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

[edwinhurwitz]

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.

Hah! In my GD cover band, I use my '67 Starfire 90% of the time! Given that Phil never played a song the same way once, I figure that I can play it however it presents itself at any given time and the instrument it's played on matters less than the music in the moment. But I get it, it all depends on what you are going for and from '83 on, the low B is a big part of it (I remember when I first saw them with the 6 string and Healy's dbx subharmonic synth. It felt like the walls of the building were expanding).

My favorite era was '68-74, but even the 80s songs sound really good with the Starfire, although the Alembic filters help with getting that crispness. No lack of bombs.

 

[crazycloud]

I guess inflation is more like 200%, not 12%

It has nothing to do with inflation and everything to do with limited supply, and increasing demand especially as nostalgia is big at the moment and the basses are good quality and different to what's available easily. Cassettes are popular again amongst a certain segment of the population and old tapes now sell for similar money when even new they sounded like crap.

 

[iriegnome]

I routinely switch between my 4, 5, and 6 string basses. All about practice and feel. A lot depends on what kind of fun I want to have a a gig or practice

 

[Jugghaid]

Dum dum prices indeed.
The 5 strings go for $3-4k, used.
The 4 string version goes for $1400

I'm seeing RBV's going for $3k or more, as well.

And Ken Smiths that were bought at 2-3k are selling for 8-10k

Aria SB-1000 4 strings for $3-4k

I guess inflation is more like 200%, not 12%

Used prices on musical instruments are still high, but those are asking prices, not selling prices. I don't think people are paying that much.

 

[cannedsardines]

I agree about the inharmonicity, but I attribute that to using a B string that is too heavy. Once it gets real heavy, it starts vibrating more like a bar than a string and the harmonics go out of tune. I never use a string heavier than a .120 and it sounds good to me, but heavier than that and I hear problems.

Muting is always a thing, regardless of how many strings are on the bass.

I'll try a .120 the next time I restring my L2500. Agreed on muting. The point I was trying to make is that muting is much more challenging on a five string (at least for me!). The B is much less forgiving.

 

[Bliff Curton 2]

It has nothing to do with inflation and everything to do with limited supply, and increasing demand especially as nostalgia is big at the moment and the basses are good quality and different to what's available easily. Cassettes are popular again amongst a certain segment of the population and old tapes now sell for similar money when even new they sounded like crap.

There's no shortage of supply for the SR505 yet look at the price increase in less than 10 years

 

[Bliff Curton 2]

Hah! In my GD cover band, I use my '67 Starfire 90% of the time! Given that Phil never played a song the same way once, I figure that I can play it however it presents itself at any given time and the instrument it's played on matters less than the music in the moment. But I get it, it all depends on what you are going for and from '83 on, the low B is a big part of it (I remember when I first saw them with the 6 string and Healy's dbx subharmonic synth. It felt like the walls of the building were expanding).

My favorite era was '68-74, but even the 80s songs sound really good with the Starfire, although the Alembic filters help with getting that crispness. No lack of bombs.

I was in the Dead Family in Guernville in 2019-2021 and got to see Phil play at Terrapin Station every week.
He had his red Modulus Q6.
I'm sure it's because he was so old (literally the last year's of his life) but the bass was compressed to the max. It wasn't lively at all.
But it was a cool and unique experience. What was really groovy was the oil swirl art using an old projector.

Honestly, I had more fun at the bar next door seeing local bands play. Sonoma county is such a mecca of great musicians.

 

[edwinhurwitz]

I was in the Dead Family in Guernville in 2019-2021 and got to see Phil play at Terrapin Station every week.
He had his red Modulus Q6.
I'm sure it's because he was so old (literally the last year's of his life) but the bass was compressed to the max. It wasn't lively at all.
But it was a cool and unique experience. What was really groovy was the oil swirl art using an old projector.

Honestly, I had more fun at the bar next door seeing local bands play. Sonoma county is such a mecca of great musicians.

Arthritis is tough, but we should all be so lucky to be playing up the very end.

Sonoma and NoCal is full of great musicians! I used to tour through there and met some wonderful people.

 

[bucephylus]

Regarding the thread topic:

“Never” is a long time.

Our different instrument configurations offer various charms, and can each be appropriate for the various gigs as they come along. If one plays long enough, it is not uncommon to perform various kinds of gigs.

The four string is well suited for much of the Classic Rock / Blues / R&B / Funk etc material; simply because that’s how much of that fare was recorded.

But, aging vocal cords can require transpositions to accommodate. Adding the HipShot D-tuner to the 4 gives a couple of lower notes; and my experience is that those drop notes sound better on the longer string than on the five. But, playing in DADG does require a certain amount of sometimes challenging fingering.

The five is particularly good at transposing familiar patterns down scale, and has a couple of additional lower notes compared to the drop four.

The six has additional chording possibilities, which can be interesting; but, mainly for trios / Jazz gigs.

It’s useful to have all the tools in your kit, along with required proficiency. I tend to take the least number of strings needed for whatever parts I am performing. YMMV

 

[Jeff Scott]

Regarding the thread topic:

“Never” is a long time.

 

[ToddB1963]

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?

No, I'm regularly back and forth between 4 and 6 string basses, depending on the music.

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.

Don't feel you have to justify your preferences to anyone but yourself. Play what you play and enjoy it.

 

[brbadg]

I strongly prefer 4s. If I really need the extra 5 notes, I have one string bead with 24 frets. That’s all the notes of. 5 string wo 20 frets (except 1). I guess if I needed that last note I could get a Warwick with 26 frets.

It’s not really about having the extra low notes all the time. I actually shift up, which gives me more notes available without having to shift my position. That, to me is the real advantage.

 

[dave_p]

To be a well rounded musician it can’t hurt to be comfortable on both. No need to get caught in absolutes.

 

[dave_p]

It’s not really about having the extra low notes all the time. I actually shift up, which gives me more notes available without having to shift my position. That, to me is the real advantage.

This is what I prefer about a fiver. Less shifting and no open positions. Although the latter has actually hurt in some regards.

 

[cannedsardines]

I agree about the inharmonicity, but I attribute that to using a B string that is too heavy. Once it gets real heavy, it starts vibrating more like a bar than a string and the harmonics go out of tune. I never use a string heavier than a .120 and it sounds good to me, but heavier than that and I hear problems.

Muting is always a thing, regardless of how many strings are on the bass.

I put a .120 on my 5-string today and was surprised at how much better it sounded. (I was also surprised at how few choices there were in that gauge. I usually use DR Hi-Beams and they were the only DR roundwound available in that gauge at Strings by Mail ... I don't think they had any D'Addario options.)

 

[edwinhurwitz]

It’s not really about having the extra low notes all the time. I actually shift up, which gives me more notes available without having to shift my position. That, to me is the real advantage.

The other reason I like playing the lower notes up by the fifth fret is that as arthritis sets in, it's more comfortable and less of a strain. Of course, that is what I get with a 35" Modulus.

 

[JimiLL]

Same here. 15 years strait without hardly touching a 4 string much less looking at them.