https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 08:40:42 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-215306 Mon, 18 Dec 2006 21:12:30 +0000 really are evil :twisted:

...either that or I'm too stupid and lazy to get my head around them :wink:]]> Bass Players Discussion Misanthrope https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-215306 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-215299 Mon, 18 Dec 2006 20:43:03 +0000
Yah, I think it really is a phobia. ;)]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-215299 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214997 Sun, 17 Dec 2006 04:56:06 +0000
So why fix what ain't broken? I've got by with it so far, and money's a bit tight at the moment, but it's not just GAS - I played a 5-string bass in Texas last year, it belonged to Marvellous Optimist....I liked it, especially being able to play a D note on the bottom B string.....and I really wanted one then....

I love playing bass, but the big problem is, I can't imagine a future in which I can play play bass and sing at the same time - I find it incredibly difficult.....it's hard enough playing rhythm guitar and singing, but playing bass and singing is like playing lead and singing......hard to do both at the same time.....

I think I'll put off buying a 5-string for now and concentrate on getting better on the 4-string.......not that I've mastered the 6-string beastie yet, but I like to think I'm a fairly competent rhythm guitarist.....lead guitar is a different story, though....

Anyway, thanks as always for advice.......

And just as a curiosity - do any bass-players play in Drop-D, the way certain guitarists do? ie do any of you tune the bottom string to D instead of E?

:D :D :D

Vic]]> Bass Players Discussion Vic Lewis VL https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214997 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214927 Sat, 16 Dec 2006 18:05:57 +0000 Very true. I had some rather "thin" strings come on my 30" scale and the only way to alleviate the floppiness of the the strings on that bass was to put thicker guage on it. Thicker strings, longer scale both help IMO. If you find a fiver that screams at you, "take me home" and it is a 34" scale, the thicker guage strings may make it even more desirable]]> Bass Players Discussion 97reb https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214927 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214809 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:15:55 +0000 Bass Players Discussion Dan Lasley https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214809 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214808 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 20:11:29 +0000
That kind of thing.

So, I'm not really anti-5-string (I mean I love feeling that low B or D against my chest), but when I'm working on original stuff, I keep it in mind that as soon as I venture into that B string territory, the rest of the arrangement will have to change to keep up with it.

On the other hand, if I'm trying to go someplace else, I'd get out the 5-string and let it do what it has to do :)]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214808 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214806 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:45:23 +0000 Bass Players Discussion 97reb https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214806 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214800 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:24:38 +0000
--But that's a whole different thread - about how 5-strings have changed the shape of basslines.

With a small amp you may or may not hear the lowest part of the B string depending on how the cab is made and tuned and all that. You'll still hear it, but maybe less of the fundamental frequency. With direct-in recording it should come out pretty clear though.]]> Bass Players Discussion DemoEtc https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214800 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214791 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 19:09:03 +0000
Also consider how that string will sound through a smallish amp, which may not reproduce the DEEP bass very well.]]> Bass Players Discussion slejhamer https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214791 https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214785 Fri, 15 Dec 2006 18:52:09 +0000 Bass Players Discussion 97reb https://guitarnoise.forum/bass-players-discussion/5-string-bass-pros-and-cons/#post-214785