Who plays above the 5th fret?

[socialleper]

I play where I need to play. High, low, whatever.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

The other recent thread got me thinking, there is a difference in the timbre of the note, depending on where you play it (likely due to changing string length, etc....I don't know all the physics but I'm sure it comes into play).

IE: 5th fret on the D string (G) sounds different than the 10th fret on the A string (same G)

There isn't a right or wrong answer, just wondering who prefers playing where?

I prefer playing above the 5th fret, if possible. There is something about the ultra-high frequencies and ultra-low frequencies that are "tamed" and the mids just sing. There is something about the notes on those upper frets...they sound more like an upright bass, but still have many qualities of an electric.

You know the strings you use have a lot to do with where you are comfortable playing the note. I started with flats back in the mid-60's, then used round wounds for ~33-years and then went back to flats (tape wound actually) 2 or 3-years ago. I really liked the brighter tone of the round wounds but didn't like the balance of timbre between strings. The notes played low on the D and G strings sounded pretty thin compared the same notes played higher on the neck on the A and D strings. I was primarily using Dean Markley Blue Steel strings then.

Then after about 4-sets of those I tried a set of DR Black Beauty strings. They had a better balance of sound across the strings down low than the Blue Steel strings did. Then I bought a set of LaBella White Tape Wound strings and there is no comparison. The sound is much better balanced across the strings down in that lower range of the neck. Over the last 3-years I guess it is, I have played a lot more stuff down low on the D and G strings than I ever did with the round-wound strings. I no longer need to go up to the A on the D string to get a good and full sound out of an A. So I just play it in whichever position is most convenient for the fingering at that part of the song now. It's really a liberating feeling!

So, yeah...IMHO, strings have a lot to do with where you'll play those notes.

 

[southpaw723]

I'll usually play higher on the neck instead of the lower frets on the D and G strings, sounds better to me

 

[dkelley]

First bass I owned of my very own (after 5 years of borrowing and renting), I made sure to get a 24 fret board. Why? Ya never know when you might use it. I ended up using it daily in concerts and rehearsals, on records, etc.

 

[BOOG]

The other recent thread got me thinking, there is a difference in the timbre of the note, depending on where you play it (likely due to changing string length, etc....I don't know all the physics but I'm sure it comes into play).

IE: 5th fret on the D string (G) sounds different than the 10th fret on the A string (same G)

There isn't a right or wrong answer, just wondering who prefers playing where?

I prefer playing above the 5th fret, if possible. There is something about the ultra-high frequencies and ultra-low frequencies that are "tamed" and the mids just sing. There is something about the notes on those upper frets...they sound more like an upright bass, but still have many qualities of an electric.

I tend to learn and play in the middle of the neck. It's more comfortable physically and I feel like I have easier access to more notes above and below in octave. Also, to my ears the timbre of notes in the middle of the neck cut through better if I want them to by applying right hand dynamics.

 

[fishdude101101]

There are things you can't play correctly if you don't. How do people manage to not venture above the 5th fret?

 

[Ric Vice]

Funny thing, when I bought my 1959 Fender Precision Bass in 1975. It had blue discoloration on the E String side of the fingerboard for the first three frets above the third fret there was a pristine fingerboard. Country bassists get a lot done with twelve notes.

 

[WillyW]

I just realized one of my basses has 24 frets... who'd a thunk it!

I think the utther'un has 19...



but seriously, I will step on the treble guitarist's sonic territory every chance I get.. but I am a lot of fun at parties.

 

[Ric5]

I don't stop at the 5th fret ... and I don't stop at the 12th fret ... i use all of the frets

 

[chaosMK]

I mainly play only open notes on the B string.

 

[coy garcia]

I often choose it over open strings for more control.

 

[ComeHomeShane]

Above the 5th? Always.

 

[Groove Doctor]

You don't need a short scale bass if you play higher up the neck.

 

[cnltb]

Who plays above the 5th fret?
Who doesn't (at times)?

 

[Real Soon]

None of my basses even have more than five frets!

Nah I absolutely love the flexibility we have in moving up the neck, tonally and motion-wise. Even most of the "URGH FIVE FRETS" crowd secretly do little fills and things up at fret 13 once in a while, and given the way supply follows demand, clearly enough players (basically all) like having the full range that basses continue to have 19 to 24 frets readily available on the mass market, and less/more not hard to find in the custom market.

 

[TonyP-]

I will on occasion

 

[SumOne]

For me, playing mostly between the 5th and 12th fret is the main advantages of 5 string: Fatter tone playing the same note on lower strings, more comfortable to reach, and 2 octaves (the 2 octaves that 90% of my playing sits within) without hardly needing to move your hand around the neck.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I'm usually somewhere between the 5th and 12th, sparingly going above or below. If I'm in the groove I'll go wherever the music takes me, I try not to play within self made boundaries. Playing outside of my comfort zone has done wonders for my playing in general, it's not always pretty at first but it never is for anybody!

 

[smart51]

I usually play around the 5th fret and only stretch out to play notes below A. doubly so if I'm playing a 5 string.

 

[lfmn16]

I play the whole neck, why limit yourself ? That's what I say.

+1

I play where the notes sound best.