Technique question

[Dees]

I just have a little question for the 5-string players among us. I now play a regular Stingray, but the latest time, I've really grown into progressive metal, so a bass with a smaller string spacing could be a little more convenient. But many progressive players play 5 or 6 string basses, so my question is, do you feel like you need a 5th string, or is it just something extra you like? I know the Symphony X bassist plays a sterling, and his sound is just fantastic, but I suppose he detunes a lot. and stuff like that. On the other hand, there are bands like Dream Theater, whose bassist plays his 6-string all the time.
And I just don't know if I'm good enough for a 5-string instrument. Problem is that there isn't anyone I know from whom I could borrow a 5 string, everyone I know plays exclusively 4 strings.
So, inform me, let me know what you think!
Thanks in advance

 

[clanner]

I use the 5th string on my 5 all the time, it adds some stylistic joys to the music, you can go interesting places, and john myung also plays a 5 string frequently as well as his six. go with a 5 or six if you feel that it works for you, might a redommend a bongo or ray?

 

[Aragorn35016]

I played in a prog rock band for years with nothing but a 4 string and actually covered some dream theatre stuff from there scenes from a memory album. It can be done you just have to detune every once in a while and sometimes you have to do some crazy position jumps. A 5 string will come in handy but definitely not necessary. (Ive never seen Geddy use a 5 string) That being said I love my SR 5. I like the fact that I can do a lot of the same things in 5th position now that I could only do in 1st position on a 4 string. Do I think I could live without a 5 string? Sure It just makes things easier on the hands and opens up a few more doors in finger patterns IMHO.

 

[Aragorn35016]

Oh and you get 5 extra notes

 

[Franky]

Oh and you get 5 extra notes

really
i want to see proof damn it!

 

[tkarter]

I play only my 5 string now because I can get done anything I did with my 4 and it is fast. The spacing did not matter on the SR5 since I was learning to deal with an added string any way. Took a bit to play as good with it as the 4 but not hard to learn once one make up their mind.

IMHO.

tk

 

[Rhythmbug]

I love the extra range you get from the B string.
It has a depth & kick to it that you cant match on the other strings.
My house shakes when I do slides & vibrato on the B its like a bulldozer!
Having said that, the B on the SR5 isnt quite as defined & clear I would ideally want....but hey I aint complaining. And alot of it is in your fingers.

 

[whamonkey]

Having said that, the B on the SR5 isnt quite as defined & clear I would ideally want....but hey I aint complaining.

That's odd......the dominant opinion, and I mean dominant, is the "B' on a Stingray 5 is one of the best in the market, including basses in the $4000-$5000 range. I have to agree, the 'B' on my SR5 is tight as a drum and sounds awesome. Perhaps your SR needs a setup or something (Pickup height adjustment?). What type of strings are you using? That's a new one to me.....not defined??? Hmmmmmmm...

 

[tkarter]

My B is as good as they come too. That is when my amp is set right.


tk

 

[AnthonyD]

"B"?

What "B"?

I am not familiar with this term, "B"...

 

[Doogels]

I would never define my B string as tight. In fact, it's so loose that I rarely play it, so it's mostly in the way. My SR5 will be my last 5-string, 'cause I'm going back to 4 with my next bass.

SRs in metal would sound *awesome*.

...as I read these threads, it often crosses my mind that there is something wrong with my Ray. This thread is a great example. Are there any other Ray players in San Francisco who would be interesting in meeting up on a Saturday and trying out each others' basses? I'd like to get a more experienced Ray player's opinion.

 

[whamonkey]

I would never define my B string as tight. In fact, it's so loose that I rarely play it, so it's mostly in the way. My SR5 will be my last 5-string, 'cause I'm going back to 4 with my next bass.

Has to be something wrong with that bass bro....has to be. Wrong strings, bad neck relief, wrong tuning....something. I can't believe an SR5 has a .....gasp.....LOOSE B.

 

[Franky]

Has to be something wrong with that bass bro....has to be. Wrong strings, bad neck relief, wrong tuning....something. I can't believe an SR5 has a .....gasp.....LOOSE B.

the flea 5 i played had a pretty tight B, that was all it really had going for it, and i think the reason it was very tight in the bottom end is mainy because of the graphite neck.

SR5s are usually very good on the B string, dunno whats wrong with yours

 

[tkarter]

I would never define my B string as tight. In fact, it's so loose that I rarely play it, so it's mostly in the way. My SR5 will be my last 5-string, 'cause I'm going back to 4 with my next bass.

SRs in metal would sound *awesome*.

...as I read these threads, it often crosses my mind that there is something wrong with my Ray. This thread is a great example. Are there any other Ray players in San Francisco who would be interesting in meeting up on a Saturday and trying out each others' basses? I'd like to get a more experienced Ray player's opinion.

Has to be something wrong with the way you string it or you speakers or the amp.
Then think maybe something is wrong with your EB bass.

I know for a fact after playing a good number of 5 strings the SR 5 is the best I found. I am a hillbilly. I don't waste my money on anything unless it works for me.

I think this forum will troubleshoot any problem you have if you don't blame what we or most of us know to be not the problem.

In fact to support what I say. The SR5 is one of the most popular basses in more than one style of music. It and the Lakeland almost totally rule country music these days.

This is the place to ask and learn. Condemn we will turn away.


My band plays souther rock and country. My SR5 does this better than my P bass did or even my Jazz that I will never sell, and as much as I love my EB bass I will say I hope to die playing my Jazz. Why is totally personal and has nothing to do with the music or the quality of bass I am playing.


Explain your B string problem there will be an answer if it is an EB bass. Slinkys and TI strings disregarded I am betting you have not enough winds or break on the B string if you are unhappy or your cab can't go that low in frequency.

I do know if it came from the EB factory and it isn't right it will get fixed. They have fixed so many problems for others since I have been here that was not legit. Well...

The probaby said too much but did give my IMHO reply.


tk

 

[clanner]

how many inches is the speaker(s) in your amp?
my instructor uses 10 inch speakers and they have a little trouble getting the proper sound from a b string, a little muffled, while my 15 inch does an amazing job of pumping out the b and the tweater handles the high's.

so once again, what is you speaker size?

 

[whamonkey]

I think he stated the "b" was loose meaning feeling, not sounding. Speakers shouldn't matter...

 

[tkarter]

I think he stated the "b" was loose meaning feeling, not sounding. Speakers shouldn't matter...

I thought what I said should have covered that too. Maybe I should have added strings maybe.

Any EB bass has a good B string. The best there is. That is unless it doesn't have 5 strings. IMHO

tk

 

[barkatozz]

I use all 4 string basses because I dislike 5 & 6 stringers. When I need to play something low I use a pitch shifter(whammy).

 

[AnthonyD]

Let's not discount tuning habits...

Doogels - Are you tuned to standard pitch? Drop tuning?

 

[Rhythmbug]

That's odd......the dominant opinion, and I mean dominant, is the "B' on a Stingray 5 is one of the best in the market, including basses in the $4000-$5000 range. I have to agree, the 'B' on my SR5 is tight as a drum and sounds awesome. Perhaps your SR needs a setup or something (Pickup height adjustment?). What type of strings are you using? That's a new one to me.....not defined??? Hmmmmmmm...

maybe you're right...
I was having alot of problems recently with my lower register distorting to all buggery, I lowered the pickup to counteract the problem, which, only marginally helped. Then my amp died. Since then my amp has been fixed and it doesnt seem to distort (hardly) anymore. So maybe a re-adjustment is in order.
But the best B tone I've ever got was from a previous Warwick Thumb with sansamp bass driver overdrive. That was killler.
I just cant get the same growly overdrive anymore, maybe the sansamp has something wrong with it, because when I crank the overdrive it emits horrible loud sqeals and scratches that scare the cat next door...