Decent 35'' 4-5 string basses, recommendations wanted!

[ItsaBass]

Re: Decent 35'' 4-5 string basses, recommendations wanted!

Have you considered tuning to C standard in improve the tone of the low string?

To me, the appeal of a 5 string is not that it has a low B note, but that the low E, D, etc. can be played in a higher position.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Decent 35'' 4-5 string basses, recommendations wanted!

I can see that point; you get a thicker string at a higher tension so the notes jump more, just like on a 6-string guitar. Plus, you fret those notes rather than hit them open, which reduces excess rattle/buzz.

Most of my basses are 5-string, but frankly I don't use the low-B all that much. It's there if I need/want it. Someday. For something.

I did think about setting them up E-A-D-G-B instead of B-E-A-D-G, as well, but then I'd want to play guitar solos on the high B.


Then again, with the low-B, you can leave it in standard tuning and fret the low E instead of hit it open. You can then move to the D to double a drop-D guitar riff, adding low-end rumble to the grind, rather than having to jump up to only one octave below the guitar and introducing a possibly-odd overtone.

 

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: Decent 35'' 4-5 string basses, recommendations wanted!

Makes sense. I don't keep track of bass specs, so the 1" difference doesn't register with me. I know short-scale/kiddie bass and "real" bass, that's about it.

Come to think of it, I don't even know what scale my Jackson basses are. Hmmm, something to do when I get home

I believe Jackson basses are all 34''. I read somewhere that there has never been a 35'' production Jackson.

 

[P.A.Foholic]

Re: Decent 35'' 4-5 string basses, recommendations wanted!

Well, I'm gonna tune it to G - C - G - C - F

Double Dropped C

That's why I'd prefer 35''

For metal I find the extra dropped string very useful even if my Mayones is in Drop C. You can make really heavy sounding things with it and you don't need a lot of distortion. In my current band we play in E standard and I have B on my 4 string bass. You can do awesome things with it. And we don't even play anything heavy (Placebo, Radiohead style rock)!