5 string

[ashiin]

Recently i have been pondering about whether to change to a 5 string or not. Some songs i wished to make might require a 5 string to work, and now i'm really considering getting one.

Can someone tell me the pros and cons of changing to a 5 string?

 

[SLUGGO]

Instead of changing to a 5er....how 'bout simply adding a 5er??

 

[Bill]

I've been a 4-string player for most of my bass-playing life, but I had a 5-string about a year ago, and I currently own a 5-string once again (I'm keeping this one!).

The pros are obviously the extended range if you need it. You can use a 5-string instead of tuning down a 4-string if the songs require lower tuning. Also, you can play some positions higher on the neck thanks to the B string, such as songs which require the low F note.

For me, the 2 biggest challenges have been (1) figuring out a way to mute the strings that aren't being played and (2) trying not to get lost with my fingering...that extra string sometimes makes me lose track of where I am & what string I need to jump to next. But I can say that I'm probably 90% comfortable on a 5-string, and the more I play it, the more comfortable I will be.

Good luck!

 

[RitchieDarling]

Hmmmmmm..........

Hold out for the Bongo 6!





Ritchie

 

[brooklynfall]

The 5 is the way to go for me, and has been for the last 6 or 7 years. The biggest pro aside from the extended low range is the ability to play, for example, an E scale in 5th position - the ability to fret that low E makes for awesome new ways to fit into the pocket - muting and such. Figuring out how to mute will come with time and practice; it's not entirely different from learning to properly mute a 4-string. I say there is no reason not to switch (or simply add a 5) - you will be adding to your "arsenal" and will be able to meet a wider set of musical demands than before.

Do it.

 

[adouglas]

This has been covered several times...do a search for more on this topic.

My take is this...

Pros
-Access to notes below low E (often thought to be the primary purpose, but I think this is actually one of the less important benefits of a 5).
-Ability to transpose songs down (highly useful to accommodate singer capabilities, especially age-related lowering of range).
- Ability to play lines in closed position farther up the neck (very useful indeed, opens up flexibility in creating bass lines, better ergonomics for less fatigue in the long term).
- Making the rafters shake with your low B is fun. Besides, chicks dig it. Offer to let her sit on your cabinet.

Cons
- String confusion as noted above. A non-issue after a short adjustment period. If you can tell your E string from your A string, you'll be fine.
- Less room for popping/slapping due to closer string spacing. How much do you pop and slap?

Myths
- You'll have a problem if you've got small hands. Hogwash. I've got small hands and I have no problem at all. The string spacing is not unlike that of a Sterling. Think of it as a 4-string with a little something extra along one edge of the fretboard.
- Real men play 4 strings. By that logic, a real "real man" should play a one-string bass.

 

[Dr Stankface]

It just takes some adjustment. My second bass was my trans red StingRay 5 and I took it and gigged it that night. DEFINATELY shouldn't have done that. I was like, "What's this thick string do?"

Slap stuff is easier to me on a 5 as well. I guess just since i'm so used to it...

My opinion.... 5s aren't for everyone. Just depends on what's comfortable.

 

[EBMM7181]

Its all personal preference

I like 4 string basses, Stanky loves 5ers, and some people have both, it all depends on the individual.

If you do switch, or add a 5 string , just make sure its an EBMM, and you'll be just fine.

 

[scowboy]

I have a SR 4 and SR 5 and I have been playing my 5 on an "as needed basis". I also still don't have the muting quite down yet.

On the positive I have smaller hands and I have no trouble what so ever with the 5. In fact I find it easier to play at times. Still struggle with the muting though. My SR4 is like and old pair of jeans it always feels like home.

 

[asianjeff]

i recently switched to a 5er... honestly, really starting to enjoy it. it will require some time and getting use to... but don't all changes require that? the extra B really opens up a lot more options... and to me, its worth the time and effort.

 

[bassmancb]

I have played 4 string all my life but have got a 5 string ordered. I cannot wait for it to get here and work with it.

 

[strummer]

Instead of changing to a 5er....how 'bout simply adding a 5er??

I had to change, can't alternate between 4 and 5 at all.

A 5 is a bit heavier, that is a con. And you are no longer a real man, according to BP

Pros, well it goes down to B, less position shifting, idiot audiences think you know what you are doing just because you have more strings...

Dunno I just feel totally comfortable on the Bongo 5's

 

[SLUGGO]

I agree that changing back and forth can be difficult. I used to think that if 4 is good, then five is better. Why not play the 5 with the extra string, if you don't use , who cares, right?? But I have since decided that the 5 is completely different animal than the 4, at least for me. The 5 has a greater range, but I feel like I can play more "aggressively" with a 4. (Now, all you full-time fivers, please don't get me wrong!!) Maybe a better term is that the 4 offers greater margin of error? Aw man, I am just stepping deeper! But, nothing beats the thunder of low B....unless you tune down a half-step or 2!!!

 

[ashiin]

i tend to slap and pop quite a lot, i like the fact that i will be bigger range.

But a problem is that i have really small hands and i thought that maybe playing some stuff may be really hard for me. But since adouglas has no problem i should add a 5'er to my arsenal I'll have to see what happens.

 

[cdb]

Its weird, I just feel more relaxed with a 5 after playing 4 strings for 25 years... with a 4 I have to think about open strings, and dampening strings and hitting things just right right to produce a consistent tone/volume across all strings and notes. With a 5 -- well I just play my stupid patterns and move positions up and down and I hit everything fretted because I am lazy and weak. But since all the notes are fretted I dont worry about ringing open strings and unwanted subharmonics. And I get more consistent intonaton with all notes fretted. YMMV.

 

[ashiin]

i have come down to two picks for 5 stringers.

A dargie or a 20th anni SR5... if i can find any

edit//

to poppa, will there be any 20th SR5s being shipped to Hong Kong?

 

[Slim]

I am a guitar player converted to a bass player and I started out with 4 strings but I switched to 5 strings due to so many songs my band plays require low notes but it only took me less than a week to adjust to extra string and now I don't even bother to use 4 string bass. I bought an used 1991 SR5 with alnico pickup and it sounds fantastic. I have been practicing on 6 string bass lately and now when I play 5 string bass it feels so small and so much easier to play so I recommend to go 5 string bass and also get 6 strings to practice so you will feel very comfortable on 5 string bass

 

[MingusBASS]

i have come down to two picks for 5 stringers.

A dargie or a 20th anni SR5... if i can find any

edit//

to poppa, will there be any 20th SR5s being shipped to Hong Kong?

Why don't you PM him....he loves that.

 

[adouglas]

Why don't you PM him....he loves that.

Troublemaker!

 

[Rano Bass]

I go back and forth between 5 and 4 strings, once you get used to it, it's no big deal.
Go get one of each!
And if you're girlie enough get a six strings bongo!