Ive played five string pretty much all the time since i got my first yamaha back in 1996, i did have a couple of years where i played 4 string warwicks but then got a warwick 5, in my heart i mostly prefer a 4 and ithink thats something thats maybe pre programmed into your brain ( a bit like loving the tone of the fender bass, its been in most music for 60 years) i play a lot of shows and need a 5 as a lot of it is scored below low E and i always thought, taking it up the octave wasnt right otherwise it would be written that way!!
At the moment i have my ken smith 5 set up with steel strings for a modern bright and punchy tone, and my jazz bass has some old nickel strings for those times ineed a more traditional tone (in fact in thinking of putting flats on it) i use whatever i deem appropriate for the show, funnily enough i use the 5 strings 95% of the time, but when i turn up with a four i usualy get "oh your a traditionalist" from bandmembers ultimately its all horses for courses, and i must admit even though ive tried a few and never bothered i am getting certain urges toward a six string bass, might be a good time to switch, i do like to play chords and double stops ( and im probaby getting lazy with position shifts ) very interesting thread, but no need to fight- all the best - lee