Kellboy

True enough, I do play in bands occasionally, usually covers ( I find originals bands a pain to deal with ). I love doing covers with bands and its fun, and I will be looking for a band when I have enough time outside of current life responsibilities to commit.

I usually tab songs by ear as projects as my music theory is lacking it helps me understand how theory works etc. But yeah that does sound awesome I will check it out!

Do you know me already 😂😂

Yeah I did say alot of high end fender. Which I'm not keen on. Well I'm very very keen on Ibanez ATM. Loving the sound and looks. I'm going to go PMT and ask for them to order in the single cut I posted earlier as they sound immense and have 18mm spacing I'm also keen to tryout a Btb which have 19mm spacing I've pretty much decided to stick with 5. Playing yesterday I found myself using the Low B as I was deliberately trying to incorporate it. In a band setting I'm sure I would use it alot like I did many years in the past! So as many of you have said I think it's best I perserve with a 5 that fits my needs a bit more and just learn to 'git gud'. Thanks for the advice guys really appreciate it!

No chance! Play far to much slap etc

Your partner sounds like a legend. I have no chance of that working for me 😂. Bass direct is actually closer for me a fair bit but still so far it would require a day off work. Still. Booking some holiday and driving up there is probably a good idea! Appreciate the advice!

Ah yeah I should probably mention I do own a cheap 4 stringer. A Dean edge I've had for 15 or so years! Sounds like crap but really well built. Hence the decision making as the Dean is very basic . Yeah I probably will end up travelling. Difficult for me to go far ATM tho with family visits work and a young baby so I'll probably have to be patient!

Was in there a few weeks ago, couple of nice Ibanez models and some fenders but a lot of it was entry level stuff. Is a good shop though. Speaking of Ibanez I love the SR series, love the sound and look and need to try one, but unfortunately the SR 5 strings are also narrow spacing, EXCEPT the single cut which has 18mm spacing. No experience with single cuts but its super affordable and looks...odd!

Unfortunately yes, Quite a few bands I like make full use of the open B note. Local stores around here are pants, If it isn't a fender I cant try it, I appreciate your opinion about sticking at it though! And yeah fella get practicing, being a bedroom bassist is pretty much why I spend lots of times practicing advanced techniques, Im rubbish at theory and I will be looking at lessons to help me get the most out that soon!

Ah yeah man, 4 strings is a different ball game entirely, I can go crazy with the double thumb pops and triple thump etc. That's kind of what makes me want a nice four string, but when I ever play a four string is when I suddenly decide I want to do Dream theatre or Threshold covers, which both use the Low B a lot. I definitely need to try a few wider spaced 5 strings like I owned many years back, and at least If I don't enjoy it can drop back to a 4. I guess im looking to hear from players that have both gone from a 4 to a 5 and stayed, and also those that went back to a 4 from a 5 for whatever reasons!

Warwicks usually have 16.5mm spacing, At least mine does, Ive opened them up as much as I can without the strings being too close to the edge and its given me another half a MM or so. I expected there to be an adjustment period but even after nearly a year I cant double pop on it, It's just a little cramped for me, seen loads of good players double popping etc on their wicks though.

I don't know what I need! I think probably what I need to accept is that if I stick with a 5 string I vant play it as easily as a 4 string I guess! Those sires look great! But if they use jumbo frets I probably wouldn't get along with them so great. Just a preference thing

Yea that's some serious Dosh there! I'm deffo at a crossroads with my identity as a bass player more now then I have been in a long time. I guess that's partly due to being bandless.

Thanks is for replies guys. Either of you used these phones with a 5 string?

Hi all. Decided to put my post here as it isn't very specific. Apologies in advance as it might be a bit of a ramble. I've been playing bass for many years but over the last 10 or so it hasn't been very serious and my skill and very limited music theory knowledge is somewhat lacking and im starting over again. Bass isn't my only and not most time consuming hobby as I'm also a big mountain biker and also have a young family. My point being is ATM. I'm only commited to being a bedroom bassist. The reason I'm saying these things is so you get an idea of what level of commitment I am at. Basically I'm at a massive crossroads on wether to concentrate on a 4 or 5 string bass. Limited funds and space means I'd rather really only have one instrument. I like a wide variety of music and sometimes I'll play a song with the low B on occasion. However if I'm noodling I prefer the feel and lines of a standard 4 string. The reason being is I do like playing some complicated slap stuff. I currently own a 5 string Warwick Streamer and it has a narrow string spacing. It's an awesome instrument and is amazing for everything but slap ( for me) . It's currently up for sale so I can get a nice 4 string but I already have niggling doubts if that is the right choice. I know that wider spacing would help considerably but then I would need to find an instrument that does have wider spacing. Probably over 18mm. To further complicate the matter I usually play through headphones and haven't found any that have had the guts to handle the low B string. I know everyone's different. But if you where me what would you do? There are some lovely 4 strings I'd like to try such as the Ibby ar1400. Id really love to go tryout loads of 4 and 5 basses and see if I can find something I could help with but here in south Wales shops that stock a range of basses is very few and far between. Sorry for the long post. Just looking for guidance really.!

I don't disagree. Just notice that some of my favourite players who are definitely not slow seem to have a kink theirs a fair bit. Hard to see if Billy Sheehan does this. Fingers are too fast!

So here is an interesting one, Been playing on and off since I was a teenager, and am pretty sure I originally learnt my technique from a dvd. Then many many years on I pretty much imitated John myungs 3 finger alternating style which has been completely engrained into me. However, upon stumbling through youtube I watched a video stating (at the 7 minutes mark) [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RjXtqOnRkY"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RjXtqOnRkY[/url] that you should not kink your fingers , her reasons are interesting as I have always got a little bit of give in my fingers as they brush the string, I actually find it more comfortable and gives off a warm tone, so I started looking at other plays and instantly found a youtube favourite kinking his fingers exactly how I do (again 7 mins into video) [url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqNurQ5H_N0&t=433s"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqNurQ5H_N0&t=433s[/url] Got me wondering what you all thought of this and how do you approach plucking.. Thoughts?

Can finally say im a proud streamer owner again! Not in the normal sense but got this double buck. Spent the last few days tuning in the truss rod and string spacing and height and am now very happy with it!! Monsterous tone and it's super fast! Can still slap it like a 4 stringer as well! I can see myself relearning dream theater covers on this. It's a keeper!!