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Talk me into a 5 string bass
- Thread starter jcalo
- Start date
The learning curve isn't bad, it will take about two months.
The thing is fluidity. You may lose some speed and/or smoothness going to a five. On the plus side, you have more range, deep E, D, and C notes, and a place to rest your thumb. I know people who have bought them just to use the B string for an anchor! If you currently play a bass like a Fender, I would advise you to stick with a Fender to keep the same string spacing. A bass like an Ibanez in a five is going to have tight string spacing compared to a Fender.
Try before you buy!
The thing is fluidity. You may lose some speed and/or smoothness going to a five. On the plus side, you have more range, deep E, D, and C notes, and a place to rest your thumb. I know people who have bought them just to use the B string for an anchor! If you currently play a bass like a Fender, I would advise you to stick with a Fender to keep the same string spacing. A bass like an Ibanez in a five is going to have tight string spacing compared to a Fender.
Try before you buy!
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
The 5 string bass can do everything a 4 string bass can do and more.
The 4 string bass can do less than a 5 string.
The 5 string bass can play any tuning without detuning.
The 5 string bass can play the low E fretted.
The 4 string bass can do less than a 5 string.
The 5 string bass can play any tuning without detuning.
The 5 string bass can play the low E fretted.
actually, the ibanez btb series 5 stringers have 19mm string spacing so dont be afraid to go with an ibanez, the soundgears have tight spacing though.
Do it!......... just relax and start off getting to know your string spacing..... use a pick to pluck until you are comfortable. I use a spector 5 string and love it!.... the low B is perfect for accents and even some deep phat bass note playing.....don't be intimidated if at first you "mis-hit" a note or 2.I found the D,E and C notes on the low B to be awesome sounding when accenting or "curbing" a particular section or part of a tune. it adds depth ....when hit right?...... your bandmates will turn an dgive you that" friggin nice playing dude".......look LOL..sooooo go for it.. you'll like it..I do believe.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I have played 4 string for many years. I picked up an Ibanex sr 405 off ebay. I still prefer the 4 string but have used the 5 string when playing tunes in E flat and D - eg saves detuning for a low D pedal. I also use it for F as it is easier to play a flat 7 etc. Also, you can play further up the neck and get a different tone. There is a bit of getting used to the extra string. Try getting a bass similar to your 4 string. The string spacing on the Ibanez is narrower than my Pbass and I find it cramped. I still prefer the 4 string but 5 string can be useful. Hope this helps.
You need some coaxing but still you instagate the discussion?
Come on you're looking for a reason to buy a new bass.
You know you want to...
Even just the extra mass in the body and the neck is enough to improve your tone.
It's great to be able to play higher up on a neck to get a lower note. Big, fat, and fuzzy low A's are a lovely sound.
Come on you're looking for a reason to buy a new bass.
You know you want to...
Even just the extra mass in the body and the neck is enough to improve your tone.
It's great to be able to play higher up on a neck to get a lower note. Big, fat, and fuzzy low A's are a lovely sound.
Two months if you resist it. Twenty minutes if you go with it. Play it like a four string for a little while, then start adding the benefit of the B string, namely, playing five frets up the neck where the frets are closer together. Then go down to the B string to pick up the notes you would've played on the E string down by the nut.
Oh yeah, and all the pros are playing 5-strings these days. Four-strings are on their way out, and are not considered a professional instrument any more.
Personally, I had no problem with a 5er after playing 4 strings for almost 20 years. The odd time I would hit an open B thinking it was an E, but besides that, I like being able to play an E in the 5th position.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
The key for me was learning NEW music on the 5-string. All the stuff I had been playing for years caused me trouble, as my mind made me want to play notes on certain strings spatially. I joined a new group at the same time I made the switch, which worked out very well - I had to learn four sets' of music, on none of which I had old synaptic baggage. That made the transition happen for me.
Personally, I had no problem with a 5er after playing 4 strings for almost 20 years. The odd time I would hit an open B thinking it was an E, but besides that, I like being able to play an E in the 5th position.
Yep, this was my biggest problem switching to a 5'er, that and muting the B string while slapping, but I learned a little trick by using a scrunchy down by the nut, that and palm muting.
Other than that, which weren't big deals at all, there's really no difference. Switching to a 5'er was the best thing I could've done as a bassist, that and learning to play without a pick but we'll save that for another thread. I really can't see myself going back to 4 strings any more. I feel limited and constricted. I gotta have 3 octaves in one hand position.
Sorry dude it don't work that way.
If you play a five string like a four with a low B on it, you will be thrown off even more! I tryed it that way and it makes it more difficult.
The five is a different instrument, with a different format.
I will admit, once the format is learned it is an easier instrument to play because you don't have to travel up and down as much on the neck. There are more notes at your disposal, and they are a shorter reach to access.
As far as the four being a dying breed or on it's way out, No Way! There are still more four stringers than fivers, and the four string is still the highest selling bass. Most of your hot shot jazz fusion and rock shredders play fours. Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Victor Bailey, all choose the four as their primary bass. Rockers like Billy Sheehan, and Steve Harris play fours. Yes, the five has come a long way and is more popular than it's ever been, but I don't think it will ever overshadow the Good Old Four.
Why 5? Why NOT?
Here is my stock reply for this question, which I have posted many times in the past.
For me and a lot of other 5 stringers with a low B, the B string is not primarily about the low notes, nor is it a thumbrest. The low notes are nice, but the main reason that I love 5 and 6 stringers is so that I can play in Eb, so I can play in E without using an open string, so I can play in F, F# and G without having to play in first position, so that I can do two octave runs(two and a half on a six) without shifting my hands, so that I can can grab a root and a tenth on the B and D, E and G, and on the six, A and C strings. The low notes are cool too. But I spend 90% of my time between the fifth and fifteenth fret. Also, an open low E has a different timbre than a low E played at the fifth fret of the B string. As well as playing closed notes from the E string on the B string, to get a different sound.
Want to ask 'Why 6?' Got a stock answer for that one too.
If I want to pedal a note on the B or E string, and pop a tenth, or the second octave, it's necessary. I don't have to do that, but if I want to, I need that sixth string. If your fingers are six inches long, you won't need it for that situation. Mine aren't. My hands are small. One of my solos requires the sixth string, I go up to the 22nd fret on the sixth string. Also, on another original, I slap chords on the intro and during the guitar solo. You can do that with a four or five stringer, but you get some mud on the ADG strings. DGC works great for chords.
Again, why NOT?
Here is my stock reply for this question, which I have posted many times in the past.
For me and a lot of other 5 stringers with a low B, the B string is not primarily about the low notes, nor is it a thumbrest. The low notes are nice, but the main reason that I love 5 and 6 stringers is so that I can play in Eb, so I can play in E without using an open string, so I can play in F, F# and G without having to play in first position, so that I can do two octave runs(two and a half on a six) without shifting my hands, so that I can can grab a root and a tenth on the B and D, E and G, and on the six, A and C strings. The low notes are cool too. But I spend 90% of my time between the fifth and fifteenth fret. Also, an open low E has a different timbre than a low E played at the fifth fret of the B string. As well as playing closed notes from the E string on the B string, to get a different sound.
Want to ask 'Why 6?' Got a stock answer for that one too.
If I want to pedal a note on the B or E string, and pop a tenth, or the second octave, it's necessary. I don't have to do that, but if I want to, I need that sixth string. If your fingers are six inches long, you won't need it for that situation. Mine aren't. My hands are small. One of my solos requires the sixth string, I go up to the 22nd fret on the sixth string. Also, on another original, I slap chords on the intro and during the guitar solo. You can do that with a four or five stringer, but you get some mud on the ADG strings. DGC works great for chords.
Again, why NOT?
