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sound of E string on a 5string bass

S

SummerSoft

Jun 17, 2005
128
1
45
#1
Hi!

I noticed that on evry 5string bass I've played an E string sounds differently from an E string on a 4string bass (I guess that's because a B string is thicker and has stronger effect on the neck than an E string). :eyebrow:

So, I would like to know if there is some luthier's trick to make an E string on a 5string bass sound as close to an E string on a 4string bass as possible?
Is making a stiffer neck the clue? Is it the only clue?

Thanks in advance
 
#2
I'm going to resurrect this question because I too have noticed this phenomenon with 5 strings. The E string is kind of thunky. Not as clear as a 4 string. I currently have a Musicman Classic 4 and 5 string and it is quite apparent. I've also noticed it on a G&L USA 5 string and a Squier Jazz V. I haven't tried every 5 sting bass out there but if it's noticeable on a Musicman then I'm relatively sure it's not the quality of the instrument that creates this.
 
#4
The more strings the more stress on the neck. More stress on the neck makes the bass sound more live. I noticed this a lot with the 10 string bass that I used to own.

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#10
Have you tried subbing different guage E strings in with your set? If you buy some singles of the same type, you could experiment and see if a particular guage sits better with the others. If you find one that works well, you could look for a stock set that uses the same guages.
 
#12
Lo-E said:
Have you tried subbing different guage E strings in with your set? If you buy some singles of the same type, you could experiment and see if a particular guage sits better with the others. If you find one that works well, you could look for a stock set that uses the same guages.
Click to expand...

I did try an A string in place of the E and it still wasn't great. I will try taking the B string off to see how that affects things.
 
#13
Regarding trying the 5er without the B string mounted, I wouldn't expect presence or absence of the B to make any partcular difference in the sound of the E.

The fact is that a 5er has a wider, and therefore both more massive and stiffer neck beam. This can be expected to vibrate differently, and lend a different tonality.


I find that in general 4s are punchier and woodier, by which I mean that they have a quicker decay characteristic and more midrange emphasis.
 
#14
I think the nature of any relationship of strings means, like others have said, one will effect the others in ways you don't expect. I remember a big name player commenting on this some years back in BP mag and at the time I couldn't figure it out, but I do now. I'd try different strings like Lo-E said, but at the end of the day, no two instruments are alike anyhow, so a lot of it is your ear and expectations. I took me a few months to get used to my Stingray5 after a number of years playing a P mostly. In the end, I just got used to it being what it is. Although I have to say, the B string is more what I find less pleasing, not the E.
 
#15
Could it not be the player rather than the bass? You may be sub consciously plucking the string in a different way on a fiver to avoid hitting the low B at the same time. On a four string you may feel a bit more free, which could result in a different sound for you personally. Just an idea.
 
#18
Meatrus said:
Could it not be the player rather than the bass? You may be sub consciously plucking the string in a different way on a fiver to avoid hitting the low B at the same time. On a four string you may feel a bit more free, which could result in a different sound for you personally. Just an idea.
Click to expand...

What I have figured out is that using a lighter right hand attack diminishes the effect that I am referring to.
 
#20
Could the difference possibly be in the pickup pole pieces? On a five string, I wonder if the pole pieces under the B and A strings affect the E, whereas on a 4-string, only the E and A pole pieces have a magnetic pull. The magnetic fields might not be large enough for this to make a difference, but I'm just that idea out there.
 

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