1 Bass to own - 4 or 5

[JOEinCA]

I'm on the verge of upgrading to a nice Bongo or Stingray from my POS yamaha jazz 4. I will be laying down a good chunk of cabbage for this new axe and will likely not be able to have a selection of basses in my personal collection. I'll be a 1 bass guy. I know when I get this new bass (4 or 5) it will basically shelve my current one if not permanently. So here's the deal. I have been playing for only about 3 years ...still learning alot but have developed expensive taste. I've only played 4 string bass and have all along been eyeing 5 strings cause there's just something about them I like (bigger..more bass...i dunno?). However, whenever I play a 5 I feel I have a new B string thumb rest. I suppose thats just because Im used to 4 and maybe time would change that. My hesitation with a 5 is that I feel I sacrifice the relative ease of a 4 and will therefore not develop as much. I also wonder if the 5 is still as relavent today as it was in the 90's. I don't play metal really...mostly hard/soft rock,jazz, country and pop. I wonder if i'm less of a player on a 5 . I don't really know how to explain this all very well but I'm sure if anyone could relate or have some opinions on this, this community would. Thanks in advance.

Joe

 

[Gravesend Black]

I do not know how the B string can be irrelevant. It is not a whole "metal" thing. It's extended sound range as for me. When I changed 4 to 5 - I've adapted very fast and till this time I have no planes to go for a 4er. The main thing for you is comfort. Cuz 5er gives a bit different feel. But even if you do not play the B(east) string a lot - it is great thumb rest that does not tied with the PU config.

 

[Soulkeeper]

I was a one bass guy too, between 1992 and a couple of years ago. My one bass was a StingRay5.

Sometimes, depending on the music (but not depending very much on the genre), I use the B string all the time. Other times, I don't use it much, but I still use it often, if that makes sense. It really dawned on me when I got my first 4 stringer after 20 years of playing. Even if it had a D-tuner, it was frustrating to play because of that one single note in the 2nd part of the song where I wanted to play a low C - and I couldn't.

A 5 stringer isn't harder to play than a 4 stringer IMO (but then I'm also biased as heck). The strings are closer together which makes fast right-hand action easier when playing on more than one string. The neck is a little bit thicker, but you seldom fret with your thumb when playing bass anyway. And when you go down, you've got 5 half-steps extra before you run out of bottom end. The only downside I can see - in theory - is that the closer string spacing makes popping the D-string more difficult. But how often do you do that? And anyway, I experience zero problems popping the D-string on my SR5, except maybe a little extra wear on my nail cuticles.

The StingRay5 is the best five string bass that's ever been mass produced IMO/IME. And it's also one of the best basses that's ever been mass produced period (still IMO/IME). Go for it!

 

[Golem]

`

This is a very tough call. Don't even know your style or
your material. My own are so non-mainstream that I'm
not suggesting that you follow suit, plus I'm not forced
to select Just One Bass .... thaz a tuffy :-(

But just in case it sheds any light, my latest "universal
bass" creation is a BEAD 4-string set cranked up one
semitone to CFBbEb. I get all the really playable notes
of a 5-string except acoarst for the missing high string
... but, hey, it's BASS 4krissakes.

What I mean by "all the playable notes" is that due to
the extra tension of tuning one semitone sharp, my low
string plays truly great all the way down to open C. At
regular tuning [BEAD] neither the low B nor low C can
compare to this alternative. You can also set a lower
string height before buzz sets in ... true on ANY bass ...
when you increase the string tension but not the mass,
[aka string gauge] due to a narrower string occilation.

Not trying to preach a new gospel here, just pointing
out that there's soooo many ways to skin a cat that
maybe choosing between 4 or 5 strings just shouldn't
become a Major Life Decision There are ways to
bend tools to your will.

Pragmatic economics would say [to me] "Buy the 5."
If you discover that the worst mistake in your entire
life was going for 5 strings, the trade-in will go easier
cuz the trade-fodder ax is more expensive than the
the ax you're trading "up" to, so the cash difference
will be less than the reverse scenario. This advice is
not about music, it's about money. Our musical taste
and playing styles may be worlds apart [or not], but
we all use the same money !

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

It's not the instrument (or number of strings) that makes the player, it's you. So, if you're crappy on a 4-string, you'll be crappy on a 5-string. If you're good on a 4-string, you'll be good on a 5-string. If you think you'll use it, you will be no worse off than you are right now having a 5-string bass.

If I had to have only one bass, it would be a 5. I don't always use the extra string, but it's nice to have when I want it. My main reason for switching to 5-string was just that I was hearing and craving those low notes. Now I have the added bonus of fretting lower notes higher on the neck too (low E, for example).

 

[nurnay]

As Gravesend stated, 5's are not a "metal" thing by any stretch. You mentioned playing pop, it's all over pop music. That said, I tried to be a 5-only guy, but after a bit missed the 4 string. So I have one of each. If it were me, I would start with a 5, since you already have a 4, then down the road add another 4. And honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the EBMM 5ers. You play a wide range of genres, you might also consider a Big Al 5SSS. Great for copping a ton of different tones!

 

[JOEinCA]

`

This is a very tough call. Don't even know your style or
your material. My own are so non-mainstream that I'm
not suggesting that you follow suit, plus I'm not forced
to select Just One Bass .... thaz a tuffy :-(

But just in case it sheds any light, my latest "universal
bass" creation is a BEAD 4-string set cranked up one
semitone to CFBbEb. I get all the really playable notes
of a 5-string except acoarst for the missing high string
... but, hey, it's BASS 4krissakes.

What I mean by "all the playable notes" is that due to
the extra tension of tuning one semitone sharp, my low
string plays truly great all the way down to open C. At
regular tuning [BEAD] neither the low B nor low C can
compare to this alternative. You can also set a lower
string height before buzz sets in ... true on ANY bass ...
when you increase the string tension but not the mass,
[aka string gauge] due to a narrower string occilation.

Not trying to preach a new gospel here, just pointing
out that there's soooo many ways to skin a cat that
maybe choosing between 4 or 5 strings just shouldn't
become a Major Life Decision There are ways to
bend tools to your will.

Pragmatic economics would say [to me] "Buy the 5."
If you discover that the worst mistake in your entire
life was going for 5 strings, the trade-in will go easier
cuz the trade-fodder ax is more expensive than the
the ax you're trading "up" to, so the cash difference
will be less than the reverse scenario. This advice is
not about music, it's about money. Our musical taste
and playing styles may be worlds apart [or not], but
we all use the same money !

Hi Golem, thats so out of the box for me, I had never even considered such an alternate tuning. I am currently doing some old Kiss stuff to record with my 2 brothers just for fun and many of those are in EbAbDbGb. That's really the extent of my adventures into non-standard tuning . For you and probably a good number of musicians here the tuning variations are mere trivial adjustments...but for me CFBbEb would turn me completely upside down at this point. I hope to get there eventually and its something I will for sure experiment with now that you mentioned it. I said I will be a 1 bass guy but I will have my old 4 old string around to experiment on...but I doubt I will want to play it much since its not even in the same league as a new bongo or SR. With a 5, I doubt I'd ever need to change it unless I went with EADGC but then the nut and intonation etc..bleh.. so I'm thinking maybe a 5 in std. tuning is the way to go for me. I'll just need to master muting that B string i suppose.

What I'm looking for from the experienced ones on this forum like yourself is; if my concerns about going to a 5 are merited. Since I consider myself a novice still, is switching to a 5 impeding my learning where on a 4 I might progress faster and ultimately be much better? I know how some great players like Larue seem to prefer a 4 when the 5 isn't needed. He once said he uses it on the first song of the night then quickly ditches it for the 4 for the rest of the set. I ask myself why. I mean its not just about the hand full of lower notes he can get ..right?..its also about the options he can have available to him playing all the songs..but still him and many others still go back to 4. It seems to be a comfort zone. So what are the trade offs with going to a 5 full time? Sting muting, string spacing, sound...what else? I guess this is why I have hesitation going to the 5 as a full time thing. I'm sure opions will vary on all this but I really like to hear what the forumn pros perspectives are. I think you raise a great point about getting the 5 and if it doesn't work out trade for a 4...simple enough. At this point I'm leaning 5 and almost hoping to hear some encouragement in that direction...at the same time I still think there's a reason guys like Larue still prefer 4...just trying to reconcile it all.

Thanks,
Joe

 

[JOEinCA]

As Gravesend stated, 5's are not a "metal" thing by any stretch. You mentioned playing pop, it's all over pop music. That said, I tried to be a 5-only guy, but after a bit missed the 4 string. So I have one of each. If it were me, I would start with a 5, since you already have a 4, then down the road add another 4. And honestly, you can't go wrong with any of the EBMM 5ers. You play a wide range of genres, you might also consider a Big Al 5SSS. Great for copping a ton of different tones!

Hey Nunay, what particularly did you "miss" about the 4 string that had you add one again to your collection? What was the missing on the 5?

 

[JOEinCA]

I do not know how the B string can be irrelevant. It is not a whole "metal" thing. It's extended sound range as for me. When I changed 4 to 5 - I've adapted very fast and till this time I have no planes to go for a 4er. The main thing for you is comfort. Cuz 5er gives a bit different feel. But even if you do not play the B(east) string a lot - it is great thumb rest that does not tied with the PU config.

Yeah...I didn't mean to make it sound like Metal was the only application much as my quote sounded that way. I just had some particular friends in mind when I was writing that. Just that the vast majority of the music I play is covered by a 4 just fine...and some styles of music made more work of the lower notes on a 5 but those styles may not be as relevent today so was 5 string somewhat of a fad? I'm certainly not suggesting and I really don't think that's the case..that just asking. Is the 5 gaining, loosing or maintaining its popularity among bassists. i've heard there's been a decline ..but that's just word of mouth, I don't have any imperical data to back that up so I simply dont know. But if its true there would have to be a reason for that and I would like to know.

 

[MK Bass Weed]

I have 4s, 5s and a 6...all EBMM..

Love them all. But I started on a 4, and it just feels like "home" to me.

Been playing the Ray 5 since..garsh..92..So I've adapted..But I do remember..for me to feel at "HOME" on the Ray 5...it took over a year, and by HOME I mean...my brain wasn't saying to me..HEY..You've got an extra string there.

I've never been sold on the idea a 5 string is necessary. Sure, maybe if you're playing cover tunes in an 80s band, sure.
But I have one just in case. Actually I have 3 Five strings.

My next bass is going to be a Classic Ray 4. Like I said...I have alot of MM basses..the 6 is my 2nd Bongo.

The 4 is going to be my 'main...most comfy, no brainer, what I'm going to grab if I'm not sure of the tunes' Bass.

This is not going to help you..but you know..I hope it will!

 

[five7]

Sure is nice being able to play a low Eb, a low D, C#, C and a low B. Plus being able to play 2 octaves with your first, second and fourth finger. Playing a 4 string just isn't as much fun. Plus the smile that comes on your face when you play the B string on a MM, priceless. It only takes a few weeks to get use to the B string. Go for the 5!

 

[KevinM]

I played a 4-banger for 30+ years with no problem. At some point I started feeling the need to switch to a 5 and started shopping around. I bought my first 5er 2 years ago and when I did the transition was very smooth because I was ready to go to 5. I still have my old working p that I switched from and plink on it every so often but other than that I play the 5's exclusively.

 

[JOEinCA]

Sure is nice being able to play a low Eb, a low D, C#, C and a low B. Plus being able to play 2 octaves with your first, second and fourth finger. Playing a 4 string just isn't as much fun. Plus the smile that comes on your face when you play the B string on a MM, priceless. It only takes a few weeks to get use to the B string. Go for the 5!

All great reasons for going 5!

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

So what are the trade offs with going to a 5 full time? Sting muting, string spacing, sound...what else?

Yes. My biggest adjustment from switching from a 4-string was B-string muting. If you anchor your right hand thumb on a pickup (or thumb rest or the end of the neck), you'll have that sympathetic ring, even when you're not playing it. You need to either use the B-string as an anchor point to keep it quiet or use the floating thumb technique. I use a partial floating thumb technique, where I rest my thumb on the B or E-string.

You get used to string spacing. So, it may be narrower, but some people even prefer that. The main complaint I hear players mention about narrower string spacing is there is not as much room for slapping.

 

[b-unit]

I find that a 4 string Stingray is just the most comfy "at home" bass I have ever played...until I pickup my Stingray5 and feel just as comfy and at home. So I can imagine that ts a tough decision. I would go out and find the actual bass that speaks to you and don't worry if its a 4 or a 5. Either one will be a fantastic purchase.

 

[Lynottfan]

I would go with a four personally, but thats only because I can't get on with a 5

Seriously in your instance from what you have said, I would go to your store and try as many as you can, if you are lucky to live near a place that has several different models of EBMM(something very rare in the UK!) I would try them all, but I do say that a good SR4 with a decent set of strings and reasonably good amp will cover virtually everything you are ever likley to want or need.

good luck mate.

 

[nurnay]

Hey Nunay, what particularly did you "miss" about the 4 string that had you add one again to your collection? What was the missing on the 5?

I think I just missed the comfort of the 4. I played a 4 so long it just feels a little more natural.

 

[Soulkeeper]

We all have our "comfort zone". Mine is a fretted SR5 H. Whenever I'm feeling insecure in my playing, I can always pick that one up and be right on home ice.

 

[AnthonyD]

Very personal choice... Go with what feels right to you. I play a 4-string and never feel like I am missing something. At the same time, I totally get that there are potential advantages to having that 5th string.

You may find that it will take some time before one or the other becomes your "natural" fit.

 

[Holdsg]

I primarily play 4s, just feel right to me, and cover 99% of the songs my CR bands do.
I do keep one 5er around, just in case I need to break out a Van Halen song, or something like that.