Advantage of 5 string bass

[idealassets]

I inquired of a most excellent electric bass player that I jammed with tonight; why the 5 string (Fender) bass? His 5 string is his go-to bass that he brings everywhere to perform with. This would require 2 basses for a player that already has a 4 string, and i have heard of a "double gig bag" to carry them both at once, something I would not do. I know the top heavy string is an open B string when using 5 strings. I note on LTG that many of the bass owners feel fully equipped with a 4 string bass. Is a 5 string really that much of an advantage?
What, if any, might be the disaadvantage of 5 string bass?

At a jam, a bassist has a good deal, in that if he is accomplished he can play with variuos performers, and for longer. Whereas on guitar, there are usually a whole host of variuos skills of guitar players ready to play.

-Craig

 

[chazmo]

Kim (our Guild guy in New Hartford) plays a 6-string bass. I've seen a LOT more of those in recent years than I ever recall from the previous century.

Good question about the instrument. I have no clue, since I don't play.

 

[fronobulax]

The disadvantage, which is huge for me personally, is the wider neck. Depending upon your amp the lowest string might not sound as strong as the others

The advantage, and this is not one I have much experience with, is being able to use lower notes in certain keys. The five string I played had a low B string. The most obvious benefit was being able to play a low D when playing in keys where playing the lowest D on a four string sounded anemic. It was also possible to run up to the low E which was sometimes fun.

 

[idealassets]

The disadvantage, which is huge for me personally, is the wider neck

This is all good to know. My fret hand seems to be very sensitive to neck width. For me the Guild F512 neck is my most often played. The Guild D55 is not difficult to switch to, and the fret radius is comparible.

I'm close to getting a bass that will feel similar to the F512 in neck width, and overall feel. My Starfire is somwhat of a relic, and I will prefer to use a different bass when playing out; something that could easily be replaced if needed. I like the Rickenbacker F4003, and that may be the one.

Thank you,
Craig

 

[fronobulax]

As has been often noted I have small hands and have avoided 34" scale basses because my hand hurts after playing for a short time. I played, and now own a (different) 34" scale Pilot. What made the Pilot work for me was that is has a thin neck. Not fat and not wide. I'll note that both twocorgis and grot gig with Pilots even though there are Starfires and other interesting basses in the stable. I hesitate to describe what I do as "gig" but the Pilot is going to be my go-to bass for a while.

 

[frettedstrings]

I think that the low B String is cool. I like those low bass notes.


Nice Pilot 4 String:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Guild-Pilot...2?pt=Guitar&hash=item3f1ade0d62#ht_717wt_1161


Nice 1990 Pilot 5 String Bass:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1990-Guild-...?pt=Guitar&hash=item51a05d22a3#ht_1645wt_1394

Or Buy three at a time:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/GUILD-BASS-...1?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c2a42059b#ht_476wt_1417


-frettedstrings

 

[twocorgis]

As has been often noted I have small hands and have avoided 34" scale basses because my hand hurts after playing for a short time. I played, and now own a (different) 34" scale Pilot. What made the Pilot work for me was that is has a thin neck. Not fat and not wide. I'll note that both twocorgis and grot gig with Pilots even though there are Starfires and other interesting basses in the stable. I hesitate to describe what I do as "gig" but the Pilot is going to be my go-to bass for a while.

BIG fan of my four string Pilot here, to the point where I much prefer it to my nearly 40 year old original owner P-Bass. Sweet neck, and incredibly fat sounds through my Hartke head and bottoms. I've never bothered with a five string as in all honesty I'm really not good enough.

Well that, and the kind of music we're playing in the band doesn't really lend itself to five strings, anyway. :roll:

 

[dapmdave]

I mostly play acoustic 6-string. Some electric. I have a 4-string Pilot and I really like the neck. For a bass it's thin, I guess. But if you're more used to a 6-string guitar it feels great. And they can be had for very cheap.

Very under-rated, IMHO.

Dave

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Well that, and the kind of music we're playing in the band doesn't really lend itself to five strings, anyway. :roll:

I'm with you there Sandy. Nobody was playing a 5'vr in the 60' and 70's! Now if you're playin' stoner/doom metal it's mandatory! (And tuned down three or four steps!)

 

[jcwu]

The 5th string serves as a nice thumb rest.

The lower notes are nice to have... if your amp can handle it. Some amps end up farting in the lower registers.

The disadvantage - you better remember you're playing a 5-string. I grew up on 4-string (though guitar's my main instrument), and a few times, I went to hit the low E and almost ended up with a B instead.

 

[mgod]

Too many notes.

 

[fronobulax]

Too many notes.

Let's hear it for hard core traditionalists. Does Phil need five strings? Jaco? Stanley? Jack?

And now on to our discussion of Drop D tuners on four string basses. (Which actually has some personal relevance since my Pilot came with one that is for all practical purposes unused).

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

The drop D tuner comes in handy if you're plaing Forever Man by Eric Clapton!

That low note the riff is based off is a D.

 

[twocorgis]

The drop D tuner comes in handy if you're plaing Forever Man by Eric Clapton!

That low note the riff is based off is a D.

Well, hopefully I'll never have to play that one in my band... :roll: :lol:

 

[fronobulax]

A lot of Rage Against the Machine material has a low D but I have not figured out whether that is a non-standard tuning for all four strings or just the lowest.

I figure there has to be some use since string bass players have the equivalent capability available if they so choose.

 

[frettedstrings]

9 String Bass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=29mrAEw_8sE

 

[frettedstrings]

9 String Bass

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=29mrAEw_8sE



12 String Bass:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9l0jLKMZHYk&playnext=1&list=PL34A743EE1E1D347D&feature=results_video

 

[fronobulax]

I held - played would be too strong a word - Hamer 8 and 12 string basses at the picnic the St. Onge's hosted at LMG II. A solution in search of a problem, IMO, although they were good looking instruments in several senses of the word.

 

[krysh]

well, I regularly gig my 5- and 4-string basses:

it all depends on the style of music and what the song requires.
since I usually play modern fusion, funk and neo soul a good 5-string really is handy, especially if you have one with a great neck as my seibass got (nut 45mm, stringspacing bridge 19mm). it is also great if you play with woodwinds and/or brass, Eb is much easier to play on a 5-string, and I have to admit, I LOVE the low notes, so my 4-stringers but the starfire also have an extender.

I also had a 5er pilot that sounded and played great, but I like 19mm spacing on the bridge better (Pilot had max. 18mm), so it had to leave for my seibass.

:mrgreen:

 

[mikko]

Well that, and the kind of music we're playing in the band doesn't really lend itself to five strings, anyway. :roll:

I'm with you there Sandy. Nobody was playing a 5'vr in the 60' and 70's! Now if you're playin' stoner/doom metal it's mandatory! (And tuned down three or four steps!)

You can always tune B-E-A-D and still use your 4-string bass.