chris_b Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 9 minutes ago, Twigman said: What do you get with a 5? 5 extra notes Several extra ounces A requirement for longer fingers I'm out Sorry but you dismiss 5 string basses without understanding them. They are more than a few low notes as is regularly explained every time these negative 5 string posts come up. 5 string basses will find the "holes" and short cuts in all techniques. Short fingers just means you need a better technique. 7 minutes ago, Twigman said: I could probably get away with two 3 string basses to play my set. One strung EAD - the other ADG I have numbers that I play on 2, 3, 4 and 5 strings. So the most practical bass for me is a 5 string bass, rather than a selection of 2, 3, 4 and 5 string basses. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 (edited) 6 minutes ago, chris_b said: 5 string basses will find the "holes" and short cuts in all techniques. I know what you're saying - only last night I was struggling to record a line which required me to go from the 7th fret on the A string to the 3rd on the E when perhaps the 8th on the B would've been easier - but I don't often find myself needing to avoid a stretch enough to fork out for a 5er. - i was up at the 7th on the A because of what went before - don't tell me I should've been at 2nd on the D Edited October 1, 2019 by Twigman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Normal Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 20 minutes ago, Twigman said: I know what you're saying - only last night I was struggling to record a line which required me to go from the 7th fret on the A string to the 3rd on the E when perhaps the 8th on the B would've been easier - but I don't often find myself needing to avoid a stretch enough to fork out for a 5er. - i was up at the 7th on the A because of what went before - don't tell me I should've been at 2nd on the D Tastes and requirements change too. My career went Metal>party duo>original blues rock>complex classic rock>pro tribute act>party function band. The function band means I'm doing a lot of pop, funk and synthbass so a 5 was inevitable. If I ever go back to rock and bues I might revert to my 4s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkD Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 Yeah, they are worth it if you want one. They offer both advantages and some disadvantages. You really won't know until you try one. I played them for years but eventually realized that for me the disadvantages outweighed the pluses. My personal recommendation, should you decide to get one, is to go for a 35" scale version and if possible a composite neck. The longer scale and composite neck give the low B great clarity and help with the "floppy" feel the B string often has. My fiver of choice was a Modulus Quantum which I still use when I need a five string. FWIW the only 34" scale five strings I liked were an Alembic Essence and a Fender Roscoe Beck. But neither of them equaled the Modulus Quantum for a solid and focused B string. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkD Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 On 20/09/2019 at 18:29, chris_b said: If someone said they had a floppy B string I'd ask how hard they hit/plucked/pulled the strings. I've played basses were the B string didn't sound quite right, but I've not seen a floppy B string yet. Has anyone with a light right hand touch experienced the floppy B string thing? So true. The B string requires a light touch! Lighter gauge and a longer scale helps. I could not get a sound I liked out of a low B on an otherwise wonderful StingRay 5 due to this issue. Same with a rare Steinberger L-2 (5). In all fairness, that one was designed more for a high C than the low B. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 7 hours ago, Twigman said: What do you get with a 5? 5 extra notes Several extra ounces A requirement for longer fingers I'm out My lightest bass is my fretless 5-string. Unless you count my 5-string Kala SUB, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted October 1, 2019 Share Posted October 1, 2019 3 hours ago, tauzero said: . . . . Unless you count my 5-string Kala SUB, of course. Does that have a low B? What do you think of the sound? Is it a "universal" instrument or does it sound better on certain types of music? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4000 Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 19 hours ago, JMarkD said: Yeah, they are worth it if you want one. They offer both advantages and some disadvantages. You really won't know until you try one. I played them for years but eventually realized that for me the disadvantages outweighed the pluses. My personal recommendation, should you decide to get one, is to go for a 35" scale version and if possible a composite neck. The longer scale and composite neck give the low B great clarity and help with the "floppy" feel the B string often has. My fiver of choice was a Modulus Quantum which I still use when I need a five string. FWIW the only 34" scale five strings I liked were an Alembic Essence and a Fender Roscoe Beck. But neither of them equaled the Modulus Quantum for a solid and focused B string. Best ones I’ve ever played were my 34” scale Seis. I’ve never liked any 35” or 36” scale I’ve played as much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 23 hours ago, tauzero said: My lightest bass is my fretless 5-string. Unless you count my 5-string Kala SUB, of course. When I try a 5 that's 7.5lb, with a slim 38mm neck (think Geddy Jazz slim - all my basses have these dimensions), I'll consider one. I'll wait. 🙂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMarkD Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 4 hours ago, 4000 said: Best ones I’ve ever played were my 34” scale Seis. I’ve never liked any 35” or 36” scale I’ve played as much. Never heard of Seis. It is a matter of personal taste to be sure. The downside of the longer scales for me is the size and weight. I am most comfortable with a 34" scale. The Alembic Essence is a 34" but it weighs a TON. The Roscoe Beck, also 34" is quite heavy as well. As much as I enjoyed playing five strings, as I've aged I seem to prefer nice light 34" scale fours! 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 So do I, although my 34-36.25 scale Dingwall ABZ4 is actually the lightest of my basses, at a sniff under 7.5lbs... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuzzie Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 1 hour ago, Muzz said: When I try a 5 that's 7.5lb, with a slim 38mm neck (think Geddy Jazz slim - all my basses have these dimensions), I'll consider one. I'll wait. 🙂 You’d like a sandberg MarloweDK bass (4 string) Neck is 37mm fast and skinny Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 I'm good for 4s with my Shukers, to be honest, but yeah, the slimmer the better for me... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjhooker Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 (edited) . Edited December 1, 2020 by Tjhooker error Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tjhooker Posted October 2, 2019 Share Posted October 2, 2019 But keep an eye out in the classifieds just incase... 😂 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tauzero Posted October 3, 2019 Share Posted October 3, 2019 On 01/10/2019 at 22:59, chris_b said: Does that have a low B? What do you think of the sound? Is it a "universal" instrument or does it sound better on certain types of music? Yes, low B. Sound is very deep and full. I haven"t experimented with types of music yet but I would say folk or jazz or acoustic rock rather than metal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobe01 Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 There's really no much extra effort needed for playing a 5er, you will get used in a matter of weeks. I fully adopten in less than a month and never looked back. Two things has to be considered: -Plucking technique for B string is a little different and you will have practice this for some time. But after so many years of not playing you will have to work on your technique anyway. -you will have to mute the B string constantly Other things to be considered: 5strings are heavier, more expensive and it can be difficult to find a good piece, even among more expensive basses. The best way is to play before buying. B string can often be floppy but this can be caused by a bad plucking technique also - many bassist play 5 stringers but don't use B string equaly, in this cases poor plucking techique is often the main reason of "floppy B" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stub Mandrel Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 Well from my limited experience, the main difference is that the 5 feels quite different and makes you play with a very different left hand technique. Surprisingly easy to come up with different inversions or positions that use the low string but I think the e-string sounds brighter and better for E to A than the B string, so i don't entirely buy the 'across the neck' argument although I nearly always play across rather than up and down. Don't notice a big difference with muting except you can't use your thumb on the e-string. Some problems with jumping up the neck and across and mistaking the A for the D string because my brain is saying 'third string down'! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodinblack Posted October 10, 2019 Share Posted October 10, 2019 1 hour ago, Stub Mandrel said: Some problems with jumping up the neck and across and mistaking the A for the D string because my brain is saying 'third string down'! See I had a problem going to a 4 string, for the same reason, until I started thinking '2nd string up', then it was easy (until I gigged with a 6 string and messed up!) 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.