moving from 4 string to 5 string

[redname]

Hi,
recently thought of getting a new bass w/ punchier tones (compared to my squier jazz) and active electronics.

since i'm getting it, thot of getting a 5 string also.

is it difficult to migrate over?

i mean it's 1 more string and things get closer.

any advice on how to migrate over?

 

[fretless6]

Whats ur purpose of going 5? Need the extra 5 low notes? The transition isn't difficult. I think the question should be more about what is the new bass you're gonna get to achieve the tonal results you're looking for.

 

[alanchia]

when i 'migrate' from 4-stringer to 5, it took me a week of playing to get used to the fingerboard width and the string spacing at body. not that difficult.

 

[redname]

Whats ur purpose of going 5? Need the extra 5 low notes? The transition isn't difficult. I think the question should be more about what is the new bass you're gonna get to achieve the tonal results you're looking for.

ok, this is gonna be a stupid reason but i'm getting the 5 string cause for the bass i'm getting, the diff between the 4 and 5 is less than $100, so i suppose y not since the low B might be useful sometimes

 

[redname]

when i 'migrate' from 4-stringer to 5, it took me a week of playing to get used to the fingerboard width and the string spacing at body. not that difficult.

u practise daily? jus trying to gauge how fast it takes to adapt

 

[alanchia]

u practise daily? jus trying to gauge how fast it takes to adapt

yup, about 2hrs per day. the most difficult is associating string 5 as B on 5-er, and string 4 as E on 4-er. your mind needs to be conditioned.

 

[redname]

yup, about 2hrs per day. the most difficult is associating string 5 as B on 5-er, and string 4 as E on 4-er. your mind needs to be conditioned.

wow, looks like i'll need more than a week then, i dnt practise tht many hours

 

[exin]

I think the few main considerations when you want to switch from a 4-string to a 5-string is "what do you need the low B for?"; which is what you asked, do you need the extra 5 low notes?

I played a 5-string exclusively for about 7 years. My 5-string served me really well but i switched to a 4-string after a while. I realised that in as much as i love the low notes i don't NEED them for most of the situations i play in. It made slapping harder for me actually. Not that it's impossible but it takes more effort to get my playing cleaner with that extra string in the way.

So i think you got to ask yourself why you need that extra string for. Having an extra string won't make you a better player.

 

[Morlock]

shifting to 5 string took 1 week to get comfortable but I occationallly hit Lower D instead of the G in live gig for like a couple of months (embarrasing) >< but in my opinion it is worth it. with the lower B string I dont have to drop my E string to get a lower D. I love the lower notes specially when you rock the walls of the auditorium while hitting the low B. the effect sometimes give people Goose bumps which I really like doing hee. I also like the fact that when I'm soloing at the high register part of the bass I can easily reach of the low G which is also quite convenient.

Although there are some trade offs like the string gauge in a 5 string is usually a bit thinner, especially the G string, making your sound more treblier. some people like the side effect and some dont. this can also be adjusted with a good pre-amp. String spacing is smaller which can be a little tricker for slapping but so much easier fingering. there are some 5 stringer that have normal string spacing (my bass can be adjusted to have a normal spacing).

I switched to a fiver because in all the years I have been playing, I always felt that 4 string is not enough. I always felt that there is something lacking. its like bringing a swiss army knife during your gig.

 

[alanchia]

That's why I kept my 4-er when I bought my 5-er. I feel I can groove easier on 4-er. But I need low-B for several worship songs.

 

[redname]

yap, i'll certainly keep my 4 string. it's my very 1st instrument, won't let it go one

 

[jarvislky]

I think its personal preference~

i have both a 4 and a 5 stringer. same question as many others might ask, why u need a 5 stringer?

getting used to it is quite easy, a week or so of playing might do the trick. (careful not to get jumbled up mistaking the low B as low E, lolz)

 

[redname]

yah, tht's 1 point i'm concerned about, i tried 5 strings b4 and i keep getting the low E and B wrg

 

[alanchia]

yah, tht's 1 point i'm concerned about, i tried 5 strings b4 and i keep getting the low E and B wrg

that's because your mind isnt conditioned to it yet. practise more.

 

[fretless6]

Its like riding a bike, sort of.

The transition is not hard, just takes a lil getting used to.

I remember when I first got this, I had major brain f*ck

 

[alanchia]

Eight-string bass!!

 

[shinobi]

eight string bass is a bit play cheat lah, it's just 4x2 strings, 4 pairs. the disgusting 11 string basses that guys like jean baudin play are another matter...

anyway if u wanna get a 5 stringer just go for it. so many guys play 5, 6 string basses. 4 stringers are the most common but that's just due to personal preference. sometimes, for example, someone really likes the fender jazz bass, but fender makes such crappy 5 stringers that the thought never came to mind. thats just a hypothetical example.

 

[benjso28]

Not all five string give a new low B. Have to try out. 4 string is more comfortable for me becos my hands not big la.