The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

[uOpt]

I have a harder time than I thought about making 5 string my main or not. It is a lot more complicated than I thought.

In the beginning it was easy. You understand that most people use the 5th string not to go lower, but to have more notes available with a constant hand position somewhere around fret 5-8. OK. Then you also realize how many higher end recordings still bring out the old 4-string Fender, and maybe a session guitarist not afraid of moving more. OK, I understand that tradeoff.

But now more is coming in:

• I feel that at least in the case of my Bongo I had a huge improvement in sound by adding strings, presumably because of the additional wood in the neck. I mean the 6H is so much better than the wimpy 4HH way
• For some reason I am drifting away from my old preference for simple split style P pickups and basses. That removes a certain pain point for 5-strings which is that the symmetric design doesn't work as well anymore

Since I'm relatively new going bass after guitar I still have the option to do my learning and practicing on 5.

Just wondering what you guys would do? Would you have a beginner or semi-beginner go for 5 (or 6)? Muscle memory is building and I have to decide.

 

[0v3nm4n]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

a guitar player who becomes a bass player will have an easier time with the 5th string concept- B below E because it is the 2 HIGH strings guitar players [like to] use most.

From a Jazz stand point, the 5 is a great thing to have. Think of all the bossa nova and 1 4 5 style music that will be a lot easier to play by just going back one string. From an ergonomics stand point, the 5 wasn't executed...the BEST it could be IMO. The 5 is just a 4 with a low B. IDK how much thought they put into it, but the 5 always felt unbalanced. If you are worried about injuries (carpel tunnel etc) and want an ergonomic 5, get a fan fret. If you record/gig a bunch and find stringed instruments easy to get around I wouldn't think twice about shelling out some extra cash for a fan (medical/professional standpoint)

 

[uOpt]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

"Fan fret"?

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

"Fan fret"?

The fretboard is fanned, so that the B string is longer than the G string. Supposed to provide better balance between strings. Dingwall is the most popular bass builder that utilizes the fanned fret system. Ibanez just released one at NAMM.

Personally, I think you're far overthinking it. There IS a tonal difference between 4 strings, 5 strings and 6 strings from the extra wood (as you mentioned) as well as the extra tension on the neck. All of it plays a factor. For a beginner that was debating a 4 or 5, I'd tell them to grab a 5 in a heartbeat. Lots of options (especially 5 string P Basses with decent pickups), and much different ways to approach playing it (as you've noted).

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

Additionally, the 5th doesn't have to be a low-B. It can be an E, and the "one more string" would actually be the 1st string, which you would tune to high-B. If you move up to a 6-string bass, you could tune it B to B or E to E.

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

Additionally, the 5th doesn't have to be a low-B. It can be an E, and the "one more string" would actually be the 1st string, which you would tune to high-B. If you move up to a 6-string bass, you could tune it B to B or E to E.

Actually the first string would be a C if you're following standard bass tuning in fourths.

But, some guys do tune that down to a B to get some more guitar-like chord shapes going.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

most people use the 5th string not to go lower, but to have more notes available with a constant hand position somewhere around fret 5-8.

You pretty much answered your own question.

Five (or six) strings present more notes from any given fret region. This is great for Claypool-esque, "two parts at once" bass playing. The downside is that, because it is no longer necessary to travel around the fingerboard so much, you run the risk of everything that you play seeming the same.

It all depends on whether you think of bass parts as a collection of notes or a collection of moves around the fingerboard.

I am, effectively, farther along the same decision process that you are undergoing. I do almost all of my playing on four string bass guitars. I have one five stringer and I am seriously considering getting shot of it.

 

[uOpt]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

You pretty much answered your own question.

Five (or six) strings present more notes from any given fret region. This is great for Claypool-esque, "two parts at once" bass playing. The downside is that, because it is no longer necessary to travel around the fingerboard so much, you run the risk of everything that you play seeming the same.

It all depends on whether you think of bass parts as a collection of notes or a collection of moves around the fingerboard.

I am, effectively, farther along the same decision process that you are undergoing. I do almost all of my playing on four string bass guitars. I have one five stringer and I am seriously considering getting shot of it.

Yeah, it is how I'm feeling right now. If I wanted little hand movement I could play bass keyboard. Putting the steam of the longer fretted length behind the deeper notes is the way to go.

I'll keep the Bongo 6 because it's cool but the only 5 I have is out next opportunity.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

For someone who is new to playing bass, I'd recommend a 5-string, just because they are ubiquitous and flexible and relatively inexpensive. But I do the vast majority of my playing on a 4-string, and I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from choosing that option.

For me, the advantage of the B string is the lower notes -- very rarely is it helpful just for hand positioning. Higher notes just don't sound that great on a B string IMO.

About the fanned frets: They aren't as wrist-friendly as they are made out to be. I have limited mobility in my wrists, and trying to play a Dingwall torques my wrist way beyond the pain threshold. It's fine when I'm playing up the neck near the body, but playing at the end of the neck is impossible for my wrist unless the bass is near vertical. People with healthy wrists don't feel the torque. If I was going to spend extra money on a bass for the benefit of my wrists, I'd get a bass with a torzal twist, not fanned frets.

 

[Perry go round]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

I am also wondering if getting a 5-string bass.
In my case not because of having less hand movement, but -as BlueTalon says- because of the lower notes. I´ve been playing 4-string bass for about 4/5 years. Although most of the time 4 strings were just fine, the number of situations where I need to get lower is increasing lately. There have allways being some songs in our repertoire where I needed to de-tune my 4-strings to get a low D. What is more, lately I am trying to improve my reading abilities, and with many piano or cello music sheets I have found myself with this problem: low D´s and C´s not available with my 4-string (unless I detune it for that specific piece of music... and I don´t really like to do this, as it changes all the fingering). So, as I am reading more and adding new tunes to my repertoire I am founding myself more and more often in the situation of needing to go lower. That´s why I am thinking seriously in getting a 5-string, just to go lower than my 4 string would do.
I tried a couple of 5-strings in a shop a couple of weeks ago, just to test how they feel. The first impression was good, all the strings felt accesibble to the hand and the playing didn´t seem more difficult. The only thing was that looking at the fretboard while playing gave me a weird sensation, as my eyes are not used to see something going lower than the E string. But the main thing, the hands, they felt just as right playing the 5s as they were playing 4s.
I think I will go that way when I find the money and space for adding a 5 to my collection.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

The Jackson import Dave Ellefson 5-string from a couple of years ago (CBX?) is very comfortable to play, and can be found easily for less than $400 on Ebay. The strings are closer together than other 5-strings I've played, so there's much less movement required for either hand. The pickups kinda blow IMO, but they're only held in with screws.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

I have a 5 string. I bought it initially as a metal guy, now I use a combination or floating thumb/ anchoring, where i anchor my thumb on the string lower than the one I'm playing (if Im grooving on the E, I'm anchored on the B, if on playing on the A, I'm anchored on the E). For that reason, I can't get rid of the 5th string. I think a 5 string is a great instrument to start on, because it allows a player to experiment with lower notes and more comfortable hand positions as well as teaching economics of movement by sowing them they can play faster by using alternate frettings of notes. This way they aren't jogging up and down the neck, and they can focus more on getting the right notes out over trying to get speed built up at short notice.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

For someone who is new to playing bass, I'd recommend a 5-string, just because they are ubiquitous and flexible and relatively inexpensive. But I do the vast majority of my playing on a 4-string, and I certainly wouldn't discourage anyone from choosing that option.

For me, the advantage of the B string is the lower notes -- very rarely is it helpful just for hand positioning. Higher notes just don't sound that great on a B string IMO.

About the fanned frets: They aren't as wrist-friendly as they are made out to be. I have limited mobility in my wrists, and trying to play a Dingwall torques my wrist way beyond the pain threshold. It's fine when I'm playing up the neck near the body, but playing at the end of the neck is impossible for my wrist unless the bass is near vertical. People with healthy wrists don't feel the torque. If I was going to spend extra money on a bass for the benefit of my wrists, I'd get a bass with a torzal twist, not fanned frets.

Good article referenced regarding the torzal twist. I have wondered if like a 6 string guitar, whether a 7.25 neck/fretboard radius helps the bass player on the lower end of the bass guitar?

 

[blueman335]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

I am, effectively, farther along the same decision process that you are undergoing. I do almost all of my playing on four string bass guitars. I have one five stringer and I am seriously considering getting shot of it.

Being a guitarist, 4 string basses are a much easier transition for me. I don't see a need to complicate it with 5's. If my musical life revolved around playing bass, I'd feel obligated to spend some time playing 5's.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

Some of my bias towards four strings is purely from thirty plus years of habit. My overwhelming priorities are sound and playing feel.

Talk of keyboard bass and S.T.E.A.M. made me think of this rather tasty product. https://www.spectrasonics.net/products/trilian-lib.php

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

Being a guitarist, 4 string basses are a much easier transition for me. I don't see a need to complicate it with 5's. If my musical life revolved around playing bass, I'd feel obligated to spend some time playing 5's.

As a bassist and a guitarist (and I go through phases where one is my main instrument over the other), if you're playing bass for a recording, then a 4 stringer is good, but if you're serious about the instrument, picking up a 5 stringer is a good idea, as it allows more interesting melodies and countermelodies, especially if you're not just following the guitar.

 

[Snake Aces]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

I started my journey as a bass player and am now primarily a guitar player. I guess I'm old school though, I much prefer a 4 string bass and I am not a bassist who follows guitar hardly ever.

I have two personal rules when playing bass: if I want vintage vibe and tone I go passive. If I want modern big lows, I go active. I use and have used my 4 strings on recordings and for gigs within these rules.

I would never discourage somebody from checking out a 5, 6 , 7 or even 8 string bass at all. I think most beginners can handle a 5 sting bass no problem too, I just prefer 4 strings personally.

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

I would never discourage somebody from checking out a 5, 6 , 7 or even 8 string bass at all. I think most beginners can handle a 5 sting bass no problem too, I just prefer 4 strings personally.

For me as an initial metal guy, I got a five string to keep up with low notes in metal guitars. Now, I play a 5 string for the more intricate melodies available.

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

Or if you're like me, you could try playing a 4 string, but use really heavy strings and tune down to BEAD (or Bb Eb Ab Db). I only tune my guitars to Eb, but sometimes it would be nicer to be able to go lower on bass. I don't really play anything that absolutely requires the G string, as I pretty much mainly use the 3 bottom strings.

 

[PipeRain]

Re: The 5-string question (versus 4 string)

I'm more or less a dilettante, so take this for what it's worth, but I like having a fiver. I use it mostly for getting below the standard E as I don;t care for the tone of notes higher up the fretboard on that low B string, but I generally only use those lower notes for brief "Punctuation" as opposed to commonly using them. Mine is a Jackson JS3VQM, so it's no high-end bass, (None of mine are, I'm a dilettante after all) and it did take some getting used to, but not much. I do find that changing my bass up tends to effect how I play. If I am looking to go all metalhead/thrashguy I tend to grab a four, when I play at church I usually take the five because those lower notes really lend to a more somber feel and get me further out of the way of the guitars and keys.

That's my thoughts and they are worth exactly what you just paid for them.