When would a 5-string be required?

[FatherTrucker]

I went and looked up their music. It's sounds like things are technically demanding. Probably there are songs that would be difficult/impossible to play without a 5 string. I imagine if you could prove you can do without, they would make an exception.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

If you don't want a 5 and need to hit lower notes than you'd have with a typical standard-tuned bass, either learn to tune down, or get an Extender/D-tuner. If you can seamlessly play parts with a down-tuned E-string, then there's no particular need for a 5, though you'll be jumping up the board a whole lot more. If you can't play seamlessly with a down-tuned E-string and you still need those lower notes, then get a 5.

I have my Hipshot tuned to C in the lowest position on my #1 jazz, and most of my others are at least set to a D. I use them often, but also have 5 and 6st basses. I'll also down-tune the whole bass sometimes, mostly for the studio. Just be fluent with whatever you use and don't trip up with the odd tunings.

 

[JimmyM]

Or, "it is required to have an 88-key keyboard..." or "it is required to have a 6-piece kit..."

You don’t think it happens?

 

[Tim Lombardi]

Segovia did not need more than six strings on his guitar, why? Because he mastered it! Same with bass, if you have not mastered the 4 string then why in the world would you add any more strings? Because the ability exits the body, but not in the mind. Just like golfers, thinking better clubs equals a lower score, not usually.

 

[Killing Floor]

I guess the old bass player spontaneously combusted?

 

[Jay2U]

When a BEAD tuned bass can't get the job done.

 

[chadds]

I will add that in Americana roots, country, r&B, and rock n roll a 4 fits "in" the mix. It is not the lowest in the sonic spectrum. I found that in some blues bands as well as many other types the bass can be the whole sonic space below the drummer. The 4 can be inadequate where the 5 has the ladies dancing. The girth of the same notes in a lower register is significant. This is a your mileage may vary thing.

As a gigging and studio musician I don't mind requests to bring certain basses. I've been asked in the studio with a specific request to bring an Ashbory. When you are asked you are asked for your flexibility, amenability, punctuality, note choice, and placement, time, and feel. Knowing what to wear to particular gigs shows your respect for the venue and group's reputation. Working with the producer or band leader gets you invited back. It gets you referrals. It gets my own projects welcomed into venues or suggested for studio hits. It can have monster musicians looking forward to playing with you. The producer or band leader has many other things to think of. The last they need is you being self absorbed over a mere bass. The music is the thing. Keep that in mind and heart.

 

[cnltb]

When would a 5-string be required?
When ever you want to be a part of the band from the ad , you posted.
Other situations come to mind too of course but they seem less relevant right now.

 

[Joebone]

I have not played a four in public, in many years. Well, not a lot of anything in public over the last two years! But as a serious hobbyist in and out of a range of styles, I'm totally sold on the 5. It's not just the extra range, but also the new fingering options for choice of timbre, for convenience, and using that B string to bounce a fourth below roots played on the E string when comping. Am toying with the idea of working on 6-string, to take this further still...

 

[2112]

You don’t think it happens?

I have no doubt it does. IME, these are no less silly.

 

[GIBrat51]

Well... it's their band, and their music, so... yeah, they're entitled to set their parameters for the new bass player. That said; even if I was interested in joining another band - which, after... geez, 45 years, now... I am not - I'm not running out to try to find a left handed 5-er in this town. I'll guarantee you that there ain't one... In any case; after playing 4-stringers for 50+ years - and, for a lot of what I play, not even needing that many - my answer to the thread title is a definite Never...

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Segovia did not need more than six strings on his guitar, why? Because he mastered it! Same with bass, if you have not mastered the 4 string then why in the world would you add any more strings? Because the ability exits the body, but not in the mind. Just like golfers, thinking better clubs equals a lower score, not usually.

This is faulty logic. Why did Segovia need *6* string? Couldn't he have mastered 3 strings and done the same material on 3 strings? He didn't try hard enough. If Segovia wanted to play a 7 string would you fault him for not playing the "proper" number of strings? The number of strings has absolutely nothing to do with "mastering" anything. If that was the case, we'd all start on 1 string and not move to 2 strings until we had "mastered" that 1 string.

Maybe more range allows one to play things that are physically impossible with less range? Is more range in an instrument somehow illegitimate?

This whole idea of "so-and-so didn't need whatever" is just stupid. So-and-so is their own person, doing their own thing, and is irrelevant to the discussion.

 

[bassGtar]

Segovia did not need more than six strings on his guitar, why? Because he mastered it! Same with bass, if you have not mastered the 4 string then why in the world would you add any more strings? Because the ability exits the body, but not in the mind. Just like golfers, thinking better clubs equals a lower score, not usually.

I‘m going to appreciate your post as an expression of anti-GAS sentiments.

Of course the golf sponsors know that when they need a better score they have to buy better golfers.

 

[MrLenny1]

Bruno Mars uptown funk i.e.
A lot of New Country & Jazz Fusion.

 

[smart51]

I play a lot of Acid Jazz. Only half of the songs I play need notes lower than an E. But more than half the songs need notes that would be way up the neck with a 4 string tuned BEAD. Maybe the band leader knows the repertoire. From experience they want to weed out people who insist on trying work-arounds rather than play a 5er.

 

[FunkHead]

You don't need a 5 string…..Until you do.

 

[AceOfBassFace]

If that's what they want, I don't see the issue. I listened to their spotify track and sure enough there's some low B string stuff:



Kind of an interesting band if you're into the style.

 

[pepj]

Thats their requirement in their ad.
If you want to go for it and don't have what they ask for, then you can't complain.
Pretty easy to understand.

 

[chadds]

They had an ad for a female vocalist but I am a male vocalist with the range of Barry White. I demand an audition. I’m going on Talk Voice and saying I’m adequate. I’m already uncooperative.

 

[SteveBlair]

5 string can be a very useful tool to have in order to accommodate the range of the vocalist, amongst other things already mentioned. Especially with cover bands where the key needs to be changed and it would be a detriment to the song to lose the low end. I'm sure most songs could be played with a d tuner. Lots of Stevie Wonder tunes are much easier played with a 5 string or with a bass tuned down a half step. Best answer I saw so far... "The band leader requires it".