What's the first 5-string recording you ever heard?

[CryingBass]

My first 5 I remember was Eberhard Weber and that goes back a ways. EUB but to me that's pretty cool. AJ to me was the real first.

 

[J Wilson]

And Jimmy on the terrific George Massenburg produced and recorded Flim and the BB's sides.

 

[Vinny_G]

Interesting question, which depends on the generations, of course. It's hard to say, because I must have heard a lot on the radio before I knew what a bass guitar was. Maybe that album?

 

[garp]

I honestly can't remember the first time I knew that I was listening to a 5-string bass.

The first tune I recall hearing that went below standard E was The Pretenders' "Brass in Pocket" (1979), which was Pete Farndon's detuned Precision.

The first time I knew for sure that I was not listening to a 4-string bass was probably John Patitucci on The Chick Corea Elektric Band (1986).

 

[JimK]

Unless there was some Anthony Jackson part in a commercial pop/R&B tune that got airplay in the late 70s/early 80s that I heard -- though was never aware of its low B string content -- then it's a safe bet that Jimmy Johnson was the first 5-string player I heard, because Flim & The BB's Tricycle album was in regular rotation circa 1983. But note, I still wasn't aware that it was a 5-string at the time.

I do distinctly remember the first time I was able to identify a 5-string bass being used on a song, just by the sound, that unique timbral difference that most (but not all) low B strings have...but I have no idea what tune it was or who the bassist was. It was a slick "Smooth Jazz" number, probably one of the Quiet Storm radio stations, while driving in the car. Late 1980s maybe?

Did Jackson restring his Fender to BEAD? Thought I had read that somewhere.
Steve Khan/Eyewitness debut album was in 1981.
I agree with the Jimmy Johnson comments. The I.O.U. albums.
Nathan East, Jimmy Haslip, too.
I bought a white Yamaha BB5000 around 1985. $1500. Went in to buy a DX7...left with the bass, instead. And ran it right over to Oteil Burbridge's place for him to have a look.
Pretty sure the 1st Fodera I had ever heard was Tommy Kennedy's on Billy Connors Assembler. IIRC.

 

[JimK]

It was hearing Jimmy Johnson live with the Wayne Johnson Trio that was my first exposure to a 5-string, circa early 1981. Bought the first lp afterwards

View attachment 4781528 View attachment 4781529

Love that album. Wish I still had it.

 

[JimK]

80's things as I remember:

"Everyone Wants to Rule the World", probably a synth line, but easily played on low D, Tears for Fears:

Yes...synth bass. Listen to the track solo'd about 2 minutes in.

 

[Watchootognbout]

1980's Civilized Evil by Jean Luc Ponty, Anthony Jackson playing on the song "Demagomania".

The bassist on "Demagomania"was RANDY Jackson.
Not Anthony Jackson.
Yes.THE Randy Jackson of "American Idol"

 

[Watchootognbout]

Did Jackson restring his Fender to BEAD? Thought I had read that somewhere.
Steve Khan/Eyewitness debut album was in 1981.
I agree with the Jimmy Johnson comments. The I.O.U. albums.
Nathan East, Jimmy Haslip, too.
I bought a white Yamaha BB5000 around 1985. $1500. Went in to buy a DX7...left with the bass, instead. And ran it right over to Oteil Burbridge's place for him to have a look.
Pretty sure the 1st Fodera I had ever heard was Tommy Kennedy's on Billy Connors Assembler. IIRC.

"Did Jackson restring his Fender to BEAD?"
Yes.
He did that extensively during his time with Al DiMeola and Chaka Khan.
https://melvinleedavis.com/images/Contrabass Conception.pdf
He used it up until the time he started using his second Ken Smith in '83
(The first was a wash)
He also used the Smith on "Eyewitness"which came out in '83.

 

[Jazz Ad]

The first time I heard and saw a 5 string bass. It was 1985.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Can't remember the first recording but I do remember the first live performance where the 5 string was highlighted in some fashion...you're gonna love this:

Back in '90, I dragged my 5 y.o. son to see Sharon / Lois / Bram of Canada's "The Elephant Show". Don't recall the bassist but he was rippin' it up on what may have been a Fender 5.

Riis

 

[JimK]

The bassist on "Demagomania"was RANDY Jackson.
Not Anthony Jackson.
Yes.THE Randy Jackson of "American Idol"

Good catch. Randy J is a beast on bass...

 

[s_wood]

And Jimmy on the terrific George Massenburg produced and recorded Flim and the BB's sides.

Jimmy Johnson is such a monster player! He began playing an Alembic BEADG 5 string in 1976.