I tune my 5-strings GCGCF, but have recently gotten into 4-strings tuned BEAD ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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switching to 5 string
- Thread starter ics1974
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I learned on a 4 ('05 squier vm jazz). A couple years in to my guitar-to-bass transition, i got an ibanez sr 505 and loved it! But i felt that i hadn't really "learned" the bass yet and that 4 strings just seemed like the place to stay for a while. So i sold my 5 and got a few more fours and played the crap out of them for a few years.
Then I discovered 19mm spacing and got the Brubaker Brute and then the Harley Benton you see in my profile pic. They're what I play about 98% of the time now.
Then I discovered 19mm spacing and got the Brubaker Brute and then the Harley Benton you see in my profile pic. They're what I play about 98% of the time now.
Think of the 5-string tuning as Drop-C (CGCF) with an additional lower string. That G0 by itself is pretty ridiculous but I like a little space to either side of that C1 at the 5th fret of the fat string.my brain can’t even comprehend that
I go back and forth, but often prefer the 4 if I don't need the lower range, as I don't have to mute the B and I prefer the spacing of most fours. I will use the fiver quite often when playing certain music, like show tunes.
That said, when I go out and watch other players I find the following interesting:
- Many players using fivers in music that isn't written for fivers don't really take advantage of the extended range in a single position by playing at the fifth fret. They play open strings at the start of the neck and use the B as the world's longest thumb rest.
- Many players who use the B don't mute it properly, and if the FOH engineer doesn't high pass them, there's a bit of rumble out front that gets muddy yet can't really be heard through the stage rig, monitors, or in-ears. But it sure is there in the FOH subs! This is especially prevalent with pick players.
Players that take advantage of the extra range in a position and/or use the lower notes usually sound great on five. There is definitely a specific technique to playing a five well, and not all who play one are aware of it.
That said, when I go out and watch other players I find the following interesting:
- Many players using fivers in music that isn't written for fivers don't really take advantage of the extended range in a single position by playing at the fifth fret. They play open strings at the start of the neck and use the B as the world's longest thumb rest.
- Many players who use the B don't mute it properly, and if the FOH engineer doesn't high pass them, there's a bit of rumble out front that gets muddy yet can't really be heard through the stage rig, monitors, or in-ears. But it sure is there in the FOH subs! This is especially prevalent with pick players.
Players that take advantage of the extra range in a position and/or use the lower notes usually sound great on five. There is definitely a specific technique to playing a five well, and not all who play one are aware of it.
I never seemed to have too much trouble back when I first got a 5er, after playing a 4 string Jazz for the first couple years. Then again, I’m a long time piano/keys player who dabbles in drums and guitar too, so maybe the multi-instrumentalist in me is just good at analyzing the differences quickly.
If I had to own only ONE bass, it would have to be a 5er- I just love the B string extension, but I still love my 4 strings too. The classics really can’t be outdone for certain sounds and roles. But I will say it’s been quite a revelation to move to gigging a 5 string with a full 19mm string spacing (Lakland 55-02) and so it makes jumping back and forth from the 4 strings that much easier cuz they’re the same. I probably would prefer 19mm spacing on any future 5ers I’d buy going forward if it’s an option.
If I had to own only ONE bass, it would have to be a 5er- I just love the B string extension, but I still love my 4 strings too. The classics really can’t be outdone for certain sounds and roles. But I will say it’s been quite a revelation to move to gigging a 5 string with a full 19mm string spacing (Lakland 55-02) and so it makes jumping back and forth from the 4 strings that much easier cuz they’re the same. I probably would prefer 19mm spacing on any future 5ers I’d buy going forward if it’s an option.
This.
I rarely play below the 5th fret. To me, that’s the huge benefit of a 5. Shorter reach, frets closer together, and almost 2 octaves in each position. Transposition and reading are so much easier, too.
I switched to 5 strings, an MM SR5, in 1996. That was after 31 years playing 4 string basses. It was the right decision then and 26 years later I am exclusively a 5 string player.
Still love that format. I have no regrets.
Still love that format. I have no regrets.
Five string master race!!!
I love fivers. I was forced onto a fiver only about 3 months after I started playing bass due to a band I joined. Modern country pretty much requires one. I got used to it early on and can't go back to fours. A four feels incomplete to me and I feel limited with it. I only have fivers now.
Plus, there's no more consistent or versatile thumb rest than a B string. I'd probably keep playing fivers even if I didn't need the extra string.
I love fivers. I was forced onto a fiver only about 3 months after I started playing bass due to a band I joined. Modern country pretty much requires one. I got used to it early on and can't go back to fours. A four feels incomplete to me and I feel limited with it. I only have fivers now.
Plus, there's no more consistent or versatile thumb rest than a B string. I'd probably keep playing fivers even if I didn't need the extra string.
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I got my first 5 string while playing in a praise band many decades ago. I was reading off of the piano score and it seemed like everything was written in D. I sold my 4 string after struggling too long to figure out where the strings were. I will never switch back.
OP, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.
OP, I hope it works as well for you as it has for me.
Yep, I switched about 6 years ago, and the transition was fast for me as well, just used used the B string as a thumb rest while acclimating. Never going back, makes things much easier. Be sure to double check intonation on your B string at whatever notes you hit the most (on the B string). I have found with almost every 5 string I have owned that when intonation at the 12th fret as is the norm, the D and E notes on the B string end up being quite sharp. There might be another fix to this, but test it out for yourself.
I starting playing 5 and 6 string basses in the early 90s and I would have started in the early 80s when I saw Larry Klein playing his BB5000 but I was a tween and had no money.
That said, I would never say I "switched" to 5-string. Though my preference is currently to play 5 strings and I mostly do so, there are times when it is more appropriate to play a 4 string. As well, I have reverted back to primarily 4s a couple of times in my life as a player based on the gigs I had, etc. So at then end of the day, while my current preference is to play because of the extended lower range, I view 5-strings as another tool to get the job done.
All this to say, while you may also end up with the 5-er being your life-long preference, don't abandon the 4-banger. There will be a gig here and there where it may be more appropriate vibe-wise, etc. as I have found. You may end up going back and forth in terms of preference and that is more than okay. Sometimes variety, change, etc. keeps us sharp and inspired.
Whatever your journey may be, enjoy the rumble of the mighty low B!
That said, I would never say I "switched" to 5-string. Though my preference is currently to play 5 strings and I mostly do so, there are times when it is more appropriate to play a 4 string. As well, I have reverted back to primarily 4s a couple of times in my life as a player based on the gigs I had, etc. So at then end of the day, while my current preference is to play because of the extended lower range, I view 5-strings as another tool to get the job done.
All this to say, while you may also end up with the 5-er being your life-long preference, don't abandon the 4-banger. There will be a gig here and there where it may be more appropriate vibe-wise, etc. as I have found. You may end up going back and forth in terms of preference and that is more than okay. Sometimes variety, change, etc. keeps us sharp and inspired.
Whatever your journey may be, enjoy the rumble of the mighty low B!
Yeah you’ve missed the boat, but now you’re aboard!
The transition took awhile for me. But it helped to play the 5 exclusively for some time. Now I go back and forth daily/weekly between the 5 and 4 without too many hiccups.
My bucket list: a fretless 4 (or 5) and a 6!
Welcome to the five string club! Great choice of bass, too. I have a pair of Stingray 5HH’s, including a Stingray Special, and absolutely love them. They share the #1 spot in my small collection.
Won’t be long before you want another.
Won’t be long before you want another.
Just left a jazz gig tonight. Brought my fretless 5. I’m a better player on the 5 with the additional versatility it offers. However, my latest routine is practice fundamentals on the 4; perform on the 5. My 4 is ergonomically more enjoyable to practice with at home — and I think doing fundamentals on the 4 makes me a better player overall (open strings are inevitable — even on the 5 when doing walking bass).
I played a 4, first UBASS then a sub short scale.
Then I built my first bass ... it became a 5 string fretless and I fell in love, the extra range was delightful and I was pleased that my B0 (with a scale length of 30 inch or so) did not feel (or sound) like wet spaghetti!
After a fire took all my gear, I was blessed to be gifted a 5 string fretless (Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive). I struggle with it a bit as it is long scale and weighs a ton, but I love it.
The process of getting the parts together for my second self build headless, fretless, shortscale 5 string is almost complete ... hope to start the build next week (If I can get Fusion to run on linux!)
I'm sure my 5 string technique is not the best, but I no longer find a 4 string does it for me.
S'manth x
Then I built my first bass ... it became a 5 string fretless and I fell in love, the extra range was delightful and I was pleased that my B0 (with a scale length of 30 inch or so) did not feel (or sound) like wet spaghetti!
After a fire took all my gear, I was blessed to be gifted a 5 string fretless (Harley Benton B-550FL BK Progressive). I struggle with it a bit as it is long scale and weighs a ton, but I love it.
The process of getting the parts together for my second self build headless, fretless, shortscale 5 string is almost complete ... hope to start the build next week (If I can get Fusion to run on linux!)
I'm sure my 5 string technique is not the best, but I no longer find a 4 string does it for me.
S'manth x
I'm in the middle of my own transition. Fun times...
My Journey from 4 to 5: The Memoirs of a Convert
My Journey from 4 to 5: The Memoirs of a Convert
I am exclusively a 5 and 6 player now. I love them to death. Yes, ergonomics matter a little more compared to a four because we are dealing with bigger necks, possibly more weight, differences in string spacing, etc (especially with the 6ers) .. Once you experiment and understand what your preferences are, I see no downsides!
Well almost. The only reason I'd look at a four string these days is because, unfortunately, some older and vintage basses that are pretty cool were only ever made in a four version. Other than that 5/6 for life.
Well almost. The only reason I'd look at a four string these days is because, unfortunately, some older and vintage basses that are pretty cool were only ever made in a four version. Other than that 5/6 for life.
Doug Parent
Supporting Member
