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

[bassdude51]

What do I in particular like about playing a 5 string?

The 5 extra low notes that most bass cabs can barely do db justice.

My Acme Low B 2-10 can do the low B @ -6 db. Most cabs can even do that!

Although I love the sound of those 5 low notes. 5ers are not for me. But, I am not "you".

 

[HelpImaRock]

Come to the dark side. I had a few different fivers on and off since the 90's but never really used them much, just kept one around at times if I "needed it". I also went through a long phase of being a five-string hater--y'know, "those notes don't sound right", "I'll just use a synth", yadda yadda, the usual stuff, having never really put in the time with one. Jumped back in this year and now I have two, rounds and flats and it's all I want to play (unless I'm working for a five string hater!). The hassle of downtuning and the slack tension, the halfway-there solution of a Hipshot Xtender, no more for me.

I play original music, so I don't really care about "working practicality". It's all about feel, vibes, and playing basses that avoid people asking if I can slap, which we have a band rule against. "No slapping, no tapping."

 

[pbass2]

It's all about feel, vibes, and playing basses that avoid people asking if I can slap, which we have a band rule against. "No slapping, no tapping."

Ha--I hear ya. My main fiver has big-ass flatwounds on it and high-ish action. It is not slappable which is good 'cause my slapping is rudimentary at best! Passive, just looks like a FSO. I play mostly with original artists, lots of different genres. I have converted more than a few five string "skeptics" I work with with that bass

 

[projectapollo]

I like that any given root note on the E string has easy reach to the 4, 5, and 6 chord roots on the B string.

On the other hand I have a theory that given two identical bass builds, one five, one four, the four will sound better.

 

[Paul New]

I am very new to the five string, just a couple of months, and working getting fluid on it and figuring out how to use it.
If anyone has clues on how to get fluent on the Five, I’m all ears (eyes).

I got the thing because John Patitucci recommended it, and because I want to be ready to play whatever I’m called on to play, although I probably won’t be called to play anything that requires it. I do like the B string, and can see that the five gives us many more options.

I’m trying my usual TI flats on it, but not sure how that experiment is going to turn out.

 

[chris_b]

A 5 string bass has all the same notes as a 4 string bass. So there are no downsides to a 5.

The extras are more notes, in different (more convenient) places and more flexibility. The additional flexibility is really a big thing for me.

 

[TN WOODMAN]

Best thumb rest in the business.

 

[backin82]

I have wider hands, so the wider neck is actually more comfortable for me, and feels more natural.

Also I like that I get some extra lower notes.

Also I like the pattern/symmetry already noted by the OP.

Also I like that I have more options for where to play certain parts along the neck based on what sounds and feels best for a particular phrase.

Also 4-string basses feel small and inadequate now.

 

[waynobass]

I don't like it. I feel pretentious playing it. And the A-string tends to get lost under my fingers.

But I need it in order to properly play some of my bandleader's songs.

 

[covermego]

I am now back to dabbling with a 5 string. I REALLY wanted another Ibanez Mezzo 5'er, but for some totally weird reason, they've been discontinued. Seems like medium scale basses are getting more popular, so why did Ibanez do that at this place in time OK..... rant over, back to the subject>>>
As of yesterday, I am now the owner of the Glarry PJ 5'er. Weighs 7lbs 4oz. Nice on my shoulders. Haven't installed a strap yet, but I have top button extenders, if I feel the need. Anyway, I have already made plans for this: upgraded pickups from GuitarMadness, nicer brand name strings (D'Addario) and I have every intention of slightly narrowing the neck width, plus rolling the edges of the fretboard. Even out of the box, it plays great and sounds pretty good.
And, for the OP's math-A-matical reasoning, I like the option of playing up more on the neck and having 3 octaves in close proximity!
BTW, Glarry advertised the nut width on this 5'er to be 1.656" and that was one big deciding factor to buy it. HOWEVER, it wasn't to be. It is 1.77", which is the same width as their GJazz 5'er (I have made Glarry aware of this and they plan to change the specs). I do believe this neck is a tad thinner, though. Still, a keeper for me and a great way to re-test the 5 string waters.

 

[pbass2]

I am very new to the five string, just a couple of months, and working getting fluid on it and figuring out how to use it.
If anyone has clues on how to get fluent on the Five, I’m all ears (eyes).

I got the thing because John Patitucci recommended it, and because I want to be ready to play whatever I’m called on to play, although I probably won’t be called to play anything that requires it. I do like the B string, and can see that the five gives us many more options.

I’m trying my usual TI flats on it, but not sure how that experiment is going to turn out.

What worked for me was going all-in on it. I had had them on and off over the years but would only grab it I specifically really needed the low notes which was rare. As a result I never got that comfortable, would still get lost on it. Once I got another one after years of not touching one, I decided to only play five string (except for one band where the bandleader has a real retro grouch aversion to them). 3-4 months in I was gigging with it quite comfortably in multiple genres of music, now about 7 mos in and I don't even think about it, it feels totally natural (and I use the whole B string, not just the low notes). I'd just suggest, put the four string in the case and play everything on the fiver for a while, not just music that needs notes below low E.

 

[Dlew919]

Eb and D.

 

[Aric Bjorn]

If anyone has clues on how to get fluent on the Five, I’m all ears (eyes).

I've found this video particularly helpful and fun recently. Happy to share it

 

[TeaTime]

For me it's not about the lower notes, half of mine are tuned E-C. As others have said there is a symmetry that comes with 5, more options for line shaping, easier on-the-spot transpositions, and a different tonal experience playing up the lower strings.

In one of the most unlooked for developments of my life I've gone from 30 years of adequate backing vocals to a co-lead, and am probably about to be main vocalist for a busy party band. What's that have to do with 5 vs 4? The 5 removes a lot of horizontal jumps in songs, meaning less hand movement and less fret finding, allowing me to keep vocal timing more loose and natural in songs. It also means I'm able to keep eyes on the crowd more, less looking for a far-off landing fret.

3. When playing pre-5 string tunes, it makes a nice place to wedge a carrot or two for breaks.

You get carrots AND breaks?!? I seriously need some decent management.

 

[joeLowB]

Eb and D.

This...

 

[Artman]

I like that any given root note on the E string has easy reach to the 4, 5, and 6 chord roots on the B string.

On the other hand I have a theory that given two identical bass builds, one five, one four, the four will sound better.

I'm curious. Why do you think the four would always sound better? Doesn't an identical fiver also contain the exact same four string bass within it?

 

[SpankBazz]

I play on a praise team and it sure makes it easier to transpose keys. Many times I never know what key the song/s will be played in until Sunday morning so having that B string helps when changing keys. I don't like playing open strings if I can help it so not having to play in the 1st position all the time is a bonus....jump up to the 5th fret and you're good to go.

Appreciate the honesty.
This is the real and true reason why cats play 5 string.
There's not that many songs that need those extra 5 notes.
I kept asking 5 string players and they kept hitting me with "for songs that are lower than E" jazz.
So I would watch, and I finally figured it out.

It's the same thing with Macs, iPhones, and Maschine. No one ever tells you the real reason.
I'm not condemning 5 strings or those who play them. I actually plan to get a 5 soon.
Most guys play 5 these days and sound great.
But it's okay to live your truth. LOL.

 

[Dasgre0g]

I like that they're easier to play than a 4, less effort required.
I like the extra horsepower of the fretted B notes.

Bonus: I like that guitar players at jams are less likely to pick up my fiver and try to "show" me what to play.

EXACTLY. Bad enough to have them actually pick up your bass and play it, but having to watch them clumsily (yet confidentially for some reason) attempt to demonstrate those lines with their crooked, sloppy fingers always irks me.

 

[Ritter667]

EXACTLY. Bad enough to have them actually pick up your bass and play it, but having to watch them clumsily (yet confidentially for some reason) attempt to demonstrate those lines with their crooked, sloppy fingers always irks me.

What an accurate description.

I got this guitarist friend, and whenever he picks up my bass it looks and sounds like he is literally wrestling with the bass.

He is aware that he sucks at bass though, so usually leaves it to me, but whenever he needs to demonstrate something on the bass, yikes...

I am pretty proficient at both, so I don't quite understand what makes him go into caveman mode every time he picks up a bass, but I digress...

 

[projectapollo]

I'm curious. Why do you think the four would always sound better? Doesn't an identical fiver also contain the exact same four string bass within it?

I suspect the bigger heavier neck changes the overall tone somewhat. I've always felt that my 4 strings sound a bit snappier, maybe brighter, than the 5 strings I've owned.