Why 5 Strings?

[seansbrew]

I like having that 5th under the notes on the E string.. for instance if I'm playing F# I can play the 5th (C#) below the root instead of above it (and pop a 5th octave in)... like:

---------------------------------------
---------------------------------------
----------------------------4----------
2-2-2----2-2-2----2-2-2-------2-2-----
-------2---------2-------2----------2--

low B ghost notes and passing notes are part of what I like playing on bass. And I love dropping down to the low D in the outro of some of our songs.. it just sounds unexpected as I don't hit it anywhere else in the song.. just sounds so HEAVY... love it..

Good point. The main advantage of a fiver or sixer for that matter is the amount of notes you have in a given area. You have two octaves in a very small space. Say we're looking at D on a fiver.



----I----I----I----I----I----I---dI----I
----I----I----I----I----I----I----I----I
----I----I----I----I---dI----I----I----I
----I----I----I----I----I----I----I----I
----I----I---dI----I----I----I----I----I

 

[seebee]

I was teasin` with my comment that "dissed" the 5 string. My feeling is that if it works for you, great. And if you can make it sound fine, even greater.
The only shade of truth behind it (the comment) is that I personally dislike the sound of bass notes lower than E. Notes lower than low E sound too much like a "keyboard" bass, or something. It's also interesting to note that the most revolutionary bassists came from an era that did not have 5 strings; some of the most revolutionary/unique player and jazzers with god given talent; Doug Stegmeyer, Jaco Pastorious, Max Bennet, Chris Squire, Geddy Lee, etc, etc.

Now today, you have many fine players, but how many of them really push the envelope like the older guys did? There seems to be something missing in the "thoughtful" department.

Check this out; a recording of a local small-time band taped in 1975. Check out the killer walking bass lines. It's just so sensible. I melt to hear it. I wonder why anyone would need anymore than 4 strings?

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Options. Years ago extended range basses where not available to the masses so 4's were all we had. I think John Pattituci does and did great things on a six but he doesn't "need" it, He used 5 string Sadowsky's on a few of his albums as the non solo bass. Nathan East does great things on his extended range Yamaha's on the R&B vibe and with Eric Clapton.

 

[Peter Squire]

ahh...this old chestnut.

I was guilty of a similar thread in my first post here on TB. Flame war ensued!!!

I play a five and a four. Different eyes see different things....

Seeya in 5 pages, guys....

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Check this out; a recording of a local small-time band taped in 1975. Check out the killer walking bass lines. It's just so sensible. I melt to hear it. I wonder why anyone would need anymore than 4 strings?

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Likes and dislikes are in the ear of the beholder though. I personally didnt like the bass playing in the clip you posted at all, and wonder if maybe the bassist had the chance to try a five-string back then, his line wouldn't have sounded as repetitious, as the instrument needs to cater to the musician (I don't think anything could have helped the singer or the lyrics though ). Maybe he'd have worked better with a five. Some work better with nine strings. Some work best with four. Things like thoughfulness and creative are products of the player, not the instrument. If someone feels their creativity is limited by their instrument, why stick with it? Using a four-string won't force you to be more creative- only the individual player can. And you can be just as (or moreso) creative on a five, as it has all the strings and note tones a four has.

 

[wujuu]

That low B makes for a great thumb rest

That's very true--even if I'm not using the B--I like the have it there as a rest. It's more comfortable to me than a 4.

 

[remo]

I think the most valid point is there is nothing stopping you playing a 5er like a 4 (just don't play the B.. simple) ... other than that a 5er has more options and a different aesthetic...