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Mini Crisis - Please help

MycooLeeyun

MycooLeeyun

Sep 26, 2009
1,667
697
Sedona, AZ
#1
I just got my SB5000... DAMN it's nice. The thing is lighter than I expected and the neck is pretty sweet. I've been playing 5 string basses every since I upgraded from my squier 3 years ago. I got a 5 string because I felt like I would get some good use out of the low B with my band (which I'm still in). So along we go writing music and playing shows and I utilize the low B in a couple of songs. There is always this voice in my head that tells me I should be on a 4 string because I am more comfortable and happy on one. I'm jamming on my brand new SB5000 and I don't feel the least inclined to mess around with the low B, it's almost like it's just in the way. I have 10 days to return the Carvin and I'm trying to make a decision before then. My bandmate rightfully calls me insane because I go through this crisis quite often and never make the switch back to 4. If I were to make the switch, I would still keep my Carvin LB75 for 1 song that we currently have in our set and just incase I ever wanted to bust out a 5er, but a 4 string would be my main instrument (probably an SB400). Making the switch to 4 I would sacrifice a couple of notes in our songs and I would have to learn to drop D for one song (not that big of a sacrifice). I guess I'm just afraid of change and have gotten really used to having that low B as mostly a thumb rest.

Is anybody as insane as I am? Do any of you have similar experiences that you would like to share to help me make a decision? Thanks for reading this craziness/cry for help.
 
#6
I'm playing through our EP right now without using the low B and it is barely different. If you guys are at all interested in hearing my band you can check out our bandcamp page @ Heart Prevails . I can't believe I'm going to have to wait another 2 months to get an SB4000... I still haven't made up my mind but I feel like I'm getting closer. Thanks for your responses. This would be a big change for me and I'm going to get bi*ched out by my band for a bit for never making up my mind. Also, I'm still scared that the change to a 4 string will be drastic. I'm going to need to install a thumb rest because I like playing between the 2 jazz pickups.
 
#7
Keep the 5. 5 is more then 4. More is better. :)

I have a suspicion you will find the 4 lacking more then you will find the 5 uncomfortable. You can play anything that can be played on a 4 with your 5, but it is not necessarily the other way around, or requires annoying and time consuming detuning, or modifying the nut for BEAD. The 5 is something that takes some getting used to but once you get used to it, it's nice to have.

You might not be using it now, but you might need it later. The B string is a fine thumb rest in and of it's self. I love my 5 string even through I admittedly only rarely use the B. It's there when I need it and it's darn handy to have that other string there for when the band wants to play something in Ed (E flat) and I don't want to retune.

You have versatility and convenience vs. comfort and familiarity here. Whichever is more valuable to you should be what you decide. The SB4000s get pretty much universally good reviews. 2 months to get one made to your specs is not too bad of a wait if you do decide to go to the 4.
 
#8
The Low B on a bass is like a toll booth on an open highway. Gets in the way.

What you should have done is buy an intermediate 5 string bass, like an Ibanez or a Schecter, for the rare occasions you need a 5-string, then spend the good money on the bass you play more often, that being the Carvin 4 string. Send it back!

:bassist:
 
#9
I can't agree with "more is better". While a 5 string has it's benefits, it can also sometimes slow you down. I've owned plenty of 5 strings. I've only played 5's for pretty much my entire bass career (4 years or so) but have never been very comfortable on it. Sometimes that simplicity is better than those few extra notes that you can live without and many others have lived without it and did just fine. I finally got a chance to plug my SB5000 in and the tone is great but I still can't get over the B string being in the way of the FUNK! If I make the switch, I will be keeping my Carvin LB75 for the rare occasion that I need the 5th string but I'm thinking 4 might be the way to go for me. I just really hope I don't find a 4 to be lacking as CORBS stated.
 
#10
I played nothing but 5-strings for over a decade. I forced myself to go back to 4, and after a few tries it stuck. I still have a 5 but I rarely play it. I have another 5 showing up but not sure how long that will stay. I can cover all my gigs on a 4, and since I'm redoing my playing from the ground up I'm doing it on a 4 to simplify things a bit.

It is a totally personal decision. Everyone has their own needs and desires. I can say that I thought that I needed/wanted a 5 to cover some of my gigs but have found that a 4 works just fine. There are a few notes I don't have, but usually less is more.
 
#11
I saw pictures of your new SB5000 on the other threads, and it sure is gorgeous!

So, from a purely selfish viewpoint, my advice is: keep it beyond the 10 days, until some point after that in the near future when you decide to sell it on the TB classifieds. :)
 
#12
Thanks for your response, nostatic. It just feels like the low B is almost unnecessary. I understand that sometimes hitting those low notes is "cool" or suits the song well but I guarantee everyone in the audience wouldn't miss that low B. I need to pick what's good for me in the long-run. I think I will have more fun on a 4 string and be more comfortable on my instrument not worrying about muting that B. Anyways.... I'm still sitting here playing the hell out of my SB5000 trying to figure out what I'm going to do. I really like the tone and punch factor of this bass and am going to hate waiting another 2 months for an SB4000 if I go that route.
 
#15
CORBS said:
Keep the 5. 5 is more then 4. More is better. :)

I have a suspicion you will find the 4 lacking more then you will find the 5 uncomfortable. You can play anything that can be played on a 4 with your 5, but it is not necessarily the other way around, or requires annoying and time consuming detuning, or modifying the nut for BEAD. The 5 is something that takes some getting used to but once you get used to it, it's nice to have.

You might not be using it now, but you might need it later. The B string is a fine thumb rest in and of it's self. I love my 5 string even through I admittedly only rarely use the B. It's there when I need it and it's darn handy to have that other string there for when the band wants to play something in Ed (E flat) and I don't want to retune.

You have versatility and convenience vs. comfort and familiarity here. Whichever is more valuable to you should be what you decide. The SB4000s get pretty much universally good reviews. 2 months to get one made to your specs is not too bad of a wait if you do decide to go to the 4.
Click to expand...

+1
 
#16
Lo-E, I see what you're saying but I wouldn't want 2 basses that produce the same tone. I really like what the LB75 can do and it makes a great 5 string bass. Plus, I could only get about 800 out of the LB75 while I can get all my 1500 back if I return the SB5000. GAH! What a hard decision... Why do I have to buy awesome basses that I don't want to let go?
 
#20
MycooLeeyun said:
I can't agree with "more is better". While a 5 string has it's benefits, it can also sometimes slow you down. I've owned plenty of 5 strings. I've only played 5's for pretty much my entire bass career (4 years or so) but have never been very comfortable on it. Sometimes that simplicity is better than those few extra notes that you can live without and many others have lived without it and did just fine. I finally got a chance to plug my SB5000 in and the tone is great but I still can't get over the B string being in the way of the FUNK! If I make the switch, I will be keeping my Carvin LB75 for the rare occasion that I need the 5th string but I'm thinking 4 might be the way to go for me. I just really hope I don't find a 4 to be lacking as CORBS stated.
Click to expand...

You've only played 5s, but never been comfortable on them, so you want a 4 but you'll have to install a thumb rest because your technique is so adapted to the 5.

Read it back and listen to what you are saying.
 

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