Thoughts on 5 string after 3 months.

[Plutonium244]

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.

Sure, but you already use multiple techniques as it is... this is just one more technique, like learning to play a different picking pattern, or something. You finger chops don't get worse if you incorporate some slap or pick. You just have another skill in your bag.

 

[QweziRider]

Unfortunately that leaves me with 3 basses that I may never play again!

Before you do that, consider tuning one to B-E-A-D and give that a whirl. You get to keep a bass you love but still have the flexibility of that B string. I took up fivers back in '90 and found I can live without the G string and its extra five notes at the top, but I find it difficult to live without the extra real estate of the B string above the fifth fret.

 

[And I]

I fell in love with my 5 but I still do play my 4s every now and again. I keep flats on my Squier P Special and brought it to jam with a new group I'm playing with, roots rock sorta stuff. The 5 is more comfortable to me since I use a floating right-hand thumb and since the Brute is just an exceptionally comfortable bass to play... But I used the 5 first time I jammed with them, and the 4 just seems more appropriate for the kinda stuff we're playing.

tl;dr
Keep at least one 4 string. You might want it some day.

 

[NOLA_Dragon]

@And I Keep that 4 string...I couldn't agree with you more on that! I made that mistake in the past and had to erase it quickly...4 rig is my b*tch!!!

 

[justbass57]

Someone mentioned, why is your thumb over the top of the fret board, I agree, it's poor technique.
You may get away with on a four banger or a guitar, but not a 5er unless you have a large mitt.

As for sharp fret ends, I have just did a guitar and bass with some fine sharpening stones I used to use with some wood chisels and gouges; the results came out perfectly with no damage on either fret board. Give it a shot.
B.

 

[Gizmot]

George Petersen, famous technology writer and musician just announced on his blog that Donald Trump just issued another Executive Order outlawing use of 5 string basses. He said if Jaco could do it with 4 strings everyone else can too. George is the former editor in chief of MIX magazine and is now editor of FRONT OF HOUSE magazine.

I've been playing my G&L L2500 a lot the last few weeks and there are times that its nice to have more variation in range of tones. But I made a lot of good music with only 4 strings.

 

[laslen]

I switch back and forth between 4 and 5-string, constantly. I think it's good to be versatile, and you get used to swapping eventually.

Also, there is a huge difference between a good 5-string and a bad one. I completely avoided 5-string basses, and hated them for a while. I thought they were slow, awkward, and muddy because I was going into Guitar Center and playing Squiers and other mass manufactured brands.

Then I played a Pedulla 5-string, and it was more effortless than playing most of my 4-string basses. I actually sat there for a while with it, basically in shock. I drove right back to the shop the next day and bought it. I've been playing 5's since then.

 

[somegeezer]

My 4 certainly doesn't get much love these days. But it does have flats on, rather than the rounds on my 5. So it does have a little bit of use when I need something a little different.

 

[QweziRider]

He said if Jaco could do it with 4 strings everyone else can too.

Next exec order is outlawing frets. If Jaco could do it...

 

[Tom Howland]

I've owned six 5-strings.s in my life. I've yet to find the one. But I love playing them. I keep going 4-string to 5-string.

 

[jalapejoe]

I have a 5 String Fender Jazz Deluxe with the Noiseless PuPs. I thought it was killer when I bought it but I just bought a Ernie Ball 5 String Neck-Thru Stingray Single H and it quite frankly blows the Fender away. My band is all smiles since I got it, we play Hard Rock, 80s Rock and light Metal covers. Now I have to figure out upgrading my PuPs and Preamp/Module for the Fender Jazz to keep up with the Ernie Ball Stingray.

Sorry back to the thread sorry OT. I sold all my 4's as well only have 2 5rs. Love them, but I do want a 4 string Fender P back in my arsenal. Just cuz they are cool and love the tone.

 

[BurnOut]

Been playing a five pretty regular lately. Waiting for a set of flats to get here. I think I'll enjoy it more when I get them on it. Still jump back on the 4 half the time. Even play a 4 in drop D for a couple songs. Mostly because it makes certain runs easier to play. I want to keep mixing it up so I don't get stuck on any one thing.

 

[awilkie84]

When you transition from a four string to a five there's no need to rid yourself of the fours. You may wish to consider retuning / restringing them to BEAD and retain similar fret positions to your five or you may just wish to keep playing them as they are. As all hoarders will confirm, there is never a good reason to get rid of your basses.

I still use a 4 string P for punk, tuned to Eb!! I have a 4 string Cort Artisan strung up in drop C. And then my Ibanez SRFF805 for all my cover band stuff. ^_^

 

[Oldschool94]

If you want a 5 string P at that price point, look at G&L L2500s, both tribute new and USA used. The neck pickup in series mode, and the thick-ish neck both are reminiscent, though not the same as a P.

However, I'd much rather have a Ibanez BTB 675 frankly.

 

[Zant]

I have four 5s and four 4s and play them all,dont. Sell just add you can never have too many

 

[andruca]

When you transition from a four string to a five there's no need to rid yourself of the fours. You may wish to consider retuning / restringing them to BEAD and retain similar fret positions to your five or you may just wish to keep playing them as they are. As all hoarders will confirm, there is never a good reason to get rid of your basses.

Definitely this. I personally play mainly 5ers but also have owned and own some 4 stringers. Have been tuning them BEAD since forever. I'd do that with my 4 stringers, then, if you decide you're head on into 5ers, gradually start the trading.

I make my living as a software consultant and developer and as such I know that implementing a new software tool is also a good oportunity for a business to review its procedures and, if possible, optimize them. It's always the same with any new tool. I started playing bass in 1988, then in 1993 got my first 5er and fortunately I was innocent enough to let it change me as a bassist. I became lower, to the point I can now do without the 1st. string for most of my music, yet can't play a song without the low B. My usual conclusion is: it's called BASS guitar for a reason!

 

[JaketheB]

You're right! And likely jlepre is right too. So now suddenly this has turned into "What 5string should I buy..." thread that's not more than, say, $600 or so. I really like my MIM P, but as jlepre said, there Aint Such Thang as a 5 string MIM. So now I'm looking outside the Fender brand (forshame!).

Obviously I like my Ibby a LOT, so that's my go-to reasonable price alternative. The 405 series looks like a real possibility.

G&L Tribute L2500. You will get a P a Jazz and much, much more.

 

[Nephilymbass]

My main player is a 5, my backup is a 4 setup bead. I've owned everything up to a seven string.

 

[WaynerBass]

Get a set up and fret dressing done, it'll be a keeper

 

[bopeuph]

2. I think I need a better 5er. Honestly the Squier sounds awesome. I get complements on it often. But there's something about the neck that's bothering me. In particular the top edge of it. It's certainly wider than my 4s (of course) but the top edge just seems kind of harsh. Like maybe the frets in the others are routed inwards a bit but this one isn't. So it's not as comfortable to finger as my Fender and Ibanez for my thumb primarily.

Sounds to me like all you need is a fret dressing. Squiers are many times just unfinished Fenders--you are many times saving money because they're not as complete as a Fender. Then again, I've had to dress the frets on my Fenders, too.

My Squier Affinity P has had a lot of mods done to it, but it's every bit as good as my Fender P.