Not Happy With Quality of Fretted E on Low B-String

[khutch]

I use open notes a fair bit, and you honestly can't tell without looking at me while I play. It's not bad technique, it's just different.

All the cellists I have watched since I switched to using their tuning agree with you. They use open strings a lot and the one Bach cello piece I have dabbled with seems written to favor open strings. My fretted low E sounds fine and I have no open E that matches it.

Ken

 

[Mushroo]

^ it was a joke

 

[unclejane]

I've spent time looming in the DB forums and it's considered bad technique (and manners) to play any string open other than the E. Translate that etiquette to a five string and it applies to the B.

Very strange idea - why is playing open strings bad?

That said, I don't abuse open strings, but then again I don't avoid it either.

As for a lousy sound on the B, on my Bunny, the B string doesn't really start getting ratty until about F# or G, and it's fairly gradual until about the 12 fret position. So I use the B fairly frequently up to about the 7th fret position if there's a good fingering reason to do that. Otherwise, I do prefer E, F and so on on the E string if at all possible as the tone is a little more solid there.

LS

 

[Sethbass]

Huh?? Can't say I recall a time I've played a note above fret four on my Warwick Corv. 5... I sometimes wonder why I have a 5 string... and then I resolve a song on the C and I quickly remember! BOOM!

 

[Misterwogan]

Huh?? Can't say I recall a time I've played a note above fret four on my Warwick Corv. 5... I sometimes wonder why I have a 5 string... and then I resolve a song on the C and I quickly remember! BOOM!

The fact that you and others - wonder, reassures me that sticking with the four is the right approach for me.

 

[Wookieonbass]

I don't know but the only time fretted notes sound really noticeably boomier on the B strings of my basses is usually when I've put on a new set of strings that the bass isn't set up for. It usually starts with resetting the pickup height especially if I've changed to a thicker gage B. I think it's all in the string balance and compensating for it. At least that's my opinion and I could be wrong.