Phil-osopher10 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Just seeing if people think it is vital to have a 5'er in your arsenal, 6's, 7's and and aboves are not considered real instruments (jealous) and thus don't count! oj Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 No I don't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Didn't but I need one for one song now, I've never heard anything listenable on anything above 6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 This old chesnut.......Head bang wall positioning not just the low notes etc etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 (edited) [b]Well I blinking well do![/b] Would be a lot less "at home" without it, I've been playing fivers for the best part of 20 years now and have totally adapted the logistic of my playing around that low B, so much so, that when I play a 4 strings bass I find myself working harder than I do with the 5th in place. It's a clever evolution of the instrument and not a fancy "must have" gizmo that purists might think of. It works and that's a fact. So move with the times and accept it. Edited February 12, 2011 by Grand Wazoo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4-string-thing Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 NO! Not sure about the 1st and 2nd either..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I don't feel I need five. I understand it's about more than getting to those lower notes, it's also about the ease of access to the notes you want all the way up the fretboard. When reading a similar thread in the past, I was struck by the words of the wise and diplomatic BurritoBass, something along the lines of "I like the limitations that four strings place on your playing" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grand Wazoo Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 However I must add that personally I would find a 6 strings bass not to be within my confort zone as it crosses over the guitarist realm and plus I am not that much of a soloist that I require that high end extention that the high C provides. So yeah I feel I am sat perfectly in between with a fiver. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cairobill Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I'm happy on 4 and 5. If I was going to opt for which end of range to extend it would be adding a high c for chords if I was playing jazz in a trio. I've never been a great fan of the sound and feel of a low b. If I need a low d I detune. Below that I'm not keen on venturing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Haven't we just done this? Anyway my best looking/sounding/playing basses all happen to have 5 strings. I'm not going to user a less good 4-string bass simply because for a particular set I don't need the low B. Besides when I'm not playing it the B string makes for an awesome thumb rest! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Legion Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Like all things I feel there is a subtle difference between "need" and "want". I certainly don't "need" a 5 string. As it happens I don't want one either:) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Its funny how I have been on both sides of the fence on this in the last year but I have seen the error of my ways and can enjoy and scoff at the never need anything lower than a D, I always use a Hipshot, Never heard a song a like played on a five comments etc etc etc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I just play bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I find it hard to play a 4 string song on a 5 string, I think it must be because I don't use 5's very often but my hands get lost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil-osopher10 Posted February 12, 2011 Author Share Posted February 12, 2011 I am unsure, I have a 5 thumb and it does make things eaier to play but I rarely use anything lower than the D. Also there is horrible neck dive on the 5 thumb not sure about the 4 but it is putting seriouus strain on my wrist, so much so I have to go and see if something more serious has happened. just asking the question Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr_russ Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 *sigh* Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Most of the time I could get away with a 3 string never mind a 5 stringer. I had a 5 but couldn`t get used to it at all. Jez Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 [quote name='jezzaboy' post='1124781' date='Feb 12 2011, 11:07 AM']Most of the time I could get away with a 3 string never mind a 5 stringer. I had a 5 but couldn`t get used to it at all. Jez[/quote] I could usually get away with 2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 No, I don't, but we have this thread about every two weeks ... let's talk about something new like Mark Fleaking Pastorius. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 [quote name='waynepunkdude' post='1124785' date='Feb 12 2011, 11:09 AM']I could usually get away with 2.[/quote] Those disco octaves must be hard work Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deep Thought Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I've owned two 5'ers, neither of which I kept for long. Just didn't feel comfortable with 'em. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markorbit Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 As a recent convert to 5 strings I now find 4 string basses somewhat incomplete - almost like being used to 4 but then having 3. There are other advantages to having a wider neck - it is more natural to me to adapt to better fingering technique. Of course you don't [i]need[/i] the 5th string, but I really like all the options that open up when it's there, not to mention the extra low notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I've been playing 7 string bass for 15 years now and couldn't do without out the freedom that the extra.... oh no hang on.... I just play 4. Carry on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Doddy Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 Ignoring the whole positional playing argument (which makes no difference to me) and speaking purely about the extra notes,then yes I do need a five string for certain situations. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fat Rich Posted February 12, 2011 Share Posted February 12, 2011 I'm happiest on a five, but I don't [i]need[/i] the low B so I voted no. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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