stingrayPete1977 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='leadubblebass' timestamp='1361141074' post='1981888'] 5 string basses have been around for a while now-I have wondered why we do not have a 5string bass hero? Is there things you can play on a 5 string that you cant play on a 4? [/quote] Try Aint Nobody by Chaka Khan on a 4 string, hard enough on 5 (I presume it was recorded on a 4 though? Cant might be wrong but dropping to Low B and getting it to sound like the record then getting the octaves on what would be the G string on a five now half way up the neck would be beyond many me included Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='iceonaboy' timestamp='1361264440' post='1983497'] Ive got a Squier Jazz 5 string. I didn't want to spend too much in case I didnt like it, so I opted for the cheap alternative. I have to say, the Squier has a surprisingly good sound. Trouble is, our set doesn't have that many songs where a 5 would be suitable, so I havent given it the attention I could have. One thing I hate is 5's being used when the song doesn't suit it. I mean classic rock songs just dont go that low .Some people throw in low notes just cos they can. We dont play any modern metal or funk where the 5 would be justified. I really need to spend more time on it right enough and maybe suggest some songs that would suit it. I still find it quite weird having a lower string than the E where I spend most of my time [/quote] You need to think of it all different, the problem is all the songs you know are ingrained playing off the E string rather than the E on the B string, In the function band I rarely use the extra notes but lots of riffs are easier across the board Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1361293701' post='1984081'] Try Aint Nobody by Chaka Khan on a 4 string, hard enough on 5 (I presume it was recorded on a 4 though? Cant might be wrong but dropping to Low B and getting it to sound like the record then getting the octaves on what would be the G string on a five now half way up the neck would be beyond many me included [/quote] The original is all synth bass though and probably sequenced (or at least played two handed). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Good reason for the fiver then! I'd like to see someone play it on a four. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham1945 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Just thought I'd throw in my five eggs here. A lot of really interesting comments and advice above. I switched to fives in 1972 and have played a four once since then, and made a mess of it (playing the four that is). I find I don't use the G string as much as the B unlike others above. I've been in blues bands for a good many years so playing riffs in E from the fifth fret is great, as I don't like open string notes. The Greek has picked up my dream bass there, as I have a LG3005 and love it, possibly the best sounding bass I own, but looks a bit odd on me because I'm pretty tall, and it is a small body. Stick with the heavier strings and just listen to that great B string I'd suggest. If you want a wide flat necked fiver try one of the new Reverend Mercalli 5's - a real thumper! What a great site this is. Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='graham1945' timestamp='1361296780' post='1984142'] I switched to fives in 1972... Graham [/quote] What 5-string were you playing back then? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1361298022' post='1984161'] What 5-string were you playing back then? [/quote] Thats what I thought! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham1945 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1361298388' post='1984173'] Thats what I thought! [/quote] Hi chaps, a 1966 Fender Bass V, still got it! Pic of it somewhere else on this site. The only one at that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Are those the ones with 15 frets or something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham1945 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1361301952' post='1984248'] Are those the ones with 15 frets or something? [/quote] Hi Pete, yup that's the one. There's one in lovely original condition I basses for sale up for 2,500 euros - from Holland - from a newbie though! It's 15 or possibly 18 frets, originally e a d g c, but many, including mine, are now b e a d g. Will post a pic when I get back off holiday. Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 19, 2013 Share Posted February 19, 2013 Yes I would like to see it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham1945 Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 Yer 'tis! [IMG]http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj578/graham1945/BassVresized_zps61981836.jpg[/IMG] Have just had a Bartolini p bass pick up fitted by the Bass Gallery in the neck position (after this photo). Graham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Myke Posted February 21, 2013 Share Posted February 21, 2013 [quote name='graham1945' timestamp='1361486482' post='1986610'] Yer 'tis! Have just had a Bartolini p bass pick up fitted by the Bass Gallery in the neck position (after this photo). Graham [/quote] It's tiny! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daz Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 I went to buy a Zoom pedal once off a forum member. He kindly gave me a play of his 5 string and for some unkown reason the extra string just befuddled me. It was so emabaressing, as I sat there plink plonking away. I have no idea why it did that to me, but it just reinforced a prejudice that I already vaguely felt against 5 strings at some basic level [size=3][i](ie: A bass has 4 strings, any more than that and its not a bass. Sort of thinking) [/i][/size] [size=4][i]So my 'transistion' was non exsistant, and always will be [/i][/size] [size=4][i][size=3][i] [/i][/size][/i][/size] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
graham1945 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [quote name='Myke' timestamp='1361487023' post='1986615'] It's tiny! [/quote] AND it's a 34" scale! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [quote name='daz' timestamp='1361527073' post='1986910'] I went to buy a Zoom pedal once off a forum member. He kindly gave me a play of his 5 string and for some unkown reason the extra string just befuddled me. It was so emabaressing, as I sat there plink plonking away. I have no idea why it did that to me, but it just reinforced a prejudice that I already vaguely felt against 5 strings at some basic level [size=3][i](ie: A bass has 4 strings, any more than that and its not a bass. Sort of thinking) [/i][/size] [/quote] Surely as a BASS player the opportunity to play even lower notes should be embraced and not something the run and hide from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [quote name='daz' timestamp='1361527073' post='1986910'] ....gave me a play of his 5 string and for some unkown reason the extra string just befuddled me. It was so emabaressing, as I sat there plink plonking away. I have no idea why it did that to me, but it just reinforced a prejudice that I already vaguely felt against 5 strings.... [/quote] A case of shooting the messenger? [quote name='daz' timestamp='1361527073' post='1986910'] ....but it just reinforced a prejudice that I already vaguely felt against 5 strings at some basic level [size=3][i](ie: A bass has 4 strings, any more than that and its not a bass....[/i][/size][size=4][/size] [/quote] 5 string basses not a bass? They have been used in orchestral music for a couple of hundred years!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [quote name='graham1945' timestamp='1361486482' post='1986610'] Yer 'tis! Have just had a Bartolini p bass pick up fitted by the Bass Gallery in the neck position (after this photo). Graham [/quote] I like it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [quote name='daz' timestamp='1361527073' post='1986910'] I went to buy a Zoom pedal once off a forum member. He kindly gave me a play of his 5 string and for some unkown reason the extra string just befuddled me. It was so emabaressing, as I sat there plink plonking away. I have no idea why it did that to me, but it just reinforced a prejudice that I already vaguely felt against 5 strings at some basic level [size=3][i](ie: A bass has 4 strings, any more than that and its not a bass. Sort of thinking) [/i][/size] [size=4][i]So my 'transistion' was non exsistant, and always will be [/i][/size] [size=4][i][size=3][i] [/i][/size][/i][/size] [/quote] If you search back on basschat I made a post fairly similar to yours, even got into a heated debate as I felt so strongly, sold my '71 MGB GT and bought my first pre EB and I love it, never gets played as a year later I switched to 5 strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted February 22, 2013 Share Posted February 22, 2013 [quote name='Myke' timestamp='1361487023' post='1986615'] It's tiny! [/quote] Thats what she said. Nomatter how much I wish to be taken seriously in life i cant pass up a good 'ol penis joke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
simes Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 Gave my 5er it's public debut last night after a month practicing with it, loved it, it's nothing fancy just a cheap as chips Squier I got second hand, the one with the pair of really crappy jazz pups. But, after having a pair of SD quarter pounders fitted and changing the white scratch plate for a black 3ply one, it not only looks the biz (black on black) it sounds amazing. Rest of band say it's sounds better than my Tanglewater. I'm a convert . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sean Posted February 23, 2013 Share Posted February 23, 2013 (edited) It's just another string. Get over it, it's no big deal. Just play. I switch between 4 and 5 without thinking. Edited February 23, 2013 by Sean Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 14, 2013 Author Share Posted March 14, 2013 I picked up a 4 string yesterday - felt so much more natural - all this heartache for 5 additional notes!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fendurt Posted March 18, 2013 Share Posted March 18, 2013 About 12 years ago I bought myself a beautiful Fbass but sold it within 1,5 month. Couldn't get used to the extra string. However picked up a really old en abused Yamaha TRB5 and love the feel & shape of the neck and a 5 string feels natural to me now. As you can imagine I'm really pissed that this wasn't 12 years ago since I had the budget for this F-bass then.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrmcgoo1964 Posted March 19, 2013 Share Posted March 19, 2013 I recently dipped my toe into 5 strings bought a Yamaha bb425 here like many the D opps G incident happened a few times but what i have found is that songs learned on the 5 string are weird when i played it on the 4 string. Like a previous poster i prefer not to play open strings so E on the B string is great. So i'll stick with it BB425 great Bass in my humble opinion. Question is now keep a 4 as a back up or hunt down a TRB or do both Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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