New player...buy a 5 string?

[thisSNsucks]

I wanted to be different when I first started playing so I went and bought a five string. It was the first time I held a bass so I had nothing to compare it to. I switched to a four string after about 8 months and haven't looked back since. I do like the idea of a 5 string but I haven't found one that I've been comfortable with.

 

[ksandvik]

Might be worth reading this thread, too:

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-913.html

That about 4-string versus 5-string versus 6-string versus 3-string versus whatever-string.

--Kent

 

[icantaffordawal]

The five string I own is the greatest and most playable bass I've ever gotten my hands on. Light weight, perfect string spacing, all strings come through with equal punch, and it's a down right cool bass. People don't think Jay Turser is very good, but if you want a 5 string and your just beginning, go for a JTB-550.

 

[Solarmist]

I take it that your friends is a 5. Choosing between a 4 or 5 is an individual thing with several factors. I'm not going to tell you one or the other, but maybe go to local guitar stores, and try out both - see what feels right. If you want LOW notes you can always drop tune a 4 string. All my 4 bangers are tuned C G C F, and its the best of both worlds.

 

[Simball]

IMO start on a 4 string. And no, not everyone eventually switches to a 5.

 

[lposavad]

You have no history on 4-string, so if you think you will eventually use a five then go for it.

 

[dhagler]

I started out on a 4, then switched to a 5 after about a year because I was playing gospel, a lot of which is written in E-flat. You can also walk up to F, G, and A-flat. I still play a 4 when I play jazz because most of it is written in B-flat.

Eventually, you will want to have one of each.

 

[Lord Black]

Ok so the 4 or 5 string thing looks like its going to be left up to me. What about everyone's opinion on SX and OLP basses?

 

[E2daGGurl]

I think learning various hand positions are essential to a good bass sound, so buying a 5 in order to be lazy about hand position is not my gig - I'm lazy enough as it is.

How are your lessons going? If you're not adept at finding the various patterns up and down the fretboard and want to wait on that lesson - then go ahead, get a 5. But if you find you're lazy about repositioning, in future, buy a 4.

It also depends on who you're going to play with. I don't know about you, but being a solo bass player is not my cuppa. I play with other instruments - mostly with guitars and drums. My low E string is my most difficult to control - it ends up sounding evilushly loud all the time ( I don't know why - I don't hit it that hard! really I don't! ) and needs to come under my control way more. I've only been playing a year. Having TWO out of control boomers on my guitar just isn't in the cards right (I want to sound good, as well as learn to play).

It took me a year of messing with strings and setup and technique to get the E string partly where I wanted it to be - then I bought a new bass, because it really did matter at that point.

Now, I'm learning to really master those four strings. When I've done that, I'll get a 5.

Extending the patterns to a new string is the easiest part for me, controlling the tone and the quality of the sound, including even volume, with all my fingers at every position on the fretboard - including my right hand work, well 4 is way plenty and a major reason I love bass.

But the main reason I rejected the 5 is that, well, many people I know who use that low B shouldn't be, in my view. And I'm definitely one of those that shouldn't be, right now.

 

[dhagler]

Ok so the 4 or 5 string thing looks like its going to be left up to me. What about everyone's opinion on SX and OLP basses?

My 5 is an SX. I may eventually mod it but I will never sell it or trade it.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Since it seems that everyone plays 5 string eventually would it be worth spending a bit extra and getting a 5 string out of the box.
LB

:scowl: Sorry, that was my smiley rant . IMO, play what feels best. If you start out on a five and then decide you don't like it and get a four, you'll be crazy fast. Again IMO!! If you start on four and go to five, it'll take some getting used to but that's really not a big deal at all. Rock on!!

 

[kjpollo]

Ok so the 4 or 5 string thing looks like its going to be left up to me. What about everyone's opinion on SX and OLP basses?

Definitely get yourself to a music store and try out as many basses as they'll let you play. Don't beat on them but play them. Try 4's, 5's 6's, try a fretless or 2 (try to find a lined fretless at first so you have a point of reference). You'll get a feel for what works best for you-and thats what really matters!!!

As far as OLP vs SX, I'm SERIOUSLY considering an SX for my first lined fretless. After reading all the good things people have to say about them here, I can only say I wish this stuff was available when I got my first axe during the Lincoln administration!!
Apparently they are very satisfactory out of the box and they have the advantage of being Fender clones so there are TONS of upgrades readily available as you progress. The only drawback to SX is that they are not available in stores so you cant try one first-hand.

In any event-welcome to the club and have fun!

 

[SurrenderMonkey]

I don't understand your thinking. Sure, having a 5 is great for detuned metal, but aren't you depriving yourself of lower octaves that can be used in regular music as well? I for one like to go lower in other music as well as metal.

I suppose, but I find 4 strings easier to play. I often like getting back to my 4 strings if I can.

So yeah, it's up to you. There is nothing you can do on a 4 that you can't do on a 5. As for the bass, I'd personnaly go with a Yamaha or Ibanez as they have great quality control and make good cheap 5 strings.

 

[JimmyM]

My 5 gets the least use of all my basses but I'm glad I have one. I'll never buy another one but it's good to have one in case you need the low notes without having to learn a whole new tuning. I never saw any advantage to being able to have an extra string to do fewer position shifts, but some do, I spose. In the end, it doesn't matter. Just get a bass and get to work.

 

[Martin Bormann]

I am just starting out playing bass and currently use my friends. He is showing me a few things he knows but eventually I will take lessons. I plan on buying a bass before I start lessons. Since it seems that everyone plays 5 string eventually would it be worth spending a bit extra and getting a 5 string out of the box. Making my investment more long lasting or would it hinder the learning process?

LB

5's are for nancys and sissies. A real man wouldn't touch a bass that has less than 12 strings on it.

 

[Funk 'N' Stein]

I say go with a five. There's absolutely no reason to settle for arbitrarily limited range and playability anymore. In addition to its greater range, a five will give you a full two octaves under your fingers in every position, allowing you to focus on expression and articulation instead of needlessly shifting up and down the fingerboard.

As far as I'm concerned, the four string bass has been obsolete for at least two decades, but old-school players stubbornly turn their backs on the instrument's evolution, and anachronistic icons die hard.

How about focussing on groove...feel and time...all of which are far more important skills to develop if you are a beginner/intermediate player and all of which transcend any argument concerning 4 vs 5 stringed electric basses . Are you trying to tell me that cats can groove better on ERBs?? I'm speechless at the thought.

And 'needlessly shifting up and down the finger board'?? what you construe as needlessly shifting, I construe as the opportunity to continually develop a knowledge of the board which is second to none. In fact I choose not to play a 5 for that very reason...is that wrong??

The four string bass is not obsolete. Far from it and perfectly adequate for 99% of bass players out there...especially jazz and rock players. A four string bass serves the music...you just have to know how to play it.

Finally ....as a four string, old school player who plays mostly jazz on bass, (but also most other mainstream styles)...id like to say that I've never turned my back on the instrument's evolution and welcome players taking it in new directions. I love guys like Anthony jackson.The fact that i eschew ERBs personally, does not make me stubborn; I'm just very content to lay down a good groove on 4. I derive great satisfaction from it. An ERB would be of no advantage to me in my pursuit of the musical goals I have set for myself (which are considerable).

You take quite a liberty in making the broad sweeping statements that you have. Not everyone feels the want or need to play an ERB...and playing one certainly does not give me more 'currency' as a player IMO. Quite frankly... that notion is ridiculous.

To the OP...get what you feel comfortable with mate...but honestly, there is certainly no disadvantage in playing a four string bass. There is so much to learn before you even need to start worrying about whether you need those few extra notes or not...or whether you can play two octaves in the one position.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Four string will never become obsolete, but a fiver provides much more flexibility, and therefore marketability. Many bass lines these days, even in pop, country, and blues, travel below low E. On top of that, I prefer the additional range: I play the B string above low E as often as I do below.

 

[oyobass]

Ok so the 4 or 5 string thing looks like its going to be left up to me. What about everyone's opinion on SX and OLP basses?

I like my OLP 5 MM style bass. Really like it, bordering on obsession.
I have more expensive basses, but the one I get compliments about the tone is the OLP. I can get the action twice as low as any of my other basses except my fretless, and the sound sits well in the mix live.

I have also played poorly set up and weaker sounding OLP basses, so have the bass set up by someone, or learn how to do it yourself. A good set up can make a world of difference.

Good luck!

oyo

 

[Debased]

How about focussing on groove...feel and time...all of which are far more important skills to develop if you are a beginner/intermediate player and all of which transcend any argument concerning 4 vs 5 stringed electric basses . Are you trying to tell me that cats can groove better on ERBs?? I'm speechless at the thought.

Feel and time come from the player, not the instrument, and are no more relevant to this topic than good posture and fashion sense. Groove has absolutely nothing to do with string count; you either have it or you don't.

And needlessly shifting up and down the finger board'?? what you construe as needlessly shifting, I construe as the opportunity to continually develop a knowledge of the board which is second to none. In fact I choose not to play a 5 for that very reason...is that wrong??

So, you're suggesting that having a full two octaves under your fingers at all times inhibits a player's knowledge of the fingerboard?

Shifting up and down the board should be an option rather than a necessity.

The four string bass is not obsolete. Far from it and perfectly adequate for 99% of bass players out there...especially jazz and rock players.

If four-string basses are "perfectly adequate" for 99% of the players out there, why are fives enjoying the tremendous popularity that the various TB polls suggest? Some of the top luthiers like Mike Tobias and George Furlanetto seldom build fours anymore. The limited-range five and full-range six are their bread and butter.

A four string bass serves the music...you just have to know how to play it.

And a five-string bass serves the music even better by increasing the instrument's range and playability, which opens up more options for musical expression. You just have to know how to play it.

Finally ....as a four string, old school player who plays mostly jazz on bass, (but also most other mainstream styles)...id like to say that I've never turned my back on the instrument's evolution and welcome players taking it in new directions. I love guys like Anthony jackson.The fact that i eschew ERBs personally, does not make me stubborn; I'm just very content to lay down a good groove on 4. I derive great satisfaction from it. An ERB would be of no advantage to me in my pursuit of the musical goals I have set for myself (which are considerable).

How did ERBs (seven or more strings) get dragged into this?

We all pick the limitations we're willing to live with: You get what you settle for. I haven't owned a four-string in over twenty five years, and for me, settling for such an outdated instrument would be like losing a finger on my left hand.

IMO, a beginner should start with the best tool at their disposal, and the best tool is the one that offers fewer limitations. Thankfully, the EBG has evolved in the last half-century. If you learn on the truncated-range basses of the past, you'll be hobbled at the starting gate.

 

[tZer]

In my opinion you don't lose anything by going with a 5. You gain, but you don't lose.

However, 5'er's are typically more expensive - and really, that's the only downside. If you start on one you'll never experience that "lost" feeling you can get when you start on a 4 and decide to add a 5 to your arsenal. BUT that "lost" feeling goes away quickly if you practice for a bit.

Anyway - I see many here sort of snub the 5'er's as "unnecessary" or they say things like "I rarely ever play that low" - both are pretty flimsy reasons not to get one. You gain so much more than a few lower notes with a 5 - mainly the ability to play 2 complete octaves in 1 position which makes for less shifting and more opportunity when it comes to crafting bass parts.

BUT - I love my 4's too - and there's really no legitimate argument that makes either "better or worse" than the other. So - as all will ultimately say - go with what makes you happiest! That'll be the right choice for you!


(Get a 5'er! You won't be sorry!)