...see I use that B all the time.. on just about every song I play something hits that low B at least once.
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Who hear finds a 5stringer easier to play than a 4?
- Thread starter BrandonBass
- Start date
My 35"/34" scale fivers are easier to play than my 34" 4 string.
But the most comfortable and easiest to play is my 30" 4 string SX Jazz bass.
But the most comfortable and easiest to play is my 30" 4 string SX Jazz bass.
I've got the LTD F5-E, feels like butter matched with some bright and heavy DR Lo-Riders.
One thing I've noticed on 5 stringers: I can really shred on the "E" string position, but I can't do as much when I play on the "E" string of a 4 stringer. It's a technique issue, but I do find fivers generally easier to play.
One thing I've noticed on 5 stringers: I can really shred on the "E" string position, but I can't do as much when I play on the "E" string of a 4 stringer. It's a technique issue, but I do find fivers generally easier to play.
Since moving to 5 string basses 20 years ago I've done about 3, very uncomfortable, gigs on a 4 string. I play best when I'm in my comfort zone, so it's just not worth the hassle for me to swap around.
I play with guys that bother about the playing rather than the gear and I've never been asked to leave the 5er at home. If a number doesn't require the B string it doesn't get played, so in my view I'm playing both a 4 and 5 at the same time.
That can't be done on a 4 string bass.
IMO IME
I play with guys that bother about the playing rather than the gear and I've never been asked to leave the 5er at home. If a number doesn't require the B string it doesn't get played, so in my view I'm playing both a 4 and 5 at the same time.
That can't be done on a 4 string bass.
IMO IME
I've been playing Electric bass, Double bass, and cello some 50 + years, now, two of my basses are 5 stringers, 9 are 4 string, and 1 is a 6 string. While I agree that 5 string basses are faster (probably because of the string spacing), my 4 newest purchases have all been 4 string basses. It's where I most comfortable.
Also, I think I've moved through all of the high speed - look at me stuff, and I find myself getting back to being a bassist (I'm not criticizing anyone's style or choices, just commenting on my own). Not by any deliberate choice, but voluntarily nonetheless. I simply find that I enjoy playing BASS more than slappin' and poppin', or being a lead instrument, unless the number requires.
Yes, I still get the occasional obligatory solo (though I prefer to solo on a double bass), on electric bass, and I still slap, pick and pop during it, but I find playing bass (as in rock 'n' Roll, and classic rock, and blues styles) most enjoyable.
I use a 5 string when doing jazz, funk, and fusion numbers, but for R&B, Rock, Pop, Blues, and standards, I automatically go for the 4 string.
Some of my favorite playing is done while playing stand up bass with a small combo (Bass, drums, piano and sax) with a really fabulous female blues/jazz vocalist (picture a small, darkened, smokey venue, candles on the tables, and a sultry chick singing Girl from Ipanema).
Also, I think I've moved through all of the high speed - look at me stuff, and I find myself getting back to being a bassist (I'm not criticizing anyone's style or choices, just commenting on my own). Not by any deliberate choice, but voluntarily nonetheless. I simply find that I enjoy playing BASS more than slappin' and poppin', or being a lead instrument, unless the number requires.
Yes, I still get the occasional obligatory solo (though I prefer to solo on a double bass), on electric bass, and I still slap, pick and pop during it, but I find playing bass (as in rock 'n' Roll, and classic rock, and blues styles) most enjoyable.
I use a 5 string when doing jazz, funk, and fusion numbers, but for R&B, Rock, Pop, Blues, and standards, I automatically go for the 4 string.
Some of my favorite playing is done while playing stand up bass with a small combo (Bass, drums, piano and sax) with a really fabulous female blues/jazz vocalist (picture a small, darkened, smokey venue, candles on the tables, and a sultry chick singing Girl from Ipanema).
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Who hear finds a 5stringer easier to play than a 4?
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Put me in that group ...
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Put me in that group ...
I play country and we do a lot in A and D...'nuff said. It's good to have an elevator that goes all the way to the basement. I find the five easier as the B provides better orientation for my thumb.
Riis
Riis
+1. After 20 years of playing four, I tried a fiver in Y2K. Loved it so much that I eventually sold all my fours. So sure, it's now easier for me to play 5 than 4 or anything else.
Yep... again, after 20 years of playing four string, I realized my hands are uncomfortable on narrow fivers. So, I play so-called "wide" fivers... which should be called normal fivers, because string-to-string spacing is nearly the same as on four stringers.
Narrow fivers (Music Man, G&L, etc) should be called narrow! They're very close to four string basses with an extra string crammed in.
ROFL! On four, there are the two outer strings and each outer string has an inner string. The middle string on the fiver confused me too.
The answer (as usual) was practice, practice, practice. For me it also helped to put my four away and concentrate exclusively on five string.
Now that i'm actually learning scales instead of just doodling around, i think the 5 string is a huge advantage.
the shapes are just... complete. Repetitive patterns looping around from highest to lowest string.
In the 4 string shapes, there's always one line missing from one shape to the next.
the shapes are just... complete. Repetitive patterns looping around from highest to lowest string.
In the 4 string shapes, there's always one line missing from one shape to the next.
I've played both, and agree that a 5 string is easier to play. However, for me - it isn't as fun.
I know that we've all heard this statement before but it's worth repeating. The low B string on a 5er makes a great thumb rest!
So in a way, the 5 string is easier to play.
So in a way, the 5 string is easier to play.
I have big hands. I can switch from a 5 to a 4 to a 6, and in most scale lengths, without issue. It really comes from just understanding the progression of the strings & knowing what notes will be where in any set combination.
I've switched exclusively to 5 string as of the first of this year, really... barring my acoustic bass that is. I don't care much for transposing, I tune the whole thing down weird compared to what a traditional player might. Our band is in drop D, down a half step. So I tune the high 4 strings like that, and the low B goes down to Ab. So my tuning is low to high Ab, Db, Ab, Db, Gb. Confuses the heck out of anybody that picks it up, but it is quite comfortable to me as I have an octave two strings down on both the "A" and "D" strings, and since we have a few songs that are in the key of A (Ab, taking in to consideration the drop tuning) I have the option of dropping in that low open Ab string to really fill out a big rock ending if I so choose. (It is a weapon to be used sparingly, of course, but it's nice to have.)
I had a 4 string tuned down to the bottom 4 of how I have my 5, but I often missed the high string. I can't imagine having to switch back to a 4 now. However, when I was playing guitar, I much preferred tuning a baritone 6 string down to "drop A" and transposing, as opposed to a double drop tuning like I employ on my 5 string... and a seven string was just not even considered, as the high E string only got in my way. Funny how that ended up being the exact opposite of how I approach the bass only a few years later...
I had a 4 string tuned down to the bottom 4 of how I have my 5, but I often missed the high string. I can't imagine having to switch back to a 4 now. However, when I was playing guitar, I much preferred tuning a baritone 6 string down to "drop A" and transposing, as opposed to a double drop tuning like I employ on my 5 string... and a seven string was just not even considered, as the high E string only got in my way. Funny how that ended up being the exact opposite of how I approach the bass only a few years later...
I did 5 exclusively for 2 years in the early 90's, then gradually started using a 4 again, decided I liked the 4 way better than playing a 5, and since 96, I've played the 5 a handful of times but I don't enjoy it anymore except for at-home practice. Don't need the low notes and don't care about shifting positions occasionally.
I would say I feel more comfortable on a 4 but that's just because I play them most often....although I do play the 5 weekly on a church gig.
For below E songs I've tried all the possibilities and each has their own pros and cons in my opinion.
1) 4 with a Drop D tuner means you are going to have to go outside traditional patterns and possibly have some difficult stretches to get where you need to go plus it may not let you get low enough. Pros are no guitar changes and it keeps the old brain functioning well.
2) Second (or third) bass with alternate tuning means you have to change basses which always adds fun to any set and it may also limit your setlist order. Another con would be that unless you have two or more identical basses, your sound will change between basses. Pros are your scale patterns work regardless and you get to show off your collection.
3) 5 string - for those used to it not a lot of cons, I feel slapping is easier on a 4 but that is just me. I prefer a narrower neck so it feels huge in my hands. Pros are more scale positions available, ability to avoid open E if you don't like it, one bass only needed and all the pros that come with that, plus the built in thumb rest that has been mentioned.
So to me using a 5 would be the best all around flexible option if one could get past any physical comfort issues. Unfortunately I have not gotten there yet and I love my 4's so much I'd hate to leave them behind.
For below E songs I've tried all the possibilities and each has their own pros and cons in my opinion.
1) 4 with a Drop D tuner means you are going to have to go outside traditional patterns and possibly have some difficult stretches to get where you need to go plus it may not let you get low enough. Pros are no guitar changes and it keeps the old brain functioning well.
2) Second (or third) bass with alternate tuning means you have to change basses which always adds fun to any set and it may also limit your setlist order. Another con would be that unless you have two or more identical basses, your sound will change between basses. Pros are your scale patterns work regardless and you get to show off your collection.
3) 5 string - for those used to it not a lot of cons, I feel slapping is easier on a 4 but that is just me. I prefer a narrower neck so it feels huge in my hands. Pros are more scale positions available, ability to avoid open E if you don't like it, one bass only needed and all the pros that come with that, plus the built in thumb rest that has been mentioned.
So to me using a 5 would be the best all around flexible option if one could get past any physical comfort issues. Unfortunately I have not gotten there yet and I love my 4's so much I'd hate to leave them behind.
