5 strings?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Carl on September 17, 2011 at 3:11am

I use a 4 string because it's the only bass I own.  (I know that's really profound!)  If I could choose, though, I'd prefer a 5 string bass just because some songs just need a low D or low C.  Until I can get a 5 string, I have just learned to play with my E string tuned to a D.

Permalink Reply by Ryan Kasteel on September 17, 2011 at 3:46am

i use a 5 string alot now just because i can move up the fret more to give it a more rounded out warm tone.. also for slow songs not a bad idea to hit a drop d or even a b to add some energy to the song and more range.. for faster songs just because how a wave length travels and the fact our temporary subs arent fast, i will move up the fret and picking the strings..

Permalink Reply by Flying Walrus on September 17, 2011 at 7:28am

For me it's a 5 string so I can use the same rig at church that I do in the 'real' world, where having the ability to bring down small buildings is a bonus. As has already been mentioned though the ability to drop down to the low D in particular is helpful with a lot of the keys we play in.

Permalink Reply by Ben Aguilar on September 17, 2011 at 1:22pm

ok kewl! but what about the 24 frets? how do you use them when your playing your style?

Permalink Reply by Flying Walrus on September 17, 2011 at 10:23pm

Errm, 24 frets? Forgive me if this sounds a bit abrupt, but this is a) worship and b) bass guitar, unless you're playing jazz or are doing solo bass work why would you need 24 frets as opposed to the usual 20 or 21? In my world I barely go above the lower octave on each string anyway, and that needs an extremely good reason as you tend to get into the frequency ranges of everyone else. That holds good for both worship and secular stuff. Surely the point about getting a five string is getting the extra 5 semitones below the E string, and using that extra room to more for good effect?

Permalink Reply by Ben Aguilar on September 18, 2011 at 3:28am

well with me i use the higher octaves and frets for little chords during slow instrumentals

 

Permalink Reply by Flying Walrus on September 18, 2011 at 6:20pm

That's cool - I suspect it's a balance. If I tried that in my situation I'd get raised eyebrows from the keyboardist and rhythm guitarist as they're already in that frequency space.

 

There's a youtube video from Paul Baloche (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3MgDdHrctkM) where he basically says:

 

1. Learn the basics of bass first: Tempo (and inferred, sync to the kick drum).

2. Don't distract the worshipers with your bass playing.

3. If you're an advanced bassist, go ahead, just don't distract the worshipers.

4. Keep in mind what the mood of the song is supposed to be and stick to it.

 

There's something very similar from Jesse Reeves on the Musicademy Intermediate Bass DVDs as well.

 

Not easy is it? Arguably the thing about a 5 string is that it carves out some space where no-one but the drummer is going to be.

 

All the best,

 

FW

 

Permalink Reply by Timothy Nelson on September 20, 2011 at 10:51pm

I really wanted a 5 string at one time but I decided 4 is better for me since I don't care for the wide neck. I play an acoustic Breedlove 4 string bass and I really like this guitar.

 

Permalink Reply by Ken Granger on September 21, 2011 at 1:33am

My Schecter's neck is really not much wider than my old Peavey T-40's neck...it all depends upon the instrument. I also used to have a Dean 5-string and its neck was narrower than my Peavey...you can find one you'd like, I'm sure of it.

Permalink Reply by Timothy Nelson on September 21, 2011 at 3:11am

Oh I better not go to the guitar store after reading that Ken. lol

Permalink Reply by Wulf Forrester-Barker on September 24, 2011 at 10:18pm

Six for me. I jumped straight there from four strings because I really couldn't make up my mind whether I wanted to extend my range down or up. Down is good for laying foundational notes for a song and up is good when your band is quite small and you might also need to fill in with some chords or playing the melody at some point.

The other advantages of extra strings are that you have more notes under your fingers without shifting (good when you are trying to keep up with some music and checking your shift was accurate might cause you to lose your place) and also that playing the same note in different places gives different tones, which increases the range of expression and appropriate sounds you can eke out of the bass without turning to twisting dials on other bits of gear.

24 frets rarely comes into play with the music you might play in most churches or, indeed, most other settings. However, it is nice to have the option if you want to use it and a bass designed for a 24 fret neck will also probably give better access to higher positions than one designed for less.

FWIW, I now tune my main bass from a low D to a high Eb, as it was so rare that I needed notes below D and so often that I wanted higher notes without having to reach all the way up the neck. It took me longer than I expected to get used to it but I think it works better for the keys that typically come up in my church.

Wulf

Permalink Reply by Allan Midgley on September 28, 2011 at 3:34am

Ben, years ago I use to play a short scale ibanez artist 4 string bass. Easy on the hands - less stretch, great to throw arround. Now I am getting back into the bass guitar after many different types along the way and am getting a 34" 5 string. Now I am going to learn to play something different than what I am used to. Keeping my mind active ( I am old and grumpy :)  ),  as well as adding more to the team. I don't have to play 5 strings , I just want to push myself to grow, thats' all. 

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