There's no right time, and also there's no need to start if you don't feel the need to.
The fifth string will add some challenges: the neck will be thicker, the instrument will be heavier… And, of course, another string to mute, which might have an impact on your technique, depending on how you mute now.
But the thing is that five strings only make sense if you will in fact use the fifth string, as many styles don't.
I’ve got an LTD B-205SMi got for $499, and the low B always sounded pretty good to me, through my Ampeg head 200 watts into 4 ohm, and 18 inch woofer cabinet my dad custom built for it.
Agreed. I’ve been playing for 17 years now. I bought a 5-string Jazz bass in 2021. Sold it six months later, couldn’t stand it. Just way too different and unnatural to me.
I think I’d be more at home on a Bass VI than a 5-string.
I have had a five string several times. Usually fairly inexpensive ones and I was always underwhelmed by the presence of the low b string After playing a number of them for years, I’ve come to the conclusion that to get a decent five stringer you have to go with a small luthier or high end mass produced bass guitar to really have functional low B. The price range this thought is circling is about $1000-$1500. I’m currently keeping my eye out for a five string but it’s not that impressed with anything in the $400-$1000 range. Anyone else have an opinion similar?
I have a cheap Ibanez SRMD205 that I paid like $300 for, and I have no problems or complaints with the low b. Only issues I had were action being too high out of the box, and the fret ends needed some dressing.
Quick trip to my tech, and now it plays and sounds great.
If by low on the scale, you mean weight, absolutely. It’s lighter than my 4 string TRBX304. Feels like 7.5-8lbs.
If I ever have a custom built, it will be made from poplar just like the SRMD205.
I recently bought a Yamaha TRBX505 and I think the low B sounds great. A more expensive instrument probably would sound better, but the Yamaha turned out to be a great option for my price range.
I love Yamaha. I've got the 305 and I love it. Probably not the greatest 5 string but it's my first 5er and only my 2nd bass ever. Definitely a good budget bass imo.
Another Yamaha 5 string fan. I have the spectrum covered with a entry level BB605 I bought new in 2003 and a TRB5Pii (their discontinued top tier boutique bass) that I bought used for an absolute steal almost 10 years ago. They are both great in their own way, but the TRB is exceptional.
I also recently got the TRBX505 as my first 5 string, and while I like it now, it definitely took some tweaking after receiving it. Ordered from sweetwater and had them put elixirs on it with a setup and when it arrived the B string was def unplayable. The pickups were extremely high and the action was pretty low and it was floppy enough that it would smack the pickups and I was close to sending it back.
Ended up changing to the Bootsy DR strings that has a little bigger gauge for the B-string, lowered the pickups and raised the action a little bit. Still had to tape over the pole pieces on the low-B side but it made it good enough that I decided to keep it. And after a couple months of playing I like it a lot.
I might’ve just found a gem but my Sterling Ray5 is my favourite I’ve played and I’ve both owned and played a few.
I think at the lower end active electronics might be important (and I’m generally not a fan of active), I’ve also liked an Ibanez Gio 6 string.
I bought an Ibanez SR505 ages ago when I started playing in bands that weren't afraid of flat keys. I think it was probably in the $600 range. It was the old passive model without the switches and with the battery cover that screwed on. I strung it up with Marcus Millers, which I never changed. I would usually run it direct into the board and would get a ton of presence from the low notes. It had a clear, almost piano-like sound. The band leader called it The Submarine because of how deep it went.
But like you I've also played plenty of 5s where even the Eb feels floppy. Even some of the new SRs feel kind of janky to me.
My first five string was a $500 Fender Jazz Bass MiM. It always sounded amazing, but it's slow, noisy (I mean tricky to mute, not constantly noisy), and only 20 frets.
My second five string was a $700 RockBass Vampyre, sounds amazing, feels amazing, plays so nice despite some small issues.
I have no worldy idea what you are talking about. You don't need an expensive five string to sound good and you definitely don't need a custom built five string to sound good.
Multi-scale basses are the way to go if you want the low B. I’ve never heard one better than a dingwall. Though, musicman stingrays have a nice low b as well.
Multiscale. There are budget(ish) options now. 37" B is amazing - although finding strings can be a little annoying, especially if you want flats.
I also think your $1k-$1.5k price range is like...from the 90s? Even the basic (USA) Jazz V retails for $1900. Actual boutique stuff starts at around $3k.
Yes big yes. Basically the answer to your question is when I felt like I could get a b that sounded right. It came down to a sadowsky will lee or an elrick and I didn’t have another kidney to sell so the elrick is right.
I never picked up a bass under 2k that I liked the b on. Including all fenders but that’s just me. And I’m a p bass 4 truther!
That’s my final answer
I got a 5 string fairly early on because I thought it looked cool.
If you want one, get one and learn it. Slight adaptation to your muting technique. Any exercises you do on your 4 string extend it to your 5 string.
There is no skill requirement before adding a string.
My first real bass is also a 5 string because I got is as a deal and it means playing variety of metal without changing tuning a lot.
I think OP's tutor just adviced that so it's simplier to apply learning resources.
1st string (C string, bottom one) always stays inside your palm, makes it harder to reach 6th string (B, top one).
Neck starts to get too wide and unnecessarily heavy if you are not going to use it.
While you are playing, you have to mute strings. When jumping to 5 string from 4, B string can be used as a thumb rest instead of the pickup and it will solve the problem without bugging you out. But with 6 string, you need to be extra careful to mute C string with your fretting hand.
It's not a question of skill. You get a 5 string when you have a need for it. I started on one and didn't get myself a 4 string until 7 or so years in becaue I just did not need one.
When you want to.
When you're buying another bass.
When you're playing your 4-string and you say to yourself "I'd really like to hit a low C right now."
Exactly! This is the main reason to get one. That low C note. But if you don’t want that, sticking to a 4 string is good. I started off on a 4 string and then moved to 5 string after 5 years of playing. I love that I can be a good bassist on both types of bass.
All the best to OP! At the end of the day, whatever makes you a meaner groove machine is the way to go!
26 years here and same. That said I think the people telling op "gotta learn 4 before 5-6" are full of shit and if someone wants a 5-6 *today*, they should get one *today*, regardless of experience.
I'd been playing for about 40 years when I had a show that called for a lot of low D's. I bought a Squier 5-string for a few hundred bucks. I still default to the 4-string I've had since 1979.
35 years here as well. I've had them over the years, but I've yet to find a situation that a four string and some creative use of an octave pedal couldn't get me through. In fact, any time I've done it the four with the octaver has turned out better, because having the upper and lower octave present has made the lower notes easier to hear - they show up like overtones.
The “wait to learn the 4 string first…” isn’t really the right way to think about it. If you have been playing on 4 for 10 years you could pick up a five and after an hour of noodling or so be just fine on most basses. I myself have never felt the need to go up to 6 strings but I played on at the store the other day that was so much fun I was looking at if it was worth it to max out a credit card.
Most of the time the best part of having a 5 string for me is that I don’t have to retune for whatever tuning the jackass guitarist wants to do.
I love guitar players. Some of my best friends (and relatives!) are guitar players. Was just pointing out previous commenter’s comment. I know what he means…I’m in drop D flat because that’s how xxx band does it, etc
You can use a 5 string in any genre. There is no reason to believe you can’t.
You essentially only gain 5 new notes. The rest of what you gain is up to you as a player. Motion economy is a really big upside to a 5 string in my personal opinion. Something I wish I would have had at the start of my playing.
Buy one when you need the extended range.
Don't listen to anyone who says muting on a 5 is annoying or more difficult. That's like saying plucking is more difficult. In reality it's not, muting is a basic skill- if your muting technique is good on a 4 it will be good on a 5 or 6 string bass.
This whole premise is silly. I started on 6, and have played all configurations over the years. 4, 5, and 6 string basses all have discrete challenges.
If you get a 5, you will gain the ability to transpose into more keys. You'll get used to having that b7 below low E and F, for example, and going back to 4 will make you realize the constraints of playing 4. Not to mention having a low 5th below every note on the E string.
Conversely, the 5 string also gives you the ability to play very low roots in situations where they may not be idiomatically appropriate. The 4 keeps you out of trouble in this respect.
They all require adaptation, whether you realize it or not. My point is that your view that additional strings is "more advanced" is flawed. There's many situations where the B string makes things a hell of a lot easier, to the point of being a crutch.
In my view, the 5 string should be viewed as the default rather than 4.
For me, I started with the most simple 4 string - a Fender Precision. 4 strings, passive electronics - 2 knobs (volume and tone).
At some point (after about 1 year of playing), I felt I needed a 5-string, because some of the songs I was learning would be a lot easier with a B string - instead of jumping from the 3rd fret of the E string up to the 12th fret of the G for a fill, I could use the 8th fret of the B string and then jump up to the 12th fret of the G string much quicker.
I bought a 5-string, but then rarely played it, because it just wasn't right for me. I eventually sold it again. That was about 2 years ago.
Last fall, my situation changed - I am now playing in a band, and I \*need\* the low B string for several songs we cover. I went shopping and finally found THE ONE - a Dingwall Combustion 5.
The Dingwall, with its 37" B string, has a MASSIVE sound. It rocks your soul. It's my main instrument now when I'm playing with my band. I still love playing my 4-string Yamaha, Sandberg and Fender, but when I'm jamming with my band, the Combustion 5 is my first choice. We've arranged some of the songs so that I use the lower octave to highlight some parts - throwing in a low note occasionally really adds some massive low end to the songs.
Similar path for me. I played a four string exclusively for 10 years before going to a five string. At that time, I sold the four string and played a five-string exclusively for 15 years after that. To be honest, I never used the B string as much as other people do. The one advantage I liked about a five-string was the ability to keep my fretting hand relatively stationary. I added a four string about 5 years ago, and I almost never pick up my five-string anymore. I can say this, playing a five-string for that long made my skill on a four string absolutely amazing.
I say give it a shot and see how you like it. If you like it, great. Keep it. If you don't just sell it.
I play a 5 almost exclusively now. Started on a 4, but after a year or so my band started doing songs in drop D. It’s also super nice to be able to fret the low E at the 5th fret B string. The neck is wider, but honestly I’m so used to it now that a jazz width 4 feels tiny and my thumb wants to wrap around the neck.
I learned how to play bass on a five-string 35 years ago, on a Gibson V5, rare model I’ve learned later. The string-spacing was quite narrow, so the neck was not much wider than a normal 4-string. I prefer 4 strings, but tuned BEAD. Sometimes I miss the G-string, but I prefer playing in the lower register. I couldn’t do without the low B.
It wasn't "needed" until I played with guitarists who downtuned or used 7 string guitars. Once they started building riffs that used the B-Eb range the 5 string was worth it. Also occasionally a song in E where I wanted to fret the E or have access to the low 7th or whatever.
*edit: once I went back to playing with a guitarist who used a six string in standard tuning I returned to my 4 string.
I got tired to having to detune for every second song, but the real catalyst was that I was looking for a specific bass 2nd hand and found one but as 5 string. So I figured Ill give it a shot. Havnt really played a 4 stringer since and all my basses (other htan my first) are 5 stringers.
Now, I've heard that the idea of *needing* to learn 4-string bass before moving to 5, or that proficiency at playing bass *requires* a 5-string, is a false premise. Many professional bass players started on a 4-string and never saw the need to add one. Conversely, some players start on a 5, because that's what they had, or just didn't know any different. Granted, you do need to alter your playing habits somewhat when you add a string, but I liken that to driving a car with the gear shift on the steering column and then buying one that has it on the console. You don't need to get good on the one before you can use the other, you just need train your hand to move to a different spot.
If you feel you want to go to a 5-string, and you have the itch to do it now, GO FOR IT.
And enjoy!
If you want to play a 5 string, play a 5 string. The concept that you have to graduate into things is rather limiting.
The differences between a 4 and 5 string bass are small. You have a 4th interval more available to you in one position. That is 2 to 3 notes of the key you are playing in. You go to grab a G and go oh shit that's a D once in while. But probably not more than you normally do. The mechanics are exactly the same.
the big things are muting becomes a lot more annoying, and the practical problems of buying strings. It's also tough to get a good tone out of the low B, it's a continuous uphill battle.
If you want one, go for it, if you've been playing for 10 years then you're ready for these challenges
I’ve been playing ADGC for years and love it, but decided I still want to have standard low end, so I recently got a 5 to play EADGC.
And if you want to get weird, CGDA tuning in fifths like a cello gives you essentially the same tonal range as a 6 string, it just changes your chord and scale patterns. So if you play chords it’ll be harder, but on the other hand if you mostly play power chords it’ll be easier.
It feels very different, and it’ll change your frame of reference. I did it briefly and really enjoyed it, so I will eventually put one of my basses back to it at some point. Probably my fretless.
Played 4 string for like 10 years, got a 5 string 5 years ago cause the band I was playing needed the low B, at first was like starting all over again... Now I want a 4 string again lol, but for the band still using the 5.
I think there is no need for you to change to 5 if you dont want to, or if the band dont really need it. Is not like you have to play 4 then 5 and then 6. I would stay with the 4 string if it wasn't a band requirement.
I moved to 5 string when i joined a country cover band that played a bunch of songs in C# or D, so I wouldn’t have to keep changing tunings between songs. It is a bit of a learning curve but probably less than you’d expect if you’re proficient on 4 string. Now I won’t go back, having access to the low boom energy is vital for my playing. Also i love being able to use the B5 for E instead of always with the open string.
I spend more time on the B5-9 than I ever do below the fifth fret on either string. I just love the round, warm texture of playing higher up on the lower ~~strings~~ cables.
I played guitar for 8 ish years before eventually pausing. More recently I wanted to pickup playing music again and I wanted to try bass playing.
Because I wanted to have a nice repertoire without having to switch to alternative tuning a 5 string made sense to me. I'm use to 6 strings guitar playing anyway. I ended up getting a Godin freeway 5 used for cheap and I've been enjoying it a lot.
When playing songs written for 4 strings I tend to play things on the b string which maintains my left hand in the same position for a lot of things.
You can move to 5-string whenever you want. Hell, move to 6 or 7 if that's where your heart is going. 5-strings are the new standard in lots of genres, and are incredibly useful to have even if they're not standard in whatever genre you're playing.
Good luck playing practically any modern metal or even the majority of modern rock on less than 5 strings. Or any musical theater music. Or most modern pop music. Most of these genres assume you'll have a low B string.
5 strings are "harder" only in the sense that the physical layout of the instrument is a little different due to the extra string. So muscle memory and your muting techniques will have to shift a little. That's pretty much it.
I started playing on a 5-string. I think your teacher probably said that because muting unused strings gets a little more difficult on a 5-string, it doesn't take much for the low B to start resonating along with other notes if left unmuted, creating a very muddy sound. Also slap is usually easier on a 4-string, because there's more room in between strings.
Are you playing a style of music that requires the low B? Lots of modern metal and neo-soul makes frequent use of it. A fair bit of dance music does, too. If you're playing classic rock covers, you won't find much need for it.
The skill issue is small: If you're competent on 4 strings, you'll adjust quickly. It's just a question of whether that 6th string is actually gonna be *useful* to you.
**Tangentially related story:** When I was in high school, at the end of the year the HS band would pick a few players to do a "tour" of the elementary schools to present all the different instruments to 5th graders in order to convince them to sign up for band class next year (6th grade was when we started offering it). One year, we had a really good pair of sax players: One on Alto, one on Bari. The middle schools didn't have a Bari sax, so typically in High School one or two Alto players would switch over. Alto sax guy played his solo from one of the songs we were doing in our spring concert, a really lush melodic passage. Bari Sax guy played the [main lick to Moanin' by Charles Mingus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY). Half the kids were asking how long after playing Alto until they could "upgrade" to Bari Sax.
My first "real" band was a weird blend of drop A death metal and 80's guitar shred wankery. Not a chance I could've kept up with a 4-string even if I'd wanted to. So my 2nd bass after my first typical "learner" bass was a 6-string.
The worst part for me (this is 6-string not 5 but the same applies) was physically reaching the lower string with my fretting hand. I had to really sort out my ergonomics because I started getting wrist pains I never had with 4 strings.
You're not going to suddenly be a worse player just because you have a low string, but by the same token you're not going to be any better. You might need a few days to really get to grips with the extra notes but tbh it's really not going to change things especially if you've already been doing it 10 years.
TL;DR: If you need/want the extra string, get it. If you don't, don't. Also, don't listen to these old greybeards saying that "Four strings is enough, I've been playing 100 years with only four". Sure, they've been playing *their music* with 4, but your music might not even be doable without 5.
The right time is when you think your music needs to go lower than E. If that is now, buy one now - if you know you're going to play music that requires a 5 string then no sense learning on a 4 and having alter technique etc for a 5, just do it from the off!
But if the music you play and are likely to play doesn't need a B, then don't bother with it and just stick to 4 string.
A 5-string isn't something you graduate to, it's a different tool for a different job. Get one because you need what that tool offers.
The biggest issue I had starting to play a 5-string was that the strings are a few millimetres closer together and I kept missing the strings at first.
I also ended up wearing the bass higher so it was easier to reach the B string.
I switched to a 5 string when my cover band started playing tunes that required me to use one (or play them in a higher register but that doesn´t do some tunes justice). As always with picking up new skills/gear when it comes to bass, the best time for me to do it is when I have actual use for it.
Never too soon or too late to start in my opinion. It's really just a question of whether you like it and will use it. If you don't *know* you want a 5-string and are new, then I'd say play a 4. But if you know you want that string it's never too early, and if you've been playing a 4 string for a little while and you're just curious, go for it. I wouldn't call mastery a prerequisite at all. Everyone can always improve anyway.
Personally I've always liked the idea of extending the range and don't mind the thicker neck much. But every time I try one I find that extra string sounds and feels really floppy and unusable, and then go "oh yeah... that's why I don't play a 5 string."
But obviously not everyone has that experience, so YMMV.
Give it a shot and see how you like it. If trying one out in a store isn't enough to see if you like it, buy a used one. Used instruments pretty much hold their value so all you really have to lose is maintenance costs and maybe a little time. It's not going to mess up your 4-string technique or anything.
I played 5s for a few years but found I rarely actually used the lowest notes and the main draw was being able to play across the strings more with less movement up and down the neck.
Eventually though I went back to 4s because I just find them more comfortable and enjoyable to play.
You can jump into playing a 5 anytime, it’s just one more string and you can use it as a thumb rest if you want, just experiment with incorporating the extra string into your playing as and when you learn new songs or when you’re improvising and you’ll get used to it quickly.
I played bass off and on for 30 years, never owned a bass. When my son wanted to buy one I told home he doesn't need more than four strings. When I finally bought one for myself one it was a cheap four strings which was fine for oldie bands I was playing with. When I subbed for a band playing more modern music I found myself in dropped D from time to time. As soon as I got a five string my life was easier. No transition problems at all. Playing with old guys dropping keys was the norm, five string to the rescue! Right away I got thinking with a six string I could play across the fretboard more than up and down. Getting a six string was the thing to do. It was delivered as I was getting leaving for a gig, I thought I would play it. I'm glad I didn't, it takes some getting used. Mainly muting. Within a week I was taking it to gigs. Range, efficiency, versatility, all there in a six string greater than four strings. I have a friend with an eight string, he loves it, it didn't make me want one. Six string is the sweet spot.
when you need one - do you need the lower pitches?
I played upright for about 10 years and then got a 5 string Fender so to access to lower pitches. It took a couple of years to really get used to the 5th string. Now, I love having two full octaves in one position.
I got a 5 string a year or two after starting playing bass. Not because if I felt ready (or not), but because I really liked playing bass, I had money to spend on one, and because was curious and thought it would be cool to have a 5 string bass.
It's been my main bass since. It was a bit awkward at first but I quickly got used to it and now 4 strings always feel like they are missing something for me, both in terms of the lower notes and also because it's nice to be able play the same notes in a different position.
If you are curious and you really want to find out if it suits you, I say go for it :) Worst case you can always sell later on.
If you want to play a 5 string, play a 5 string. No certain period of time. Play it like a 4 string at first with access to 5 lower notes. Plays the same just gives more versatility.
I made the leap when I joined a band with a 7 (and then eventually 8) string guitarist lol. But, it was a relatively easy transition and I have never really been tempted to revert to a 4 string.
It's only 5 extra notes but even having the low D, C etc available without downtuning is worth the price of admission imo
You should only get a 5 string if you need one. That may be in your first year of playing, it may be in your third decade.
I play in a band where I am playing anything from around a low open B up to the 15th fret on the G in the one set. I have been 'playing' on and off for 15 years (but sound like I've been playing for 3 or 4). I only got a 5 maybe a year or so ago when joining this band.
It makes sense for me play a 5 string in this setting, but I would still reach for a 4 string if I had no need for the 5.
I'd say if youre going anything below what drop D tuning can achieve you should consider a 5 string. I personally find drop C# or lower to be a pretty crappy playing experience so would prefer a 5.
I also have a bass setup in BEAD tuning.
Tall Doctor; there is no fixed answer. Get one when you can actually justify playing one.
I started playing bass (4-string) in 2006. I switched to 5-string in 2010 because I wanted to play downtuned music and to generally have that sub-E range. I still play fivers, feels like home to me. It does everything a four-string can do and more. When I play '4-string music', I just don't use B-string and it's perfectly comfortable to me (when you learn proper muting and floating thumb technique, it doesn't matter if you play four-string or play five-string without using B-string).
So... If you want/need to have that lower range, then the time is now (10 years on a four is plenty of experience, just get that five-stringer and play it exclusively until you get comfortable with it). And if you're fine with range of standard 4-string bass, then you don't have to 'upgrade' to 5-string, it's not like it's some necessary step. You don't have to 'move to 5' unless you want to.
If you want to, then main thing to adjust to is right hand string muting (if you play fingerstyle). If you're used to anchor your right hand thumb on a pickup, it can work on 4 string but it won't be enough for 5 or 6-string. You'll have to learn floating thumb. But it's not really hard and can be done with some practice.
When you feel like you need the extra low notes or extra positions. I've been eyeing a five-string because I find myself wanting a low C on my four-string.
I went to a 5ver after joining a duo and original traks were with a 5ver, but I had also started listening to a lot of different styles( smooth jazz, r&b harder edge rock). The thing I found was dont try to play what you play on a 4 string on a five, different brain process on a 5, learn new stuff on 5 til you comfortable and competent, leave the 4 for what do already !! Worked for me, Im 67 years old , playing 55 years !! Have Fun !!!!
I think it really depends on the material you're playing.
Edit: If you're playing modern metal, gospel, or any other music that has a low b or lower note. Otherwise, you can probably just use alternate or drop tunings on a 4 string
Buy one whenever you feel like it. There’s no prerequisite.
I played 4, switched to 5. Learned a lot about playing from the 5th fret rather than open strings. Eventually switched back to a 4, but with a Hipshot detuner to access that low D. Now all my basses are set up that way. Personal preference.
I jumped up to a 5 string pretty much immediately after starting. My dad had one that sounded way better than my starter bass so I always used it for gigs and band rehearsals. Like others have said, there's really no right or wrong time but if you're curious I say go for it.
I went from playing 4 to 6 string. I only recently got my first 5 string after playing bass for half my life.
I simply realized that I wanted to have a high C string but still wanted the standard E. It’ll take some getting used to, but it’s a transition I made simply to support what I feel I need out of the instrument.
If you started landing by playing a 5 string from day one, it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s a tool, you use it to suit your needs. If it suits you, use it. If it doesn’t, don’t.
I bought a 5 three months ago as a starter, mostly because I come from guitar and the visuals proportions of a 4 string... upset me. Is this a stupid reason? Absolutely.
I'm still having a blast and can't say I regret the purchase or struggle to learn.
I've been playing guitar for 10+ years, but I don't think i'll ever bother with a 7 string.
I started on a fretless six string, my buddy who started at the same time also had a six string. It's not necessary to 'figure out' one before another, if you have the determination and patience you can start anywhere. I've found that I'm faster at playing 4 and 5 strings now since I've played 6 for so long. I'm not going to lie though, this route is much more challenging, but you develop better technique overall I feel.
I played four-string for less than a year before jumping to five string, there isn’t really a perfect time, just time you have to spare to practice with the extra string.
Whenever you want. I got my 5 string about a year into learning (been playing for 19 now ), and in recent years have just been back on a 4 string.
I want to get the electronics fixed on my 5 though and take it for a spin again though!
I tried many years ago, but my brain couldn't wrap around that low string being a B instead of an E string. I gave it up. I came back to it (actually with a 6 string) about 4-5 years ago, and found that I could just do it without much thinking/effort. I borrowed a 6 string before I actually purchased one, so I'd recommend that, if you can. Maybe rent one if you don't know someone you could borrow from, or maybe there's a Musical Instrument Lending Library near you! :)
Given I'd been a percussionist who could read music for like 6 years prior to picking up bass, but about a year after getting my first bass, I was gifted a 6 string bass for Christmas. I adapted to learning on that and I daresay I'm pretty good on it. Whenever you're ready to move on, I'd say move on. If you really wanna play a 5 string, get a 5 string. If you think you're gonna have more fun with it, go for it. That's what being a musician is all about, that's why we call it "playing an instrument."
Going from 4 to 6, I gained a higher string and a lower string. Given, I don't use the lower as much, but I use the higher a lot. Main thing to get used to is that the neck is a bit wider, in my experience. I thought it was great that I got some added range.
As people have said, it doesn't really matter. Some have gone decades on 4; I bought a 6 string bass one year after my first 4 string since I wanted the lower end for covers/writing. Think about what you want to play and if a 5 string will help with that style then it's by all means a good purchase. If you have nothing to play with it then there's little point, if you want to expand to more styles go ahead.
As for the learning curve, it does feel much more different. I found I had to adjust my muscle memory, as the E was now in the position of the A on a 4 string for example. The size of the neck and gaps between strings makes a tighter feeling with fretting, and the whole instrument feels more tense on a whole. Neck dive is much more likely, so as always try it out in the shop before buying. That's all I really have to say.
I love the thicker necks of the 5 string basses. I have huge hands and find that most of the time I only play on the 4 strings while using the 5th as a thumb rest.
Over time I started using the 5th string on some songs to keep the left hand in the same area without moving too much, but only rarely use the 5 extra notes the 5th string gives me
Not difficult at all. I moved to a 5-string years ago, and never looked back. The main reason I like it is that it gives me greater flexibility without having to drop tune, tune BEAD, or play octaves when I want a fat lower note like a C# or D.
That's how I look at it... it's a 4-string with the 5th being what gives me the lows on songs in keys lower than E.
And, I now feel the same way about fanned fret / multiscale basses. I picked up this [Ibanez 5-string multiscale](https://i.imgur.com/qe4YfKb.jpg) and love it. Took about an hour to get used to the frets, and having the additional length and tension on the B string makes a noticeable difference.
It’s “when you need one.” Do you find yourself on the low E wishing you had room to go down? Or are you constantly retuning because the guitars can’t pick a tuning and stick with it? If yes, it’s time to expand your range. If no, it’s perfectly fine to stick with a 4 string.
I got my first 5-string because there was a deal on a used Steinberger at the local shop. I can’t do without an extra low string anymore. I think it’s worth it just to be able to move bass lines to heavier strings at higher numbered frets to get a more fundamental tone when called for. It’s also really nice when you can get creatively deep underneath the heaviest guitar riffs.
You’ve been playing for 10 years. You ought to at least go to a shop and play with a five string to see what’s up, if you’re curious.
I’d say: if there’s a song you like but the re-fretting is a major headache and a 5-string will reduce, go for a 5.
If your band plays a lot in drop-d and you’d rather not deal with the mental calculations in having 7-5-5 string spacing, get a 5 and maybe a capo.
If you think a bass line will sound better going down to one or more of those extra 5 notes test drive a 5 at the music store, and decide if it actually does sound better.
I got a 5 string around xmas and its a lil trickier...That extra string makes a great thumbrest tho, extends the whole length...sure beats trying to find a specific spot on a pickup corner. But I do get confused sometimes and mistake it for the E. Ive decided to let it rest for a while till Ive refined my techniques.
I say get one and start mixing it in your practice sesh. 10 years....I think your ready
Edit: only been playing a year
I started using my 5-string when I started listening to more progressive metal. Lots of prog metal players use 5 or 6-strings. My dad gave me his 5-string that he barely ever played, so I was able to start learning some of the songs I was listening to. It took me a while to start using the low B outside of the few prog songs I knew, but when I figured out how to implement it into my own writing, it opened up so many opportunities.
You don't at all \*need\* a 5-string, but I think it's useful to have around in addition to a regular 4 string bass. If you're good on a 4, you should be able to pick up a 5 pretty quickly.
I picked up a five string only a year into playing if I remember correctly, highly recommend it. If I could only have one bass, it would be a five string.
That idea that you must master a 4 before moving to a 5 is nonsense. That’s what I was told as a young bass player. I played four for about 2-3 years before buying a 5. Eventually I settled on six string basses and love playing a six. As an old guy with terrible arthritis, two torn rotator cuffs, bicep tendonitis, and a torn labrum, my shoulders are in bad shape. So when playing bass, it’s very painful for my shoulders to keep my left hand in first position-which is where most bass players live. Having that low B string allows me to take the pressure off of my shoulder. I like the high C string because I like to play chords.
It’s whenever you want.
I just moved from a 5 string as my main axe to a 4 string.
I moved to a 5 string because I thought it was cool. I’m on a 4 right now because I love it’s sound, and I’m less worried about gear and more worried about choosing the right notes.
i have been playing for 4ish years and got a 5 string 2 years in. am i any better at it then my 4 string? no, does most of what i play use it? no, do i love playing it? Yes!
The biggest thing is that you have more strings to mute. i am at the tail end of begginer and into intermediate and havent really done a lot of noodling so having one is not really netting me much other then i really like the way the bass looks and sounds. To me thats enough.
If you want to explore what you can do with an extra string, by all means go for it. is 90% of whats out there written for it? nope. but if you understand what that extra string offers you, you can figure out what to do with it.
I would think whenever you either want one, or "need" one. Want is self explanatory, need in this context would be if you find yourself playing music that uses those lower notes often then you could save yourself a lot of time down tuning all the time, and/or have access to standard tuning at the same time.
I think experience with the instrument is kind of a non-factor. I could see a brand new player who's never touched a bass before being recommended a 4-string specifically just so that there's less to keep track of as they're getting started, but at 10 years experience I can't imagine that being a limiting factor anymore. I've only been playing for less than a year and don't have a 5-string, but feel as though I could pick one up and play it with minimal issues/learning curve already. At least at the same level that I can play my 4-string.
I jumped on the 5 string fairly early because of the type of music I like to play, but really there is never a time where you have a need to jump to 5. You could even get a 5 string string set and use the first 4 if you want that low b. 5 string does come with its challenges and advantages, but you never really NEED a 5 string. That being said, I love mine and I am glad I got it. But don’t buy one because you feel like you need it or that it is part of the natural progression of a bass player. I would say it all comes down to preference and want really
I started playing music seriously when I was like 14. I played bass in a band and ever since then, I've wanted a 5-string. Always had 4-strings. I'm turning 50 this year, and I got myself an inexpensive Ibanez Gio 5-string. It sits on the stand because I can't get the stuff together to play it, but it's there.
As someone else says - there's no right time. If you can borrow one or try one, give it a try and see what you think. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I learned from the start on 5 string. It’s not technically harder than a 4 string and offered some advantages such as not needing to retune as often depending on the piece you’re working on. I find 4 string preferable for most applications due to not have to worry about hitting the low b by accident. It’s really a matter of personal preference.
i played 4 string in school for 4 months then bought a 6 string bass (i listen to dream theater john mayung is my inspiration) about 4 years later i love my 6 string. it’s all dependant on what you want to do with it
> bass teachers would tell me that you gotta figure out a 4-string before moving to 5
There's your problem. You don't.
Do it if you want.
I did it as soon as I could because there were so many songs I couldn't play on a four string, I always felt frustrated.
Never looked back.
Do you need 5 for the material you play?
That said, I have a six, and little of the material I play mandates a sixer.
That notwithstanding, I'd say go for it!
Once you've got your technique/s moved across to the five string format, going back to a four is very straightforward.
I've had to work on using a "floating thumb"(plucking hand) to keep the six damped.
Going back to a four, I find that the technique has transferred to that format.
There's a definite tendency for technique and theory to cross-pollinate.
As for buying one, I'd suggest a visit to your local bass emporium. Try everything you can get your hands on, and work out what you do and don't like in a Five;
Neck dimensions
String spacing
Instrument balance
General playability
Then look for one that meets your needs in terms of pickups, tone, EQ, aesthetics, etc.
No need to wait. If you want to reach those deep notes, go for it. I found the switch to 5 easy. Felt natural after a few months. The 6 string however is a different story. A huge leap. Took me years.
A lot of bass players seem to make a fuss about the move from 4 strings to 5 string. I go back and forth all the time. It isn't a big deal. If you want notes lower than "E", get a 5 string. Practice with it and you will figure it out.
The right time to switch to 5 is once you start running into the thought "ooh, I'd like to play this pattern down HERE, but I don't have those notes"
so basically once your compositional needs start to be limited by the range of 4 strings
For me that was 4 months into playing, but I only graduated to a 6 string a few weeks ago (20 years in)
You need to walk in the desert until you are almost dead. Then someone from the Eldar council will see you. It is them and only them that can give you the answers you seek. But beware, they will take something from you that you will miss, in exchange for their council.
Do you want to play music that requires notes lower than the E string allows? Does tuning down annoy you? If yes, a five string bass might be useful for you.
There are no rules. If you want to get a 5 string bass, get a 5 string bass. If you want to get a 7 string bass, get a 7 string bass. If you want an 11 string bass, get an 11 string bass. Do whatever you want to do, it's just an instrument.
My first bass broke, i went to guitar store and ended up getting a 6-string because that's what i liked the best from their selection. If you see a bass you like that's not a 4 string don't be afraid to pick it up and try it!
i tried a 5er and didnt really like it, but i recently set one of my basses up BEAD and i’ve liked it as an alternative. granted, the bass i set up with the low b is much nicer than the 5 string i tried
Honestly I would have started way earlier to get comfortable on it. I play guitar and immediately got a 5 string. I also play a seven string guitar, though, so it helps to match.
For one, it's a little more versatile in different bands. Like you can go lower without moving your whole arm. But it is a little harder to play.
I play both. I use my 5 string when I need to hit those lower notes for the song, generally if the guitar is a 7 string or downtuning more than D.
I switched when my band wrote a number of songs in a key where it made more sense for me to go low than high, and that required an extra string. Took some time to get used to it, but now it feels normal. The fun things is that my 4 string feels a lot more fun now and is easier to play.
I was a guitarist-who-got-a-bass-playing gig in a musical and the parts were written for a five-string. Since I didn't have a bass anyway, I went out and bought a five-string. Never thought or worried for a second about not having paid my dues on a four string first, just picked it up and found my way.
So, granted I'd played guitar for a few years at that point, but not as long as you've been playing bass. Just go out, find one you like and enjoy playing it. That's what I did.
My first fretted bass was a 5. Went straight there from a 4 string fretless after playing for about 4 years. Number of strings isn’t exactly an increase in difficulty. Otherwise bassists would start with just one string and keep adding. I mean Victor Wooten mostly plays a 4 string and he’s pretty good.
I picked up a 4-string first and played for some years until I got a 6-string Ibanez SR506 in 2016. I don't think there's more of a "learning curve" for a 5 string, especially since bass guitar is tuned in 4ths so shapes and techniques are transferable across the strings.
After playing a 6-string, I would be wary of a few points when making the transition:
1.) More strings means a heavier neck and instrument. This means more neck-dive and more discomfort while playing, especially while standing.
2.) More strings means more string muting. You need to develop your left and right hand technique to mute strings better.
3.) More strings means a wider neck. This might not be as comfortable, depending on your body and technique.
Personally, I think the 5-string bass, tuned BEADG low to high, is somewhat more useful than a 6-string bass, just because the low B gets more use in a band setting than the high C string.
Of course, your mileage may vary.
A possible issue is thinking of it like a 4 string with 5 extra low notes. Part of the beauty of having a five string is, for example, being able to play your G on the 8th fret of the B string instead of shifting down to the 3rd fret of the E.
I started bass on a 5-string. I sold it for a multitude of reasons. One of which was the heavy thick neck. I do like the low tones though. Now I play 4-string in BEAD-tuning. Maybe this is an option for you to consider.
I’ve dabbled with five-string basses but I just like the feel of a four-string neck so I’m staying where I am. Find one you’re comfortable with and just go.
I pretty much started on a 5-string. I had it for most of the time I played bass until it got stolen by an ex. I bought a very similar 4-string only because of the price tag difference. I am eventually going to buy another 5-string. I say go for it!
I moved to a 5 string after about 20 years of playing. BUT, I wished I'd moved SOONER. Having the drop D right there on the 4th fret is just SUBLIME. But, like everything else here, you do you.
Maybe I'm the odd one out as I started on guitar and then moved to bass, and ive never had lessons in either. I definitely approach the bass like a guitar player. When i purchased a 5 it was so I could play some songs that use the low B and even tune down to A. That's far easier on a 5 than a 4. Simple as that. Are there songs you want to play that will utilize the B string? Then go for it. I had 0 difficulty adjusting and can go back and forth 4 and 5 seamlessly. Don't think about it too much, it's as simple as asking yourself if you'll really use the extra range.
I got my first five string after playing with a cheap four string for about a year. It looked cool and I needed it cause I play in a metal band where the B string is used extensively.
First thing is that the neck is thicker than a four string. You'll be fine sitting down and playing, but standing up it's a absolute pain in the ass trying to reach to the E or B string. The only difference in a five string is the added B string.
Another thing is that the strings are more clustered together, so it may take you a little bit of time in getting used to that. I remember the four string feeling so different after playing with my five string for about 5 months lol.
But there's no specific time to start really. Even beginners can play a five string if they want. Nothing to learn really because it's just the added B string. But I think you'll do great on a five string.
Cheers!
For a while I was using two 4-strings, one tuned to BEAD and one to EADG. When I started doing shows with a band that required both tunings, I decided to get a 5 string so I could have one bass that worked for the entire set. The biggest learning curve for me was getting accustomed to the narrower string spacing, but after a few months it became second nature. It definitely changed my approach to the fretboard, as I have more notes available to me at any position on the neck without having to move higher/lower on the fretboard to hit those notes. I find myself using the higher frets on the B and E string more often, when before I would hit those same notes on the lower frets of the A and D strings.
Bro I came across your old post aboud BEAD from 3 years ago. I'm going to buy a cheap "project" Ibanez with a thin neck and do the nut trick you mentioned there with the roundwound strings to convert it into a BEAD.
I wanted to ask if you have any insight about it now years later.
Should I use a P or a Jazz bass? I'm thinking Jazz will have more pickups on those low sounds but not sure if that makes sense.
And did you run into any issues with the neck bending out of shape with the different tensions or can it be dealt with via truss rod adjustments?
Thanks for the tips and info dude.
There’s not too much difference between a 4-string and a 5-string bass. As mentioned, you’ll have to slightly adapt your muting technique. If you slap, you’ll need a pretty clean technique to avoid the B string ringing out. That was the biggest learning curve in switching, for me. Learning to double thump helps a lot with that.
I switched when I found a gorgeous 5-string for an insane price at a local pawn shop. I had no specific intention of playing a 5-string but also wasn’t opposed. I love it and don’t play 4-string anymore unless I don’t have my bass with me.
I like having the option to play lower notes with downtuning. I mostly play punk, soul, and ska in my current bands, but I still find a use for the low notes. It’s also really nice to have the extra string so I can play some of my riffs in a position higher up the neck. It’s more comfortable to me.
A downside is that the wider neck can be harder on your left hand than a 4-string would be. I’m not sure how much of this has to do with long scale vs. short scale, because my 4-string was short scale and my 5-string is long scale, but I’ve heard that can also affect it. I had to change some of my technique so it wouldn’t cause my wrist trouble anymore. It is technique that would’ve been better for me on a 4-string as well, so definitely for the best either way.
I played on a 4 string all throughout high school and finally picked up a fretless 5 string back in 2019 and yeah its a lot different but I honestly find the range more fun to play around with recently picked up a fretted 5 string and put a high c on it rather then a low B and found that even better to play with opens up a lot more chords and melodic lines to play with then the low rumble. The answer to your question really is just get one whenever you want and experiment on it it takes a little getting used to as I'm still learning the high c string a bit but having the options is nice and a 4 string will always just be in my muscle memory
Honestly if i ever do studio Or session stuff i bring the 5 string. Being able to hit a low B-D honestly adds such an amazing feel and texture to recordings. Plus it allows you to easily play in keys like Eb without having to down tune. Superstition is no longer super awkward lol
You don’t need to figure out 4 before 5. You can switch between either. 5 is an extension of 4 and depending on the song both mostly play the same. I learned on 5 and have one but mostly grab a mustang or basic jazz for for most things, as I have too many instruments. I’m playing punk and some pop, and the 5 is often not needed. But I’ve been working with a pianist lately who plays a lot of Eb so it may be a good time to pull out my 5.
my first bass (after borrowing my sister's 4 string for a year) was a 5 string which I only chose bc I had the opportunity to get an awesome handmade bass for cheap which just so happened to be 5 string. to be honest most of the time I don't even use the low B, but it does come in handy for playing i. the band I play with when i'm kind of doing my own thing and want to get those lower tones.
I would say there's not really a right time, its cool to have that extra option but if you're not finding that you need those lower notes all it really does is get in the way. I definitely got thrown off by the extra string for a good few months and it does change how you play having to mute an extra lower string.
If you have the need for the added range and utility, just start getting used to it. I started on a five string about a year after learning on the 4. I was in a band that frequently dropped D, so I initially made the move for the extra lower range. But then I figured out that having the low B allows for playing a fretted E and having all that glorious room to explore across and up the neck.
I'm surprised no one is mentioning that with a 5 string, there's much less shifting. You can play lower notes higher up on the neck and have more notes accessible. The sweet spot on a 5 string is at the 5th fret. Being able to fret a low E is pretty useful in the context of the bass.
I bought a 5 string because I wanted a five string, not because I thought I was ready to play a 5 string... I wasn't even all that good at 4 strings, I just wanted it
I shifted i to it after about 4-5 years because stuff I was getting into genre wise uses it a ton. Honestly its not a real hard transition outside of muting, thats the toughest switch imo.
But otherwise its just another string a 4th away like the rest.
You never need to move on to a 5 string if you don't want to. If you're playing music where you have to detune your bass all the time then maybe go for it. As far as when to do it. Well whenever really. There's not really some specific time to switch.
There's no right time, and also there's no need to start if you don't feel the need to. The fifth string will add some challenges: the neck will be thicker, the instrument will be heavier… And, of course, another string to mute, which might have an impact on your technique, depending on how you mute now. But the thing is that five strings only make sense if you will in fact use the fifth string, as many styles don't.
I’ve got an LTD B-205SMi got for $499, and the low B always sounded pretty good to me, through my Ampeg head 200 watts into 4 ohm, and 18 inch woofer cabinet my dad custom built for it.
Agreed. I’ve been playing for 17 years now. I bought a 5-string Jazz bass in 2021. Sold it six months later, couldn’t stand it. Just way too different and unnatural to me. I think I’d be more at home on a Bass VI than a 5-string.
I have had a five string several times. Usually fairly inexpensive ones and I was always underwhelmed by the presence of the low b string After playing a number of them for years, I’ve come to the conclusion that to get a decent five stringer you have to go with a small luthier or high end mass produced bass guitar to really have functional low B. The price range this thought is circling is about $1000-$1500. I’m currently keeping my eye out for a five string but it’s not that impressed with anything in the $400-$1000 range. Anyone else have an opinion similar?
I have a cheap Ibanez SRMD205 that I paid like $300 for, and I have no problems or complaints with the low b. Only issues I had were action being too high out of the box, and the fret ends needed some dressing. Quick trip to my tech, and now it plays and sounds great.
Ibanez sound great i have a SR305 that’s pretty low on the scale and it’s a great bass
If by low on the scale, you mean weight, absolutely. It’s lighter than my 4 string TRBX304. Feels like 7.5-8lbs. If I ever have a custom built, it will be made from poplar just like the SRMD205.
Good to know those clean up well!
I recently bought a Yamaha TRBX505 and I think the low B sounds great. A more expensive instrument probably would sound better, but the Yamaha turned out to be a great option for my price range.
I love Yamaha. I've got the 305 and I love it. Probably not the greatest 5 string but it's my first 5er and only my 2nd bass ever. Definitely a good budget bass imo.
Another Yamaha 5 string fan. I have the spectrum covered with a entry level BB605 I bought new in 2003 and a TRB5Pii (their discontinued top tier boutique bass) that I bought used for an absolute steal almost 10 years ago. They are both great in their own way, but the TRB is exceptional.
I have the Yam trbx 304 and love it. I don't think I'll ever go to a 5er but I think a BEAD setup would be fun.
I also recently got the TRBX505 as my first 5 string, and while I like it now, it definitely took some tweaking after receiving it. Ordered from sweetwater and had them put elixirs on it with a setup and when it arrived the B string was def unplayable. The pickups were extremely high and the action was pretty low and it was floppy enough that it would smack the pickups and I was close to sending it back. Ended up changing to the Bootsy DR strings that has a little bigger gauge for the B-string, lowered the pickups and raised the action a little bit. Still had to tape over the pole pieces on the low-B side but it made it good enough that I decided to keep it. And after a couple months of playing I like it a lot.
Yamaha knows how to drop a b. I've never heard a better bass for that low string. Plenty play better, but the Yamaha sound is dialed in for the b.
I might’ve just found a gem but my Sterling Ray5 is my favourite I’ve played and I’ve both owned and played a few. I think at the lower end active electronics might be important (and I’m generally not a fan of active), I’ve also liked an Ibanez Gio 6 string.
I bought an Ibanez SR505 ages ago when I started playing in bands that weren't afraid of flat keys. I think it was probably in the $600 range. It was the old passive model without the switches and with the battery cover that screwed on. I strung it up with Marcus Millers, which I never changed. I would usually run it direct into the board and would get a ton of presence from the low notes. It had a clear, almost piano-like sound. The band leader called it The Submarine because of how deep it went. But like you I've also played plenty of 5s where even the Eb feels floppy. Even some of the new SRs feel kind of janky to me.
My first five string was a $500 Fender Jazz Bass MiM. It always sounded amazing, but it's slow, noisy (I mean tricky to mute, not constantly noisy), and only 20 frets. My second five string was a $700 RockBass Vampyre, sounds amazing, feels amazing, plays so nice despite some small issues. I have no worldy idea what you are talking about. You don't need an expensive five string to sound good and you definitely don't need a custom built five string to sound good.
I had a 100 dollar AXL knockoff MusicMan 5 and the low B sounded pretty fine on it. I think amp/cabinet/compression probably help though.
Multi-scale basses are the way to go if you want the low B. I’ve never heard one better than a dingwall. Though, musicman stingrays have a nice low b as well.
Multiscale. There are budget(ish) options now. 37" B is amazing - although finding strings can be a little annoying, especially if you want flats. I also think your $1k-$1.5k price range is like...from the 90s? Even the basic (USA) Jazz V retails for $1900. Actual boutique stuff starts at around $3k.
You might be able to get a used German Warwick or Czech Spector.
Yes big yes. Basically the answer to your question is when I felt like I could get a b that sounded right. It came down to a sadowsky will lee or an elrick and I didn’t have another kidney to sell so the elrick is right. I never picked up a bass under 2k that I liked the b on. Including all fenders but that’s just me. And I’m a p bass 4 truther! That’s my final answer
I got a 5 string fairly early on because I thought it looked cool. If you want one, get one and learn it. Slight adaptation to your muting technique. Any exercises you do on your 4 string extend it to your 5 string. There is no skill requirement before adding a string.
My first real bass is also a 5 string because I got is as a deal and it means playing variety of metal without changing tuning a lot. I think OP's tutor just adviced that so it's simplier to apply learning resources.
that's funny because I want to get a 5 string but I think they look too lame
Whenever you want. Not a big deal to play 5 string. But 6 has lots of downsides if you are not going to play C string.
What are the downsides of a six string?
Too many strings >!…to mute and also means bigger, heavier, and more expensive bass!<
Fake award 🥇 best I can do for the giggle.
neck too wide, uncomfortable
1st string (C string, bottom one) always stays inside your palm, makes it harder to reach 6th string (B, top one). Neck starts to get too wide and unnecessarily heavy if you are not going to use it. While you are playing, you have to mute strings. When jumping to 5 string from 4, B string can be used as a thumb rest instead of the pickup and it will solve the problem without bugging you out. But with 6 string, you need to be extra careful to mute C string with your fretting hand.
It's not a question of skill. You get a 5 string when you have a need for it. I started on one and didn't get myself a 4 string until 7 or so years in becaue I just did not need one.
When you want to. When you're buying another bass. When you're playing your 4-string and you say to yourself "I'd really like to hit a low C right now."
Exactly! This is the main reason to get one. That low C note. But if you don’t want that, sticking to a 4 string is good. I started off on a 4 string and then moved to 5 string after 5 years of playing. I love that I can be a good bassist on both types of bass. All the best to OP! At the end of the day, whatever makes you a meaner groove machine is the way to go!
I’ve been playing for 35 years and have never had a 5 string.
I'm gonna one up you, almost 50 years, still gigging, nothing but 4's. I've played 5 & 6's, just never felt the call to own one.
26 years here and same. That said I think the people telling op "gotta learn 4 before 5-6" are full of shit and if someone wants a 5-6 *today*, they should get one *today*, regardless of experience.
I'd been playing for about 40 years when I had a show that called for a lot of low D's. I bought a Squier 5-string for a few hundred bucks. I still default to the 4-string I've had since 1979.
35 years here as well. I've had them over the years, but I've yet to find a situation that a four string and some creative use of an octave pedal couldn't get me through. In fact, any time I've done it the four with the octaver has turned out better, because having the upper and lower octave present has made the lower notes easier to hear - they show up like overtones.
For most of the history of the electric bass, everyone managed to get great sounds out of four strings.
The “wait to learn the 4 string first…” isn’t really the right way to think about it. If you have been playing on 4 for 10 years you could pick up a five and after an hour of noodling or so be just fine on most basses. I myself have never felt the need to go up to 6 strings but I played on at the store the other day that was so much fun I was looking at if it was worth it to max out a credit card. Most of the time the best part of having a 5 string for me is that I don’t have to retune for whatever tuning the jackass guitarist wants to do.
Jackass guitarist…
I love guitar players. Some of my best friends (and relatives!) are guitar players. Was just pointing out previous commenter’s comment. I know what he means…I’m in drop D flat because that’s how xxx band does it, etc
I resemble that remark :-/
You can use a 5 string in any genre. There is no reason to believe you can’t. You essentially only gain 5 new notes. The rest of what you gain is up to you as a player. Motion economy is a really big upside to a 5 string in my personal opinion. Something I wish I would have had at the start of my playing.
I've learned on a 5 string. I don't think I've ever spent more than an hour on a 4 string. So I don't think it makes much of a difference.
Buy one when you need the extended range. Don't listen to anyone who says muting on a 5 is annoying or more difficult. That's like saying plucking is more difficult. In reality it's not, muting is a basic skill- if your muting technique is good on a 4 it will be good on a 5 or 6 string bass.
This whole premise is silly. I started on 6, and have played all configurations over the years. 4, 5, and 6 string basses all have discrete challenges. If you get a 5, you will gain the ability to transpose into more keys. You'll get used to having that b7 below low E and F, for example, and going back to 4 will make you realize the constraints of playing 4. Not to mention having a low 5th below every note on the E string. Conversely, the 5 string also gives you the ability to play very low roots in situations where they may not be idiomatically appropriate. The 4 keeps you out of trouble in this respect. They all require adaptation, whether you realize it or not. My point is that your view that additional strings is "more advanced" is flawed. There's many situations where the B string makes things a hell of a lot easier, to the point of being a crutch. In my view, the 5 string should be viewed as the default rather than 4.
You answered the question as to why they’re not default, it keeps bassists “out of trouble.”
For me, I started with the most simple 4 string - a Fender Precision. 4 strings, passive electronics - 2 knobs (volume and tone). At some point (after about 1 year of playing), I felt I needed a 5-string, because some of the songs I was learning would be a lot easier with a B string - instead of jumping from the 3rd fret of the E string up to the 12th fret of the G for a fill, I could use the 8th fret of the B string and then jump up to the 12th fret of the G string much quicker. I bought a 5-string, but then rarely played it, because it just wasn't right for me. I eventually sold it again. That was about 2 years ago. Last fall, my situation changed - I am now playing in a band, and I \*need\* the low B string for several songs we cover. I went shopping and finally found THE ONE - a Dingwall Combustion 5. The Dingwall, with its 37" B string, has a MASSIVE sound. It rocks your soul. It's my main instrument now when I'm playing with my band. I still love playing my 4-string Yamaha, Sandberg and Fender, but when I'm jamming with my band, the Combustion 5 is my first choice. We've arranged some of the songs so that I use the lower octave to highlight some parts - throwing in a low note occasionally really adds some massive low end to the songs.
Similar path for me. I played a four string exclusively for 10 years before going to a five string. At that time, I sold the four string and played a five-string exclusively for 15 years after that. To be honest, I never used the B string as much as other people do. The one advantage I liked about a five-string was the ability to keep my fretting hand relatively stationary. I added a four string about 5 years ago, and I almost never pick up my five-string anymore. I can say this, playing a five-string for that long made my skill on a four string absolutely amazing. I say give it a shot and see how you like it. If you like it, great. Keep it. If you don't just sell it.
I play a 5 almost exclusively now. Started on a 4, but after a year or so my band started doing songs in drop D. It’s also super nice to be able to fret the low E at the 5th fret B string. The neck is wider, but honestly I’m so used to it now that a jazz width 4 feels tiny and my thumb wants to wrap around the neck.
I learned how to play bass on a five-string 35 years ago, on a Gibson V5, rare model I’ve learned later. The string-spacing was quite narrow, so the neck was not much wider than a normal 4-string. I prefer 4 strings, but tuned BEAD. Sometimes I miss the G-string, but I prefer playing in the lower register. I couldn’t do without the low B.
I started playing bass in 1978. I have never wanted another string. It's all personal preference.
It wasn't "needed" until I played with guitarists who downtuned or used 7 string guitars. Once they started building riffs that used the B-Eb range the 5 string was worth it. Also occasionally a song in E where I wanted to fret the E or have access to the low 7th or whatever. *edit: once I went back to playing with a guitarist who used a six string in standard tuning I returned to my 4 string.
If the music that you like/play calls for it. Otherwise whenever you like to move to 5 string, or not.
I got tired to having to detune for every second song, but the real catalyst was that I was looking for a specific bass 2nd hand and found one but as 5 string. So I figured Ill give it a shot. Havnt really played a 4 stringer since and all my basses (other htan my first) are 5 stringers.
Now, I've heard that the idea of *needing* to learn 4-string bass before moving to 5, or that proficiency at playing bass *requires* a 5-string, is a false premise. Many professional bass players started on a 4-string and never saw the need to add one. Conversely, some players start on a 5, because that's what they had, or just didn't know any different. Granted, you do need to alter your playing habits somewhat when you add a string, but I liken that to driving a car with the gear shift on the steering column and then buying one that has it on the console. You don't need to get good on the one before you can use the other, you just need train your hand to move to a different spot. If you feel you want to go to a 5-string, and you have the itch to do it now, GO FOR IT. And enjoy!
A four string isn't a starter bass, you can play a five string whenever your music calls for one!
If you want to play a 5 string, play a 5 string. The concept that you have to graduate into things is rather limiting. The differences between a 4 and 5 string bass are small. You have a 4th interval more available to you in one position. That is 2 to 3 notes of the key you are playing in. You go to grab a G and go oh shit that's a D once in while. But probably not more than you normally do. The mechanics are exactly the same.
the big things are muting becomes a lot more annoying, and the practical problems of buying strings. It's also tough to get a good tone out of the low B, it's a continuous uphill battle. If you want one, go for it, if you've been playing for 10 years then you're ready for these challenges
You could always do BEAD to get that lower string. That's what I do, and I can't imagine going back to EADG.
I’ve been playing ADGC for years and love it, but decided I still want to have standard low end, so I recently got a 5 to play EADGC. And if you want to get weird, CGDA tuning in fifths like a cello gives you essentially the same tonal range as a 6 string, it just changes your chord and scale patterns. So if you play chords it’ll be harder, but on the other hand if you mostly play power chords it’ll be easier.
And it would be easier to play cello pieces such as that one Bach piece
Ooooo fifths tuning sounds really cool
It feels very different, and it’ll change your frame of reference. I did it briefly and really enjoyed it, so I will eventually put one of my basses back to it at some point. Probably my fretless.
Played 4 string for like 10 years, got a 5 string 5 years ago cause the band I was playing needed the low B, at first was like starting all over again... Now I want a 4 string again lol, but for the band still using the 5. I think there is no need for you to change to 5 if you dont want to, or if the band dont really need it. Is not like you have to play 4 then 5 and then 6. I would stay with the 4 string if it wasn't a band requirement.
I moved to 5 string when i joined a country cover band that played a bunch of songs in C# or D, so I wouldn’t have to keep changing tunings between songs. It is a bit of a learning curve but probably less than you’d expect if you’re proficient on 4 string. Now I won’t go back, having access to the low boom energy is vital for my playing. Also i love being able to use the B5 for E instead of always with the open string.
I spend more time on the B5-9 than I ever do below the fifth fret on either string. I just love the round, warm texture of playing higher up on the lower ~~strings~~ cables.
I played guitar for 8 ish years before eventually pausing. More recently I wanted to pickup playing music again and I wanted to try bass playing. Because I wanted to have a nice repertoire without having to switch to alternative tuning a 5 string made sense to me. I'm use to 6 strings guitar playing anyway. I ended up getting a Godin freeway 5 used for cheap and I've been enjoying it a lot. When playing songs written for 4 strings I tend to play things on the b string which maintains my left hand in the same position for a lot of things.
You can move to 5-string whenever you want. Hell, move to 6 or 7 if that's where your heart is going. 5-strings are the new standard in lots of genres, and are incredibly useful to have even if they're not standard in whatever genre you're playing. Good luck playing practically any modern metal or even the majority of modern rock on less than 5 strings. Or any musical theater music. Or most modern pop music. Most of these genres assume you'll have a low B string. 5 strings are "harder" only in the sense that the physical layout of the instrument is a little different due to the extra string. So muscle memory and your muting techniques will have to shift a little. That's pretty much it.
I started playing on a 5-string. I think your teacher probably said that because muting unused strings gets a little more difficult on a 5-string, it doesn't take much for the low B to start resonating along with other notes if left unmuted, creating a very muddy sound. Also slap is usually easier on a 4-string, because there's more room in between strings.
Are you playing a style of music that requires the low B? Lots of modern metal and neo-soul makes frequent use of it. A fair bit of dance music does, too. If you're playing classic rock covers, you won't find much need for it. The skill issue is small: If you're competent on 4 strings, you'll adjust quickly. It's just a question of whether that 6th string is actually gonna be *useful* to you. **Tangentially related story:** When I was in high school, at the end of the year the HS band would pick a few players to do a "tour" of the elementary schools to present all the different instruments to 5th graders in order to convince them to sign up for band class next year (6th grade was when we started offering it). One year, we had a really good pair of sax players: One on Alto, one on Bari. The middle schools didn't have a Bari sax, so typically in High School one or two Alto players would switch over. Alto sax guy played his solo from one of the songs we were doing in our spring concert, a really lush melodic passage. Bari Sax guy played the [main lick to Moanin' by Charles Mingus](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__OSyznVDOY). Half the kids were asking how long after playing Alto until they could "upgrade" to Bari Sax.
My first "real" band was a weird blend of drop A death metal and 80's guitar shred wankery. Not a chance I could've kept up with a 4-string even if I'd wanted to. So my 2nd bass after my first typical "learner" bass was a 6-string. The worst part for me (this is 6-string not 5 but the same applies) was physically reaching the lower string with my fretting hand. I had to really sort out my ergonomics because I started getting wrist pains I never had with 4 strings. You're not going to suddenly be a worse player just because you have a low string, but by the same token you're not going to be any better. You might need a few days to really get to grips with the extra notes but tbh it's really not going to change things especially if you've already been doing it 10 years. TL;DR: If you need/want the extra string, get it. If you don't, don't. Also, don't listen to these old greybeards saying that "Four strings is enough, I've been playing 100 years with only four". Sure, they've been playing *their music* with 4, but your music might not even be doable without 5.
The right time is when you think your music needs to go lower than E. If that is now, buy one now - if you know you're going to play music that requires a 5 string then no sense learning on a 4 and having alter technique etc for a 5, just do it from the off! But if the music you play and are likely to play doesn't need a B, then don't bother with it and just stick to 4 string. A 5-string isn't something you graduate to, it's a different tool for a different job. Get one because you need what that tool offers.
Gotta complete all camo challenges for the 4 string
The biggest issue I had starting to play a 5-string was that the strings are a few millimetres closer together and I kept missing the strings at first. I also ended up wearing the bass higher so it was easier to reach the B string.
I got a five string after about 3 years. I’ve been playing for 25 years or so. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not time.
Your teacher is a pretentious douchebag. If you want the bass just fuckin buy it lol
i started on a six string and got a five string because i wanted something different
I switched to a 5 string when my cover band started playing tunes that required me to use one (or play them in a higher register but that doesn´t do some tunes justice). As always with picking up new skills/gear when it comes to bass, the best time for me to do it is when I have actual use for it.
Never too soon or too late to start in my opinion. It's really just a question of whether you like it and will use it. If you don't *know* you want a 5-string and are new, then I'd say play a 4. But if you know you want that string it's never too early, and if you've been playing a 4 string for a little while and you're just curious, go for it. I wouldn't call mastery a prerequisite at all. Everyone can always improve anyway. Personally I've always liked the idea of extending the range and don't mind the thicker neck much. But every time I try one I find that extra string sounds and feels really floppy and unusable, and then go "oh yeah... that's why I don't play a 5 string." But obviously not everyone has that experience, so YMMV. Give it a shot and see how you like it. If trying one out in a store isn't enough to see if you like it, buy a used one. Used instruments pretty much hold their value so all you really have to lose is maintenance costs and maybe a little time. It's not going to mess up your 4-string technique or anything.
I played 5s for a few years but found I rarely actually used the lowest notes and the main draw was being able to play across the strings more with less movement up and down the neck. Eventually though I went back to 4s because I just find them more comfortable and enjoyable to play. You can jump into playing a 5 anytime, it’s just one more string and you can use it as a thumb rest if you want, just experiment with incorporating the extra string into your playing as and when you learn new songs or when you’re improvising and you’ll get used to it quickly.
I played bass off and on for 30 years, never owned a bass. When my son wanted to buy one I told home he doesn't need more than four strings. When I finally bought one for myself one it was a cheap four strings which was fine for oldie bands I was playing with. When I subbed for a band playing more modern music I found myself in dropped D from time to time. As soon as I got a five string my life was easier. No transition problems at all. Playing with old guys dropping keys was the norm, five string to the rescue! Right away I got thinking with a six string I could play across the fretboard more than up and down. Getting a six string was the thing to do. It was delivered as I was getting leaving for a gig, I thought I would play it. I'm glad I didn't, it takes some getting used. Mainly muting. Within a week I was taking it to gigs. Range, efficiency, versatility, all there in a six string greater than four strings. I have a friend with an eight string, he loves it, it didn't make me want one. Six string is the sweet spot.
when you need one - do you need the lower pitches? I played upright for about 10 years and then got a 5 string Fender so to access to lower pitches. It took a couple of years to really get used to the 5th string. Now, I love having two full octaves in one position.
I got a 5 string a year or two after starting playing bass. Not because if I felt ready (or not), but because I really liked playing bass, I had money to spend on one, and because was curious and thought it would be cool to have a 5 string bass. It's been my main bass since. It was a bit awkward at first but I quickly got used to it and now 4 strings always feel like they are missing something for me, both in terms of the lower notes and also because it's nice to be able play the same notes in a different position. If you are curious and you really want to find out if it suits you, I say go for it :) Worst case you can always sell later on.
If you want to play a 5 string, play a 5 string. No certain period of time. Play it like a 4 string at first with access to 5 lower notes. Plays the same just gives more versatility.
when you figured out why you want a 5 string, and understand when you would need the 5th string
I made the leap when I joined a band with a 7 (and then eventually 8) string guitarist lol. But, it was a relatively easy transition and I have never really been tempted to revert to a 4 string. It's only 5 extra notes but even having the low D, C etc available without downtuning is worth the price of admission imo
You should only get a 5 string if you need one. That may be in your first year of playing, it may be in your third decade. I play in a band where I am playing anything from around a low open B up to the 15th fret on the G in the one set. I have been 'playing' on and off for 15 years (but sound like I've been playing for 3 or 4). I only got a 5 maybe a year or so ago when joining this band. It makes sense for me play a 5 string in this setting, but I would still reach for a 4 string if I had no need for the 5. I'd say if youre going anything below what drop D tuning can achieve you should consider a 5 string. I personally find drop C# or lower to be a pretty crappy playing experience so would prefer a 5. I also have a bass setup in BEAD tuning. Tall Doctor; there is no fixed answer. Get one when you can actually justify playing one.
I started playing bass (4-string) in 2006. I switched to 5-string in 2010 because I wanted to play downtuned music and to generally have that sub-E range. I still play fivers, feels like home to me. It does everything a four-string can do and more. When I play '4-string music', I just don't use B-string and it's perfectly comfortable to me (when you learn proper muting and floating thumb technique, it doesn't matter if you play four-string or play five-string without using B-string). So... If you want/need to have that lower range, then the time is now (10 years on a four is plenty of experience, just get that five-stringer and play it exclusively until you get comfortable with it). And if you're fine with range of standard 4-string bass, then you don't have to 'upgrade' to 5-string, it's not like it's some necessary step. You don't have to 'move to 5' unless you want to. If you want to, then main thing to adjust to is right hand string muting (if you play fingerstyle). If you're used to anchor your right hand thumb on a pickup, it can work on 4 string but it won't be enough for 5 or 6-string. You'll have to learn floating thumb. But it's not really hard and can be done with some practice.
When you feel like you need the extra low notes or extra positions. I've been eyeing a five-string because I find myself wanting a low C on my four-string.
I went to a 5ver after joining a duo and original traks were with a 5ver, but I had also started listening to a lot of different styles( smooth jazz, r&b harder edge rock). The thing I found was dont try to play what you play on a 4 string on a five, different brain process on a 5, learn new stuff on 5 til you comfortable and competent, leave the 4 for what do already !! Worked for me, Im 67 years old , playing 55 years !! Have Fun !!!!
I think it really depends on the material you're playing. Edit: If you're playing modern metal, gospel, or any other music that has a low b or lower note. Otherwise, you can probably just use alternate or drop tunings on a 4 string
Buy one whenever you feel like it. There’s no prerequisite. I played 4, switched to 5. Learned a lot about playing from the 5th fret rather than open strings. Eventually switched back to a 4, but with a Hipshot detuner to access that low D. Now all my basses are set up that way. Personal preference.
I jumped up to a 5 string pretty much immediately after starting. My dad had one that sounded way better than my starter bass so I always used it for gigs and band rehearsals. Like others have said, there's really no right or wrong time but if you're curious I say go for it.
I’m still waiting for the 3 string revolution. Who needs that G anyway???? /half-sarcasm
I went from playing 4 to 6 string. I only recently got my first 5 string after playing bass for half my life. I simply realized that I wanted to have a high C string but still wanted the standard E. It’ll take some getting used to, but it’s a transition I made simply to support what I feel I need out of the instrument. If you started landing by playing a 5 string from day one, it wouldn’t have mattered. It’s a tool, you use it to suit your needs. If it suits you, use it. If it doesn’t, don’t.
I bought a 5 three months ago as a starter, mostly because I come from guitar and the visuals proportions of a 4 string... upset me. Is this a stupid reason? Absolutely. I'm still having a blast and can't say I regret the purchase or struggle to learn. I've been playing guitar for 10+ years, but I don't think i'll ever bother with a 7 string.
I started on a fretless six string, my buddy who started at the same time also had a six string. It's not necessary to 'figure out' one before another, if you have the determination and patience you can start anywhere. I've found that I'm faster at playing 4 and 5 strings now since I've played 6 for so long. I'm not going to lie though, this route is much more challenging, but you develop better technique overall I feel.
I played four-string for less than a year before jumping to five string, there isn’t really a perfect time, just time you have to spare to practice with the extra string.
Whenever you want. I got my 5 string about a year into learning (been playing for 19 now ), and in recent years have just been back on a 4 string. I want to get the electronics fixed on my 5 though and take it for a spin again though!
I got a 5 string in like 2012 after playing for like... 6 years? I never used it and eventually gave it away
I tried many years ago, but my brain couldn't wrap around that low string being a B instead of an E string. I gave it up. I came back to it (actually with a 6 string) about 4-5 years ago, and found that I could just do it without much thinking/effort. I borrowed a 6 string before I actually purchased one, so I'd recommend that, if you can. Maybe rent one if you don't know someone you could borrow from, or maybe there's a Musical Instrument Lending Library near you! :)
Given I'd been a percussionist who could read music for like 6 years prior to picking up bass, but about a year after getting my first bass, I was gifted a 6 string bass for Christmas. I adapted to learning on that and I daresay I'm pretty good on it. Whenever you're ready to move on, I'd say move on. If you really wanna play a 5 string, get a 5 string. If you think you're gonna have more fun with it, go for it. That's what being a musician is all about, that's why we call it "playing an instrument." Going from 4 to 6, I gained a higher string and a lower string. Given, I don't use the lower as much, but I use the higher a lot. Main thing to get used to is that the neck is a bit wider, in my experience. I thought it was great that I got some added range.
As people have said, it doesn't really matter. Some have gone decades on 4; I bought a 6 string bass one year after my first 4 string since I wanted the lower end for covers/writing. Think about what you want to play and if a 5 string will help with that style then it's by all means a good purchase. If you have nothing to play with it then there's little point, if you want to expand to more styles go ahead. As for the learning curve, it does feel much more different. I found I had to adjust my muscle memory, as the E was now in the position of the A on a 4 string for example. The size of the neck and gaps between strings makes a tighter feeling with fretting, and the whole instrument feels more tense on a whole. Neck dive is much more likely, so as always try it out in the shop before buying. That's all I really have to say.
I love the thicker necks of the 5 string basses. I have huge hands and find that most of the time I only play on the 4 strings while using the 5th as a thumb rest. Over time I started using the 5th string on some songs to keep the left hand in the same area without moving too much, but only rarely use the 5 extra notes the 5th string gives me
I owned a 4 string first technically, but I didn't really get into bass until I got a 5 string. So they lying to ya man.
Not difficult at all. I moved to a 5-string years ago, and never looked back. The main reason I like it is that it gives me greater flexibility without having to drop tune, tune BEAD, or play octaves when I want a fat lower note like a C# or D. That's how I look at it... it's a 4-string with the 5th being what gives me the lows on songs in keys lower than E. And, I now feel the same way about fanned fret / multiscale basses. I picked up this [Ibanez 5-string multiscale](https://i.imgur.com/qe4YfKb.jpg) and love it. Took about an hour to get used to the frets, and having the additional length and tension on the B string makes a noticeable difference.
It’s “when you need one.” Do you find yourself on the low E wishing you had room to go down? Or are you constantly retuning because the guitars can’t pick a tuning and stick with it? If yes, it’s time to expand your range. If no, it’s perfectly fine to stick with a 4 string.
I started on a 5 string so… I say whenever you want.
I started playing 3 months ago. Just put a 5 string on layaway yesterday.
I got my first 5-string because there was a deal on a used Steinberger at the local shop. I can’t do without an extra low string anymore. I think it’s worth it just to be able to move bass lines to heavier strings at higher numbered frets to get a more fundamental tone when called for. It’s also really nice when you can get creatively deep underneath the heaviest guitar riffs. You’ve been playing for 10 years. You ought to at least go to a shop and play with a five string to see what’s up, if you’re curious.
Complete newbie, question I've been wondering about....Why not just play a 4-string and use the lower 4 strings from a 5-string pack?
If I waited until I was "ready" for a 5 string, I'd never own one.
I’d say: if there’s a song you like but the re-fretting is a major headache and a 5-string will reduce, go for a 5. If your band plays a lot in drop-d and you’d rather not deal with the mental calculations in having 7-5-5 string spacing, get a 5 and maybe a capo. If you think a bass line will sound better going down to one or more of those extra 5 notes test drive a 5 at the music store, and decide if it actually does sound better.
I got a 5 string around xmas and its a lil trickier...That extra string makes a great thumbrest tho, extends the whole length...sure beats trying to find a specific spot on a pickup corner. But I do get confused sometimes and mistake it for the E. Ive decided to let it rest for a while till Ive refined my techniques. I say get one and start mixing it in your practice sesh. 10 years....I think your ready Edit: only been playing a year
I started using my 5-string when I started listening to more progressive metal. Lots of prog metal players use 5 or 6-strings. My dad gave me his 5-string that he barely ever played, so I was able to start learning some of the songs I was listening to. It took me a while to start using the low B outside of the few prog songs I knew, but when I figured out how to implement it into my own writing, it opened up so many opportunities. You don't at all \*need\* a 5-string, but I think it's useful to have around in addition to a regular 4 string bass. If you're good on a 4, you should be able to pick up a 5 pretty quickly.
I picked up a five string only a year into playing if I remember correctly, highly recommend it. If I could only have one bass, it would be a five string.
You only get another 5 notes lower, 3 if you tube to drop D. Not crucial
You probably don't need a fiver, but I got one because I thought it was fun.
That idea that you must master a 4 before moving to a 5 is nonsense. That’s what I was told as a young bass player. I played four for about 2-3 years before buying a 5. Eventually I settled on six string basses and love playing a six. As an old guy with terrible arthritis, two torn rotator cuffs, bicep tendonitis, and a torn labrum, my shoulders are in bad shape. So when playing bass, it’s very painful for my shoulders to keep my left hand in first position-which is where most bass players live. Having that low B string allows me to take the pressure off of my shoulder. I like the high C string because I like to play chords.
It’s whenever you want. I just moved from a 5 string as my main axe to a 4 string. I moved to a 5 string because I thought it was cool. I’m on a 4 right now because I love it’s sound, and I’m less worried about gear and more worried about choosing the right notes.
i have been playing for 4ish years and got a 5 string 2 years in. am i any better at it then my 4 string? no, does most of what i play use it? no, do i love playing it? Yes! The biggest thing is that you have more strings to mute. i am at the tail end of begginer and into intermediate and havent really done a lot of noodling so having one is not really netting me much other then i really like the way the bass looks and sounds. To me thats enough. If you want to explore what you can do with an extra string, by all means go for it. is 90% of whats out there written for it? nope. but if you understand what that extra string offers you, you can figure out what to do with it.
The only thing that matters is what tuning the songs you play are in. For me, C and higher 4 string, B and lower 5 string
I've been playing bass for like a year total and I got a 5-string. I like metal, I wanna play metal. Real heavy stuff. Decided to just go for it.
I would think whenever you either want one, or "need" one. Want is self explanatory, need in this context would be if you find yourself playing music that uses those lower notes often then you could save yourself a lot of time down tuning all the time, and/or have access to standard tuning at the same time. I think experience with the instrument is kind of a non-factor. I could see a brand new player who's never touched a bass before being recommended a 4-string specifically just so that there's less to keep track of as they're getting started, but at 10 years experience I can't imagine that being a limiting factor anymore. I've only been playing for less than a year and don't have a 5-string, but feel as though I could pick one up and play it with minimal issues/learning curve already. At least at the same level that I can play my 4-string.
I jumped on the 5 string fairly early because of the type of music I like to play, but really there is never a time where you have a need to jump to 5. You could even get a 5 string string set and use the first 4 if you want that low b. 5 string does come with its challenges and advantages, but you never really NEED a 5 string. That being said, I love mine and I am glad I got it. But don’t buy one because you feel like you need it or that it is part of the natural progression of a bass player. I would say it all comes down to preference and want really
I don’t think there’s a fixed time needed to learn a 5 string. But I also don’t think it’s “moving on” or necessary for everyone.
Never
Doesn’t sound like you’ve arrived at a reason to need the 5th string which tells me you probably don’t need the 5th string.
I started playing music seriously when I was like 14. I played bass in a band and ever since then, I've wanted a 5-string. Always had 4-strings. I'm turning 50 this year, and I got myself an inexpensive Ibanez Gio 5-string. It sits on the stand because I can't get the stuff together to play it, but it's there. As someone else says - there's no right time. If you can borrow one or try one, give it a try and see what you think. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
I learned from the start on 5 string. It’s not technically harder than a 4 string and offered some advantages such as not needing to retune as often depending on the piece you’re working on. I find 4 string preferable for most applications due to not have to worry about hitting the low b by accident. It’s really a matter of personal preference.
i played 4 string in school for 4 months then bought a 6 string bass (i listen to dream theater john mayung is my inspiration) about 4 years later i love my 6 string. it’s all dependant on what you want to do with it
> bass teachers would tell me that you gotta figure out a 4-string before moving to 5 There's your problem. You don't. Do it if you want. I did it as soon as I could because there were so many songs I couldn't play on a four string, I always felt frustrated. Never looked back.
I have both. I prefer the 5 string because it's more comfortable for my hands even if I rarely use the B string.
Do you need 5 for the material you play? That said, I have a six, and little of the material I play mandates a sixer. That notwithstanding, I'd say go for it! Once you've got your technique/s moved across to the five string format, going back to a four is very straightforward. I've had to work on using a "floating thumb"(plucking hand) to keep the six damped. Going back to a four, I find that the technique has transferred to that format. There's a definite tendency for technique and theory to cross-pollinate. As for buying one, I'd suggest a visit to your local bass emporium. Try everything you can get your hands on, and work out what you do and don't like in a Five; Neck dimensions String spacing Instrument balance General playability Then look for one that meets your needs in terms of pickups, tone, EQ, aesthetics, etc.
No need to wait. If you want to reach those deep notes, go for it. I found the switch to 5 easy. Felt natural after a few months. The 6 string however is a different story. A huge leap. Took me years.
Never. 4 string for life!
A lot of bass players seem to make a fuss about the move from 4 strings to 5 string. I go back and forth all the time. It isn't a big deal. If you want notes lower than "E", get a 5 string. Practice with it and you will figure it out.
The right time to switch to 5 is once you start running into the thought "ooh, I'd like to play this pattern down HERE, but I don't have those notes" so basically once your compositional needs start to be limited by the range of 4 strings For me that was 4 months into playing, but I only graduated to a 6 string a few weeks ago (20 years in)
You only get five extra notes. It’s kinda anticlimactic.
You need to walk in the desert until you are almost dead. Then someone from the Eldar council will see you. It is them and only them that can give you the answers you seek. But beware, they will take something from you that you will miss, in exchange for their council.
Do you want to play music that requires notes lower than the E string allows? Does tuning down annoy you? If yes, a five string bass might be useful for you.
I got one when I joined a metal band 2 years into playing. It's all bass and you can get one if want those lower notes or just stick with 4.
There are no rules. If you want to get a 5 string bass, get a 5 string bass. If you want to get a 7 string bass, get a 7 string bass. If you want an 11 string bass, get an 11 string bass. Do whatever you want to do, it's just an instrument.
I started out on a 5-string. It's not as complicated as people make it out to be.
My first bass broke, i went to guitar store and ended up getting a 6-string because that's what i liked the best from their selection. If you see a bass you like that's not a 4 string don't be afraid to pick it up and try it!
i tried a 5er and didnt really like it, but i recently set one of my basses up BEAD and i’ve liked it as an alternative. granted, the bass i set up with the low b is much nicer than the 5 string i tried
When you’re interested and can afford one.
Any time is a good time if you wanna try it out. I don’t really use the 5th string all that often my self but it extremely effective in certain songs
Honestly I would have started way earlier to get comfortable on it. I play guitar and immediately got a 5 string. I also play a seven string guitar, though, so it helps to match. For one, it's a little more versatile in different bands. Like you can go lower without moving your whole arm. But it is a little harder to play.
I play both. I use my 5 string when I need to hit those lower notes for the song, generally if the guitar is a 7 string or downtuning more than D. I switched when my band wrote a number of songs in a key where it made more sense for me to go low than high, and that required an extra string. Took some time to get used to it, but now it feels normal. The fun things is that my 4 string feels a lot more fun now and is easier to play.
When I wanted to doom without wearing out my cheap beginner bass by downtuning every time… so about a month after I started for me.
Tired: get a 5-string. Wired: get a 4-string and drop tune because you’ll rarely use all of the strings anyway!
It’s only 5 more notes. Do it!
Just get another 4 string and string it up as BEAD.
I was a guitarist-who-got-a-bass-playing gig in a musical and the parts were written for a five-string. Since I didn't have a bass anyway, I went out and bought a five-string. Never thought or worried for a second about not having paid my dues on a four string first, just picked it up and found my way. So, granted I'd played guitar for a few years at that point, but not as long as you've been playing bass. Just go out, find one you like and enjoy playing it. That's what I did.
I bought a 5 string as my first bass and it’s serving me well. It’s really nice to use creatively or for heavy metal
I get 5 strings only because I want lower sound for heavy stuff. I don't think you should move to it if you don't need to use lower notes.
I basically a beginner, and I just got a 5 string. I love it. I suck, but I love it.
Asap
I'd only switch if you have need for that low B. 🤷♂️
My first fretted bass was a 5. Went straight there from a 4 string fretless after playing for about 4 years. Number of strings isn’t exactly an increase in difficulty. Otherwise bassists would start with just one string and keep adding. I mean Victor Wooten mostly plays a 4 string and he’s pretty good.
Whenever you want to play a song that requires the 5th string. It's still the same exact instrument.
I picked up a 4-string first and played for some years until I got a 6-string Ibanez SR506 in 2016. I don't think there's more of a "learning curve" for a 5 string, especially since bass guitar is tuned in 4ths so shapes and techniques are transferable across the strings. After playing a 6-string, I would be wary of a few points when making the transition: 1.) More strings means a heavier neck and instrument. This means more neck-dive and more discomfort while playing, especially while standing. 2.) More strings means more string muting. You need to develop your left and right hand technique to mute strings better. 3.) More strings means a wider neck. This might not be as comfortable, depending on your body and technique. Personally, I think the 5-string bass, tuned BEADG low to high, is somewhat more useful than a 6-string bass, just because the low B gets more use in a band setting than the high C string. Of course, your mileage may vary.
A possible issue is thinking of it like a 4 string with 5 extra low notes. Part of the beauty of having a five string is, for example, being able to play your G on the 8th fret of the B string instead of shifting down to the 3rd fret of the E.
I started bass on a 5-string. I sold it for a multitude of reasons. One of which was the heavy thick neck. I do like the low tones though. Now I play 4-string in BEAD-tuning. Maybe this is an option for you to consider.
I’ve dabbled with five-string basses but I just like the feel of a four-string neck so I’m staying where I am. Find one you’re comfortable with and just go.
I pretty much started on a 5-string. I had it for most of the time I played bass until it got stolen by an ex. I bought a very similar 4-string only because of the price tag difference. I am eventually going to buy another 5-string. I say go for it!
Any more than 4 strings is just feeding the ego of the guitar player. Be better.
I moved to a 5 string after about 20 years of playing. BUT, I wished I'd moved SOONER. Having the drop D right there on the 4th fret is just SUBLIME. But, like everything else here, you do you.
Maybe I'm the odd one out as I started on guitar and then moved to bass, and ive never had lessons in either. I definitely approach the bass like a guitar player. When i purchased a 5 it was so I could play some songs that use the low B and even tune down to A. That's far easier on a 5 than a 4. Simple as that. Are there songs you want to play that will utilize the B string? Then go for it. I had 0 difficulty adjusting and can go back and forth 4 and 5 seamlessly. Don't think about it too much, it's as simple as asking yourself if you'll really use the extra range.
I got my first five string after playing with a cheap four string for about a year. It looked cool and I needed it cause I play in a metal band where the B string is used extensively. First thing is that the neck is thicker than a four string. You'll be fine sitting down and playing, but standing up it's a absolute pain in the ass trying to reach to the E or B string. The only difference in a five string is the added B string. Another thing is that the strings are more clustered together, so it may take you a little bit of time in getting used to that. I remember the four string feeling so different after playing with my five string for about 5 months lol. But there's no specific time to start really. Even beginners can play a five string if they want. Nothing to learn really because it's just the added B string. But I think you'll do great on a five string. Cheers!
For a while I was using two 4-strings, one tuned to BEAD and one to EADG. When I started doing shows with a band that required both tunings, I decided to get a 5 string so I could have one bass that worked for the entire set. The biggest learning curve for me was getting accustomed to the narrower string spacing, but after a few months it became second nature. It definitely changed my approach to the fretboard, as I have more notes available to me at any position on the neck without having to move higher/lower on the fretboard to hit those notes. I find myself using the higher frets on the B and E string more often, when before I would hit those same notes on the lower frets of the A and D strings.
Bro I came across your old post aboud BEAD from 3 years ago. I'm going to buy a cheap "project" Ibanez with a thin neck and do the nut trick you mentioned there with the roundwound strings to convert it into a BEAD. I wanted to ask if you have any insight about it now years later. Should I use a P or a Jazz bass? I'm thinking Jazz will have more pickups on those low sounds but not sure if that makes sense. And did you run into any issues with the neck bending out of shape with the different tensions or can it be dealt with via truss rod adjustments? Thanks for the tips and info dude.
There’s not too much difference between a 4-string and a 5-string bass. As mentioned, you’ll have to slightly adapt your muting technique. If you slap, you’ll need a pretty clean technique to avoid the B string ringing out. That was the biggest learning curve in switching, for me. Learning to double thump helps a lot with that. I switched when I found a gorgeous 5-string for an insane price at a local pawn shop. I had no specific intention of playing a 5-string but also wasn’t opposed. I love it and don’t play 4-string anymore unless I don’t have my bass with me. I like having the option to play lower notes with downtuning. I mostly play punk, soul, and ska in my current bands, but I still find a use for the low notes. It’s also really nice to have the extra string so I can play some of my riffs in a position higher up the neck. It’s more comfortable to me. A downside is that the wider neck can be harder on your left hand than a 4-string would be. I’m not sure how much of this has to do with long scale vs. short scale, because my 4-string was short scale and my 5-string is long scale, but I’ve heard that can also affect it. I had to change some of my technique so it wouldn’t cause my wrist trouble anymore. It is technique that would’ve been better for me on a 4-string as well, so definitely for the best either way.
I played on a 4 string all throughout high school and finally picked up a fretless 5 string back in 2019 and yeah its a lot different but I honestly find the range more fun to play around with recently picked up a fretted 5 string and put a high c on it rather then a low B and found that even better to play with opens up a lot more chords and melodic lines to play with then the low rumble. The answer to your question really is just get one whenever you want and experiment on it it takes a little getting used to as I'm still learning the high c string a bit but having the options is nice and a 4 string will always just be in my muscle memory
Honestly if i ever do studio Or session stuff i bring the 5 string. Being able to hit a low B-D honestly adds such an amazing feel and texture to recordings. Plus it allows you to easily play in keys like Eb without having to down tune. Superstition is no longer super awkward lol
When the music you play warrants it, then learn it.
You don’t need to figure out 4 before 5. You can switch between either. 5 is an extension of 4 and depending on the song both mostly play the same. I learned on 5 and have one but mostly grab a mustang or basic jazz for for most things, as I have too many instruments. I’m playing punk and some pop, and the 5 is often not needed. But I’ve been working with a pianist lately who plays a lot of Eb so it may be a good time to pull out my 5.
my first bass (after borrowing my sister's 4 string for a year) was a 5 string which I only chose bc I had the opportunity to get an awesome handmade bass for cheap which just so happened to be 5 string. to be honest most of the time I don't even use the low B, but it does come in handy for playing i. the band I play with when i'm kind of doing my own thing and want to get those lower tones. I would say there's not really a right time, its cool to have that extra option but if you're not finding that you need those lower notes all it really does is get in the way. I definitely got thrown off by the extra string for a good few months and it does change how you play having to mute an extra lower string.
my first bass was a six string. it literally doesn’t matter
When you want to play songs that need the extra low notes.
If you have the need for the added range and utility, just start getting used to it. I started on a five string about a year after learning on the 4. I was in a band that frequently dropped D, so I initially made the move for the extra lower range. But then I figured out that having the low B allows for playing a fretted E and having all that glorious room to explore across and up the neck.
I'm surprised no one is mentioning that with a 5 string, there's much less shifting. You can play lower notes higher up on the neck and have more notes accessible. The sweet spot on a 5 string is at the 5th fret. Being able to fret a low E is pretty useful in the context of the bass.
I found setting up a second bass was a better option. Also putting a Hipshot on my primary for d tunings.
For me it was just a matter of wanting to have one bass that I would never have to retune.
I bought a 5 string because I wanted a five string, not because I thought I was ready to play a 5 string... I wasn't even all that good at 4 strings, I just wanted it
The right time is when there are specific songs you want to play that need a low B string. Otherwise a 4 string is fine.
I shifted i to it after about 4-5 years because stuff I was getting into genre wise uses it a ton. Honestly its not a real hard transition outside of muting, thats the toughest switch imo. But otherwise its just another string a 4th away like the rest.
You never need to move on to a 5 string if you don't want to. If you're playing music where you have to detune your bass all the time then maybe go for it. As far as when to do it. Well whenever really. There's not really some specific time to switch.