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

[z14giv1]

I really really want to try one, though they are tough to find in my area.

I'm attracted to the extra fingering possibilities as well as by lesser string spacing (on a lot of 5 strings seems to use 16.5mm).
Whenever I try to do «chordal stuff» (on 4 strings with 19mm string spacing) I feel like the spacing is too great for the left hand.
Actually I also find the string spacing quite wide for the right hand both when I play with my finger close to the bridge or with a pick while skipping strings, palm muting makes things worse.

I'm attracted to the instrument to «try to do things my way» and explore (try at least) the work of some jazz artists as the cover I play never need anything lower than D. It is not really for range, a 24 frets tuned DGCF may be enough, even though I would sure enjoy access to a couple lower notes.

I had a guitar I kept with 5 strings in fourth, I really enjoyed the symmetry back then. I wish I could tweak a baritone guitar in a 5 strings (B to G) with wider string spacing which I enjoy for both the left and right hands (on electric/acoustic guitars contrary to the bass I lack space).

 

[Les Fret]

There's just a very logical mathematical symmetry to navigating on the fretboard of a 5 string bass, that isn't present on a 4 string, or 6 string bass for that matters, to the same degree, like as if a 4 string bass has one too few strings and a 6 string one too many.

I have the exact opposite. Having an uneven number of strings feels not logical to me. A five string either has one string too many or one string too few. That’s why I only play six and four string basses, no five string.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

All of my 5’s are tuned B-G , except for one which is tuned E-C. I enjoy the low B and the high C. I get all the benefits of extended range without having to buy a 6 string with either too tight string spacing or a runway neck.

 

[SpankBazz]

Also, using the rest stroke technique most of the time, I like that I can use the E string and use the B for a rest, and play anywhere on the string length, not just where the pickups are there for me to rest a thumb on.

This, too.
When I watch 5 string players, 90% of the time, that B string is a thumb rest.
Makes it easier to two-finger the E string.

 

[JenderBazzFass]

This, too.
When I watch 5 string players, 90% of the time, that B string is a thumb rest.
Makes it easier to two-finger the E string.

The low string is like salt, or like hot sauce... best if used sparingly. If you live on the B string it gets annoying to listen to, in my opinion.

 

[Temcat]

The extra low notes and extended positional playing (when the B is sufficiently good).

 

[mercbass]

I have 5 fingers. If every one didn't get a string, one may get jealous.


It's pretty simple math, really.

 

[GTHintz]

I think what I love most about playing a 5 string bass is that, at least to me, navigating on the fretboard seems much more logical, 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.

There's just a very logical mathematical symmetry to navigating on the fretboard of a 5 string bass, that isn't present on a 4 string, or 6 string bass for that matters, to the same degree, like as if a 4 string bass has one too few strings and a 6 string one too many.

Apparently I am not the only one who have made this observation about 5 string instruments in particular, though this is a guitar, and not tuned in all fourths standard tuning, like I, and most others would tune their 5 string basses*), I have heard Jacob Collier mention something similar about his custom 5 string guitars, concerning the logical mathematical symmetry of having exactly 5 strings, and in particular when utilizing triads a lot.

Chords and scales just seems to make more sense on a 5 string bass, at least for me.


*) For what it is worth, while I do tune in standard all fourth tuning, my main 5 string bass is tuned in G# standard tuning (that is as in one half step bellow the upper 4 strings of 6 string bass in regular B standard tuning, plus a high E), so I do utilize chords a lot more than the average bass player, and a playing style that is more of a crossover between traditional bass and traditional guitar playing style.

Well I like the thicker wider necks. I noticed that they all carry a fuller sound especially acoustically than 4 strings. I like having the lower notes. The necks feel more natural to my hand. So basically feel and overall tone for me is superior.

 

[GTHintz]

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.

Well the thing I would do is figure out what feel has changed and what you think feels best. The first 5 string I got to try was an Ibanez prestige SR. The first I got to own was a Warwick Corvette. When I got into some serious playing on it I realized that I can't be switching back and forth because of the string spacing. When I go to hit a note it needs to be there for me. Oddly I don't get tripped up on fretless even but spacing between strings I'm very picky about. I found that 16.5 or 17mm spacing is where I feel comfortable and for how narrow the strings are all the way down the neck of a 5 string I feel like there's no going back once you get used to that feel. If you are ready to commit I would suggest really focusing on the transition. If you decide it's not for you then that's totally fine. Go get another 4 string and keep it tuned BEAD and you're still covered in most cases.

 

[GTHintz]

I like it because it p#sses some people off.

Can't argue with that logic. We're going to be pissing off the guitar snobs anyway so might as well have fun doing it.

 

[MtManiac]

The ability to move a bass line pretty much anywhere on the neck, including doing impromptu key changes.

 

[joeLowB]

Well the thing I would do is figure out what feel has changed and what you think feels best. The first 5 string I got to try was an Ibanez prestige SR. The first I got to own was a Warwick Corvette. When I got into some serious playing on it I realized that I can't be switching back and forth because of the string spacing. When I go to hit a note it needs to be there for me. Oddly I don't get tripped up on fretless even but spacing between strings I'm very picky about. I found that 16.5 or 17mm spacing is where I feel comfortable and for how narrow the strings are all the way down the neck of a 5 string I feel like there's no going back once you get used to that feel. If you are ready to commit I would suggest really focusing on the transition. If you decide it's not for you then that's totally fine. Go get another 4 string and keep it tuned BEAD and you're still covered in most cases.

Very similar for me...string spacing made all the difference in 4 to 5 switching.

I thus own and play, equally, a 4 string and 5 string Jazz bass. String spacing is the same. It works.

 

[GTHintz]

Very similar for me...string spacing made all the difference in 4 to 5 switching.

I thus own and play, equally, a 4 string and 5 string Jazz bass. String spacing is the same. It works.

I kinda forgot about that. Even Warwick makes a Broadneck version of Thier 5 and 6 string basses. Personally I used to play 4 string and when I passed through a few basses I kept going more narrow until I got my 5 string. The wide space thing isn't for me but you're right. They definitely make some wide spaced 5 stringers.

 

[Bass1447]

I kinda forgot about that. Even Warwick makes a Broadneck version of Thier 5 and 6 string basses. Personally I used to play 4 string and when I passed through a few basses I kept going more narrow until I got my 5 string. The wide space thing isn't for me but you're right. They definitely make some wide spaced 5 stringers.

I can handle wider spacing. I prefer what I refer to as Fender spacing. Roughly 17mm. I was lucky enough to come across a MTD 535-24-17. They don't make many. When you find one you jump. But my first 5 was narrow. Someone cobbled it together. Probably 16mm spacing or less. But wide spacing is just a wide neck which I don't do.

 

[GTHintz]

I can handle wider spacing. I prefer what I refer to as Fender spacing. Roughly 17mm. I was lucky enough to come across a MTD 535-24-17. They don't make many. When you find one you jump. But my first 5 was narrow. Someone cobbled it together. Probably 16mm spacing or less. But wide spacing is just a wide neck which I don't do.

That's the great thing about having adjustment in your bridge. Some do that and it's great when you're trying to keep things consistent. I found that if it's a half millimeter it's not a big deal considering when I switch basses I'm switching bodies and necks too so there's only so much you can keep exactly the same. But going from say a really narrow Ibanez to a Ken Smith or Warwick broad neck it's like adding another string almost. I've messed around with 6 strings before and honestly I could handle an Ibanez SR neck but that's still really pushing it for how wide the neck is when you get into that. As far as neck thickness goes it really varies from bass to bass and the profiles are varied. Cool thing about your MTD is that contoured asymmetric neck profile. I had the privilege to buy an older imported Tobias and I really like that neck more than I thought I would. It feels like the thicker Warwick necks I like but the taper feels a bit faster when I'm jamming with it and it's very comfortable for longer play sessions. That's something important to add to this thread is that if you like more beef in the neck then 5 or 6 string is absolutely better. Even the notoriously thin sound gear necks are a little thicker which to me actually makes them feel better. Too thin and it used to cause more cramps and discomfort in my hand. That's why fender Jazz necks and Gibson Thunderbird necks never felt great. Both are basses I like the sound of though. Rics too.

 

[tb-player]

A 5-string is the ultimate short-scale, if you play at the 5th fret.