The occasional low note vs. gathering dust on an extra string

[g-dude]

So one thing I’m noticing is that I can generally exist with four strings.

Occasionally, I do play something where it might be good to be able to go below E, without having to deal with tuning down. In fact, I’d probably estimate that at least half (if not more) of my notes below E don’t need to be below E, I just play them like that if I had a five string on hand.

In theory, I could restring my five string from E to C. Then again, I don’t tend to find myself wishing I had a higher string. Maybe I could find a use for it.

But here’s the real question: if you’re dropping some serious coin on a higher end bass, do you go ahead and spend the extra $100 for an extra string that you might occasionally use, or do you stick with what will work for 95% of what you play.

 

[play4sanity]

My experience with a 5 string is that unless your amp/PA can faithfully reproduce those 5 extra low notes below E, it's a waste .... and I love my 5 string. My 2 cents ...

 

[S-Bigbottom]

But here’s the real question: if you’re dropping some serious coin on a higher end bass, do you go ahead and spend the extra $100 for an extra string that you might occasionally use, or do you stick with what will work for 95% of what you play.

Get what is wanted or needed.

With a five the top string does not need to be relegated to just below the E.
In fact, playing the E on the top string at the 5th fret and all the other "Open String" notes on the 5th fret (A, D, G, C) it is like playing a short scale and is actually less hand movement than a four string playing them same note arrangements.

Much easier on the hands.

 

[Lagado]

After a couple of decades of playing fives, I usually gravitate to fours if I just want to pick up something to have a play. They get the most use these days.

 

[QweziRider]

...if you’re dropping some serious coin on a higher end bass, do you go ahead and spend the extra $100 for an extra string that you might occasionally use...

I do, because I don't occasionally use the B string. I use it all the time. What I only occasionally use are its notes below E. I live above the fifth fret much of the time, the B string being invaluable to me.

 

[And I]

A 5 string bass is not just for low notes. The biggest advantage is economy of motion in the left hand. Don't restring your 5er, learn to utilize its advantages...

 

[g-dude]

In fact, playing the E on the top string at the 5th fret and all the other "Open String" notes on the 5th fret (A, D, G, C) it is like playing a short scale and is actually less hand movement than a four string playing them same note arrangements.

I live above the fifth fret much of the time, the B string being invaluable to me.

The biggest advantage is economy of motion in the left hand. Don't restring your 5er, learn to utilize its advantages...

Intellectually, I agree 100% with all of this... and yet, having just played around with my five string, I end up with the following observations:

1) I tend to live at the fifth fret and above, but only when I’m playing A and higher. For some reason, I just don’t enjoy playing E through Ab higher up on the neck. I think it’s the width of the neck that puts me off of this.

2) While the reduced distance between frets is indeed nice higher up, picking up a short scale yields a dramatically different feel...and again, I think it’s down to the width of the neck. Also, if one wants short scale spacing, there are some really nice short scales out there.

It’s not like I have tiny hands or anything, but the ergonomic side of things doesn’t really play to the five string’s favor - at least for the combination of my hands and my five string bass.

In theory, one solution is simply to string a four stringer BEAD, and yet I find myself more likely to make use of the G string than I do the B string.

I think I may be in the process of convincing myself to sell off my five string bass more than anything, which is not how I envisioned my day going.

 

[thabassmon]

I wouldn't spend any extra just to have a low B0, unless I get into 7 string territory but even then a high Bb3 has more appeal to me.

I tried it with a 5 tuned standard for a bit, restrung it E-C
I revisited it with a 6 tuned standard in 2019, still didn't feel it.
Restrung that E-F

I think the D and Eb sound good but lower sounds a bit too low, so for me drop D or tune the low string standard E with a detuned on that string is the way I'd extend the low end if I felt I wanted it.

The higher tuning is not for everyone, it depends on the musical situations you find yourself in, your musical inclinations, role and instrumentation.

I play solo, back singers, jazz combos, soul groups, funk groups. So for me it's important to have the standard bass range, the extended upper range allows for options for soloing, melodies and chord voicings. But if a player doesn't use those things, it may prove cumbersome. I would rather have the range available and not use it rather than want the range and not have it.

When I play piano, which has goes from a low A0 to a high C8, I find myself very rarely playing that extreme low range either. I look at my higher tuning as moving the range to where more musical options are.

 

[cxcxcx]

IME, depends on what you have going on in terms of who you're playing with. Some bandleaders insist that their bassists use a 5. If they're paying, I'll play it. Others laugh if you pull any extended range bass out of the case before you even plug in. If they're paying, I'll play 4. Some gotta have a bass player that plays a Fender, and nothing else. I can accomodate them, if they 're paying. TB note, because I know how it is here : don't kill the messenger. There are people that operate like this out there.

No insult or problem for me, but it sure is for a lot of other players. Playing bass is a role, not a tribe you pledge undying allegiance to depending on how many tuning machines are on your headstock. If I have the choice, I play the number of strings that the music and circumstance calls for. If it's within one's budget, I advise owning a 5 and a 4.

 

[Lagado]

But if a player doesn't use those things, it may prove cumbersome. I would rather have the range available and not use it rather than want the range and not have it.

The problem quite a few five players have, is that even if they are not using it, they still have to mute it. That, and the fact that it's in the way at the same time.

 

[And I]

An example of what i mean by "economy of motion", let's say you're playing a simple minor pentatonic groove in F, and you really need the warmer tone you get on the 6th and 8th frets on the E and A strings vs the sharper tone of the A and D strings on the 1st and 3rd fret. You have that low F right there, you don't have to jump down to the first fret.

But hey, 5ers aren't mandatory! If you really can't mentally / physically connect with the instrument, sell it to someone who will. Get a nice octave pedal for the low notes and rock the 4 string and never look back.

 

[And I]

The problem quite a few five players have, is that even if they are not using it, they still have to mute it. That, and the fact that it's in the way at the same time.

Right hand floating thumb solves both of those problems

 

[walking Bass]

Around 15 years ago I caught the 5-string bug and bought a beautiful Ken Smith Burner-5. It's got a great set-up and plays great. I selected it from all the 5's available at my local store (they specialized in basses at the time) and the Smith played and sounded the best of all.

That said, I really never play it. I prefer all/any of my 4-string basses. Playing below E has it's merits, but I find that lower frequencies just tend to get lost and I'll just go up an octave.

 

[Lagado]

Having two octaves in one position is handy for reading work, if that's what you are doing. Other than that I'd rather a four and detune E to D if I need to. I'd rather the spacing and the fact that there is less to mute. Some tracks that need the low D I've found can actually be easier and play a lot better on a four, with less string crossing.

 

[Pings Bass]

Others touch on this, and I will add my $.02 worth: it's not about the 5 extra low notes B-Eb, it's about fewer position changes and easier transposition. For reading, writing, arranging or working with a singer, I prefer 5- or 6- string. At the end of the day, I still mostly perform on a 4-string upright, but having extras strings is a huge boon to writing and learning parts.

 

[Lagado]

Cost/benefit analysis, isn't it.

 

[Volker Kirstein]

The B string makes a wonderful thumbrest when not in use. Other than that, it's just another string that makes playing in F easy. (I built a BEAD specifically for "blues in F", which was called out at least twice a month at the now defunct Blueshaus sessions)

 

[S-Bigbottom]

Somebody say it!!!!!

Please......

Somebody say "Jaco only needed 4"

Whew,

Ok.

Jaco only needed 4 strings.



I will take my payment now.

 

[brianrost]

I've gone both ways.

I used a pair of Steinbergers tuned DGCF in a band where most of the material was in D or G due to the use of bagpipes.

Now I use an NS Radius CR5, mainly for the economy of motions as others have mentioned. It also allows a fatter sound playing notes higher on the B instead of the E, the E instead of the A, etc. I will use the low Eb or D in those keys. I almost never use the three notes below D.

 

[micguy]

If I were still playing in clubs through an amp, I wouldn’t own a 5. Most of my gigs, however, are ampless gigs through PA’s with very capable subs. A 5 is very useful in those gigs.