I think I want a 5ver....

[spencer]

Well I love my stingray so much.. Its from 1989 its as old as me and is in pretty good condition. Black with a maple fretboard It truely is beautiful.. However.. I think I was a 5 string stingray. But Id hate to get rid of this one and there is no way I can afford both. I don't know what to do. This one is perfect but I think I would like some lower notes. Im so torn right now cause part of me hates 5 strings and part of me wants one.
Well let me end this with a question about the 5 strings. What does the switch do? I
really don't like the switches on the sterlings and didn't think the 5 string would have one. Doesn't it change like the polarity? I like to keep my stuff simple and not too many adjustments so I would probably take it off. Anyway what setting is the same as a normal stringray? Im talking about the Single pickup btw I hate DH

 

[drgroovenstein]

Save up to buy the 5 so you don't have to sell the 4. Heck, if you put an order in now, you won't have to finish paying for it for a bunch of months.

 

[spencer]

Noway I could afford it. Seriously plus I don't know what I would do withmyself if I ha d 2 basses

 

[prickly_pete]

Keep your SR4 and maybe get a hipshot tuner for lower notes. I think you will regret selling your bass.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

Keep your SR4 and maybe get a hipshot tuner for lower notes. I think you will regret selling your bass.

+1

 

[todd4ta]

Keep your SR4 and maybe get a hipshot tuner for lower notes. I think you will regret selling your bass.

If all you really want is a few lower notes, I agree that a hipshot detuner would be a good place to start. They make one that fits the same screw holes as your EB E-string tuner.

On my fives, I'm really just using the low D and D#, I very rarely use the low B, C & C#. A five string does give you more options on where to play though.

The switch on a single H SR5 has the same function as a single H Sterling. If you don't like switches, just find the pickup setting you like best (series, single-coil or parallel) and leave it there. Mine almost never leave the parallel setting.

One other option to consider, save up to get a SUB five string, and keep your Stingray 4. Used prices are especially reasonable (and they don't have the switch).

 

[PzoLover]

3 Basses In 1

For me, a 5 str is 3 Basses In 1;
BEAD
EADG
BEADG
Once I'm playing, they come together;
The SR5 has a beautiful feeling neck; not too wide; everything is right there;
With a 4str, I feel naked, and find myself rethinking some tunes into 80% mode depending on the key.

 

[Moondog]

Don't do it Spencer.
I felt the same way and it's taken me two years and
(3) 5-strings to realize I don't likem

and for a few deep notes here and there, a hipshot
is a much cheaper alternative (I'm going back to them).

I understand your desire for the single H bass as well.
I never want to take my SR5HH 4 out of position 1 at
rehearsals

 

[tkarter]

When I felt like that a few years ago I walked into the local mom and pop shop seen the SR5 that I knew would own me. Played it a hour and took it home.

I seem to be able to play any line on my 5 I did my 4 so I pretty convinced all I need is 5 stringers.

The Bongo 5 H has covered every gig I have had since I got it.

Tough to give anyone advice on what they want really so that's my story.

tk

 

[spencer]

I know I would actually use the B,C,C#,D AND D#. I dunno I just love that low sound. But im gonna hold off doing this untill at least november. If my gas lasts that long I'll probably do it. Because there has been a few bases that I wanted to sell my stingray for but after about a few weeks I loose the gas and Im so happy I never did. So Its off to trying out some 5sh for a couple months.

 

[tkarter]

There you go play a 5 a bit and find out what you like or don't like. It doesn't take too long to be able to play a 4 or 5 interchangeably.


tk

 

[adouglas]

Like my sig says, there's more to it than those few extra low notes, though if you transpose songs down at all (which tends to happen as we age and can't sing so high any more), you will certainly need them.

It's really about being able to play lines farther up the neck. Just by coincidence (hadn't seen this thread yet) as I was practicing last night it struck me how much of a pain it would be to play what I was playing if I didn't have the fifth string available to me.

 

[kompressaur]

I'd either go with the suggestion above - get a used Sub 5 or you could always string your 4 BEAD if its lower notes your after

 

[spencer]

Yes but I also use the 21st fret on the g string so I need that one too. Also I do play most lines around the 7th fret and sometimes it sucks going back down the neck to get that lower note. Thats a point I didn't think of.

Only thing that kept me from just doing it is that im just connected with this bass + its age + how much I paid for it. [i got it really cheap]

 

[spencer]

maby I'll get one of them olp's whats the diff between them and subs?

 

[Randracula]

I know I would actually use the B,C,C#,D AND D#. I dunno I just love that low sound. But im gonna hold off doing this untill at least november. If my gas lasts that long I'll probably do it. Because there has been a few bases that I wanted to sell my stingray for but after about a few weeks I loose the gas and Im so happy I never did. So Its off to trying out some 5sh for a couple months.

How about trying some different tunings on your SR4 like DEAG and CGCF ? The other alternative is getting a new nut slotted for your SR4 that will let you use the bottom 4 in a 5 string set - BEAD. The Hipshot is also another good idea although i've had no problem drop tuning in between songs and tuning back up for the next song. FWIW The heaviest band I play in I use CGCF on my SR4 and can cover everything with it. I could use my SR5 but I don't really need to.....I wouldn't sell that SR4 just yet

 

[spencer]

I don't want anyone here to think im one of thoes death metal low tuneing freaks. I hate lower tuneings, and am in no way into metal. at all. I play a little heavyish rock. Jazz funk, punk and worship.

 

[nocluejimbo]

If you just need lower notes, and not the extended range of a 5-string, I'd try installing the B-D strings of a 5-string set on your 'Ray and tune to B-E-A-D.

 

[spencer]

As I said earlier I do use the 21st fret on the g string. so getting rid of the g string ain't gonna work out to good.

 

[adouglas]

maby I'll get one of them olp's whats the diff between them and subs?

OLPs are not EBMM instruments. They're licensed copies, built in the Far East and intended to compete against the Squiers and other cheap basses and guitars of the world. They're IMHO nowhere near as good as the real deal (never owned one, though). All of the hardware and electronics are different and while serviceable, of lesser quality. You get what you pay for. Just because it bears a passing resemblance to a Music Man bass does not mean it's a Music Man bass.

Having said that, Tony Levin used a Tony Levin Signature OLP to record one of the tracks on his current album.

SUBs are real EBMM instruments, built in the US. They're less expensive because of the matte finish and lack of body contours, but are still top-quality basses. The idea, if I understand it correctly, is to provide a less-expensive alternative that doesn't skimp on quality. I think the electronics and pickups are different than they are on top-line EBMMs, but I don't know in exactly what way.

A used SUB 5 would let you scratch the 5-string itch without breaking the bank.