Switched in the mid 90s and never looked back. I found it difficult to go back and forth between the 2, so I just stuck with the 5
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I used to play small clubs in a duo with an electro-acoustic guitarist, and used my Lakland 55-94. No overkill there. Why should there be when you have an EQ and volume control? And I'm puzzled as to how the size of a venue could control how many strings we need on a bass!
I'd also disagree that passive 5 string basses sound "muddy"! Mine never have.
More of reason to buy a couple of 4 string basses !! Also, nothing to compete with, some of the time we dont have a drummer. Muddy? I believe your Lakland 55-94 is probably cleaner sound. I just like the sound of active EQ and humbuckers on a 5.
Isn't your 55-94 active?
How much I like my passive 5 basses, I also think an active 5 as a more defined B sound, just blending a bit better and more uniform with other strings. Might just be the buffer. It's subjective of course.
Yes, the 55-94 was active but I set the EQ pretty much on the centre dents. Dan Lakin and Hugh McFarland hit the ground running when they put together that line of basses. I'd love another if I could find one that weighs less than 9lbs. I have a passive Lull PJ5 which I just love. Active or passive doesn't matter too much to me. I go for the tone then work back from there. Whatever the luthier has chosen is pretty much OK with me as long as the tone (and weight) are good.
Obviously I have no problem with preamps as I play electric bass plugged into an amp, but how the hell does an onboard eq do anything to improve the B string...
After about 40 years of playing, my first 5 arrived on Sunday. I'm starting to feel comfortable with it with only a couple of days in. I was feeling a bit intimidated at first, but got over it. I learned by playing scales, songs (some down an octave), revoicing lines, working on chords, and some other stuff. Quite a bit of sight reading too, but transposed down an octave. It worked out really well. Also helped me get used to slightly narrower string spacing.
Still finding myself off by a string, but not nearly as much as when I first started with it. Should be fine in time for next practice this weekend.
I did put my 4's in their cases and out of the room. That way I'm not tempted to go back to them for "comfort". I'm planning to stick with the 5 for the next several months exclusively.
Maybe this will help someone? Maybe not? I dunno. I am enjoying the 5.
Still finding myself off by a string, but not nearly as much as when I first started with it. Should be fine in time for next practice this weekend.
I did put my 4's in their cases and out of the room. That way I'm not tempted to go back to them for "comfort". I'm planning to stick with the 5 for the next several months exclusively.
Maybe this will help someone? Maybe not? I dunno. I am enjoying the 5.
I switch to 5'er 20 some years ago. I started 5 with a used Ibanez and then on to a Musicman SR5. The best new 5 strings I've played in the 800 price range are from either Ibanez or YAMAHA. You'll have to find a neck and string spacing you are comfortable with so play as many as possible.
Don't know, maybe the buffer. But when in active mode, the B string is more defined than in passive mode, same bass.
