BELA Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Ok. I know. Very weird question. Let´s say that, for whatever reason (mainly because I am a physco), I want/need to play my 5 string bass with only the BEAD strings. G string is out of the game. Would you just remove the G string and play it like that or would move the 4 remainig strings down the fretboard?.Why? I mean, leave the B string place empty. B string where the E string "should" be, A string where the D string "should" be and D string where the G string was. I think it all comes down to personal preference, style of playing, etc, but I think it would be interesting to know what do you people think about it. All feedback will be aprecciated, although I would like you to stick to the question. Hope this is fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 You're probably expecting to be asked why, I won't bother. If you want a bass with 4 strings buy a 4 strings and put all this nonsense aside 3 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BELA Posted May 10, 2023 Author Share Posted May 10, 2023 5 minutes ago, TheGreek said: You're probably expecting to be asked why, I won't bother. If you want a bass with 4 strings buy a 4 strings and put all this nonsense aside Simply because I do not get along with the 5 strings and I do not have the money right now to buy a decent 4 string? But, as I said in my post, mainly because I am a pshyco and cannot stop doing nonsense stuff This 5 string bass is a custom made, headless, medium scale, left handed bass. Not so easy to sell, you know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nige1968 Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Swap the nut and bridge to make a wide-neck 4? I guess if you omit the G you'll have plenty of space to bend the D. And while you did ask for relevance, I feel the need to post this: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BELA Posted May 10, 2023 Author Share Posted May 10, 2023 1 minute ago, nige1968 said: Swap the nut and bridge to make a wide-neck 4? I guess if you omit the G you'll have plenty of space to bend the D. And while you did ask for relevance, I feel the need to post this: thanks for the video! The 5 string bass is a headless. I do not think I have the chance to swap the bridge and nut (there is no nut) in this particular model. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 59 minutes ago, BELA said: just remove the G string and play it like that This. ^^^ It's quick and easy and doesn't require shaping of the nut. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 If you cannot afford to buy a different bass I would say trade this one for a 4 string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fretmeister Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Also - if you want BEAD can you not just ignore the G? If it's ringing when you don't want it to, either learn to mute properly or put a bit of foam under that string only at the bridge. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trueno Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 3 minutes ago, fretmeister said: Also - if you want BEAD can you not just ignore the G? If it's ringing when you don't want it to, either learn to mute properly or put a bit of foam under that string only at the bridge. Agree… I’d just do this. Moving the strings might require a new nut, I couldn’t be bothered with that, personally. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Reggaebass Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Just a thought but doesn’t the neck need all strings on to keep it stable/straight and stop it twisting ?, I would just ignore the other string and play it like a 4 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hiram.k.hackenbacker Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 Yep, weird question, but take the G off. I can't understand how that would benefit you though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 (edited) Why not take the B off and make it into a normal 4 string, tuned EADG, with a very wide neck? Edited May 10, 2023 by gjones 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 I'd just do the obvious and take the G off, rather than leave it annoyingly in the way. I've got a cheapo Les Paul Git thing that I've taken the 2 outer strings (the E's) off to create a "tenor guitar" so I'm obviously a psycho too 😁 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 I used to play guitar five strings only without the top E, found I preferred the chord shapes and tuning, got used to it and found it very hard tp go back to six 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 13 minutes ago, Beedster said: I used to play guitar five strings only without the top E, found I preferred the chord shapes and tuning, got used to it and found it very hard tp go back to six Works for Keef. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waddo Soqable Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 3 minutes ago, ezbass said: Works for Keef. Tuned to an open G, which is kind of what I did with the 4 str. Tenor, tho that's more like a banjo minus the lil' skinny drone string thing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 12 minutes ago, ezbass said: Works for Keef. Copied me mate 👍 1 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ezbass Posted May 10, 2023 Share Posted May 10, 2023 1 hour ago, Waddo Soqable said: Tuned to an open G, which is kind of what I did with the 4 str. Tenor, tho that's more like a banjo minus the lil' skinny drone string thing I played in open G, which was/is great for slide. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oomo Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 Would love to see some pics of the bass, it sounds great to me. Another thing you could do is put some very thick foam under the G string, then you can leave it on and not worry about having to mute it or accidentally sounding it. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lozz196 Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 I think in this case I’d get a new nut and have the BEAD where the EADG strings would normally be, simply as they’d be easier to reach on the neck. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beedster Posted May 12, 2023 Share Posted May 12, 2023 11 minutes ago, Lozz196 said: I think in this case I’d get a new nut and have the BEAD where the EADG strings would normally be, simply as they’d be easier to reach on the neck. Wise words @Lozz196 👍 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted May 13, 2023 Share Posted May 13, 2023 (edited) Generally, there is a nut and - without changing or re-cutting the nut - the thicker strings aren't going to fit properly in the nut slots if you lose the G and move them all up one (it would work fine if you lost the B and moved them down one!). With a headless, it might be the same - you may have a spacer or you may have different size holes which means that you can't move them all across one. So - if you have restrictions and don't want to mess with the nut/spacer/clamp, then your only option is to leave the remaining 4 where they were And - if you have no restrictions, then just try it both ways and go with what feels best for you Edited May 13, 2023 by Andyjr1515 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ukbassboy Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 I'd just learn to play a 5 string properly... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chimike Posted May 14, 2023 Share Posted May 14, 2023 A trick I’ve used in the past is to put a different colour ( black ) B-string on the bass , helped me ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.