Thoughts on 5 string after 3 months.

[mbell75]

Only took me about 2 days to get totally used to my 5 string and its my main now.

 

[zenman]

Sounds to me like a couple of minutes with a file would take care of the neck problem on the Squire.

 

[Susqmike]

It may not be a one-way arrow. I love 6 string but found myself thumping on the ole reliable gibson t-bird this morning (and loving every note!). I often switch from 4, 5, 6 or 7, but could never see selling the t-bird or L2000. I thought similarly when i first started playing a 6, but i'm glad i let it all settle in before selling my 4's and 5's...

 

[bassbenj]

It may not be a one-way arrow. I love 6 string but found myself thumping on the ole reliable gibson t-bird this morning (and loving every note!). I often switch from 4, 5, 6 or 7, but could never see selling the t-bird or L2000. I thought similarly when i first started playing a 6, but i'm glad i let it all settle in before selling my 4's and 5's...

Exactly. TB rule: You can never own too many basses!

 

[MrLenny1]

I've been playing 5's for quite a while.
Currently gigging New Country and the low B
is used constantly on the tunes.
Also great to play a half step down on some tunes.
I would have a hard time going back to a 4 string.

 

[bassbenj]

Are you interested in PJ 5-strings? I don't know of any 5-string Pees that only have a split-coil pickup in your price range...other than the Squiers.

PJs are my favorite and I have no idea why they are such a problem to find. I had to go the Squire PJ route (which had two really crappy jazz pickups on it) and change the pickups to modify it to a decent PJ bass. I'm still looking, though because the Squire body is agathis and I'd much prefer alder, but it's just a minor thing. I'd point out that my Squire PJ has a much wider 5 string neck than my MIM Jazz Fender. Personally I love that wider P-neck much more than the JAZZ neck though most guys feel the other way. So my question is that if your thumb is irritated by the fret edges on the TOP of the neck, why is your thumb up there?

 

[EdwardofHuncote]

As someone who plays 5-string *almost* exclusively, let me offer this advice - keep one favorite 4-string around and play it often enough to keep it familiar. I have only one 4-string, (a vintage Alembic Distillate) and I find it a great exercise in being able to change from my 5-strings back to a 4-string on the fly. Just a thought. Bass on!

 

[Sandman64]

I went from playing 5 string basses, back to playing 4 string basses a few years ago and haven't looked back .lol

 

[DavC]

you could do some research on gently filing the fret ends ... and/or rolling the finger board edges a bit .!

it is a good thing to still keep a 4 banger around ... i built a couple cheap 4 stringers ( fretted/fretless )

i played 4 strings for about the first 20 yrs , ... mostly 5vers the last 20+ ...

after many , many basses ,... priced low to rather high ... i now build my own parts basses ...

my favorite 5 string neck is the Warmoth Deluxe 5 ... the smaller of the 2 nut sizes ... the asymmetric neck backside really makes it feel almost like a normal 4 stringer ..!! really ... it is very comfy for my near 60 yr old arthritic hands ... ( played piano since 1963 )

you learn quite a bit about basses while building a few ..! or finding a used Warmoth and modding away ...

but you Can make your current 5ver feel and sound as good as you'd want ..!

 

[chris_b]

The point was made earlier, a 5er needs a technique change. If you are too inflexible you're going to suffer but if you can make the change then the instrument comes alive.

It is sensible to start with a cheap 5er, toe in the water, so most will start looking for an upgrade sooner rather than later. The Lakland 55-01 and Fender Am Std Jazz V are good second basses.

 

[Solarmist]

I'd advise the OP not to discount the 4-string basses yet. I was thinking the same thing in considering selling off the 4-string basses way back when I got my first 5er - which would have been a mistake. I like playing both 4s/5s - it just depends on the musical situation, and you don't have to choose between the two.

OP - Now that you like 5ers - have you ever tried an Ibanez SR5? They also have thin necks that are simply perfection + they're active w/3-band EQs & mid freq switch, and there are many to choose from. At least try one at your local GC ... you won't be sorry you did. Just a suggestion.

 

[whiteox]

I traded a few months back for a fiver and have tried to get to like it but it's notfor me so now its back in the classifieds. I just didn't care for way the low b sounded and just can't get use to the neck . So the search continues for the perfect bass .

 

[Honch]

I had and have a few 5 ers. But since fanned frets came around in other brands than the monopolitic Dingwalls, I have a BEAD tuned LTD now. If I want regular 4 string tuning I use a capo on 5th fret. I play some 4ers and this one now, solely.

 

[Ric5]

I have come to love a 5 string. Unfortunately that leaves me with 3 basses that I may never play again! I like them too, a lot - but I do find the versatility of that extra string is damned easy to get used to.

Yes ... I got to the point I really feel a 4 string bass is missing a string ....

 

[Afc70]

I bought my first 5'er in October 2014, a Modulus Q-5... loved it! I had played 4's since I was a teenager in the 80's. I was pretty comfortable after one week of intense practice & eventually sold or traded all my 4's. I've found 5's to be more versatile (in my musical endeavors) & I don't plan on ever going back to a 4.

 

[GK Growl]

I'd advise the OP not to discount the 4-string basses yet. I was thinking the same thing in considering selling off the 4-string basses way back when I got my first 5er - which would have been a mistake. I like playing both 4s/5s - it just depends on the musical situation, and you don't have to choose between the two.

Wise words. If you are in a cover band like me where the vast majority of our tunes are 4 string songs, playing them on the 5 just loses the overall feel for me. Yes the notes are all there but there is something about the way I can attack the 4 string, especially on the heavier or punk songs. Can it be done on a 5? I did it for a long time but decided that I would play what I enjoy instead of being forced to play the 5 all night.

 

[Medicine Man]

I got a five for a few songs, and over the years I forgot why I switched back and forth. I play enough upright that it keeps me honest on a 4.

 

[Felken]

You made the right choice.

 

[mbell75]

I'd advise the OP not to discount the 4-string basses yet. I was thinking the same thing in considering selling off the 4-string basses way back when I got my first 5er - which would have been a mistake. I like playing both 4s/5s - it just depends on the musical situation, and you don't have to choose between the two.

OP - Now that you like 5ers - have you ever tried an Ibanez SR5? They also have thin necks that are simply perfection + they're active w/3-band EQs & mid freq switch, and there are many to choose from. At least try one at your local GC ... you won't be sorry you did. Just a suggestion.

I had the same thought you did and I have 4 string basses on the way I just ordered. Problem is muscle memory. The hand positions (especially my picking hand) I use for a 4 string differs from a 5 string and going back and forth is counterproductive I feel. My right hand is in more of a claw position while playing a 4 string while it rests more flat with a 5 because I rest my thumb and top of my palm on the B string which is much more comfortable for extended amounts of time. The number of players who switch back and forth between 4 and 5 strings and become highly proficient in both are few and far between I think. Its a different technique.

 

[NOLA_Dragon]

I play a lot of funky slap bass aside from everything else. I could never get used to a 5 as hard as I tried...that B string got in the way! So I put a Hipshot Drop D tuner and essentially had my B string when needed.