Who hear finds a 5stringer easier to play than a 4?

I like not having to depend on open notes and always being able to reach more notes across the board. I'm much more at home on a five or six than a four even though I learned on a four.

 

I've been playing a 5 so long that anything else doesn't feel natural. However, I prefer wide string spacing. That's why I opted for the broadneck option on my Warwick.

 

The 5-string in my avatar is my easiest bass to play. I still play 4's but I love that 5-string.

 

I fly on my 4 strings as my Pedulla and Jazz basses have super thin necks and I grew up playing 4's. So I definately find 4 string bases EASIER to play.

Having said that, I now play 5 string 95+% of the time. I like the versatility of the B string. Don't get me wrong, I love 5ers... But from a pure ease of playing standpoint, 4's win that IMO.

 

i just prefer the narrow spacing on my 5 compared to my 4's, but it doesnt mean my 4's are any harder to play. i had an '83 aria pro II that had quite narrow spacing that made playing it a breeze. it really was a fast bass. unfortunately there were other aspects of it that i couldn't get along with, so it got traded.

 

look at my avatar
I agree

 

I like playing a metal (yes, it's the best bass for metal) on a fiver with narrow string spacing, pickstyle. For fingerstyle or slap I prefer my 4 string Jazz.

 

I still like my 4 string better, but I do enjoy playing the 5 string. I think they're different. The 5 string has one more string than the 4 string. You may have already noticed that. I think it's pretty noticeable.

 

This may sound silly to some of you younger players, but those in their sixth decade will probably be able to relate:

My left wrist has become less flexible as I've grown older, which sometimes makes it painful to play on the lowest frets. Playing a fiver enables me to play the same pitches higher up the fingerboard, which accommodates my left wrist and alleviates the pain.

 

I've been playing a fiver for so long that I rarely pick up my 4's anymore. I now have a six that I'm pretty enamored with.

 

My five string also as one more string. Just noticed that.

 

I've been playing 5 string basses exclusively since the early 90's.

I love their flexibility, and while I don't often play below bottom E, I play that B string on most numbers.

I did a fly away gig last year and could only get hold of a 4 string Jazz. That was weird. It felt like I was in a straight jacket.

 

Although I play 5ers pretty well, and without difficulty, I still find 4 strings to be easier to play...



- georgestrings

 

I find a 7 easier than a 4 or a 5

 

I'm lost on a 4-string bass, haven't played one in years.
Upright, OK, but electric I keep hitting the wrong string.

Having access to those lower notes, as well as more
positions on the neck for the same notes, is great.

 

I have been playing 5's since around '93 and now feel more awkward on a 4. But, the funny thing is that I really don't use the B as much as most would think. It's more of an overall neck feel and thumb rest haha!

 

I bought my first 5 string 20 yrs ago and could get my head around it for the first couple of years, then one day I picked up another brand name 5er and everything just clicked. Haven't looked back since then, for me it's a five string or nothing.

My four string basses rarely see the light of day anymore. I just consider them, retired.

TD

 

It's different.
I believe you have to find the right 5-string, that works for you.
I went through 3 or 4 brand 5-strings till I found they one.
Some just never felt right.
A MTD 535, or a Roscoe LG3005. are it for me.

 

A 5-string is much easier for me. Easier to play in E-flat or D without detuning. Easier fretboard positions. Easier to confuse gui****s with what I'm playing. And easier to keep others off my bass.