• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Now that I've been playing 5-string I can never go back

ChristIsKing

ChristIsKing

Supporting Member
Nov 7, 2024
128
643
#1
Ever since I started playing 5-string basses for church a few years ago I just cannot go back to 4-string. Anyone else experience this? Anytime I pick up a 4-string it just feels anemic. I love having that extra octave on the 5-string and I just love the bigger, chunkier necks in my hand.

Of course this is also a double edged sword since often times I'll find myself drooling over some very good looking bass only to find out they don't offer it in a 5-string version.

Switching to 5-string though has to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I enjoy them so much more than 4-strings.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: KB5, Glazenn, ColinR and 33 others
#4
I said this for something like 20 years.... then I bought a short scale and started playing 4 strings again. Still primarily a five string player, but just calling out you could still change your mind (eventually). I only play 4 strings when the bass offers something unique I cannot get in a 5 (so a few short scale 4 strings and a Lakland Hollowbody are my 4 string basses).
 
  • Like
Reactions: PrimitiveMan, Jason Stock, GKon and 1 other person
#5
ChristIsKing said:
Ever since I started playing 5-string basses for church a few years ago I just cannot go back to 4-string. Anyone else experience this? Anytime I pick up a 4-string it just feels anemic. I love having that extra octave on the 5-string and I just love the bigger, chunkier necks in my hand.

Of course this is also a double edged sword since often times I'll find myself drooling over some very good looking bass only to find out they don't offer it in a 5-string version.

Switching to 5-string though has to be one of the best decisions I've ever made. I enjoy them so much more than 4-strings.
Click to expand...
I haven't played a 4 other than to pick one up and mess around since I took the plunge 25 years ago. I can't see any situation where I'd ever play a 4 again. The B is just vital.
 
  • Like
  • Love
Reactions: Glazenn, Bassdirty, ChristIsKing and 1 other person
#6
When I bought a five string a few years ago I was pretty quickly convinced that the five string would be the bass for me from then on. I started to consider selling my four string basses and replacing them with one really nice five string. I have since moderated that stance and still really enjoy my four strings for what they are. That said, I could probably cover every musical scenario with two or three five string basses. If I had to rebuild my bass collection from scratch it would probably be with all five string basses, oh also a synth……gotta have a synth
 
  • Like
Reactions: NotHereNow and ChristIsKing
#7
Memphis Soul said:
I am the exact opposite. I can’t even bring myself to try a 5 string. I probably should but I think my fear is I would end up like you. I love a 4 string so much I don’t want to lose that love for them. I may in the minority of those who have never even tried a 5 sting but I don’t know.
Click to expand...
I don't think you're in the minority. There are people on here who would likely have to go to the emergency room if they played anything but a P bass.
 
Last edited:
  • Haha
  • Like
Reactions: Micha84, Glazenn, wblaze and 14 others
#9
After playing 5s I tried to switch back to 4s for a couple years, it never worked and then I stopped playing al together for 7-8 years. Now that I've been at it again for 4-5 years I'm stuck in between: I really like to string space of a P bass with 1 11/16 necks and definitely need something lower than E. Current solution is tuning to C#, which is great for playing with E standard guitars BTW. I do still miss B and C on the low end, and rarely but often enough I miss a proper G string. My left hand prefers 5 string necks, my right wants that P bass, and my ears are still accustomed to the range... maybe I just convinced myself that you're right.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Glazenn and ChristIsKing
#10
After you adjust to a 5 String EB there are (at least in my case) some real advantages. Those notes below low E ( Namely Eb, D, Db, C, and B come in real handy playing parts off a Church Choir folio or Hymnal. Timbao playing benefits on the ability to drop to a lower note below E vs going up and octave. Extended passages can be played across. I still play Double Bass without any issues. Just my take however. I'd really benefit from a Lakland 55-94 with a 34" scale as I have smaller hands. They occasionally make them, but the sticker shock is just out of sight
 
  • Like
Reactions: Bassdirty, EASonBass and ChristIsKing
#15
Yup. I forced myself to switch to a 5 twenty five years ago also doing a church gig and I haven’t really gone back. Right before Covid I tried and bought my first 6 and used them almost exclusively until only last year - I now have a couple of 5’s again but mainly gig with my 6’s - and I don’t own a single 4 and probably never will.

My son started bass about 6 months ago and I started him on a 5. After asking I just got him a 5 string fretless too - I always figure better to have the notes and not use them than to need them and not have them.
 
  • Like
Reactions: el jeffe bass and chris_b
#16
I upgraded to 5 string basses in 1996. I really don't care how many strings are on bass but having fewer notes under my fingers at any one time would be a serious limitation and would cramp my style.
 
#20
I switched to fives in the late 80's, and played only fives until a few years ago when I bought a Squier Jazz a few years ago on a whim.

After many years of 24-fret, neck through fives, suddenly a 21 fret Jazz with that skinny Jazz neck felt like I was playing a mandolin!

Fives fit me on so many levels that I'd never really spend any real time back on a four, they're too hard to play.
 
  • Like
Reactions: 31HZ

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back