sound of E string on a 5string bass

[pilotjones]

I postulate that if you tried the same B-removal experiment, but plucking with your thumb, you might hear zero difference. Plucking with a finger going into air or onto an adjoining string makes all the difference in the world. Even if you try to pluck the same way both times, you are not going to. Plus, your anchoring thumb might be positioned differently, too.

 

[jallenbass]

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.

But by that logic the A string on a 4 stinger would be affected similarly. I haven't noticed that.

 

[jallenbass]

I postulate that if you tried the same B-removal experiment, but plucking with your thumb, you might hear zero difference. Plucking with a finger going into air or onto an adjoining string makes all the difference in the world. Even if you try to pluck the same way both times, you are not going to. Plus, your anchoring thumb might be positioned differently, too.

But then I should experience the same issue with any lowest string and I don't.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

My opinion goes along with what PilotJones suggested up on #13. The difference between the basses is the neck. The 5 string neck will be wider, have more wood, more mass, and probably be stiffer than the 4-string neck. That's going to change the tone on all of the strings, but mostly on the lower ones. When most Luthiers/manufacturers develop a 5-string, their biggest concern is getting a good sound out of the B string. So they may add additional stiffness to get clarity and sustain out of the B, and that will change the sound on the other strings (as compared to their 4-string model), but it will be most noticeable on the E.

 

[pilotjones]

But then I should experience the same issue with any lowest string and I don't.

I posit that if a person played the A on a normal 4 string, and on a 4 string with the E removed, he would play differently and produce a different tone.

I know I can get a lot of different tones by plucking change, without touching my tone controls.

 

[giacomini]

First thing I tought when I saw the 1st post was plucking technique, like said here before.

I think it makes a world of difference the way you play the string, and having or not a "resting point" in the lower strings must represent at least a little of the tone change people are refering to...

In fact, I like E strings better on 5 string basses. In my opinion they sound better because I can control it better and in 5ers I notice that I use the upper frets of the E strings more than I would in a 4 sringer.

 

[BassZilla5]

I've never given this much thought, but now that it's been brought up...

The idea of using different right hand technique makes a lot of sense. But that may only be part of it. Another factor might be a difference in the string guage itself. I use Ernie Ball Slinkys... "Regular" for my five string and "Hybrid" for two of my four stringers. The E string guage is a .105 for the 4 string set and a .100 for the 5 string set. All of the higher string guages are the same (.045 G, .065 D and .085 A).

 

[Meatrus]

I've never given this much thought, but now that it's been brought up...

The idea of using different right hand technique makes a lot of sense. But that may only be part of it. Another factor might be a difference in the string guage itself. I use Ernie Ball Slinkys... "Regular" for my five string and "Hybrid" for two of my four stringers. The E string guage is a .105 for the 4 string set and a .100 for the 5 string set. All of the higher string guages are the same (.045 G, .065 D and .085 A).

String gauge would definitely affect your sound too, but a lot of 5 string sets are simply a 4 string set with an extra string. Obviously not yours though!

 

[bassdude51]

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).

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

I assume you are talking that an open E sounds different on a 4 string than a 5, right? And that bothers you and you want the open E to sound the same on both bases?

You might be right that there is a difference in sound. I agree with those that say it is because we pluck the open E differently when it's the top string and when it's not the top string.

You seem to have comfirmed this when you removed the B and plucked the open E on your 5er.

If the differences in the sound of the open E bothers you, ask yourself, "How often do I pluck an open E?" "When I play live, does it really matter?"

Also, using the logic that an open E sounds differently on a 4 compared to a 5, then that also means that the open A, open D and open G also sound differently because they have a string that sits above them too.

If there is a difference is sound of the open E then one will just have to get used to it. The difference has to be very small!

Some possible solutions would be to play a 4 when needed and switch to a 5 when needed. Also, a 4 string with a drop-tuner will give lower notes but will still leave the E for that "open sound".

IMHO, this sound difference of the open E, if it exists, is not something to be too overly concerned about.

Play that 5er and enjoy it!