The band leader in a fusion band asked me to play a five string. So for 8 years, I did. As soon as that project was over, I couldn't get away from that bass fast enough. I went right back to 4's. I doubt I'll play a 5er again....
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Now that I've been playing 5-string I can never go back
- Thread starter ChristIsKing
- Start date
Nope, but I've played fives so much lately that I expected trouble going back to four. But one of my bands has a set that doesn't require a five for anything, so I've been playing fours and it's no problem.
In the context of my Grateful Dead cover band, however, I would probably be disoriented on several tracks without the B string. I've never even attempted to use a four in that band.
Maybe it's just me, but after buying & trying 7 different 5 string basses, none of them made me want to give up 4 bangers. I still have two 5 stringers, but I only use them begrudgingly LOL. To be honest, I'm not a very dedicated musician; it's more of a hobby for me, but I do enjoy participating in making music in any way I can.
I'll never go back from ER to trad... before a song is finished.
I can bounce back and forth.
Frankly, the four stringer encourage playing higher, which works out well given that we are piano, acoustic guitar, and bass…and sometimes we don’t have an acoustic guitar.
The one problem with a 5 string is the larger neck. 4 string necks are easier to play on. I have a excersie where I assign a finger per fret and do these stretches which helps
I've mainly played four string forever. I got a five string last year or so and, although novel and interesting, I didn't like it that much.
I got a six string a couple of months ago and, for some reason, I absolutely love playing that! I could see playing the six string as often as possible, but I still don't have much interest in the five string. I'm really not sure why, and I think it's kind of goofy, actually. LOL!
That being said, I can fully understand why someone could switch to five string and not want to go back to four.
I got a six string a couple of months ago and, for some reason, I absolutely love playing that! I could see playing the six string as often as possible, but I still don't have much interest in the five string. I'm really not sure why, and I think it's kind of goofy, actually. LOL!
That being said, I can fully understand why someone could switch to five string and not want to go back to four.
I went from a Peavey T-40 bass in the 80s to a Carvin LB-75 in 1992 and have never looked back. I took to the five stringer like a duck to water.
Every once I a while, I pull one my 4 stringers off the wall but I always end up grabbing one of my fivers within just a few minutes.
I have developed such a muscle memory for playing fivers in the past 30+ years that using a four stringer is now an exercise in frustration for me.
I still have a couple of four stringers but they rarely ever get played.
Every once I a while, I pull one my 4 stringers off the wall but I always end up grabbing one of my fivers within just a few minutes.
I have developed such a muscle memory for playing fivers in the past 30+ years that using a four stringer is now an exercise in frustration for me.
I still have a couple of four stringers but they rarely ever get played.
You've just been playing the wrong 5-string basses.
I like to keep 4's around for classic vibes/performance and drop D tuning. But 5 total strings are the perfect amount for bass guitar. The Low B string is quite handy.
Those ARE great 5s. I had one in early 2000s, traded it for a G&L L2500 that I still have. Some similarities, but the G&L did some sounds better for me. Someday I want to try a two-pickup Stingray special!
Yes, a long time ago. Once in a while I pick up one of my old 4 string basses but it doesn't stay in my hands for long. I keep two for sentimental reasons but for gigs and practice it's always one of my 5 stringers.
I play them all. 4, 5 or 6; fretted or fretless. More strings literally means more notes at the palm of your hand.
It can be a blessing or a curse!
It can be a blessing or a curse!
I swore that I wouldn't go back... then I did and liked it.
And I go back to 5 again... and like it.
They are easily interchanged for me. I've basically adapted my 5 in the cover band to work for me when there is a detuned song for the guitarists or I need that "octave down" effect and my octave pedal gets too glitchy for it.
And I go back to 5 again... and like it.
They are easily interchanged for me. I've basically adapted my 5 in the cover band to work for me when there is a detuned song for the guitarists or I need that "octave down" effect and my octave pedal gets too glitchy for it.
Never stretch.
Your hand, from index to pinky, should cover 3 frets. Any more. . . . then you move your hand.
