Questions of the 5-string

[fifthorange]

i have been playing bass for about a year, successfully learning that art of slap and tap. i have two basses, Ibanez GSR 200 (4-string), and a MM Stringray 4. now, as i keep learning and playing bass, i want to learn to use different basses. now i tried a 5 string at my music center today and it was pretty cool. i want to know the advantages of having a 5 string. will it help me, musically?

 

[midopa]

Well, an extra strings gives you that extra range of notes, be it high end or low end. With an extra B string (low), you can get a deeper sound. Vice versa for a C string (high).

But in reality, it all depends on your style. There are great musicians with four strings, great musicians with five, those with eight, and those with twelve even.

Like I said, it depends on your style of playing. If you're a rootsy bassist, I don't think it'll improve your sound unless you want to ocassionally go to a low D or such. But even then you can just restring your 4 string to B-E-A-D instead of the stanard E-A-D-G.

An example is Les Claypool. He often uses a six string, but you should note how he uses it well; not just sticking to the EADG area and reveling in the fact that he was more notes to spare, but playing high notes, low notes, and those in-between well.

 

[xbass]

If you don't really really really need lower notes, stay with 4 strings, it feels much better. In live shows, (and studio as well) I used to tune the E string to D, it's really easy. And I noticed that 4 strings basses have a better sound (but that can be only my imagination).

 

[fifthorange]

thanks for the response

 

[jubjub721]

if you realy want to give up 500 + for a new bass but want the lowlow end
u could get a bass extender
im thinkin bout puttin one on my washburn. this also gives u the ability to hit low c

 

[spectorbassguy]

I played 4 string for over 20 years. Tried out 5 strings more than a dozen times in music stores and could not get the feel of low B in that short of time. Our worship team was doing a "bridge" event called The Lion of Judah by Paul Wilbur. Nearly every song utilized low B, low C or low D as the root. It was a hassle tuning down for each song so I just bought a 5 string Spector and started woodshedding. Never gone back since.
The neck on a 4 string is SO skinny compared to a 5 and I really enjoy having that B string to rumble things up. Now I've graduated to a Ken Smith BT5G fretted and a Music Man SR5 Fretless so life is sweet.