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What's so special about 5 strings?

Rush-2112

Rush-2112

Dec 14, 2008
721
71
New York City
#1
So I'm getting a new bass soon, and I'm trying to decide between the 4 and 5 stringer (the price diff isn't much). So it's gonna be either the Lakland 44-01 or 55-01.

My question is, do you think I should go for the 5 string? In the 2 years I've been playing, I've only played 4 string basses. Also, the thing is I play most music by tab, I rarely use sheet music. So will I be able to find tab for a 5 string? I just want to make the right decision so that I won't have any regrets after I make a purchase.

Thanks in advance. :)
 
#3
It's avery personal choice and you are the only one who can make it. I have had a few 4s, a few 5s, and even a couple of 6-strings. While I find a 4-string is easier to play, I often miss the extra string while I playing a 4. I don't think I've ever wished for fewer strings while I was laying a 5, though I did wish for fewer strings while playing a 6.

For me, I've come to accept that I am a 5-string guy. I still break out the old Fender once in a while because its fun and, like I said, certain things are easier on it. But the 5-string opens too many doors for me. It really isn't even only the 5 extra lower notes for me. I love playing in F on the 6th fret of the B instead of 1st fret on the E. Its more comfortable to me. Having access to the low F# and E while I'm walking in A at the 5th fret is great too. It just gives me choices on when and how to play certain notes that I don't have on a 4-string. Plus, if a song is in drop-D, I don't always have to retune or switch basses, just play the low D on the B string.

However, there are others who find the extra string gets in their way more than it helps. It can certainly make slapping more difficult, but not impossible. I think you should try a few 5ers out before you make up your mind. See if the extra string opens doors for you or if its a nuisance.
 
#4
I would base your decision more on if you find or think you need or want the extra string. I picked up my 1st 5 in 1988, and although I've owned a few 4 strings since then, I always end up selling them because I find that for the music and bands I play with I am always missing the lo B string.

As far as the TAB question, if a song is written and played on a 5, you will usually find TAB written to reflect that. I wouldn't let that be a major part of your decision.
 
#5
The great thing about 5-stringers is that if you don't mind transposing, it's possible that you'll rarely have to downtune your instrument(Assuming your extra string is the low B). Extended range basses simply allow you to play more notes in one hand position, so take that as you will.
 
#7
"what's so special about playing a 5-string?"

nothing. it just means you're better than those that play a 4 string. :hiding:

i'm kidding - obviously. i think you have to figure out if you have need for it and how it feels in your hands. i played a 4 for about 2 years and then went to a fiver. i've been playing 5 for the last 17+ years. the 5 felt right from the first time i picked it up. 4's feel odd to me now. and i have no need to go up to a 6. i've thought about trying to go back to a 4 (because so many tones i like come from 4's) but i'm in a situation where i "need" a 5er. i play in church and there are always songs that are in E-flat and being able to play the lower E-flat rather than jumping up and down the neck is pretty nice. especially since i rarely know the songs and i'm having to play with a chord chart. also, the low d and low c are kinda nice with some slower songs... adds a bit of "power" to the song.

if a 4 felt good to me and i didn't need the extra notes i'd go with a 4. but because neither of those is the case i play a 5.
 
#9
If you get a 5 string you can still read tabs written for 4 string, just rest your thumb on the B string and forget about it. Someone said the difference is five notes (B, C, C#, D, Eb) but there's more to it than that. You can play across the fretboard more, with less shifting up and down the neck, on a 5er. But you may not like the wider neck and longer reach for your picking hand. In the end, you just have to decide what you like.
HTH
 
#10
I agree with the others on developing your ear over tab training...but I don't want to take that hijack possibility any further.

That said, I find that (the right) 5-string bass will give you a richer tone than the typical 4-string...and I'm a traditional P-Bass man for the most part.

I've owned the Lakland 55-01 before, and (IMO) it had the best feel and tone for a 5-string in its price range...I sincerely miss having that bass around.
 
#11
Rush-2112 said:
... Also, the thing is I play most music by tab, I rarely use sheet music. So will I be able to find tab for a 5 string? ...
Thanks in advance. :)
Click to expand...

Sheet music, your ears, tab, in that order. That's my recommendation. Learning sheet music, aka music theory, will help you understand chord charts and how they relate to tabs. It will make sight reading easier, and help you understand why players choose the notes you hear, even of those players can't read music. Sheet music may be intimidating, but it's not difficult to learn.

also, only you can determine if you should own a 5-string bass. Most of mine have 5 strings tuned down a step or two because of the music I play, the only determining factor IMO.
:bassist:
 
#16
I like being able to walk up to low E and playing that note closed versus open provides a slightly different tonality or timbre. Blues in B is a lot more fun with the Low B.

I would suggest giving it a try - you'll have to give it some time to get used to the lowest string not being E - so give yourself sometime to adjust before making a decision.

Also, learn to incorporate the additional notes into your playing when needed.
 
#18
AGREE with those above. Once you get used to that 5th string,you get a little spoiled. I play old Country,and Country-Rock...That low B gets used a lot! I enjoy playing my 4...but when it comes to gigging,I grab the 5.(I thought I'd never want a 5,but now I have one,I don't think I'd ever order another 4; in fact I have a Hy5 being made by Birdsong right now.) Anyway, I guess it depends on your taste,but that low B sounds GREAT.
Kent:bassist:
 
#19
I started playing bass on a 4 (about a week) but when I bought my own bass, I bought a 5 because that's what they had in stock, and I thought it was cool to have that extra string.I stopped playing 5 strings for a while so that I would use more than the B and E strings, because I road them pretty hard. After playing the 4 strings awhile I became more aware of dynamics and melody, so when I picked up the 5 again, I didn't ride the B and E all the time.

For the last couple of months however, I went through a 4 string phase. I did not want a 5 string and sold all of my five strings. It was kind of a tone thing. i only wanted vintage sounding instruments and I didn't think vintage should have the low B. I missed them greatly...I now have only 5 string basses again. Playing in my church a 5 string is "almost" essential because of E flat. I like a 5 string because they usually have bigger bodies (for size and tone) and bigger necks (my hands are large). Also, I much prefer to play a fretted E over an open E. It just sounds better to my ears.

If you think a 5 is right for you, I say go for it! Play what makes you happy and what you will use.
 
#20
What's special about 5?
Nothing at all any more.
But... one doesn't buy an instrument because it is "special" now, does one?
I personally like the 5 because I don't have to shift positions so much.
The added low pitch notes can be useful too, but that too me is not the main reason.
I don't use a 6 because I have not really heard a c string yet that I liked.
:D

Oh yeah ...and get rid of that tab stuff...I doubt it'll do you any good in the long run :-)
 

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