When should I switch to a 5 string?

[Muttleybass]

It's been 35 years and I ain't learned to play a 4 yet.. Personally, I'm waiting for Geddy Lee and Stanley Clarke to get theirs.

But, like others have said... when you want one and need the low B.

 

[Bardley]

You will know. You will receive a text message that reads; "Congratulations, you have unlocked 'Bassist Level 2'. 5 string bass now available for purchase in the shop."

 

[Strohsx]

Brilliant!

 

[Fuzzbass]

If you want a five, get a five. It really is that simple.

This is absolutely true.





FWIW: I tried 5 string in Y2K after playing 4 string for 20 years. Long story short, I now play five strings exclusively, and no longer own any fours.

I wish I'd switched to 5 string 10 years earlier. There's a lot more to 5 string than the five notes below low E. Fact is, I play the B string above low E more than I do below.

But that's my experience. I say try 5 string ASAP, and if it doesn't work out for you then you can always go back to four.

 

[KingRazor]

When you need a B string.

This.

 

[Derek Balonek]

Whenever you feel you are ready, but it's a complicated process- lots of operations. Afterwards, you may never be able to play a four-string again...

 

[rockstarbassist]

whenever you want...?
there's not like a "set time". i went to 6's after about 2 years of playing and then about full time to 5's about a year after that and except for a brief period haven't played anything but 5's.

 

[ModulusQ5-122]

NOW

 

[kevinmoore73]

You must log 20 hours of playing time before you are ready to play a 5 string.

That's 20 hours of time with a certified instructor. You also need five hours of solo time!

 

[JimTMich]

I started playing about 8 weeks ago with a 4 string. 3 weeks ago picked up some music and it had 5 string written all over it. So I bought a 5 string. Haven't picked up the 4 stringer since.

 

[steve f]

I just started to play a 4 string bass guitar and I love it, but when should I transition into a 5 string?

If you've just started to play and have a 4 string already, continue to enjoy yourself and improve your technique and knowledge of the fretboard.

The low B string gives you several things -
1. a great thumbrest
2. a few extra low notes
3. the ability to play a wider range of tones without changing position - this is the most useful advantage for me
... but also
4. a little more work necessary to dampen open strings
5. a little more neck width and mass to deal with

I play 4's and 5's. I found the transition very easy.

Probably your best bet is to pick up a reasonably priced 5 when you're ready to upgrade and give it a whirl. It's not in any way a necessity, just a little extra goodness.

 

[dave64o]

NOW

Forget my previous response. This one answers the question as definitely as possible and does it as succinctly as possible!

 

[Ric5]

When should you switch to a 5 string?

Yesterday!

 

[blackba]

As others have said. Borrow a 5 string bass or buy one with a 30 day return period and see if you like it.

I borrowed a friends Schector 5 string and loved it. In a few days I was using it live. It was very easy for me to make the transition. I just recently bought my first 5 string (musicman) and am really liking it.

 

[Fuzzbass]

When you need a B string.

It's not nearly that simple. First, some prefer adding a high C string rather than a low B.

Second, and more importantly, MANY people mistakenly believe that BEADG fiver is useful only (or primarily) for the additional range below low E. That's what I thought too, at first, but after playing 5 string for awhile I realized that I like it better even for classic rock/blues/R&B where I never go below low E. I now play many classic songs five frets higher on the neck than I used to (starting on the B rather than the E), which can reduce position shifting. I still shift positions when I want to (e.g. for tonal reasons), but I'm no longer forced to as often.

Of course some choose basses with 6 or more strings, but with each additional string you have to deal with an increase in neck width and/or a decrease in string spacing. I have smallish hands and hate narrow spacing, so "wide 5" is just right for me.

 

[groooooove]

whenever you feel like it.

 

[vinxbass]

In 1999 I got real tired of playing songs in Eb and having to have to detune so I said **** it and started playing a 5 string and haven't looked back since.

 

[chaseman]

Don't know whether it was just coincidence, but I was recently at a music festival and the majority of the bass players were sporting five string basses. My initial thought is that it is to give the crowd some tasty lower frequencies to chew on, as many of the acts were dub/dubstep/DnB/reggae; is this theory correct?

 

[chadhargis]

I have two four bangers and two fivers. To me, the five string basses are MUCH easier to play. I can play around the 5th fret region and not have to fool with open strings (which I don't like the sound of) and the frets are closer together. My G&L has tighter string spacing which also makes it easier for me to play, less moving around and more economy of motion.

A five string is about more than a "few extra notes", but those extra notes are nice when the guitar player tunes to drop D and you don't have to.

 

[Solarmist]

Just get one. If you don't like it after a month then sell it.

+1 - It might be your thing; it might not.