What do you use the 5th string for?

[uOpt]

Just curious.

I find the 5th string to be not very useful when playing on the low frets, because you never know what you gonna get out of rig or PA below 40Hz. I imagine better bassists than me use it to have access to what is normally on the low frets on the E string, but keep the hand around 5-7th fret. But I don't like the sound of the fretted thick strings as much as open strings or low frets. So I stick with 4 stringers and move quick.

Opinions?

 

[One Bad Monkey]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

I imagine better bassists than me use it to have access to what is normally on the low frets on the E string, but keep the hand around 5-7th fret.

I'm not sure I'd say "better bassists," but bassists that like to play more ergonomically, sure. That's where I normally stay on my 6 string bass, and it's a nice spot. I prefer the fretted string tone over the open strings, but it's also easier to change things if you're playing a show and someone wants to take something up/down a step. Can't do that as easily if you're relying heavily on open strings.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

"Well, ya heard about the Boston Strangler."

 

[baritone]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

Low pitch scales close to the nut on the wider spaed frets is my comfort zone- on guitar and bass. People ask me, "Why 5 strings?" or, "What's the low B for?" and it's really for no other reason than "I like it that way."

 

[Myaccount876]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

Well it increases your range, especially if your band downtunes. Like if you are in a death metal band that plays in C tuning, you could tune the entire 5-string bass up 1 half-step (you want lighter strings for that obviously, and a proper truss rod adjustment) and there you are, C tuning with a very broad range.

Since I don't down tune that low, but play in Bm a lot (1/2 step down so really Bbm), a 5-string in Eb standard makes the low B string0 a really good drone to go with a riff or melody.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

I have my Jazz V setup with a High C string... When I got it, it was strung with a low B, but the first time I played it in our band my guitarist asked why we "sounded like Korn". I restrung higher and used the extra string for chords. (It's been like that ever since)

 

[andrizzle]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

I do a lot of church gigs, so we're constantly changing keys. When someone drops a key a couple of steps, it really helps to have those lower notes to make the song sound accurate. Also, I for some reason play a lot in "B", so having that low B ring out, really shakes the room in all the right ways.

 

[uOpt]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

If somebody tells me to drop the key I tell them I need 3 weeks to re-train

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

People ask me, "Why 5 strings?" or, "What's the low B for?"

Same as all the others -- you play notes on it.

 

[uOpt]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

If somebody tells me to drop the key I tell them I need 3 weeks to re-train

And that I need bananas to do the re-training.

ETA: and buy another bass

 

[Johnny the Kid]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

To paraphrase Nigel Tuffnel, It goes one lower.

 

[BlueTalon]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

About 70% notes below E, and 30% ergonomics above E.


BTW, you forgot one use: Thumbrest.

 

[JettoDz]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

As BlueTalon says, probably using the B string as rest is another good way to use it. I don't have a 5 or 6 stringed bass, but I'm planning to buy a 5-string bass just because of that. Of course, a nice amp and good pickup will catch the low frequences and a low B shaking the room it's kind of attractive.

 

[Tonemannz]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

Definitely handy for those Church band key changes for sure.
Great for a thumb rest - I find I sit on it a lot as it's got a really nice spring to it.
Much easier when in the keys of Eb etc that mean either jumping up an octave whereas now i can sit in the same tonal space and simply roll my hand back onto the low Eb where it should go.
I find that I use it a lot to add a big ending note on too.

 

[Shadow1psc]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

I voted 6 string, I use the extended range for bass chords (higher end) and for versatility in the lower end (I play 6 strings down to C and a 7 string in standard). I don't play live, so I don't run into the situation mentioned in the original post. The right EQ and technique make the low B string a great compliment, even in jazzier or progressive settings.

 

[jaybonitrane]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

I use it for notes lower than E. I use the keys of B and C# alot. Blues in Ab...amazing.
Faster licks are more convienent when you can grab a note off the low string instead of running vertically.

 

[SlowGrind93Z]

Re: What do you use the 5th string for?

Dat low B.. and C, C#, D, & D# lol