once you've played a 5 string what's the point of 4?

[neepheid]

1 minute ago, MichaelDean said:

I've had a similar schtick for my 5 string at a gig this year as well. "Why have you brought that extra string?" 🙄 This is the bass I'm playing, get over it!

 

"Why have you brought that brain?  You're clearly not using it..."

[Richard R]

1 hour ago, BigRedX said:

Also the choice of strings makes a massive difference. Don't just slap on the 5-string version of your favourite 4-string set and expect it to work. It took a lot of trial and error before I found the strings that work best with each 5-string I have owned.

 

This is so true.  I have a set or Rotosounds on my number one 35" 5er at the moment and I don't like them as I can't get the intonation on the B properly. I tried them as they're UK made, but they don't work on this bass.  

[diskwave]

Reading back thru this thread. The only person who cares about how many strings you play is you. Ive worked with band leaders that have never even heard of Fender/Gibson/Ludwig/Tama etc.. tho in the main they do know their keys  etc etc. At the end of the day if your groove cannot fill the dance floor then its time for a re-think.

[tauzero]

3 hours ago, JoeEvans said:

If you play a 5-string but not a 6-string, you already know the reason why some people play 4-string basses not 5s...

 

Not a valid comparison. If the notes you play are mostly or entirely those available on a 4-string, playing them in the same position on a 5-string means the same stretch for the fretting hand, whereas playing them in the same position on a 6 means stretching across an extra string. Which is why I play 5s and not (often) 6s.

[tauzero]

1 hour ago, Woodinblack said:

Indeed - that would upset the "4 string superiority complex' people and then there would just be a war like there often is!

 

Luckily the 6 and 3 string people stay out of it

 

I'm not going to mention my 10 string then.

[BigRedX]

42 minutes ago, Richard R said:

This is so true.  I have a set or Rotosounds on my number one 35" 5er at the moment and I don't like them as I can't get the intonation on the B properly. I tried them as they're UK made, but they don't work on this bass.  

 

IME Rotosound are incapable of consistently making good bass strings that aren't standard gauge for 34" 4-string basses. I had a number of sets where the B string was completely dead. Luckily a friend recommended Newtone who are more than capable of making suitable strings for less conventional basses.

[JoeEvans]

21 minutes ago, tauzero said:

 

Not a valid comparison. If the notes you play are mostly or entirely those available on a 4-string, playing them in the same position on a 5-string means the same stretch for the fretting hand, whereas playing them in the same position on a 6 means stretching across an extra string. Which is why I play 5s and not (often) 6s.

So you're saying you don't like stretching across an extra string...? 🤔

[chris_b]

The tribal thing gets very tedious.

 

Everyone's choices are equally valid, even when they obviously made the wrong choice!!

[12stringbassist]

The thing with 5-string basses for me is that I get lost on them because I don't persevere with them enough. I have had two that I've sold (my third made a second one redundant).

I haven't opened my 5-er case for a few months. It's an Ibanez SR1405 and it's great to play. I may have to break it out this weekend and make myself get used to it again. The bottom B is really good on it and the tones are fabulous.

I have some lovely basses and wouldn't stop playing them for the extra few notes on a 5-er.

 

Edited 39 minutes ago by 12stringbassist

[tauzero]

1 hour ago, JoeEvans said:

So you're saying you don't like stretching across an extra string...? 🤔

 

If I'm not using the C string for anything then there's no point having it.

 

You do realise that with a 5-string strung BEADG you don't have to stretch across an extra string to reach the E, A, D, or G strings, don't you?

[tauzero]

28 minutes ago, 12stringbassist said:

I have some lovely basses and wouldn't stop playing them for the extra few notes on a 5-er.

 

I don't understand the misconception that the only point of a 5-string is the bottom 5 notes. It isn't as if it's a huge secret.