Who made the permanent switch to 5 Strings?

[bholder]

I permanently switched to playing as many strings as the bass in my hands has. Though I'm not so great at 6 or higher (# of strings or courses). But I worked hard for a long time to be "agnostic" between 4s and 5s. I'll use the B string if it's there, but don't really depend on it.

 

[littlebooner]

Almost all the music projects I have played in the past 10 years have benefited from having the five for various reasons.

Currently, it allows me to only need 1 bass for all the songs we cover. If I played 4 strings, I would need to have 2-3 bases and retune on a few tracks. Currently, there is only one song I tune to drop D (Slither by Velvet Revolver). I could technically play it without tuning but the tone and feel dont translate with the main riff of I cant play an open D.

 

[burgerdj]

I tried a 5 about 20 years ago and just couldn’t get comfortable. I sold it, but 20 years later I got involved with a band that really needed that anchor of sub-E. Suddenly - and totally unexpectedly - everything clicked. I’ve since sold all but two of my 4s, which I will never part with. I have think any bass in my future will have 5 strings. Even when I don’t need the lowest notes, I’ve come to love the access and patterns in the middle of the fingerboard.

 

[BergerHead]

I have a P-4 still, but rarely (close to never) play it, with a '93 Warwick Streamer 5 and the L2-5 Berger i'm perfectly well; i can't imagine to go back to 4-stringer, the surplus of the B-string is too tempting.

 

[mrcbass]

Yep. I'm a fiver lifer. Can't get around well on a 4 anymore and 6 is too much.

It's an expensive need - options for fivers are far fewer than 4s, especially used, but they are all I play.

 

[SteveC]

Yep. I'm a fiver lifer. Can't get around well on a 4 anymore and 6 is too much.

It's an expensive need - options for fivers are far fewer than 4s, especially used, but they are all I play.

Yeah, to get a good B string you have to pay - IMHO. A god 4 string is easier to find, and cheaper. I have a Roscoe Century 5 that I love and covers al my needs. I don’t always use the B string, but I like that I have the option. It feels/plays better than any bass I’ve tried - 4, 5 or 6 string. The neck is so comfortable.

I do think you play differently on a 4 string and that does interest me once in a while, just to change things up a bit.

 

[bikeplate]

Nope

 

[BergerHead]

Yeah, to get a good B string you have to pay ...

Ime good B-stringer are pretty hard to find ... even at the costly side of axes.

 

[andruca]

I started playing bass in '88 and got my first 5er in '93. Have been playing almost exclusively 5ers since. Currently I own four 5ers and just one 4-string (and even that, an Epiphone Viola, is strung BEAD, I much rather have a low B than a high G in 4 stringers).

 

[QweziRider]

anyone done the big change over? Any regrets?

Back in '91. Never looked back. HOWEVER.....I still keep around 4 stringers because some of them just play and look too beautifully to get rid of. Solution? B-E-A-D tuning.

 

[Cutter8]

5 strings tend to have more strings.

I have found that to be the case with most of mine.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Me. In 2004 because of a good gig I had that required it. Played 5 string only. When that gig ended several years later I went back to 4 string. I now play 4 string only. With a D tuner. I have only 3 notes less.

I shouldn't be in this thread, right?

Oops...

 

[MegaSwing]

FWIW, I went 12 years without a four-string and was very satisfied with nothing but fivers. Now, I only have four-stringers. Never say 'never' about these things. What's even at stake?

 

[Thumper]

Been playing 5s since '98. Used 4s for a few years when I was doing lead vocals because I thought the simplicity would help.

I still have some 4s, but never play them. I now play 5s exclusively, even when singing.

Graduated to Dingwalls

 

[kittywithabanjo]

Been playing 5s since 90, just added a 6 again recently

 

[warrplayer]

Who made the permanent switch to 5 string?

No one still alive.

 

[InhumanResource]

Just got myself my first 5 string and after a few weeks of acclimatisation and technique overhaul I am loving it.

I’m loving it so much I’m seriously considering selling my 4’s and going with 5 strings - anyone done the big change over? Any regrets?

I've had a couple of 5s and just never bonded with them. It bothers me because I really should have one for practical purposes, especially if I ever get moving on joining an actual party/dance band like I've always wanted to. Instead I keep getting distracted by four string ideas.

Maybe I'll find one.

 

[funkinbottom]

Just got myself my first 5 string and after a few weeks of acclimatisation and technique overhaul I am loving it.

I’m loving it so much I’m seriously considering selling my 4’s and going with 5 strings - anyone done the big change over? Any regrets?

Right there with ya. Just a few months ago, bought my first 5er. (been playing 40 years) Absolutely dig it. The availability of the extended lower range is cool, but for me it's more about fingering options (I'm old, hand issue). Out of six basses, five are 4 string. Other than a couple times here at home, I don't play the 4's any more. I use the 5 now exclusively in both bands I'm in, so I think I will sell all but but one of my 4's (I've had it since '70) and buy another 5 string......or two.

 

[Tim the pocket]

When I got my first fiver, a Carvin BB75 fretless in the early '90's, I thought I would never go back, but after i got into a working blues band 6 months later, I started using my 4 again. Since then, I have gone back and forth, depending the needs of the band. When I was in a 12 piece disco band, I had 2 G&L's-a 4 and 5 with the same electronics, because i was not comfortable slapping on the fiver, and the neck on the 4 was more comfortable. Currently, i play a fiver about 75% of the time. The fours are used with a couple of classic rock bands.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Switched from 4 to 6 string and have not looked back. I do have a 5 string fretless, but would never go back to a 4. So many more musical possibilities with a 6 or even a 5.