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Mini Crisis - Please help

#21
Right, I've never felt very comfortable on my instrument. I have decent chops but I feel like I'm fighting the bass most of the time. When I'm at home playing I grab my crappy 4 string squier instead of my LB75 because I simply enjoy jamming on it more. My technique is very adapted to a 5. I don't think I would NEED a thumb rest but maybe it could be helpful to play in that sweet spot depending on what kind of bass I'm playing. A stingray's pickup is perfectly placed for the sweet spot while a jazz bass seems to have a sweet spot right in between the 2 pickups. I don't get what you're saying, pickles.
 
#22
I've never played anything but 4-bangers my whole life (never felt even a little urge for more strings) so my opinion doesn't matter a hill o' beans in the "4 vs. 5" part of this discussion.

Leaving the number of strings out for now, when I play basses in the store I don't even plug them in until I'm getting really serious about wanting to buy. I'm much more concerned with the feel and comfort of the instrument than anything else.

All that said, it sounds to me like you've made your mind up and you're just looking for validation. Go for the four and if your band gives you any crap about it, tell 'em to shut the hell up and rock out.
 
#23
I have a 5 but only use it on songs that require it, I am more comfortable on a 4 as my main axe, so no your not crazy, I second the idea of returning the carvin buying a really nice four and an intermediate 5 for when its needed.
 
#25
E flat?
Much less flying around the neck?
It took me a while to change over, and now I can barely play a four because I'm always going down for the note on the B string which isn't there any more, but somewhere much less convenient.
IMO it's not just those extra notes, it's about patterns working everywhere = easier playing.
Stick with it - suddenly it will make sense.
Plus - floating thumb = fewer probs in the long run IMO
 
#26
Cool band- didn't think much of the drummer or guitarist- good song, bass playing and vocals.
If you are uncomfortable with a bass with a B string, don't play one?
I am
Like the last poster- I use the B like a garage band player and position Most of my root notes off of it.
To do this I had to make the B string
Mine about 13 years ago like I had made the E string mine when I first started on 4.
I learned C to C on the low B so I can position myself in any key from the first fret to the 13th.
 
#27
I just don't see the crisis in all of this. Either you will be playing a 4 or a 5-string. Keep both and end the mental debate.

It's like carrying a jacket when the weather looks crappy; you can put it on when you need it. If you need it and don't have it, then you're screwed.
 
#28
MycooLeeyun said:
Right, I've never felt very comfortable on my instrument. I have decent chops but I feel like I'm fighting the bass most of the time. When I'm at home playing I grab my crappy 4 string squier instead of my LB75 because I simply enjoy jamming on it more. My technique is very adapted to a 5. I don't think I would NEED a thumb rest but maybe it could be helpful to play in that sweet spot depending on what kind of bass I'm playing. A stingray's pickup is perfectly placed for the sweet spot while a jazz bass seems to have a sweet spot right in between the 2 pickups. I don't get what you're saying, pickles.
Click to expand...

I was saying you should just play the 5 string. It's likely you'll be just as uncomfortable on the 4 string, and that you should just play more and get comfortable on bass in general. A 5th string should not be a meaningful problem if you have good technique.

Don't get me wrong, I love 4 strings. But playing a 5 is never a "problem". So it just sounds to me like you need to keep practicing and gigging. Jamming at home always feels different than playing out.
 
#29
I think that Carvin's 10 day trial period haunts bass players. lol

It took me a while to realize that I don't really need the low B string...ever. A 4 string bass would suit me just fine honestly and I prefer the notes of the E tuned to D rather than the B. Many Talkbass members have a way of making people feel unmanly if they don't like the sound of a B string or don't wanna play a 5 string bass. You have to decide what's best for you. Because I've always played 5's a 5 string neck is very comfortable to me and I actually prefer it. I'm about to string one of my 5's up to be E-C to give that a shot. Will I use the C string a ton? No, but the B won't be in my way if I downtune the E and I like the additional options for chording or playing a riff. I'm gonna try it and see how it works.

As far as the Sb5000 goes, it's a beautiful bass. Also, if you wanna stick with a 5 string, you may wanna put away the 4 for a while and just jam on the 5's for a couple of months. If the 4 is your comfort zone and you keep going back to it without becoming comfortable on the 5 first, the 5 will never be as comfortable.
 
#31
I must admit that I don't practice enough on my own time and give my instrument the attention it deserves. I usually just play when I'm at band practice for about 4 or 5 hours a week. When I'm at home, I don't really feel inclined to play my bass because I don't get much joy out of playing a 5 string. When I'm playing with my band it's fine because that's just what I do. You might be right when you say that maybe I Just haven't put enough time into it yet but I've been playing 5's for 3 years now and I'm still not comfortable on them? Maybe a tighter string spacing would make 5's more enjoyable for me... I have no idea. I'm just tired of sacrificing my enjoyment for a few extra notes and added convenience. I want to jam out and have fun and I seem to do that more on a 4 string. Again, thank you all for your input on the situation!
 
#33
I just had a great jam session on my new SB5000. I threw the low B in a couple of times but I still feel like it got in the way for the most part. If this thing was a 4, I think I would've been jumping off the walls with excitement during that jam session. Oh man.... this is really tough. The toughest part is having to wait another 2 months for a new bass although I will be out for 3 of the weeks due to wrist surgery. The fact that the bass is aesthetically beautiful doesn't help either.
 
#35
@peledog - The plan is to have a 4 and a 5. Right now I own a Carvin LB75 and a Carvin SB5000. The thing I'm contemplating now is making 4's my main gigging instrument and returning the SB5000 that I just got to get an SB4000 or some other 4 banger. I will own a 4 and a 5 it's just a matter of making that switch to 4's that is tough.
 
#37
I do incorporate it but it still hasn't become part of my playing like I wish it would. It's hard to have this huge string sitting there that you don't use all that often when you can have a smaller more comfortable neck, no huge string in the way, and use all the strings equally on a 4 string.
 
#38
Ah. I see. I've played both the SB4000 and 5000 and love them. I don't own either, but I've been to the Carvin store here in San Diego and played them quite a few times. If you like the 5000 more than the LB75, then get the SB4000. I have not played any of the LB series, so, I can't really compare the two. All I can say is, the SB was very comfortable and easy to play. Perhaps look into a 4 banger with different tonal qualities. If you like the J/J sound over the MM/J, then keep the SB5000 - maybe go for a P/J 4 banger. I gig with a Spector Rebop 4, and after trying the SB5000, a Yamaha BB425, a Warwick Corvette AND a Rebop 5 - I settled on a Spector Legend Custom 5. I don't play it as much, since it's a recent acquisition - but I don't see it becoming my main bass. As for the extra string - learning songs using a different position (utilizing the low B) can be challenge - I just prefer a 4 string, and only use the 5 when necessary.

My $0.02
 
#39
Thanks peledog, your input is much appreciated. When it comes to a jazz bass I just see it as a 4 string. I would like the SB4000 and to keep my LB75 for the rare 5 string appearances in our set. I'm just having trouble committing to the switch because I'm so used to playing 5's.
 
#40
MycooLeeyun, I think you need to ask yourself why you play Bass, - I think most players will say because they enjoy it. So are you enjoying playing the SB5000? It doesn't sound like it. Get the instrument you will be happy with. The wait won't be that bad, you said yourself that you will be out of action for some of it. and you still have the LB75 for the times you need the B string.
 

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