Thinking of buying a five string...

[AzzaKnoldy]

Hey Guys,
Recently, I was thinking about what I would get as my next bass, when the time comes. The bass I currently have my eye on is the Epiphone Thunderbird PRO V bass. I currently play a four string, and I like the idea of playing a five string. So my questions are:

-Is the bass in question a good bass for the money?
-Is it harder to play songs written on a four string on a five string?
-Anything else I should know?

Cheers guys

 

[Stealth]

I've played the Epi T-bird PRO V in a shop once and I found the bass very playable under my fingers and the range of tones one could pull from it was very diverse. The one troubling thing is the neck dive which all T-birds suffer from, but it's not a dealbreaker if you're willing to put up with having the bass at a sharper angle to your body. I'd say it's good value for the money.

I play my five-string quite frequently as of late and I don't think the conversion will be that troubling. For one, you can move your hand to a higher position and use the deeper 4 strings from fret 5 onward as if you were playing on regular four strings, with less strain on your hand and easier fretting since the frets are closer together. Number two, if you don't want that, consider the low B string as a bass-long thumbrest.

 

[Berger912]

I recently switched to a 5 string after only playing 4 strings for many many years. for me the hardest part was getting used to my top string wasn't a E and playing stuff on the wrong string. it didn't take me long to get used to it. i personally like a 35" scale on a 5'er as it keeps the B string tighter so it isn't floppy. if your budget allows you should check out Lakland basses. a used 55-01 are nice basses and if you swing a 55-02 (takes what i play) they are truly amazing basses. of course these are just my opinions. if possible try to get to play as many different 5'ers as you can. i wish you only the best in your journey.

peace
Dave

 

[AzzaKnoldy]

Thanks alot for your help guys

 

[whitefuneral]

I'm looking at the same kind of ordeal at the moment,
Looking at Schecter basses and ibanez soundgear series