Why do need more than 4 strings?

[phxlbrmpf]

This has really been done to death, it's even covered in the sticky at the top of the forum.

 

[Eilif]

Yeah, it's been beat to death, but here is why I play a 5 string.

I find the Low D very usefull (rarely do I play a low b), and I don't like the tone of "drop tuning"

I have 25 percent more notes available to me per hand position, which often enables more fluid moving lines.

 

[Jim Carr]

Last night, I saw and heard Victor Wooten with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
He played his Fodera 4-string P/J and his fretless J/J 5-string. It was all brilliant.
It was uplifting to hear music making on that level, on both basses.

IMHO, it is good to have at least one 4-string AND one five string
--a fretless is a good thing, too.
Now if I could only keep it to that few....

Cheers,
Dr. Jim

 

[Zooberwerx]

So then, it's settled...extended range basses ARE comfier to play than 4s when riding a bicycle. I'd been pondering this...

Yes...and headless extended basses are far more practical when sitting on the john. Less chance of getting tangled in the toilet paper roll.

Riis

 

[Andy Brown]

I just love the sound of the notes lower than the usual E. I also like chording using the C-string. Therefore I'm pretty much at home with 5's and 6's. I also go back to fours sometimes too. They're all good.

 

[BigMikeW]

I just love the sound of the notes lower than the usual E. I also like chording using the C-string. Therefore I'm pretty much at home with 5's and 6's. I also go back to fours sometimes too. They're all good.

LIAR! You told me you really liked how the Low B made your butt vibrate. Pervert.

 

[Marcus]

I think I was reading something about (or posted) by Jean Baudin and I believe it stated that he just felt he needed more to suit his playing.

If you feel you can get down on four strings, awesome. If you want twelve, go for it.

Think about it. What would help your style and voice best?

 

[JKwo]

Well, it's funny you ask, because I was planning on keeping it a secret, but I guess I'll let you in on it..

I play a 5 string in the not so unusual case that I want to play a low Eb, or D, or Db, or C, or B.

 

[GabeN]

Why not have an extra string? I figure if you're going for a 4 string, and the 5 string model (most popular basses offer a 5 string model almost identical to the 4's) is just as comfortable and is closely priced, why not have an extra string? It gives you the ability to play across the fretboard instead of going low on the E string and every now and then you can drop the B to add some flavor to the sound. As for 6 and 7 string basses, they have their place. For people who play solo, they are great.

 

[tplyons]

While I'm very fond of four stringers, I'm looking all the time to move to a six. More notes in a single position, not to mention a greater overall range, and a way different approach to how I play something in a given situation.

 

[Ostinato]

I wonder why more guys aren't stringing a five with a high c. To me that seems like a perfect compromise for someone starting out on an ERB.

 

[ehque]

because a low B is very much more useful in a bass-in-band context. its useful to project the "low-fifth" of the root onto the B string from the E string naturally, like how you would do on a 4 (with the E and A strings).

my B string doesnt make my drummer frown, it doesnt make my guitarists frown. it fits in nicely without too much change to my technique or my thinking. when i go to my C, im thinking melody already. melody and chords, very different from a 4.

and then my guitarist frowns. but what the hey.

BASICALLY, a 5 with a low B plays more like a 4 than a 5 with a hich C. this is all imho, fwiw.

 

[superbassman2000]

all I can ask the four-bangers who are militant about it is why do you need more that two strings?

or how about one string and a whammy?

 

[john turner]

Yes...and headless extended basses are far more practical when sitting on the john.
Riis

hey!!!

 

[Murf]

heh.

the search function is a little dicey sometimes, but an advanced search of "extended range basses" brings up a lot of good conversations, especially if the search is limited just to the basses forum.

HEY..HEY!!..off topic but as an Irishman I have no idea what in the name of ding dong denny o reilly and the hairy bowsies "lucky Charms "are????...some kind of breakfast thingy????



(oh yeah and extended basses RULE)

 

[jeff_bass28]

Tell me why do you need more than 4 strings? I have to be missing something.

Same reasons people climb mountains: because it's there, and because we can!

 

[john turner]

HEY..HEY!!..off topic but as an Irishman I have no idea what in the name of ding dong denny o reilly and the hairy bowsies "lucky Charms "are????...some kind of breakfast thingy????



(oh yeah and extended basses RULE)

heh heh, yeah, that was my st. paddy's day avatar costume. haven't gotten around to changing it yet.

 

[patrickj]

I like having a low B. It gets less use but I also like having a low C. Also, I'm 6'6" with big hands and a 4 banger looks underwhelming.

 

[john turner]

Last night, I saw and heard Victor Wooten with Bela Fleck and the Flecktones.
He played his Fodera 4-string P/J and his fretless J/J 5-string. It was all brilliant.
It was uplifting to hear music making on that level, on both basses.

IMHO, it is good to have at least one 4-string AND one five string
--a fretless is a good thing, too.
Now if I could only keep it to that few....

Cheers,
Dr. Jim

hey man, just wanted to say that you have a very interesting resume on your website

 

[west*coast*bass]

What the hell is this thread about? I forgot...