General but not-so-common SR5 questions.

[philthygeezer]

1. How does an SR5 compare to a standard SR4 in size and weight? Are they virtually the same size with tighter string spacing on the 5, or is there a significant difference? Is the fretted SR5 just as easy to play as an SR4?

2. If one was a guy like me with only 2 years of bass playing under my belt (I'm not very good on 4-string yet), would it be suicide to purchase a 5 string fretless SR5? Is is gobs harder to play or is it just a completely different animal that requires similar practice time to a 4 string fretted Stingray?

3. If fretless and 2 years playing: Lined or unlined? Does one go by ear or does sight help?

 

[WillPlay4Food]

Stingray 4
From --> http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/specs/instruments_stingray.html

Size 13-1/2" wide, 1-5/8" thick, 44-7/8" long
Weight 9 pounds 5 ounces - varies slightly
Scale 34"
Radius 11"
Frets 21 - high profile, wide
Width 1-5/8" at nut, 2-1/2" at last fret

Stingray 5
From --> http://www.ernieball.com/mmonline/specs/instruments_stingray5.html

Size 13-3/8" wide, 1-3/4" thick, 45-3/4" long
Weight 10 pounds - varies slightly
Scale 34"
Radius 11"
Frets 22 - high profile, wide
Width 1-3/4" at nut, 2-3/4" at last fret

 

[WillPlay4Food]

For fretless you'll need to spend time working on your intonation because you won't have frets to save the day for you. The fact you play bass now should help but it does take getting used to a five string and it does take getting used to fretless.

As far as whether or not it's suicide, when I was in 4th grade I learned to play violin, and there's no such thing as a fretted violin. It just takes practice. With time you'll improve just like everything else. It's not suicide, you just need to have the desire to succeed and the will to keep working at it.

Personally, if I was getting a fretless I'd go with lined. Believe me, your ear will tell you when you're not on target, but those fretlines help by giving you a visual cue where to place your fingers. Going back to my violin analogy, I had a piece of masking tape on the back of the neck so I alway knew where to place my thumb when playing. That was what helped with my intonation on violin. On a fretless bass, you have the fretlines.

 

[maddog]

Second that. Definitley not suicide. Just comes down to how much frustration you are willing to put up with and how smart you are at practicing as well as putting in the time.

 

[willhaven]

As far as whether or not it's suicide, when I was in 4th grade I learned to play violin, and there's no such thing as a fretted violin.

I've seen one.

 

[Bassplyr]

I lined fretless eliminates alot of frustration!

 

[dlloyd]

2. If one was a guy like me with only 2 years of bass playing under my belt (I'm not very good on 4-string yet), would it be suicide to purchase a 5 string fretless SR5? Is is gobs harder to play or is it just a completely different animal that requires similar practice time to a 4 string fretted Stingray?

Fretless can be frustrating initially. But you'd be surprised how quickly you get used to it. I defretted one of my basses nearly a year ago and I sounded terrible to begin with, which didn't come as that much of a surprise as I had an unlined fretless Ibanez Musician bass for a few months several years ago. I sound borderline competent now.

It helps to practice defined tunes and record them so you can hear your weaknesses.

3. If fretless and 2 years playing: Lined or unlined? Does one go by ear or does sight help?

To be honest, I find them a distraction. On an unlined fretless, you have markers at the side anyway.

 

[Mobay45]

I've seen one.

It was probably a fiddle!

No self-respecting voilinist would be caught dead with a fretted violin.

 

[philthygeezer]

OK great and thanks. Perhaps I'll take the plunge on a cheap fretless first to try out.