thegummy

When I tired the sub-300 pounds 5-string, the E on the 5th string did not sound good to me. Obviously that isn't any indicator of how it would sound on a higher quality bass but that's my budget. I was impressed with how the 4-string sounded and felt at that price though.

[quote name='ead' timestamp='1455093179' post='2975710'] Thanks all, useful info. I'll give your most kind offer some serious thought MrBB. What are the neck dive issues like on these basses? Are the necks firmly in P bass territory for general lack of slimness? [/quote] The Yamaha BB425 has a nut width of 43mm which is smaller than the Precision and Jazz

Heads up on the Yamaha BB425 - Gear4Music are selling the black one for 249 at the moment which is cheaper than the 4 string version even

[quote name='chris_b' timestamp='1454923844' post='2974108'] This is why I suggest not swapping back and forth between 4's and 5's while you're getting your 5 string technique together. The size of the neck and weight of the bass is a problem? I'd say that sounds like the OP isn't ready for a 5 string bass yet.You buy a 5 because of the sound, tone and flexibility. You can get 8lb 5's but they'll cost more. Never mind there are a lot of good 4's out there. [/quote] The size and weight weren't a problem, I was just surprised how much of a difference there was. Like I said, the reason I'm going for 4 is because I didn't like the tones from the lower notes.

Appreciate all the advice. I was in the guitar shop today and they didn't have the Yamaha BBs so I tried a Squier Vintage Modified Jazz in 5 and 4 string versions. First thing that stood out was how much heavier the 5 was. Couldn't believe the difference. I think it must have also been a different material because it really was so much heavier. Neck was also much wider. Main thing I found was that the notes lower than E didn't sound to my taste which is pretty much what I was looking to find out so I'm going to go with a 4. Something that surprised me was how nice the Squier Jazz bass is. I had a Squier guitar for a long time as a kid and it isn't so good but this bass was decent. Shame nowhere around here has the Yamaha BB in stock, I'll need to buy blindly online if I'm going for that.

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1454370350' post='2969171'] The problem is that so many other companies are doing very good modern P and Js. People generally seem to want classic Fenders, myself included. [/quote] Fender definitely seem to base themselves on their vintage reputation. Pretty much their entire top-line range - the Custom Shop - is guitars that have been artificially "relicked" by chipping away the paint job to make it look old and tatty. I don't understand it personally. Vintage Fender tone, yes please but give me a nice new paint job and I'll try my best to avoid chipping it lol

[quote name='deepbass5' timestamp='1454236177' post='2967650'] I think this is a great example of you being conned by the manufacturer - selling it as a version of a popular 4 string bass, It may be the same model and same colour with an extra string but unless they have approached the construction as a 5 string bass then it could be a real Lemon. [/quote] It's the Yamaha BB425 - seems to be quite popular with people online; maybe someone will have some input on how it compares to its 4 string brother? Just to note, the manufacturer's selling price isn't cheaper than the 4 string, it's just that a shop has a sale on the 5 string version at the moment.

[quote name='Jazzjames' timestamp='1454147710' post='2966868'] Read this before you buy. [url="http://www.recordingmag.com/resources/resourceDetail/134.html"]http://www.recording...Detail/134.html[/url] At the end of the day though, the yamaha 5er will probably do a super job. Try before you buy! [/quote] Thanks for the link, it's swung me back to undecided when I was heading in the direction of the 5

Thanks for all the advice, few things have came up that I didn't think of. Unfortunately there are no shops here that stock both versions of this specific bass but I might try out some 5-strings just to get a general idea of what they can feel like. I'm not used to 4 strings as I've not really played that much bass at all but I am used to the bottom string being E so not sure if that would play a factor. At this point I'm leaning towards getting the 5 since it's actually cheaper anyway and I'll have the option of playing lower notes for recording. I don't think the ringing-out issue will be a problem for me since, when I have played bass, I tend to mute the E with my thumb when playing the A string anyway. Cheers

I'm planning on buying a Yamaha bass (my first bass as a guitar player, will mostly be for recording at least initially) but have just saw that the 5 string version is actually cheaper than the 4 string. Would there be any reason not to just get the 5 string, even if I was only going to play the top 4 strings at first? Or are there other downsides to 5 strings that would make paying more for the 4-string version still a viable option? Cheers.