Why a 5? Or, How Much Do You Use That Low B?

[MisterMagician]

I'm the furthest thing from insecure but go ahead and have another opinion based on nothing. That's two in a row, you're on a roll.

I'm seeing the makings of a strawman argument here. I neither appreciate it nor see why bargain bin "argument" fallacies are being employed, this isn't a flame war.


I still don't understand why you are singling my post out or what you are even trying to get across.

Are you under the impression that I was either talking to you initially or my feelings on music instruments somehow impede yours?

 

[Stevorebob]

Four blades on a razor, now that's obscenely useless. Five strings on a bass, for me, that's convenience. It's not all about five extra notes -- it's about flexibility. Just my opinion. Of course, YMMV.

 

[MisterMagician]

Four blades on a razor, now that's obscenely useless. Five strings on a bass, for me, that's convenience. It's not all about five extra notes -- it's about flexibility. Just my opinion. Of course, YMMV.

It's actually to prevent cuts.

The skin deforms as the razor goes over it. More blades means a wider surface area is getting shaved, so the skin does not deform as much. Less skin deformation means that the blade is less likely to snag on your skin and take a chunk with it.


Also, it leads to a closer shave because you have four blades running over the same hair in one stroke.


Seems like a great innovation to me, but that must be because I have an engineering background and I might look at things differently.


And I am not seeing how a simple difference of opinion is getting so much attention.

I know Bassists are conservative, but this is just silly.

 

[Larry V]

I quoted and "shook my head" to your "obscenely useless" comment which you then defended by trashing music that utilizes the notes played on that B string.

It's just a narrow view of music, IMO.

 

[MisterMagician]

I quoted and "shook my head" to your "obscenely useless" comment which you then defended by trashing music that utilizes the notes played on that B string.

It's just a narrow view of music, IMO.

If there was an Olympic medal for missing the point you would be on the short list.

 

[Larry V]

Oh, are we entering the "insult each other" stage of this internet tough guy tet-a-tet? No thanks. Better things to do. Good day.

 

[BigBeatNut]

Too much music is made on the lowest notes of any instrument.

Riddled with so many assumptions I don't where to start. Oh, hold on though, there's nothing absolute or objective about the worth of a given piece music is there ? So this is entirely subjective and I can ignore it ? Fine.

 

[MisterMagician]

Oh, are we entering the "insult each other" stage of this internet tough guy tet-a-tet? No thanks. Better things to do. Good day.

I'm still not certain what argument you even brought to table outside of interpreting my words poorly, using texting acronyms, and trying to start a fight for no reason.


Nor do I see how responding to your posts eloquently makes me a "tough" guy.

Not only that, I don't think this even qualifies as an exchange as you made no effort to actually say anything.

 

[Larry V]

Riddled with so many assumptions I don't where to start. Oh, hold on though, there's nothing absolute or objective about the worth of a given piece music is there ? So this is entirely subjective and I can ignore it ? Fine.

I should have done that as well.

 

[Stevorebob]

It's actually to prevent cuts.

The skin deforms as the razor goes over it. More blades means a wider surface area is getting shaved, so the skin does not deform as much. Less skin deformation means that the blade is less likely to snag on your skin and take a chunk with it.


Also, it leads to a closer shave because you have four blades running over the same hair in one stroke.


Seems like a great innovation to me, but that must be because I have an engineering background and I might look at things differently.


And I am not seeing how a simple difference of opinion is getting so much attention.

I know Bassists are conservative, but this is just silly.

Forgive the omission of a smiley face. It was a non sequitur, intended for the enjoyment of the audience. No need to derail this thread to debate shaving instrument technology or corporate marketing prowess.

 

[SteveC]

Going perpetually lower and playing notes that become more and more indistinguishable is not the solution music needs for innovating.

Just saying - the notes on my Roscoe B string are quite distinguishable from each other. That's the reason I play it. If I weren't playing a Roscoe, I wouldn't be playing a 5 string.

 

[cnltb]

When playing 5 string , I use the B string a lot.
Not for the lower notes but because I don't have to shift positions so much.
It helps especially helps when sight reading.

 

[jeff5311]

I find it obscenely useless, but it makes for a nice rest and looks good on some basses.

Yep. Unless you have to play modern country, hip hop, gospel, pop, CCM or anything written after 2005.

Sure you could kinda pull some of this music off playing with a 4 banger (and sometimes I get away with it), but it doesn't sound the same to me, or to band leaders and sound guys.

In fact, I know I've gotten gigs "just because" I have a few 5 strings in the arsenal. Weird and kinda sad (because equipment shouldn't really matter), but true.

 

[Stealth]

Just saying - the notes on my Roscoe B string are quite distinguishable from each other. That's the reason I play it. If I weren't playing a Roscoe, I wouldn't be playing a 5 string.

Ditto on my Yamaha RBX375 no-name and my no-name six-string. I've figured out that as long as the string gauge is right and the strings are well set up and intoned, the strings will sound distinguishabl and usable.

And heck, if the song doesn't call for the low string, at least it's a convenient thumb-rest that's as long as the neck itself.

 

[BigBeatNut]

In fact, I know I've gotten gigs "just because" I have a few 5 strings in the arsenal. Weird and kinda sad (because equipment shouldn't really matter), but true.

If the equipment makes a perceivable and positive difference to the listener, then there's every reason for it to matter, surely ?

 

[Matthew_84]

I have found myself playing up the neck more and shifting over a string. It helps my old hands.

This.

I use my B string all of the time, but I do play with a hip hop band. I actually tuned by 4 string to BEAD tuning and am pretty happy with it. I don't miss the G string at all, I just move further down the neck. I do have a 24 fret neck though, so that helps.

I'd recommend doing this to one of your 4's before investing in a new bass. Either that or buy a cheap used 5 string to make up your mind.

I'd also recommend playing with a light touch and getting a thinner than normal, non-tapered B string (like a .120). It really doesn't sound different to the other strings, and if you can train yourself to play with a light touch on all strings, you shouldn't notice any extra floppiness - I don't. I ordered a custom set of .120 - .100 - .080 - .060 DR Fatbeams from bassstringsonline.com and couldn't be happier.

 

[okcrum]

It's not how much you play that B string, it's about what happens when you do use it at the right time. You can smell the effect in the venue.

 

[Upstate SC Bass]

A low Eb and D are quite useful. Or at least I feel my lines benefit from these notes in certain keys. You don't have to have a 5 string for that as there are other methods to extend the bass range..tuning down or a hipshot...But a low C is nice too and these are good reasons for the 5.

I love both a 4 string and a 5 string bottom line!

I probably play more freely on a 4 string but have played 5 for so long that it is natural to me too.

Be aware that some players have a time making the transition successfully, I still occasionally will play a note a fourth off (get one string over) for a instant if I am not paying attention LOL.

My personal preference is a 35" scale and .128 tapered B string.

 

[JustForSport]

Ditto on my Yamaha RBX375 no-name and my no-name six-string. I've figured out that as long as the string gauge is right and the strings are well set up and intoned, the strings will sound distinguishabl and usable.

And heck, if the song doesn't call for the low string, at least it's a convenient thumb-rest that's as long as the neck itself.

That is very true- too many don't realize that the correct gauge and tension for a B (regardless what string manufacturers like to put in the package) along with a good setup is key to fixing most 'floppy' B's.
It seems that some would rather dis then sell a bass with a 'floppy' B just because it doesn't sound or feel good 'as it is'.

 

[SteveC]

I've figured out that as long as the string gauge is right and the strings are well set up and intoned, the strings will sound distinguishabl and usable.

Yep. DR Sunbeams (45-125) seem to be a really balanced string on my bass. I used Hi Beams for years but wanted to change it up a bit and I'm really liking the Sunbeams.