What do you in particularly like about playing 5 string basses?

[andymac]

As a "four strings forever" person, I really enjoyed reading the OP's and others' takes on why a five-string feels natural to them. I particularly like the arguments about symmetry, which make sense to me. And I like the variety of reasons that people have. More options for positions (and for staying in a position) is cool. It sounds like it is more than just the low notes for many, though the low notes are also cool.

I'll never be converted, but thanks for helping me understand all you "extra string" weirdos ! ("Weirdos" in the most respectful sense

 

[mambo4]

like in particular how 3 octaves exactly mirrors 3 frets apart, 3 strings down, across the fretboard, and how triad harmonies mirrors in octaves 3 frets apart, 3 strings down, across the board...

I suppose you are talking about these types of patterns

I'm not sure it is more symmetrical or consistent than on a 4 or 6 string
I've often tried to understand the neck as a "window" on a larger diatonic pattern that is regular and repeating.
Here is an example of the major scale /major triads on a "12 string grid" of 4ths ( same orientation as above)

That "window" can be 4, 5 or 6 rows (strings) wide.
I often try to orient myself against this larger pattern, as opposed to restricting my view to what is physically available on the neck.

 

[Brandon Shea]

Those extra low notes are there when I need them. Sometimes I’m transposing down for a singer with a lower voice, or I’m dropping the occasional bomb that makes the rafters shake. I’m a minimalist with the B string but when it’s time for one of those notes, it’s time.

Nothing like hitting one of those low notes a couple minutes into a song!

 

[Cleezmo]

I like having the low notes when needed, I like that some patterns are easier to play across the fretboard. And I like that I don't have to detune or swap basses for different keys like Eb or D. I love both 4s and 5s pretty much equally, and I feel equally at home playing either one (but that took a long time), so for me it really depends on the gig/material. My current band has a handful of tunes in Drop D, and so I'm playing a 5-string 95% of the time, because it's easier than having to detune, retune, etc. mid-set. Less to think about, less stress, just play the same bass all set.

But I still play my 4s a lot at jam sessions, and if a set doesn't have any Drop D tunes, I might play a 4-string for that part of a gig. It's good to have both options, for sure. And moving to a 19mm spaced 5-string really made me pay attention to my muting skills, which were lacking a bit, but have since gotten much, much better, and that translates to my 4-strings as well. If I could only have one bass, I'd likely go with a 5-string just for the versatility. But let's not think about having only one bass!

 

[scuzzy]

i play with a LOT of guitarists that, in tandem with diva singers, will change keys last minute. having a 5 string allows me to move that progression shape much more easily with a 5 than a 4.

 

[funkinbottom]

After surgery on my left hand, a 5 just felt better to play those 4 string lower notes (E thru G) higher on the fretboard and playing across the neck instead of up and down the neck. The lower notes are handy too for when playing with down tuned guitarists or vocal transpositions. Also,went short scale 5's. I have one 32" , two 31" and one 30". The 31" scale is my daily driver.

 

[Tampa Tone]

I do have one, but I don't particularly care for the timbre of a 5 but practicing with it makes my 4 strings feel like a race car.
It makes me a better 4 string player

 

[NickyBass]

I play a 5 string because I deal with a lot of transposing for singers. I like how the 5 lets me keep everything linear when playing in a different key--as opposed to jumping up an octave mid line because I ran out of notes.

 

[pbass2]

The extra low range is of course very useful(and I mean, why wouldn't you want those notes available to you?). But the tone of the notes higher up on the low strings is as big a draw for me as the low notes. You have an extra addition to your tonal palette up there. I use the whole B string for that reason. It's a feature that the tone is different up there. The ability to navigate across 3 octaves, etc as you mention is cool, and I obviously do that since I use the entire B string, but it's the previous two features that sold me.

 

[J Wilson]

I came to fives in the 80's once they became available. I came to four-string bass after years of piano, where every note is in one spot only and you play in a linear fashion. The tuning offsets in fourths was confusing at first, and then once I became familiar with the fingerboard, it just seemed strange to start a figure HERE and then have to slide up to THERE to finish the thought.

When fives came online, while it was fun to have the extra low notes (and like everyone else, I played WAY too many of them wearing out my new toy), the real secret advantage was the ability to play two octaves across the fingerboard without shifting. Transposing became idiot simple, you just shifted up and down like Barre chords. And after 88-note pianos, 24-fret fives with those deep cutaways (Yamaha BB's and Alembics) made playing most anywhere on the fingerboard like shooting fish in a barrel.

I played only fives since the late 80's. On a whim, I bought a Squier Jazz a few years back, and with that skinny neck, four strings, and 21 frets, it felt like I was playing a mandolin ! It quickly became obvious I could never go back to fours. There are giants who made/make incredible music on them, but fives just suit me better all the way around.

 

[LetItGrowTone]

I don't play a 5, but what I liked most was being able to play the same notes five frets higher, because it sounds different in a way that I like a lot (as pbass2 and others said above). If I want that again I can string a 4 as BEAD.

(A legit, perfectly formed low E is already hard enough for normal cabs; I don't want to provide a cab that can do a perfect low B.)

 

[sawzalot]

I like the right instrument for the music I'm playing. Sometimes that's a 4-banger, and in fact I find 4's easier to play and mute. But playing in a high energy pop/dance band, the music sort of demands a 5 string. As far as what I like? There's nothing like playing through a big PA with big subs and hitting a low B that shakes the entire venue. Just amazing.

 

[pbass2]

I don't play a 5, but what I liked most was being able to play the same notes five frets higher, because it sounds different in a way that I like a lot (as pbass2 and others said above). If I want that again I can string a 4 as BEAD.

(A legit, perfectly formed low E is already hard enough for normal cabs; I don't want to provide a cab that can do a perfect low B.)

Yep, look at a lot of reggae players who use five strings. Those cats play high up on the low strings a lot for that tone. It's fatter, rounder and a cool tonal option to the same notes down lower on the higher strings. You can really do some cool stuff. One of my fivers has well-worn in flatwounds on it. I was recording recently and they wanted a "Hofner-esque" sound, something in that ballpark. I got there playing high up on the low strings, pick and palm mute. I had a shortscale w flats too on hand (my Jerry Jones) but the fiver thumped up high like that nailed the vibe they were after.

 

[laklandplayer]

I've been a dedicated 5 only player since I switched from over from 4 in the 80's.
But then I started getting a lot of calls for pit shows and concerts where most of the scores are written for 4 string acoustic and electric.
So now, I play whatever the bass book calls for (4 or 5), as it minimizes playing mistakes in the heat of of the gig... reading music, following the conductor, following the performers, etc. The low B string can get in the way when reading a score written for 4 and playing a score written for 5 on a 4 has you taking notes up an octave when they are out of range which changes your technique on the fly that you have to compensate for.
If I'm playing a straight up casual gig I only take a 5 string,
If I'm doing a session I always take a P bass with flats and a 5 with rounds. I set the P bass up even if I'm not using it, there is something about producers and engineers seeing a P bass on a session that gives them comfort. Yes, it weird.

 

[dune]

All my 5's are tuned EADGC these days. I just dig the extra chordal possibilities. I used to do a lot of that on my TRB-6, and never used the low B for anything when playing solo, so nice to not have to worry about keeping it quiet.

 

[Dust2Dust]

but there is a bit of vanity involved if I'm being brutally honest.

Same here

. . . but practicing with it makes my 4 strings feel like a race car.
It makes me a better 4 string player

Same here

 

[GreyBeard]

I've been playing 5'er since the mid 90's. The low B string certainly adds some lower notes but it also makes playing certain patterns and parts easier.

 

[Jefenator]

Vanity notwithstanding, I usually still deploy as few strings as I can "get away with". There is something about that classic 4-banger when it's time to rock out.
If it were all about getting attention, I would use my fanned-fret 6-string all the time. As it is, I actually get tired of people coming up & asking about both of those things.

 

[thunesBARROW]

I’ve been tuning EADGC down a step (DGCFBb) on my EB-5. I really like the combo of low notes/extended range and the timbre of the high string. That bass also has 24 frets which is a good match for the high C string. I tune my Carvin five string in the standard BEADG.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

When the singer goes "Hey man....can we drop this song a few half steps?" and I don't have to panic