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

[d3mcgee]

Good Example of 5 Strings

 

[elkkid2]

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?

I use mine all night long! Extremely useful and handy! (Especially when playing with singers who need the key changes.)

 

[elkkid2]

A lot of Gospel music, which I play myself, makes full use of that low B. Other than that, and metal and maybe country, it's as much or more about flexibility of position than hitting those low-low notes.

To the original question, sometimes skilled players who use 5-string basses are playing songs that they originally mastered on 4 strings, and don't feel the need or desire to relearn their technique on the same songs just to accommodate that B string.

I've been playing a lot of country..lot's of five string work...NOW, if I was going to play a lot of older songs...songs that I used to play on the four string...I'd have to practice it on the fiver.

 

[Bass1969]

/because the

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?

---------------
Because the upright, dog-house bass originally had four (4) strings as was designed as an extension of the violin, viola and cello. Anymore than (4) strings is heresey re: Mozart, Beethoven, Wagner and other classical composers. If a bass player cannot get to the notes he/she needs by downtuning, drop tuning or going to another octave the creativeness of that player is hindered.

 

[Joe6Bass]

Sometimes I play an E at the 7th fret; sometimes at the 2nd fret; on my 6-string, sometimes open or sometimes the 5th fret; sometimes the 9th fret; sometimes the 4th fret... I could go on about where I play the other 11 notes too, but I think you get the point. We play notes in different places because they have a different timbre. extended range instruments open up more options...

Going out on a limb, but we all play different basses differently anyway... a P-bass inspires us differently from a J, or a Pedulla, or a Yamaha, or a Fedora, or an Ibanez, or whatever... fretted or fretless; 4, 5, or 6.

Have at least one of each and play them all and let your soul sing... as long as you hit the right note (most of the time) and the right time (ALL of the time), I'm sure it will sound great!

<Come to think of it, I don't have a 5-string... hmm>

 

[Noctambulism]

My main bass is a 10-string and I spend most of my time on the regular 4 strings. The others are there if I want!
Nobody ever criticises a piano player for not using every octave available to them all the time, I don't get why bass players are so backward about this.
ALSO: using fingerstyle reststroke, there is a very subtle impact on the B string whenever the E string is plucked. It's subtle, but it's there. It makes the E string sound punchier than ever! After living with a B string, any E-standard-tuned bass sounds super wimpy in comparison

 

[fourty4mag]

I like the B because it sounds better to me (more growl) when playing the "same" note.

Some time ago, somebody (on this forum?) stated that the B really only gives you 5 more notes. True, if you ignore the difference in sound between the E and B strings. However; an E on the B (5th fret) and an open E on the E string don't sound the same to me. Also, I like to play lower 5ths, so a B string gives me 20+ more notes, from my perspective.

 

[CEJ]

Also, I like to play lower 5ths, so a B string gives me 20+ more notes, from my perspective.

Lower 5ths, lower 3rds, lower 7ths! It all depends on what string you start on! Love having more options with less range of motion...(still working on all that jazz)

 

[Les Fret]

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.

Yes. I Just meant there are more ways to play bass than just the supporting role.

 

[tazunemono]

I know I can play the same note as my open G string (and a couple frets above that) in 5 places on the bass; I just don't think they're all musical/useful in the music I play. If I ever find a B string that's as snappy as the E string I have, I'll use it more, but I just don't like the lack of articulation when you go too high on the B string.

Oh man, I play reggae & dub on a Music Man Stingray 5H (I prefer the single H && the ‘Ray has THE best low B I’ve ever heard) - playing above the 9th (and even 12th) fret on the low B & E has a mind blowing amount of boom and harmonics ... I’ll get people coming up to me after shows (not bass players) asking where the boom comes from. The bass players are even baffled, especially those who play below the 5th fret ... oh and I use an Ampeg 810 with basically no low end response below 50 Hz. It just sounds big, warm and glorious mixed in with a good drum riddim. My drummer has a 24” kick so blending all that together makes a pretty tight classic tone.

 

[Christcr]

One thing that is refreshing about the upright guys... they don't really have this particular argument... er... discussion much.

 

[micguy]

One thing that is refreshing about the upright guys... they don't really have this particular argument... er... discussion much.

Nope - they mostly discuss their C extensions, not their B strings.

 

[Stephen1313]

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?

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?

I use my B string all of the time not only for the extra 5 low notes, but for ease of playing.

 

[GroovyBassist]

IMHO there is nothing you can do on a four-string that you can't also do on a five-string. Not so much vice-versa.

 

[Les Fret]

IMHO there is nothing you can do on a four-string that you can't also do on a five-string. Not so much vice-versa.

That's pretty obvious.

 

[GroovyBassist]

That's pretty obvious.

After reading some of these posts, you wouldn't think so.

 

[Blankandson]

I'm not what I'd call a 'better 5/6 bass player,' but here I go . . . You are living in Los Angeles. Probably not a huge number of Country, Bluegrass, or Praise / Worship played out there. Here in Nashville I use my low B on probably 80% of what I play. Praise and Worship uses that low B quite a bit. But really, I'm playing a German built Warwick with good pickups, good strings, and good wood. The low B on my bass sounds amazing. I can raise eyebrows in the room when I punch a D on the low B string. Just a few days ago I played a 'drop B Bomb' where I play the B on the E string, then pluck the low open B while holding the upper B, and let it just build in the room. Several came to me after the show and wondered what in the world I did to get that 'effect.' I just used a tool I had at my disposal. I use a sub, plus FOH, so that always helps. Don't recall what bass you are using, so if you have mentioned it forgive me. When you go to a show and someone is playing a 5-string, look and see what bass they are using. Some basses can really rock and roll with that low B. I have one and use it daily. JMTCW

 

[Artto]

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?

String spacing?

The string spacing on 5 & 6 stringers are closer. Maybe that closer spacing feels more comfortable to them. And of course there is the supposed "coolness" factor - more strings - harder to play - perception. I guess that why violins are so difficult, with 4 strings and a neck length a fraction of bass.

Anyway, I digress. Just a thought because I've seen a of couple petite girl bass players using 6 strings. And for the kind of music they're playing (blues), there's really nothing to be gained from a 5 or 6er'. They just like the closer spacing and play it like a 4.

 

[skiman]

I went through a bunch of 5's in the early 90's finally broke down and got a great deal on Modulus. I was playing in a Top-40 band, a blues band, and a 3 piece rock trio. I always used and still do use the low B. Worked great for the low synth notes for top 40, the e-flat tuning for the blues band and trio. I started using the exposed core B from the recommendation from a bass player who owned a music store and did a lot of setups. He also turned me onto my Eden WT-400 and 210T when they first came out and I also still own and have done a few 1000 gigs with. The other perk of the Modulus is living in CT and working at night I could finish a gig leave it in the truck and go to work and I never took it out until it equalized in temp to the room finish is still as when I bought it. Action has been the same for going on 30 years. Best 2 purchases I ever made.

 

[fritzknag]

I have two 35" scale 5 strings and a fanned fret 5 string and a few 34's. I always use my low B, I love grabbing the low notes, but my main use of the B is probably so I don't have to move up and down the neck as much, I can move across the strings and use fretted instead of open strings. I also have a zero fret 5 string.