Stingray 5 as only bass

[Dr. Cheese]

I love the idea, there's a zen like simplicity to having just one bass that you use for everything. Alas, I've tried to embrace bass minimalism before but it just never works out.

I very much prefer multiple basses, but if a bassist can’t make just one bass work for most gigs, it more than likely the shortcoming of the bassist, not the bass. A few times in my life a SR5 was my only bass, and worked beautifully. I never have had a problem slapping an SR5. Before I joined TB and constantly read about string spacing, it never phased me except in the most extreme circumstances. These days, I prefer at least 18mm at the bridge and 19mm is ideal.

 

[Geri O]

The bass is in storage at the moment so I don't play it.
View attachment 2934528

That bass is too gorgeous to be in storage! I’ll be happy to show it some daylight for you...

 

[Jack]

What a lot of people don't realise (although it has been mentioned in this thread already) is that the 5 string 'ray is actually a Sterling really. The pickup and such match the electronics on the Sterling a lot more than the 4 string Stingray.

So, a 4 string Sterling might be in your future.

 

[anton72]

but if a bassist can’t make just one bass work for most gigs, it more than likely the shortcoming of the bassist, not the bass.

and what if some songs require P-bass strung with flats played with a pick and the rest songs to be played on 5 strings more modern sounding J+J bass? Of course I can just USE my 5 string J-bass for playing all the songs but it will NEVER sound like my 4 string P-bass.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

What a lot of people don't realise (although it has been mentioned in this thread already) is that the 5 string 'ray is actually a Sterling really. The pickup and such match the electronics on the Sterling a lot more than the 4 string Stingray.

So, a 4 string Sterling might be in your future.

Great point! And I love my Sterling.

I think I've read the newer SR5's have alnico pickups vs the ceramic pickups of yesteryear.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

and what if some songs require P-bass strung with flats played with a pick and the rest songs to be played on 5 strings more modern sounding J+J bass? Of course I can just USE my 5 string J-bass for playing all the songs but it will NEVER sound like my 4 string P-bass.

A player can make it work. Of course, it will sound different. In a live setting, it can work. Turn down the treble, use a mute, play closer to the fingerboard.

 

[jd-ns]

You currently play a 5, so only you know whether the extra string is a necessity for you. If the lower notes are a vital part of your playing/sound keep it. If not, trade it for a 4. If you change your mind in the future, trade again. I switch between 4's and 5's and think both have pros/cons but one is not clearly better than the other.

 

[anton72]

In a live setting, it can work. Turn down the treble, use a mute, play closer to the fingerboard.

Agree. But what I discovered that even 5 and 4 version of the same instrument, same wood, preamp and pickups sound different. I owned 4 and 5 string USA Spector with identical specs but the scale and they sounded different.

 

[scowboy]

Another vote to keep your SR5. I'm on my 3rd one, it's the bass I always go back to. My second one was "the one" that I foolishly sold. My third one a 2001 model is very cool and it's a keeper. FWIW I also have a P-bass and a few others rotating in and out but I nearly always play my SR5. Don't sell it, I so regret selling the second one and even tried to get it back at one point before I got the one I have now.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

Agree. But what I discovered that even 5 and 4 version of the same instrument, same wood, preamp and pickups sound different. I owned 4 and 5 string USA Spector with identical specs but the scale and they sounded different.

Realistically, in a live setting with other instruments and vocals, it just doesn’t make that much difference.

 

[bassdude51]

FOUR extra notes. Four.

Umm, help me out. I might be wrong. A 5er has low B, C, C#, D, D#. Isn't that 5 notes that the 4 string doesn't have?

 

[SadowskySteve]

I loved my 2000 EBMM Stringray 5 and was my only bass for many years. I still miss the 18mm spacing at the bridge. The only reason I changed is that the maple neck really jumped with the weather, spring and fall it goes wayyy out. I upgraded to a Sadowsky last year and its hitting all of my needs. Pretty sure I will be selling my Stingray.

 

[Robroy]

Hey,

So a few years ago I traded for a Stingray 5 and its been my only bass. I like it a lot but I miss having a 4 string, there's just something in the tone of a 4 string that I feel 5s don't get. As well I prefer slapping on a 4. I have the opportunity to trade my stingray 5 (2000) for an American Jazz 4 (08). Ideally I would rather have only one bass, but I don't want to regret trading away my 5 string. Interested in opinions, if you were in my shoes what would you do?

Just go to Rondomusic and get one of those pretty SX 4 strings in the $150 range. It's what I did. Worked beautifully. I learned on a fiver, but I now have a couple of fours to mess with. The one in my avatar cost me $109, and that included a cheap gig bag and amp. I sold the amp for $25 right after buying the setup. The bass is an SX jazz, is very beautiful, plays great and sounds excellent.

I did the same thing to give six string a try as well. That one was only $130 and is beautiful silver.

 

[bassdude51]

I couldn't disagree with your *opinion* more...

I agree with your opinion totally. And, I am purposely being dogmatic, unreasonable and being the Devil's advocate. For humor.

There are many reasons for owning and playing a 5 string. And there are advantages to playing a 5er. Being able to play E at the 5th fret on the B string is an excellent thing.

I will state my opinion that to my ears (not everybody's) the low D sounds awesome but notes lower than that don't sound so good to me. Also, most bass cabs really struggle with notes lower than open E. Now, the "house PA" might do justice to the notes lower than E.

I enjoy hearing other's opinions and I learn from them.

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I loved my 2000 EBMM Stringray 5 and was my only bass for many years. I still miss the 18mm spacing at the bridge. The only reason I changed is that the maple neck really jumped with the weather, spring and fall it goes wayyy out. I upgraded to a Sadowsky last year and its hitting all of my needs. Pretty sure I will be selling my Stingray.

Great! All any of us wants is a bass that meets our needs. Roger Sadowsky makes a great bass for sure.

 

[SadowskySteve]

I agree with your opinion totally. And, I am purposely being dogmatic, unreasonable and being the Devil's advocate. For humor.

There are many reasons for owning and playing a 5 string. And there are advantages to playing a 5er. Being able to play E at the 5th fret on the B string is an excellent thing.

I will state my opinion that to my ears (not everybody's) the low D sounds awesome but notes lower than that don't sound so good to me. Also, most bass cabs really struggle with notes lower than open E. Now, the "house PA" might do justice to the notes lower than E.

I enjoy hearing other's opinions and I learn from them.

I switched a 5er many years ago for both easy transposition and avoiding detuning. As my bands and singers get older the song keys keep dropping. Having that low D or C# has come in handy many times. I hit the low C only for dramatic effect/ song endings

 

[4SG]

I'm always surprised by these "I only want/need one bass" posts. Of course you need multiple basses...What else are you going to spend your money on? Inessentials like food, medicine, clothes? Tuition? Taxes? Keep the 5 and buy the 4.

 

[Jack Butler]

FOUR extra notes. Four.

And at least 2 you can get easily on a 4 with drop d

 

[Eilif]

Hey,

So a few years ago I traded for a Stingray 5 and its been my only bass. I like it a lot but I miss having a 4 string, there's just something in the tone of a 4 string that I feel 5s don't get. As well I prefer slapping on a 4. I have the opportunity to trade my stingray 5 (2000) for an American Jazz 4 (08). Ideally I would rather have only one bass, but I don't want to regret trading away my 5 string. Interested in opinions, if you were in my shoes what would you do?

You've had a couple of years to get used to your 5 and you aren't feeling it. Seems like it's time to move on.

What I would do is
-Play a bunch of basses until you find a 4 that you absolutely fall in love with.
and/or
-If possible save some money an buy a second bass so that you have a backup 5 and a 4 string that you like.

What I wouldn't do is.
-Trade a Stingray 5 for a AmJazz4 as you'd be getting the worse side of that deal by ALOT.
-Move to a new bass that I wasn't absolutely in love with. You're post is short, but I'm not picking up that you are in love with the Jazz.

I'm playing all 4 strings right now. I miss the B, but my solution will be sometime this year to have one of my basses converted to BEAD. I completely understand that for many folks a 4-string just feels right and I wouldn't suggest forcing yourself to play a 5 string if you're a couple years into it and it still doesn't feel right.

 

[madbass6]

Hey,

So a few years ago I traded for a Stingray 5 and its been my only bass. I like it a lot but I miss having a 4 string, there's just something in the tone of a 4 string that I feel 5s don't get. As well I prefer slapping on a 4. I have the opportunity to trade my stingray 5 (2000) for an American Jazz 4 (08). Ideally I would rather have only one bass, but I don't want to regret trading away my 5 string. Interested in opinions, if you were in my shoes what would you do?

that would depend allot on style of music you play most! does it require that low B string ? i mean I would just keep the 5 and pick up a decent 4! easy enough rite? but of course you're very clear you only want one Bass ! with the 4 you can always just drop the tuning to B E A D but the slapping stuff wont be as clear! again that really depends on style of music you're into! good luck man!! I hope you dont regret your choice!