Learned to play 5 string, wound up hating it

[J Posega]

I can't believe how many guys have the opinion that 5 is a fad, or that if you just play everything 5th fret and up on the B instead of open E that you should just play a 4... you're making it easier to play by being able to move across the strings, not up and down, and you're also reducing the scale length at which you play those notes.

I've never played a 34" scale B that I really liked. I can see how an MM bass has a better sounding string because of the pickup location, but I don't think it was physically less floppy than the Fenders and Peaveys and Ibanezes I'd played. I owned 2 Ibanez BTB 5's, 35" scale, that had better B's than the 34" basses I'd been playing, but the electronics sucked and the whole basses design made the scale length too much.

I've always liked 5's, maybe because I started on a crappy Ibanez GSR205, but played 4 for a long time. I went through several 5's before deciding that I needed a really good one. I bit the bullet after basically years of research, and bought a Dingwall ABZ5. Best decision I've ever made, bass guitar wise. The low B speaks so clearly through any speaker I've put it through. I could hardly hear the difference between B, C, C# on my 34" scale B strings... not so on the ABZ. The whole instrument is designed for optimum playability.

 

[spade2you]

Depends what is "that great" to you. To me its just great for that price but not the best. It would unfair to compare this bass to something like a sadowsky or an mtd, that would be pretty foolish. Im not a music man guy, and I don't think warwick is the end-all in low B dept.

I never said anything about being fair.

To be honest, the flop I was hearing on local basses and local bassists in the late 90's on 5-6 string basses and the occasional 7 string guitar were the antithesis of what I go for. I had no real desire to get more than 4 strings, other than adding higher strings. Perhaps it didn't help that these bands tended to scoop the mids and further detune on a bass that wasn't doing so well in standard B.

I get the impression that 5+ string basses and active electronics are judged on cheap and/or older instruments. This isn't fair since there have been great improvements since the early days. Ok, so I said something about being fair. Since then, there have been many builders who have focused on constant improvement, where other companies simply sell ya something with added strings. Not quite the same.

 

[georgestrings]

It effectively tightens up the B by it being a half inch or so longer to the peg than their typical 3-2 arrangement.

False - distance from tuning peg to nut does not affect string tension in any way...


- georgestrings

 

[SteveC]

As usual, the thread turns to blasting those who don't play what you play. If you (OP) don't like your 5 that's fine, but don't judge me because I do. I actually am learning a 6 right now. So many options. For me it works, for others it doesn't. So be it.

 

[dbd1963]

As usual, the thread turns to blasting those who don't play what you play. If you (OP) don't like your 5 that's fine, but don't judge me because I do. I actually am learning a 6 right now. So many options. For me it works, for others it doesn't. So be it.

Pretty sure I never judged you?

 

[spade2you]

As usual, the thread turns to blasting those who don't play what you play. If you (OP) don't like your 5 that's fine, but don't judge me because I do. I actually am learning a 6 right now. So many options. For me it works, for others it doesn't. So be it.

Just be glad this isn't a guitarist website. Multiply the ignorance/hate factor by about 10. They barely know their own instrument, yet are an expert on bass.

 

[spade2you]

Pretty sure I never judged you?

I have judged him.

 

[smogg]

As usual, the thread turns to blasting those who don't play what you play. If you (OP) don't like your 5 that's fine, but don't judge me because I do. I actually am learning a 6 right now. So many options. For me it works, for others it doesn't. So be it.

Pretty sure I never judged you?

I have judged him.

Don't judge me monkey!

PS: you can have my 5er when you pry it from my cold dead hands.

 

[dbd1963]

Really, I haven't seen any judgment in here. Well, maybe some people have judged some basses as having inferior B strings. But nobody has judged playing the 5ers, that I noticed anyway.

I love the feel of my Warwick, and if the tone of the B matched the other four strings it'd make me much happier. There's some good suggestions in here for me to try out.

 

[spade2you]

Pretty sure I never judged you?

In all actuality, I don't think he's talking about you.

In general, the dudes who know the least about 5 string basses tend to say the most. Ya learn to get over it and sift through the useful vs. useless info.

 

[dbd1963]

In all actuality, I don't think he's talking about you.

In general, the dudes who know the least about 5 string basses tend to say the most. Ya learn to get over it and sift through the useful vs. useless info.

He did say, "If you (OP) don't like your 5 that's fine, but don't judge me because I do."

 

[spade2you]

He did say, "If you (OP) don't like your 5 that's fine, but don't judge me because I do."

Or maybe I need more coffee to enhance comprehension.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

Just common among common basses. Since the general public doesn't care or vote elsewhere with their wallets, the bass companies don't exactly put much effort into improving the low B, other than a wider neck, bridge, and pickups.

Scale length is part of the equation, but another area where it's not the only solution. Sure, in the budget to intermediate, longer scale length can help, all other things being equal (things are rarely equal). Without going custom, I found the Peavey Cirrus and Millennium to have a pretty good leg up on other stock basses in the low b dept.

I have boutique basses in 32", 34", and 35". My 33" scale Stambaugh doesn't have B string, so no comment there. Regardless, the Rob Allens and Conklin have a great B in 35" scale. The 34" scale CB has a great B. The 32" scale CB has a great B. I admit that with longer scale, it's easier to use a thinner string, which still sounds solid in the low register and not as muddy in the upper register.

I would consider Peavey (especially Millenium) to be extremely common basses, I would also consider Peavey B's to be one of the worst in the business, especially the Millenium and the Grind. I had a Peavey Fury 6 that had a good B for a peavey but not a good B. I have never had to chance to play a Cirrus 5/6, but I don't have high expectations. To each their own.

Stambaugh B strings exhibit the same issue of a muddy, wolfy, boomy, whatever you want to call it B string. You get good to almost the first ocatve on the two 6ers I played. The open B is also only alright, kind of looser than the other strings but not terrible by any stretch.

 

[spade2you]

I would consider Peavey (especially Millenium) to be extremely common basses, I would also consider Peavey B's to be one of the worst in the business, especially the Millenium and the Grind. I had a Peavey Fury 6 that had a good B for a peavey but not a good B. I have never had to chance to play a Cirrus 5/6, but I don't have high expectations. To each their own.

Stambaugh B strings exhibit the same issue of a muddy, wolfy, boomy, whatever you want to call it B string. You get good to almost the first ocatve on the two 6ers I played. The open B is also only alright, kind of looser than the other strings but not terrible by any stretch.

How could the Millennium be common? It wasn't produced very long before being canned. FWIW, I am not talking about the imports. The US variants were 35" scale and were a really nice bass that was never really given a chance. The USA Millennium and Cirrus have a good low B, provided you replace the Peavey strings. The stock .125 by Peavey just isn't very good. Any stock .130 or nicer .125 will be a large improvement. Strictly speaking of the Peavey imports, I've never been much of a fan.

I can't personally comment on Stambaugh's low B since I haven't played one and probably wouldn't be able to unless I ordered it.

 

[smogg]

I would consider Peavey (especially Millenium) to be extremely common basses, I would also consider Peavey B's to be one of the worst in the business, especially the Millenium and the Grind. I had a Peavey Fury 6 that had a good B for a peavey but not a good B. I have never had to chance to play a Cirrus 5/6, but I don't have high expectations. To each their own.

Totally disagree with this. USA models of the Cirrus, Millennium, Grind, and GV are outstanding basses with great B strings (all 35" scale by the way). The 34" scale import versions of these basses (there is no import version of the G series basses) are lacking in comparison and priced accordingly. If you have/had ever played a real USA Grind 5, I seriously doubt you would make that statement. USA made Peavey Basses totally surpass their price point in build quality, tone, and playability.

Call me a fan boy if you want. I've been using USA Peavey basses for over three decades by choice, not necessity.

 

[xschromo]

I play a 6 string ibanez 406 and the B has a lot of tone. It really depends on the bass you have. I have tried many 6 and 5 string basses and it's very seldom the B has lots of tone.
Also your action, string gauge and rig will also have a contributing factor to the quality of the tone of strings.
I just incorporated a sans amp into my rig and it really brings out the B.

 

[Ric5]

The problem I have is, I hate the sound of anything played on the B except what's below open E. But even then, really the D is the only note that sounds ok. (And even then, an open D sounds better.)

Tune your 5 DGCFA# and use lighter strings.

 

[SteveC]

Pretty sure I never judged you?

I miss-quoted. Others have done some judging.

 

[Marley's Ghost]

Musicman. Done.

+1 The low B on my SR5 is very even with the other strings and sounds deep and punchy. You must take great care when installing the B to avoid twists and over/under wrapping. Also get the right taper/gauge for your bass or it can sound like doodoo.

 

[MrLenny1]

A 5'er low B is the greatest thumbrest.
The low B on my 34" bolt on Pedulla sound & feels really good.