Why do so many 5 & 6 string players NEVER use their low B?

[tri2bob]

I've played 4, 5 and 6 string basses. I love the low B in several tunes. I used the low B and high C strings about the same. Nice to have them. Also, I can get everything I want out of 4. I love them all. This is supposed to be fun and 4, 5 and 6 string basses are all fun to play.

 

[studlauf]

As Groove Doctor said, it’s there when you need it. It’s helpful if you 1) play out a lot, 2) play a variety of genres, 3) cover pop music, 4) work with horns, 5) work with vocalists who tend to sing in B or F# or Eb. As a musical arranger, I sometimes find it frustrating when a bass player can’t deliver the big thud the song needs, in fact I’ll choose someone else. As for me, I look at the set/sets in front of me. I’ll always default to my pbass, but if there’s heavy lifting involved, I’ll grab the five. Of course, a good player can navigate any key, but if a bass player likes being hired, having a five string in the arsenal is helpful.

 

[Evil Baby Jesus]

I switched to 5 string early in my playing out of curiosity, and found that even though I didn’t use my low B very often,

• was glad to have it when I needed it
• I’m not a slapper, so I didn’t care about that
  
• I got used to using the B string for my rest stroke on my E, and floating thumb feels better on a 5 to me also

So I kept buying 5 strings, but I’ve often been frustrated by how flabby and dull my B sounded, even on a 35” scale 5 string.

Then I got a Dingwall and my relationship with my B string changed. I am playing on my B string above the 5th fret regularly now because it sounds so good and even with the E string. This is what I thought I was getting when I bought my first 5 string. This is what it was always supposed to be. I’m not affiliated with Dingwall in any way. Just a happy customer.

 

[bigtone23]

If you can't tell when you need it, that could be part of the problem.

I knew a girl who bought a new 5 speed manual transmission car. So we're riding along and she's shifting up through all the gears so now she's in 5th and we're going 35 mph and the engine is lugging like hell. And I'm like why are you in 5th and doing 35? She says, I paid for all these gears and I'm gonna use them all.

You kinda sound like that... Just because it happens to be there, doesn't mean you have to use it. Thinking a string in in the way, is a definite tell.

You beat me to it, I thought the same analogy, the low B is 5th gear. I view a high C as 6th gear.
To take the analogy to TB, I see soooo many guys on here that are cruising the highways in 4th gear. It's fine, it works, however, shifting to 5th can be a little more efficient at times.

Depends on rep.

If you're mostly playing cover tunes in a guitar-based rock or blues band, many of those songs were written on guitars in guitar-friendly keys, which fit on a 4-string bass because of how the tuning aligns.

Outside that world, they're used a lot more. Pop for instance is more often composed either on keyboards/synths, so it has no reason to hold to guitar-friendly keys - so you're more likely to see Eb's, D's, C's, and B's. Jazz often features wind-instrument-friendly keys that include Eb's or go down to D, or else use non-open-string tonality so having more notes in a given position is helpful. Musical theatre goes for singer-friendly keys, which are all over the place. Heck, if you're reading sheet music sometimes a composer gets confused about the range of the instrument (some notation programs consider 5-string low-B tuning normal for a bass guitar, and C-extension notes normal for an upright).

As for the examples you call out - I can't say why those specific guys aren't using them on those specific videos. Flashy-riff showoffs tend to favor higher notes for any number of reasons, even on a 4-string, and I suspect if they had a high-C they'd use it. Maybe the key they chose to play in that day just doesn't need the fifth-string. Maybe they're in the "35-inch thumbrest" school of thought but actually like the thumbrest.

But at the end of the day, it's individual circumstance and preference. If you don't feel like you need a 5+-string, don't buy one, but keep in mind other people wind up on different sides of that decision. There's not a right answer, or a wrong one.

((NB: I play low-B 5's pretty exclusively, because I mostly play in jazz and musical theatre; the notes show up enough that I find it useful. There are plenty of people I know in the same genres that don't make the same decision. To each their own.))

This is my other defense of the low B. Guitar based music mostly does stay in the 4 string world. There are lots of heavier styles where it's down tuned to B, C or C# standard. A low B can be useful there, but often it's down tuning the bass to match the guitar and parallel the fingerings and positions on a guitar.
Even in the guitar based song world, having a low B allows me to play songs that may be in Eb or D standard tuning without switching instruments. It's handy.

Get into the pop and synth world and all bets are off-that low B is needed. I play so many songs in cover bands that need the C#, D and D# notes, even on the 80s stuff, long before low notes were standard fare.

 

[G-Point]

Most PA systems cut off low frequencies on some 35-40Hz. Open B-string's basic tone is ~30Hz... Open E-string is ~41Hz.

 

[Fuzzbass]

What if he is a solo player?

Well, supporting the song isn't relevant in that case. It would make sense for a soloist not to use the low notes (unless they could play bass line and melody simultaneously). Never say never, but it's hard for low notes to carry melody, people feel them more than hear them, so that's why it's logical for a solo player to stick to the mid and upper registers.

 

[doomprophet8]

NOTE: I am primarily a 4 string player that sometimes plays 5 string, but my 5 strings are always tuned E-A-D-G-C (no low B).

I never bonded with a low B string (I've tried). Regardless of bass, it has always sounded flabby and undefined to me. Lately I have been watching some excellent 5/6 string players, and I've been paying very close attention to how they use of their low B string.

To my surprise, a huge percentage of these players barely use the low B. It's not uncommon to see some monster players that will go the entire tune without hitting the low B string a single time. I'm confused why anyone would use a 5 or 6 string for even one tune, if they weren't going to use the B string anyway.

This is an odd, but serious question. Does anyone know why people are doing this? What am I missing? Why are guys doing this?

For E A D G C , what gauge of strings u use? I wanna try this tune , I use barely the B string and not very satisfied of the tone.

 

[Paul M]

I notice a lot of piano players don’t use the lowest note on the keyboard very often. What’s up with that?

Certain songs in certain you can keys make good use of the B string. Other tunes, other keys - it’s not musical - you’re forcing it if you use the B string in the wrong places.

I was going to make the same point about piano players. There are plenty of 61-note electronic keyboards and then there is the Bosendorfer Imperial Grand piano with 97 keys. There is the saying that goes something like, "When all you have is a hammer, everything look like a nail." Music shouldn't be like that. If your bass has an extra string, you don't have to look for reasons to use it. The music will tell you when you need it.

 

[Christcr]

What if he is a solo player?

He/she should be playing classical nylon string guitar?

Kidding! (but, that's what I do when I feel like playing solo--interestingly, my bossa nova solo pieces sound oodles better to the casual listener, and to me, on my classical guitar than on my bass -- yeah, I know... damn heretic... blasphemy, I tell you! Go ahead and burn me at the stake now )

 

[bigtone23]

For E A D G C , what gauge of strings u use? I wanna try this tune , I use barely the B string and not very satisfied of the tone.

Usually, the high C is somewhere around a .030-.035" depending on how tense you like the feel. Most sets with high C strings sit in the .030-.032" zone.

 

[Fuzzbass]

Most PA systems cut off low frequencies on some 35-40Hz. Open B-string's basic tone is ~30Hz... Open E-string is ~41Hz.

That's not particularly important. There's a lot more to a note than its fundamental frequency. You can hear a low B note just fine with a system that only goes down to 50-60Hz (or whatever). You don't "feel" it as well, but you still hear the non-fundamental harmonics, and your brain fills in the missing fundamental via psychoacoustics.

Sure, pants-flapping is fun, and if you want to feel that 31Hz fundamental, then use a sub that'll go that low -- caveat being that those frequencies can be extremely problematic live (your sound tech, if you have one, might hate you for them). They can be a challenge even in the studio.

 

[gwreid]

NOTE: I am primarily a 4 string player that sometimes plays 5 string, but my 5 strings are always tuned E-A-D-G-C (no low B).

I never bonded with a low B string (I've tried). Regardless of bass, it has always sounded flabby and undefined to me. Lately I have been watching some excellent 5/6 string players, and I've been paying very close attention to how they use of their low B string.

To my surprise, a huge percentage of these players barely use the low B. It's not uncommon to see some monster players that will go the entire tune without hitting the low B string a single time. I'm confused why anyone would use a 5 or 6 string for even one tune, if they weren't going to use the B string anyway.

This is an odd, but serious question. Does anyone know why people are doing this? What am I missing? Why are guys doing this?

With so many other issues in the world of music and beyond, I'm puzzled by why someone not using a B string would urge you to ask this question. A bigger puzzlement would be why someone would use a five string with a high C rather than a low B when most of those "extra" notes are available on the G string. This puzzlement doesn't, however, bring me close to asking why.

 

[Scott Purcell]

I switched to 5 string a few years ago because my band was always transposing down a step or two to accommodate our singer. I use the B string all the time. Even if I'm up higher on the neck I am used to using that B string because it's there, so I can play a low E while I'm up on the 5th fret running scales. In addition there are several songs written in E flat; Crossfire, Superstition, just to name a couple. Even Dance the Night Away (VanHalen) is in E Flat, although I think they just tune down a half step on everything. Holy Water by Bad Company makes extensive use of the B string. I don't feel the need for a six string bass since that kind of invades the guitar players space.

 

[gschank]

You have to get down that low sparingly because it could sound muddy. The benefit of the low B string is not having to play an open E, and also having a lower D.

 

[rickstrong]

NOTE: I am primarily a 4 string player that sometimes plays 5 string, but my 5 strings are always tuned E-A-D-G-C (no low B).

I never bonded with a low B string (I've tried). Regardless of bass, it has always sounded flabby and undefined to me. Lately I have been watching some excellent 5/6 string players, and I've been paying very close attention to how they use of their low B string.

To my surprise, a huge percentage of these players barely use the low B. It's not uncommon to see some monster players that will go the entire tune without hitting the low B string a single time. I'm confused why anyone would use a 5 or 6 string for even one tune, if they weren't going to use the B string anyway.

This is an odd, but serious question. Does anyone know why people are doing this? What am I missing? Why are guys doing this?

You're probably looking at people who are primarily 4-string players or recent converts. I remember when I first switched to 6 strings it took a while to integrate the extra 2 strings into my playing, but now that I have done it I use both quite a bit. I also remember that during that period, when I wasn't 100% sure I'd stick with the 6, I was reluctant to learn fingerings that depended on the B and C strings being there; I wanted to be able to switch back to the 4 seamlessly if need be.

Sometimes when I play older style cover tunes I try to stick to the middle 4 strings for a more authentic sound.

RE flabby and undefined, it really does depend on the bass. Size (length) matters: I play 36" scale Foderas and the B string is not flabby at all. I'm sort of dubious (but willing to be convinced based on evidence) about 33" and 34" scale B strings.

 

[foothilla]

I wrote this post partly for you, foothilla, to inspire you. B strings rule. Ha! And also to check myself. We can all rationalize out quirks away.

Lots of you have inspired me to go back and give the low B another shot. I just bought another 5 string last night. Initially I was going to tune it E-A-D-G-C, like my other 5's. But, it's got a pretty nice sounding low B on it, so I am going to attempt to employ a lot of what has been discussed here, and see if I bond with it.

 

[foothilla]

There’s certainly other things more worthy of your time and thoughts than this.

Thanks for taking your time to tell me that I am wasting mine.

 

[WoodyH]

I’ve noticed this myself. And you’re right, a lot, not all obviously, but a significant number of them never use their B string.

 

[bass62]

NOTE: I am primarily a 4 string player that sometimes plays 5 string, but my 5 strings are always tuned E-A-D-G-C (no low B).

I never bonded with a low B string (I've tried). Regardless of bass, it has always sounded flabby and undefined to me. Lately I have been watching some excellent 5/6 string players, and I've been paying very close attention to how they use of their low B string.

To my surprise, a huge percentage of these players barely use the low B. It's not uncommon to see some monster players that will go the entire tune without hitting the low B string a single time. I'm confused why anyone would use a 5 or 6 string for even one tune, if they weren't going to use the B string anyway.

This is an odd, but serious question. Does anyone know why people are doing this? What am I missing? Why are guys doing this?

There’s two things to consider on why have one: 1. position playing 2. Purely psychological in my observation, after about ten years of playing one myself I always played my B string (loved the wobble and growl). Then I saw reggae band Steel Pulse and like you I noticed the bass man never touched his B, then at a high point of the show he did play it and it was very powerful. Now I hardly ever play it, but when I do... Hold off and deliver the bomb!

 

[Deleted member 96522]

In my case it all about what the music requires, and the tone I'm after. My standard 6 string technique is to play 'inside out'; meaning I focus on using the inside four strings first, then expand to the low B and high C as needed.

IMHO some players new to the 6 string tend to ride the low B and high C strings TOO much. I thinks its because they don't take enough time to learn the fingerboard and the particular tonalities associated with the 6 string bass guitar. I've found it to be nothing like playing a 4 or a 5 string bass guitar. Its also probably one of the main reasons a lot of 4-string 4lifers hate 6's.