• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

The where the !@?! did that 5th string go?! Thread.

HeisnbrgUncertn

HeisnbrgUncertn

Guest
Dec 15, 2013
112
60
49
Metro Philadelphia
#1
After months of waiting, my custom Spector US NS-2 bolt-on arrived a couple of weeks ago. Finally! It's REAL and it's SPECTACULAR!

For the past 5 or so years, I've been playing nothing but 5ers, primarily neck-through Spectors with a 35" scale. The first time I pulled the NS-2 BO out of the case and played it, it felt like a toy. 34" scale, so the fret spacing is narrower. Also means lower tension on the strings. Plus it's a bolt-on, so it's much lighter.

An awesome, inspiring bass, but I was surprised at how weird that first week adjusting to it was. Confusing the strings for the ones that would be above them on a 5 string. Being less aggressive with my right hand attack. And how much more comfortable it felt to stretch over several frets. No more paranoia about muting the low-B to prevent that sympathetic ringing.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
 
#4
I bought my Stingray5 back in 1998. Within probably less than 6 months of owning it I took the B string off and tuned it EADGC. I've been playing that way ever since. The B string always seemed gimmicky to me and I feel like I get so much more out of the C string than I was with the B. But at the end of the day I'm fine with just a 4 string too.
 
#5
This is one of those "Torn between two lovers..." subjects to me. I pretty much have to play a 5'er (new country) and even have 4's tuned BEAD and F#BEA and 5's tuned F#BEAD. But yes, it's sometimes totally nice to have that fast,narrower neck of a 4 in your hands and just move with utter ease...it almost feels like cheating!
 
  • Like
Reactions: LowF and punchdrunk
#6
HeisnbrgUncertn said:
Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
Click to expand...

Similar. Went I made the jump to a 6er, I played nothing else for several years. Even though I'd played the 4-string for about 18 years before I switched, when I picked up a 4-string again a couple of years later, it was confusing all over again.

Nowadays, I have 4, 5, 6, and 8-string basses. I find I have to keep up my "mental chops" on each of them by playing each configuration at least once in a while.
 
#8
Geez, just play what you like.

I play 5-strings, I love 5-strings, I'm not going to apologize for it, and I'm not going to take any guff about it.

Nor will I give anyone any grief over what they love and choose to play. Nor make an issue of it here or anywhere else.

Play on (odd number of strings or otherwise...:D)

(where is that "get off my lawn!" club?...:roflmao:)

Oh, yeah, that bass is gorgeous (yes, I edited this in afterwards. But it really is!)
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: IGotGas and Flad
#11
I had a similar experience, yet with the opposite transition from more to lesser string number -- I played a 6-string Spector, which I sold in anticipation of my 6-string custom. However, it sold much quicker than I thought it would, so I was left without a bass during the transition between instruments.
In the meantime, I went to my local guitar shop and rented a 4-string Music Man (they had no 5ers or 6ers for rent). I felt really weird, and confused while adjusting, and actually brought it back early in the rental period. Nonetheless, I played a gig with it, and wasn't too happy. In between selling the 6-string Spector, and waiting for my 6-string custom bass, I was able to play a 6-string F Bass, and again, it was natural as anything.

In the end, we should play what we're most comfortable with :bassist:
 
  • Like
Reactions: Geri O
#12
I play 4 strings mainly, but certain gigs may require a 5 string so I also have a nice Lakland JO5. I'd hate to get a call and be asked if I had a 5 and have to say no. Same goes for a p bass.
 
#14
HeisnbrgUncertn said:
After months of waiting, my custom Spector US NS-2 bolt-on arrived a couple of weeks ago. Finally! It's REAL and it's SPECTACULAR!

For the past 5 or so years, I've been playing nothing but 5ers, primarily neck-through Spectors with a 35" scale. The first time I pulled the NS-2 BO out of the case and played it, it felt like a toy. 34" scale, so the fret spacing is narrower. Also means lower tension on the strings. Plus it's a bolt-on, so it's much lighter.

An awesome, inspiring bass, but I was surprised at how weird that first week adjusting to it was. Confusing the strings for the ones that would be above them on a 5 string. Being less aggressive with my right hand attack. And how much more comfortable it felt to stretch over several frets. No more paranoia about muting the low-B to prevent that sympathetic ringing.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
Click to expand...
If you can feel the difference between a 34 & a 35" scale, I commend you...it's less than 1/8" difference between the 1st fret & nut...and less for the rest of the frets.
 
  • Like
Reactions: IGotGas
#15
HeisnbrgUncertn said:
After months of waiting, my custom Spector US NS-2 bolt-on arrived a couple of weeks ago. Finally! It's REAL and it's SPECTACULAR!

For the past 5 or so years, I've been playing nothing but 5ers, primarily neck-through Spectors with a 35" scale. The first time I pulled the NS-2 BO out of the case and played it, it felt like a toy. 34" scale, so the fret spacing is narrower. Also means lower tension on the strings. Plus it's a bolt-on, so it's much lighter.

An awesome, inspiring bass, but I was surprised at how weird that first week adjusting to it was. Confusing the strings for the ones that would be above them on a 5 string. Being less aggressive with my right hand attack. And how much more comfortable it felt to stretch over several frets. No more paranoia about muting the low-B to prevent that sympathetic ringing.

Just wondering if anyone else has had this experience.
Click to expand...

My first and very much my main bass is a 34inch scale Jazz 5 type
http://s746.photobucket.com/user/fnordlyone/media/Photoon6-20-14at1113PM_zps82ae77b9.jpg.html
Then today I got this little toy 30 inch scale
http://s746.photobucket.com/user/fnordlyone/media/Photoon6-20-14at831PM_zps87bd0d0a.jpg.html
Totally weird yet comfortable on both.
I love my 5, though,
fnord!
 
#18
#20
Bassist4Eris said:
Similar. Went I made the jump to a 6er, I played nothing else for several years. Even though I'd played the 4-string for about 18 years before I switched, when I picked up a 4-string again a couple of years later, it was confusing all over again.

Nowadays, I have 4, 5, 6, and 8-string basses. I find I have to keep up my "mental chops" on each of them by playing each configuration at least once in a while.
Click to expand...

8 string with EADG doubled or some kind of F#BEADGCF monster?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back