i am currently in a hard rock/metal band, and i wish to learn bass. my friends all tell me to go with the 5 string because of the extra string but is it all that great or necessary? ive heard its a great addition from some, but ive heard from others that its garbage. does the genre affect my decision?
2007-07-26 02:24:19 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Entertainment & Music ➔ Music ➔ Rock and Pop
A fifth string does give you added range (more notes to choose from) for any given position on the neck. But an added string tuned conventionally only adds at most five notes not available on a 4 string. Just about any song played on a 5 string could be played on a 4 string. You just have to tune appropriately and move your fretting hand more. If speed is important moving your fretting hand less can be an advantage. But unless you are playing songs that include notes from both pitch extremes, a 5 (or more) string is not really necessary. You should also consider that 5 strings usually have thick, wide necks that can be less comfortable to play, especially if you have short fingers. Also 5 strings are on average more expensive to purchase and maintain (cost of strings, setups, replacement parts, etc). Am I saying you shouldn't buy a 5 string? No. I just think you should be aware of the trade offs involved before you decide. BTW. I just saw Rush play in Seattle last week and I noticed Geddy only played 4 string basses.
2007-07-26 03:57:59 · answer #1 · answered by RWhycome 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The difference between a 4-string and a 5-string bass, for the most part, is that the 5-string has one more string - usually tuned to a low "B". If you have smaller hands start with the 4-string and consider a 5-string later. A 5-string neck HAS to be wider because of the extra string. I once tried a 7-string guitar and it took me a while to get used to it, but after I did (took about an hour) when I switched back to a 6-string I found myself reaching for the 7th string! Go with what YOU like and ignore most of what others tell you. Plenty of bass players use 5-string bass guitars, sometimes 6, and sometimes even more.
2007-07-26 09:53:02 · answer #2 · answered by Paul Hxyz 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a bass player in my own death metal band and I use a 4 string. It gets the job done. When a bass has that extra low string, it is not all too commonly used, because of how low it is. I, personally, want to get one. Not only because of the fifth string to help give it those low notes really well, but also because the strings are closer together and I can move around the strings with a little more ease then I can with my 4 string. But thats just me, it could be different with anyone else
2007-07-26 16:02:38 · answer #3 · answered by Verdes 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're just starting out I would go with a 4 string. It works great for almost all of the bass community and it definately gets the job done. There, of course, is benefit to having the fifth string, but I think the key is to master the 4 and see if you feel restricted. I've only known one person (and I've known a whole lot of bass players, a few really good ones) that played a 5 string. He's a really really good bass player and a primarily jazz and funk guy. To tell you the truth I think he's most comfortable on his stand-up.
So, I guess my point is that there is a benefit to having a fifth string, but I think most bass players prefer the four strings. Either way, if you're just starting out I would keep it basic, go with the four string, and see if once you've got your chops up you feel limited.
2007-07-26 10:58:00 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am to in a band, but i play electric guitar. In my opinion go with what feels right and sounds right. Also, how good are you? The 5 string may be more complicated because of the extra string. To me it doesn't matter, unless you're gonna have a bass solo in the future, but still, you have a bunch of sounds you can get with the 4 string too.
2007-07-26 09:33:38 · answer #5 · answered by hardcorenuissance 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I play a 4 string, and it makes me perfectly happy. I've tried to fool around w/ 5 strings, as a lot of the bass players who've inspired me play a 5 string, but my fingers just fit a 4 string better. The bottom line is play whichever one feels better, you can get a dynamic sound with either one.
2007-07-26 10:15:09 · answer #6 · answered by madcaplaughs30 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
you can make any sound with a 4 that you can with a 5 it's just what you prefer i would think a 4 would be better for you ,less strings=more freedom, if you want to hear an awesome bass player listen to victor wooten he's got some amazing bass solo's on limewire and he play's with bella fleck &the flecktones
2007-07-26 09:32:15 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most bass players I know do just fine with 4 strings. :-)
2007-07-26 09:43:13 · answer #8 · answered by Butterscotch 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋