What songs do you feel NEED a 5 string bass?

[phillipkregg]

Are there songs that you feel would suffer if the bassist used a 4 string instead of a 5?

Just curious what the community thinks.

 

[babsobass]

Any song made popular (or otherwise originally played) with a 5 string, assuming the B string was used for below E notes, will sound different performed on a EADG 4 string. Not that it can't be pulled off, but discerning ears will hear the difference.

I bought a cheap 5 string specifically to do Before He Cheats.

 

[chris_b]

Are there songs that you feel would suffer if the bassist used a 4 string instead of a 5?

Stop fixating on the number of strings. Any song can be played on any bass.

 

[socialleper]

Are there songs that you feel would suffer if the bassist used a 4 string instead of a 5?

Just curious what the community thinks.

It is a pretty long list. There are genres that use 5s and 6s almost exclusively, sometimes tuned lower than B. A lot of stoner and doom bands down tune a 4 because the basses isn't getting that crazy. Same with grindcore bands. Some death metal as well. Tech death, prog metal, and some death/metal core kinda need 5s or 6s.
On the other side of that are experimental or fusion acts that tune a 5 with a high C instead of a low B. They play more melodic lines high up the register, or use tapping and chords a lot.

 

[Bass Man Dan]

Stop fixating on the number of strings. Any song can be played on any bass.

When you're singer calls for Livin' on a Prayer in the key of B, you're gonna need the low b.

 

[Tori2013]

P & W songs written in F, Bb or Eb.

 

[joel406]

I hooked up with a modern country outfit.
Just about every song has a low D/C or B in them. Up until I started playing this stuff I never really needed a five. Since, I’ve gone and bought a new American Pro Jazz Bass five string. It’s all I play now.

 

[Moving Pictures]

This is why I play 4’s and 5’s. While I generally agree with @chris_b I sometimes feel that some songs, such as Uptown Funk, just sound better on a 5-string. Really there is a long list where that is true however for the most part I can make most songs work on either type of bass. It just depends on how true to recording I need to be for a particular gig.

 

[jd56hawk]

Can't think of any but surely there must be some.
I mean, I must have a few in my ipod library...only have about 1,500 songs...but I'm guessing maybe a dozen or so.

 

[TheGreatSealof]

Beach Boy's. Not required but fun to fool around with the low B.

 

[phillipkregg]

Stop fixating on the number of strings. Any song can be played on any bass.

 

[bucephylus]

This is why I play 4’s and 5’s. While I generally agree with @chris_b I sometimes feel that some songs, such as Uptown Funk, just sound better on a 5-string. Really there is a long list where that is true however for the most part I can make most songs work on either type of bass. It just depends on how true to recording I need to be for a particular gig.

I actually like Uptown Funk on the 4 with the HipShot dropped to D. Lays really well.

 

[bucephylus]

For my needs, the 5 is mainly useful with vocalists who like to transpose. Black Velvet in Db? No prob.

I also like the 4 with the HipShot, and will use that if I don’t need notes lower than D.

Nice to have options.

 

[Moving Pictures]

I actually like Uptown Funk on the 4 with the HipShot dropped to D. Lays really well.

My 4’s have the HipShot Xtender but I like the sound of Uptown Funk on my 5 a bit better. I could always revisit this though.

 

[Moving Pictures]

For my needs, the 5 is mainly useful with vocalists who like to transpose. Black Velvet in Db? No prob.

I also like the 4 with the HipShot, and will use that if I don’t need notes lower than D.

Nice to have options.

I have to transpose a fair amount. That’s why I have the 5’s Options are definitely good.

 

[Stevorebob]

Shine. Although a BEAD bass would do as well.

 

[Stevorebob]

But my real answer is all of them.

 

[crankypants]

Stop fixating on the number of strings. Any song can be played on any bass.

^^ this is the correct answer.

But also for when the singer needs a different key it can be helpful.

Dude from Helmet played a 4 the other nite. Frickin Helmet.

 

[sleddogn]

When you're singer calls for Livin' on a Prayer in the key of B, you're gonna need the low b.

or just a quarter to call a cab after you say i'm out, LOL

 

[Mike N]

I hooked up with a modern country outfit.
Just about every song has a low D/C or B in them. Up until I started playing this stuff I never really needed a five. Since, I’ve gone and bought a new American Pro Jazz Bass five string. It’s all I play now.

I used a 4 string tuned BEAD for the modern country band I was in.