Transition from 4 string to 5 string

[sparky]

I recently bought a Stingray 5 string, I was used to a 4 string. I didn't think there was going to be that big of a deal switching over I am having a problem. Basically it's two problems.
1. The strings are closer together than the 4 string and I'm having a problem hitting the right string on the fret board.

2. I'm having problems with the notes, they are all different now.

I know I have to stick with it. I just wanted to know if anyone else experienced the same problem situation and does anyone have any tips besides practice, practice, practice.
Thanks

 

[basscat]

You're experience is natural, I went throught the same process when I got my first 5. When I got my first 6 the transition was much easier. I think after a while you will see that your technique has become more controlled in general as it's much more difficult to cheat on a 5 than on a 4, for example with muting. My prime advice is to play the 5 exclusively until you're comfortable with it, mistakes and all. After a while you will start missing the B string when you play a four and by then you know you've done it.

Basscat

 

[JBFLA]

Transition...

I agree with basscat. From personal experience:

I recently experienced a crushed nerve in my elbow. It left my left hand numb. Surgery was the cure, and I wasn't about to stop playing...so - I bought a new bass, a 5 string. It was to be my 'motivation'.

After surgery, I put away my Stingray and played only the 5 string. My 5 string difficulties were with my right hand. It was hard for me to get used to that extra string. 4 months later, and all I use is the 5. Practice was good, but playing live forced me to concentrate better.

Just don't play the 4 until the 5 is down pat...it'll come...you may never go back to the 4!

JBFLA

 

[bassmaniac]

Give yourself some time to get used to 5 strings. I had been playing bass for 12 years before I got my first 5 string. I too was frustrated at first. I was just too used to the E string at the top of the fret board. I even put it down for a few weeks after the first month. Then I picked it up again after I realized it's like learning a new instrument again, and I would just have to be patient with myself. After a few months I started feeling comfortable with it.
Now if I didn't love my Rickenbacker 4001 so much, I would never play a 4 string again!

 

[skaught]

Sounds like good advice from the guys. I didn't experience such a change in "mindset" from 4 to a 5, I thought of it initially as my regular 4 with another string shoved on top. (Which would let me get away with playing everything I knew on a 4 string with no added difficulty)

After a while of practice, you start to incorporate the B string in a more natural and expressive way. Be patient! It's definitely worth it.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Fives are nice but I can't get used to them. Pretty good advice there however.

 

[Augusto Lopez]

Does any of you guys experienced a bit of trouble trying to obtain a similar slap tone to the one you were used to on the 4?
Do you believe that no 5 slaps as good as a 4? I've noticed the world most famous slapers (i.e. Marcus, Mark King, Larry Graham etc. etc.) use 4's
Cheers
Augusto

 

[Bo.cox]

i think the reason for the pro bass players that play slap stlye using a 4 string is that funk is generally in standard tuneing.

i think the best way to move to a stingray 5 is to learn on a jazz bass! i'v measured the spaceing between the two and it is damn near exactly the same at the nut and bridge E to G.
the tip i can suggest an it the way i do it, look at the G string as being your first string that way your skippin the B string, try it,

personally i think the sound between the 4 and 5 string stingraysis that the 4 has more of a growl and the 5's have more twang.

have fun!!

 

[basscat]

Do you believe that no 5 slaps as good as a 4? I've noticed the world most famous slapers (i.e. Marcus, Mark King, Larry Graham etc. etc.) use 4's

I think there are a few reasons. Firstly, the E string on a four usually sounds different than E strings on fives. Some feel that the 4 has more punch which probably is caused by the fact that 4's have less mass, the neck in particular, which means that the wood of the neck will affect the tone more as it vibrates more. There's a similar difference between fives and six strings where the six strings in gerenal have a less organic sound because of the increased mass that isn't affected as much by string vibrations. So sound might be one reason.

The second reason is that many high profile slappers, the ones you mentioned in particular, developed their style during a period when multi strings basses were not very common.

Thridly, four string slapping techniques can be quite tricky to adjust to five strings beacuse of the increased muting problem and the often more narrow string spacing. There a notable exceptions as well. Alain Caron slaps exceptionally well on his six string F bass and Adam Nitti slaps the **** out of his five and six string basses. Marcus now uses his newly developed signature 5 string quite much and in the past he slapped 5 string Sadowsky's. Dough Wimbish also gets a great slap sound out of his five and six strings.

Basscat

 

[Augusto Lopez]

It is certainly tricky to adapt a 4 slaping technique into a 5. I personally developed a technique on my Musicman SR4 that I couldn't possibly use on my 5 (G&L2500); my hand wasn't parallel enought to the strings so on the five the palm kept on touching the B string.
I also tried for example the "Machine gun tripplets" and the low B would start vibrating etc. etc.
I've also noticed that the E string doesn't sound as tight on the five. On the other hand I find myself less & less using my 4 now, I've learned most of my bass lines considering notes on the low B(without over using it), maybe to do with the kind of music that I'm doing at the moment (70's dance, soul & MOR rock), but I know that some rock material will call for the Musicman sound.
Cheers
Augusto

 

[basscat]

I started out slapping on the four string and have always used a technique where my right hand is parallel to the strings so adjusting to the five was not a big deal. LH slaps a la Mark King I practiced on the four but never really used outside the scope of slap solos so I never brought that technique with me to the five string. Most other techniques like double thumbing and open-hammer-pluck works equally well for me on the five as on the four as long as the string spacing isn't too tight. My first five was a Yamaha BB5000A that had 16,5mm string spacing at the bridge which was too tight for me. My SR5 is ideal and the only bass I play currently. I will add a fretless 5 and good Jazz bass sounding five when I find one that I like though.

Basscat

 

[Augusto Lopez]

Hi again,
I really had to go back to the drawing board (as far as slapping technique is concern) and had to fill my patience tank because becomes frustrating not being able to play the lines you were use to before.
Following what Basscat was saying about getting a Fender V, I've tried a few and found out that similar models sound different. To start with the Mexican made is cheap and sounds cheap, I tried the Deluxe V against the G&L2500 and found the G&L more versatile in every sense; ballsier, growlier, much more presence, the one quality that the Fender had was a warmer sound, to do with the wood is made of.
On the other hand Musicmans are like the MacDonald's, no matter were in the world you buy them, you know what you're getting.

Cheers
Augusto

 

[lowfreq65]

4 string/5 string.

Totally agree!..the transition from 4 string to 5string takes time.Right now I am playing my MM SR 5 exclusively, and am encountering misfretted notes,sloppy phrasing, and just getting used to the extra B string, its very tempting to over use it!, guess practice makes perfect!, 8 up!

 

[SWR_n_EB]

So what is a good modertly priced instrument to use to get used to a 5string. I've heard of people buying expensive 5strings as starters..but i don't have that kind of money. My friend got a Warwick as his first and only 5. I have been intrested in a 5...but i don't know if it's owrth it.

 

[Augusto Lopez]

If you can't afford a MMSR5, maybe an Ibanez ATK5; the design is MM inspired, I tried the 4 string once and though it was pretty damn good value. I'm not sure about the prices in the US (I recide in Australia) but don't think it'll be over $1,000.00
I'm sure we'd all agree that it's better to spend a bit more, even wait until we have the right money and buy something we're happy with.
Good Luck

Augusto

 

[Kennyhoe]

not meant to betray EB/MM, but if you're really tight on money, you can get a Fender Squier P-Bass Special 5, i would imagine that they're fairly cheap

 

[Masamax]

If you plan on buying a MM SR5 in the future, perhaps an OLP bass might be worth looking into.

 

[SWR_n_EB]

OLP

Yah know, i have to say. I don't think i'd buy a fender. Sorry but i just don't like somethings about them. First of all i'd have to pick on thier bridge, and especially squiers. I could go on allot more on Squire, but I haven't really used an OLP. I understand though, it is like a cheaper MM. SOmetimes you gotta spend a little more and be happy.

Who knows!