Greggo Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I recently after exclusively owning and playing 5ers for years swapped one for a 4 string and quite frankly I much prefer them. I worked out I don't go much beyond D anyway and prefer the string spacing of a 4, especially on the yamaha BB414 which has a fairly slim neck anyway (but not too thin). I have a Vintage EST96 stingray clone in 5 string form which I used to love playing but since having a 4 again I just think I would like it more if it had one string less! Bit of a quandary because I would love to just do a straight swap for a 4. I don't know whether to keep it in case I get the urge for 5 strings again or just change it so I have two basses I'm happier with. Anyone gone through this conundrum before? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dad3353 Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Play a 6 for a while; you'll appreciate the 5 after that... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) Five strings basses are immoral, unholy and the work of the devil! Welcome back to the natural light and love of God's own four-stringers. *Ponces about* Hello clouds! Hello sky! La-la-la! La-la! Edited September 14, 2013 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1379166427' post='2209362'] Play a 6 for a while; you'll appreciate the 5 after that... [/quote] Haha, 6 would be overkill for the stuff I play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deanovw Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Sounds very similar to me. I played a MM stingray 5 for years. I took a rest from playing and sold the stingray. Since getting back into it I have been happy with a 4 string jazz. Until lately! Now I have GAS for a five string again! doh. The band I am playing in at the moment has a few numbers that I would really like to play below D in. ggrr. I dont want to sell the jazz bass but I really want a five string and am skint! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1379166760' post='2209370'] Five strings basses are immoral, unholy and the work of the devil! Welcome back to the natural light and love of God's own four-stringers. *Ponces about* Hello clouds! Hello sky! La-la-la! La-la! [/quote] I do feel like a proper bass player again now I did once get heckled by my guitarists uncle for being a cheat having a 5er.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1379166891' post='2209374'] I did once get heckled by my guitarists uncle for being a cheat having a 5er... [/quote] Your guitarist's uncle was quite right to do so. Five-string players are the sort of people who would take a sleeping pill and a laxative at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoffbyrne Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I've played 5ers almost since I started to play bass. For me, it's technique. I have a 4 - a wee Epi EB0 - and it's fun, but I'm findiing I'm bolting up & down the fretboard like a loony! I've played 5ers for so long, I prefer playing across the board. Just suits me. G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='geoffbyrne' timestamp='1379167241' post='2209383'] ...it's fun, but I'm findiing I'm bolting up & down the fretboard like a loony! [/quote] You're using too many notes. Like Mozart. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LukeFRC Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 for the first time ever this week I've wanted a 5 song I normally play needs a G as the lowest note. Fine on a 4 string. Change key and I now need a bottom C# ... which moves everything an octave above where I would ideally play it on the 4 string.... no help at all to the OP there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='LukeFRC' timestamp='1379167954' post='2209401'] ...no help at all to the OP there! [/quote] Nicely done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I want a 5, preferably fretless. I only want the extra string for ease of playing. I have an octaver for the lower notes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jus Lukin Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) - Edited February 19, 2022 by Jus Lukin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Get a 5-string with 19mm spacing. You can use the low B as a thumb-rest until you need it ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379170499' post='2209449'] You can use the low B as a thumb-rest until you need it ... [/quote] Which will be never!! Bwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-hah-haah-haaaaaaahhhhh!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 (edited) [quote name='Happy Jack' timestamp='1379170499' post='2209449'] Get a 5-string with 19mm spacing. You can use the low B as a thumb-rest until you need it ... [/quote] That's mainly what the low B gets used for these days to be honest. When I used to record more down-tuned stuff it was useful, but I've got a good pitch shifter built into guitar amp FX with no latency should I ever be that way inclined again! Edited September 14, 2013 by Greggo Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Effects?? Noooooooo!!!! Sacrilege!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 Sold a schecter 5 string recently . Loved it , but seeing I had too many basses and it was the only 5 er, it had to go.Since then, I started tuning my steinberger bass to B-E-A-D. Quite like it so far. Amazing how little I use the G playing rock covers . In hindsight, I wish I was playing this way years ago. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
uncle psychosis Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I'm in much the same position. I keep thinking about swapping my 5 for a 4, but I actually really like using the B as a thumb rest!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lowender Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I have nothing against the 5er and I have one because sometimes you need a low D or C. But I find that need to be very seldom -- about as often as I feel the need for a chorus effect on the bass which about 2 measures every other month or so. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pinball Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='RAY AGAINST THE MACHINE' timestamp='1379171192' post='2209460'] Sold a schecter 5 string recently . Loved it , but seeing I had too many basses and it was the only 5 er, it had to go.Since then, I started tuning my steinberger bass to B-E-A-D. Quite like it so far. Amazing how little I use the G playing rock covers . In hindsight, I wish I was playing this way years ago. [/quote] For a while I had a Spector Legend tuned to BEAD and loved it so think its a good option to get low down. I went from 5's to 4's a while back and prefer 4's. I was finding 5's made me lazy and I was playing lead style patterns rather than using the whole neck and my playing was suffering because of it. Now I only have one 5, which I like fine. I play it as a 4 and only very rarely go down to the B string. It's nice to have the option yo do it though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 I'm sure someone has a Billy Sheehan quote in their sig? Something like: Interviewer "have you thought about playing a 5 string?", Billy "You should only play a 5 after you've spent a bit of time on a 4", Interviewer "how long's that?", Billy "at least 20 years". I've been on a 4 for almost 30 years. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 i had a brief dabble with a 6 but that doesnt count cos the higher string balances the other way and cancels out the low one Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Greggo Posted September 14, 2013 Author Share Posted September 14, 2013 IMO there really is no need for 6 strings on a bass (for most regular types of music). I do understand the need for a low B but a high C is encroaching on the realms of the regular six string guitar surely... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xgsjx Posted September 14, 2013 Share Posted September 14, 2013 [quote name='Greggo' timestamp='1379183455' post='2209638'] IMO there really is no need for 6 strings on a bass (for most regular types of music). I do understand the need for a low B but a high C is encroaching on the realms of the regular six string guitar surely... [/quote] But what is a "regular type" of music? Jazz? Prog Rock? Electronica? Pop? A lot of styles can make good use of a 6 string bass when it's in the right hands (just as with a 4 string). I used to play in a folk band (use the term "folk" very loosely there) & there was a couple of songs that having a high C would have made the bassline that bit easier than having to reach for the 24th fret on the G. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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