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Got it bad for a Stingray 5H

J

JOEinCA

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Mar 12, 2013
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101
Location
Fresno, CA USA
For some reason I can't explain very well, I've wanted a black SR5H maple for years now. I think this is mainly, but not entirely, due to how it looks. There's just something special with that particular bass to me. I've played a couple and for me 5 strings feels pretty uncomfortable with that B string/thumb rest. Im sure this has to do with the fact I never play 5s. I like the sound too. I swear that bass is calling me, but here's the deal. I feel like I'm giving up the comfort and playability of a 4 for just a few extra seldom played notes. I know there are some fingering patterns with the 5 that allow you to not move around the fret board as much (so i hear) but I'm wondering if I'd be sacrificing too much for what I gain going to a 5. I admit part of my fascination is with the girth of the 5...more body wood, neck, more pickup etc...I like big. But I "feel" the practical/sensible thing is to stay with 4 out of simplicity and practicality. I don't really play much that would require the lower notes but perhaps Im simply missing out. An SR5 is a chunk of money so I don't take buying one lightly although there are typically 45 day return policies out there in case it doesn't work out. The question I have i am i being stupid with this dilemma? Has anyone felt this way and can relate? What did you do? Just interested in other thoughts. I'd like to think all i need is one bass...the stingray4 covers it all pretty good for me minus the lows of a five which I don't seem to be missing at this point. I just "want" the SR5h black/maple. Feeling dazed and confused. i saw a guy playing reggae once with one and sounded soo good. I like the classic SR look but I feel the PU is set too far back for my liking and glossy neck with thin frets. I'm basically thinking of the regular SR5H.
Sorry for the long winded babble :)
 
Last edited:
sanderhermans

sanderhermans

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Nov 5, 2013
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belgium
I would strongly recomend trying both the sr4 and sr5 a few times at a musicstore. Then judge it on sound, feel, weight, looks, .....
The pro for buying a 5er is the added low notes but they should be a bit heavier, have a bit beafier neck and cost more. Choose the one that feels right to you. Remember the feel and sound of a bass should be more important then just the looks. So if you never use the 5th string i would go for a sr4 or another 4string ebmm. On the other hand there are many players out there that almost never use the 5th string but do prefer the sr5. Esspecially if you play with a pick you should definitly not buy a sr5 unless you use the 5th string. This because when playing it as a 4 string the low b string will start vibrating along with the rest of the strings. When playing with your fingers, you can use the b string as a thumb rest and so mute it at the same time. This doesnt go with picking.
 
J

JOEinCA

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Joined
Mar 12, 2013
Messages
101
Location
Fresno, CA USA
sanderhermans said:
I would strongly recomend trying both the sr4 and sr5 a few times at a musicstore. Then judge it on sound, feel, weight, looks, .....
The pro for buying a 5er is the added low notes but they should be a bit heavier, have a bit beafier neck and cost more. Choose the one that feels right to you. Remember the feel and sound of a bass should be more important then just the looks. So if you never use the 5th string i would go for a sr4 or another 4string ebmm. On the other hand there are many players out there that almost never use the 5th string but do prefer the sr5. Esspecially if you play with a pick you should definitly not buy a sr5 unless you use the 5th string. This because when playing it as a 4 string the low b string will start vibrating along with the rest of the strings. When playing with your fingers, you can use the b string as a thumb rest and so mute it at the same time. This doesnt go with picking.
Click to expand...

Do you find that with the larger pickup in the 5, it gives a different sound on e-a-d-g strings? I "thought" they sounded better...particularly d and g..
 
sanderhermans

sanderhermans

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belgium
I have no idea. Again i would recomend trying that out for yourself if you have a decent musicstore near you
 
five7

five7

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Nov 24, 2008
Messages
4,296
the word Bass starts with the letter B as in B string. Buy a used one and give it a try. My sterling by MM sub 5 is pretty darn close to the look and feel of a real SR5, give one of those a try. Won't cost you too much and then if you like it get a real one.
 
njhammer

njhammer

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Jun 18, 2008
Messages
625
Location
Central NJ
If you can get your hands on a used USA made EBMM SUB 5, you'd be doing yourself a big favor. Affordable and excellent. I've been playing bass since 1976 and decided to give a the 5-string a try about 8 years ago, liked it and picked up an EBMM SUB5 which is now one of three 5 string EBMMs in the stable. I also have a SR4. All different animals and great to play.
 
Golem

Golem

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Aug 30, 2005
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My Place
`

I prophesy that JOEinCA will yield to the
siren call, buy himself a black SR5, prolly
an HS, but will rather quickly revert to a
4-string cuz his initial doubts will prove to
be more substantive and more enduringly
annoying than his lust for the 5-string.

I feel this way not due to some personal
prejudice against 5-strings, but due to
the feelings I feel when reading the OP.
 
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J

joebar

Member
Joined
Dec 6, 2011
Messages
12
I just sold my second SR5- I have gone back to 4 strings.
I finally got the revelation that the SR5 and SR4 are different animals.
the SR4 with ceramic PU's is an aggressive beast and the SR4 is a little tamer. that is why I am going to my first SR4 which is on order.
 
sanderhermans

sanderhermans

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Joined
Nov 5, 2013
Messages
1,091
Location
belgium
joebar said:
I just sold my second SR5- I have gone back to 4 strings.
I finally got the revelation that the SR5 and SR4 are different animals.
the SR4 with ceramic PU's is an aggressive beast and the SR4 is a little tamer. that is why I am going to my first SR4 which is on order.
Click to expand...

These days the sr5 is alnico powered too... that said, the pickups should sound different because of the extra string. Ill stick with 4 strings too....
 
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