the outcome, so I only dropped $300 on a scratch 'n dent Warwick RB Streamer passive. After giving a decent (and sorely needed) setup last night, I've been plinking around most of the day. I agree that the low B can be a bit boomy (stock 135 taper), and can flap if you get too aggressive. Didn't take long to back off on the right-hand attack and tweak the compresser just a bit to even things out. Inititial thoughts are "kewl, should work out, nice neck, nice overall tone, etc" Got a gig tomorrow nite so I'll see how it sits in the mix, etc. I play mostly classic/alt/outlaw country so I won't be slapping about on an open low B. Lower D & C notes sound pretty cool while walking around in the key of A, for example.
 

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