I chose a 5 string even though they say you should start on a 4 string because a 5 string is 2 basses in one: i just play it like a 4 string and use the B string when I need it for sutff like Korn or Slipknot
I have a 5 and a 4 string and for the genre I play, I find myself using the 4 almost exclusively. The only place I like to use my 5 is when I'm playing funk or metal.
The B string is so much thicker and heavier that it affords you flexibility in working with the rest of the band. If the lead is playing something complicated that needs to stand out, it is better to play the E and A strings so as to put out less bass energy. If you are doing a bass solo, the B string will add energy and give you some serious punch that you can't get from the other strings. The B string lets you adapt to the type of music also. A slow and soft ballad can sound better with the bass playing the higher strings. A heavy metal riff can sound louder and more punchy when driven with the B string played closer to the bridge.
So you like 5 string? I don't play bass yet so I could not understand what you were saying. I play guitar. I think you advocate for 5. In GC, the 5 string sounded more like what I perceive a bass should sound like- deep and rich.
Great vid and well explained, adding my experiences ive played four and five but aside of the added range I gave up my five as spent most of the time with my thumb resting on the B and i also found that most of the bass cabs i was using responded better to the low E and got muddy when going below for d, c, and b. Its a preference thing too and it didn’t matter how many times I tried to get comfortable with 5 strings, I would always be drawn and enjoy playing four strings better. So, i sold the 5 only play fours and have never looked back. A seasoned senior bass player once told me, the best bass guitar is the one that makes you want to play it! For that I have my Fender P and my Vintage VJ74 Jazz. Thank you for all the effort you put into your vids, you have a great channel.
A couple thoughts (haven't tried this out myself): A 5-string bass might actually be better for people with small hands, because the same 4 strings you would have on a 4 string can be closer together. Also, if nothing else, seems like the B string would make a nice thumb rest when playing on the E string, which you don't really have on a 5 string. So even if you never use the 5th string as a string, it still serves a purpose.
@Patch Sound Creation If you are still looking at tuning your bass down, the easiest way to get it right first time is to buy a 5 string set and don't use the thinnest string in the set. Paul Gray used a 4 string bass tuned to B, F#, B and E (Also the 'new' bass player V man uses a 4 string bass too).
Heard and heard. And I respek it. For me, I appreciate the 5 string, because I like to keep that E A D G setup around for when I need it. The G string may not look like much, but it's helpful to have imo. Especially for slapping and popping, and also for chords and taking the high road (high register). I don't do the latter two at all just yet, but I may want to in the future, and I'm working on my slap bass game. The B E A and D strings are like varying levels of beefy. The G string isn't beefy at all to me; it's more like a side of fries. But the thing about fries is that they compliment beefy entrees (i.e., burgers) very well. So I like to keep it around. But that's just me. To each his/her own.
I'm new to the channel, so I'm digging what I see. You made the comment "if you tune it in 4ths", that made me think, you should do a video on tuning in 5ths,this is something I've been messing with for a couple weeks, takes getting used to but the melodic lines I create now, WOW, defiantly worth a video on its own!
I play my 5 string like a 4. I never play the open E on it. It's always the 5tj fret on the B string. If you use the B string as a thumb rest then use a 4
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 no that's not what I meant. I meant you have to get your head round using the B string as you would the E on a 4 string. So when you play a low E you play the 5th fret on the B string. I love playing B Thru to E on the 5th string.
For me I am self taught, so even though I use the 5th string as a resting point, I almost always end up using the B string anyway. Almost religiously actually for the music I like to play. Makes great and powerful notes and makes it to where I don't have to downtune.
@@shamsam69I actually agree with this, and for the most part I have the same approach: treat you B string on a 5 the same way you treat your E on a 4. But my key difference is that while I use the 5th fret, I also tend to use the E string on a 5 at times. It depends on how I feel. Using the open E string does feel good to me sometimes. Another rule of thumb (no pun intended) is that a 5 string is just a 4 string with an extra string at the "bottom."
before i use to despise 5 string basses. i used to see them as being abnormal like for instance when u see a person with 11 fingers.. that type.. but now for some reason i always play 5 string. i think it looks more impressive plus u have much more notes.. would advise everyone to play 5 strings over 4s any day of the week
Five string basses are a little more difficult at first, because the neck is wider. But it also a little easier because I don't have play as much to get two octaves.
To me the most important difference is that you have an extra string to mute (against resonating). String damper at the end of the neck does assist, but only partly. Resting your dumb on it is convenient, but then still the E to mute. Resting on the E and with your dumb damping the B at the same time is also an option. Nevertheless, it is more to take care of. For having a decent sound of the B-string a certain stiffness af te neck is needed. However, I play a 5-string fretless, and that one gives more harmonics on the lowest string than a fretted one. The B-string is not used often, but sometimes it is fine to have it. Low D is well usable as a main note. Low B or C sometimes for intermediate notes (like a A - low C - Low D - low E sequence). Must say that it took me several weeks to get used to 5 strings. Somehow my right hand 'counts' downwards, and my left hand upwards. So, sometimes confusions between the hands.
I recommend a 5 string.. 4 string might be easier but you've been playing guitar I think 5 would be easier given your hands already have that muscle memory.
I thinks its all about your personal sound you need. I love 5 string bass because i love deep tones of H string. Of course you can drop your E string to low but its not the same like H string. But maybe E string sounds better on 4-string bass than 5-string. Its very difficult. Another big question is fingers or pick, i prefer fingers because more bass is more bass :D
@@josh8196 in Czechia, we use the letter H to describe what Americans describe as B, meaning that the tone H in Czechia is tone B in the US. In Czechia, the tone B is Ab in America. H = B B = Ab
@@simon_arnetSo is it, like, naming the 12 tones differently, or are there others in your system as well? (I ask because Jacob Collier exists, and he likes to play around with the tones in between the tones. Lol. So I just wanted to inquire deeper.) But this is interesting to learn about nonetheless. I've heard of the H tone before, but I thought it was something different.
I play a 5 string, I started on a 4 but I've found that the 5 string is more comfortable on my hands for some reason. Might be the wider neck. I rarely have to use my B string but it just feels nicer.
I play 5s &4s & I love 4s &5s. More Tools for the job. I also love 6rs, but I have a severely injured neck that has constant pain down my arms into hands. That makes playing 6ers more of a wrestling match of pain, than just enjoying playing. I choose to enjoy playing.
I'm a guitar player and considering this issue when thinking about getting my first bass. For me it would be mostly home studio use to have a tool for new ideas. And because I need to learn it kind of the beginning, it would be ok to learn right away with 5 string. No hassle with alternative tunings and more flexibility with just one bass. So I'm leaning towards 5 string :). Have been looking Marcus Miller V2 gen2 5-strings. That seems to have more narrow neck (46mm) than what you have in this video. My Les Paul is 43mm, so not a big difference there
I was originally (and still am) a guitar player, who plays bass sometimes. I have only ever had 5 string basses. On the odd occasion I have tried 4 strings they feel like a toy.
I play guitar and want to try bass. Thanks for your comment. At GC, 5 string sounded deeper and better- even unplugged! So one guitar player to another- is the idea with bass to just hit the root notes of the chords the guitar is playing? Honestly, I can play guitar pretty well- even theory but clueless when it comes to bass other than it sounds cool.
@@MOAB-UT of course you could just play root notes. For some genres of music that is sometimes enough, for other genres it isn't. If you listen to some good players you may be inspired to develop your bass playing, try Jaco Pastorias and Tal Wilkenfield
I'm a guitarist that mostly plays Metallica covers so idk what bass to get since I want to learn. I know Jason and Cliff used 4 string, Rob uses alot of 5 strings from what I've seen. What would be better to get to start? Edit: Which would also give me more versatality when I start trying to write my own stuff?
Well if you're more influenced by the old school metal bassists e.g. Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, Jason Newsted, Tom Araya, Lemmy etc and that's the kind of style you want to aim for when you do start producing your own stuff, then there isn't as much of a need for you to have that extra 5th string. If you want to incorporate heavier sounds or some funk into your sound, a 5 string bass will give you that option to do so. It all depends on where you want to go with your music I think, I have a 4, 5 and 6 string bass, and use each one according to the kind of music and sound I want to create. If you want my personal opinion based on the info you've given on your comment, a 4 string will probably suffice. If you find yourself wanting to expand your soundscape later on, you can always get a 5/6 string further down the line.
Hey bro! I have a 4 string bass but I'll to play metal and want to low tunings... What type of bass do you recommend for low tunings? Drop A or BEAD tunings for example... Do you think a 34" scale can hold these low tunings or should I look for a 35" scale bass?
Look at rex brown, he had the 5 string there to create that octave below to distinguish the sound and let the Dimebag shine more. A low B string is an asset that really allows the guitar to standout beacuse the lowest ABC and D notes sometimes just aren't low enough.
Wow, couldn't you find a 5-string with a wider fretboard 😂 - nice video man, and actually very on point. The extra string isn't for everybody. And I'll go one step further, if you play a 5-string, going high-C isn't for everybody either. Good vid 👏
i owned a 4 string for the first 2 month than i switched to a 5 String and pretty much sold my 4 String.. I can play anything i could play on a 4 String and since i only play metal, its just easier than just have to tune down every time...
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Yes I do I've been thinking about taking it in because the electronics need work done. Thank you for the advice and quick response.
My first bass is 5 string but its heavier than my friends 4 string bass 😂 when we play i always sit because i cant last 10 mins. While im standing My rate is 9/10 9 for 4 string 10 for 5 string Because you dont need to tune when you play some songs in drop tuning and also my tuner is playing hide and seek to me 😂
I have three basses and they're all 4 strings. My next purchase, before my original band fizzled out, was going to be a five string but hasn't happened yet. I started playing seven string guitars back in 2003 (blame Korn) and have never gone back to six strings since. I currently play in a cover band (with over four hours of material) and I've learned that having more strings can make remembering songs harder because you can play the same song in the same key in two different positions on the neck. This can make it tricky in live situations when you've forgotten where your hand goes and you're relying on your ears to figure it out.
Enjoying your videos...lots of great info so far, really enjoyed your intro to slapping. I'm getting a pretty nice bass to start on this weekend from a coworker...you will definitely be seeing more comments from me lol
I played 4 string for 15 years. I started with 5 string aproxx.15 years ago. I still use 4 string a lot ...but I love that low B string. The low string is usually only used as an " accent" to a song normally. But through the right P.A. system that "b" ( or lower).really kicks butt. I use alternate tunings a lot...its a personal choice. Don't be scared of a 5...they are awesome.
OnlineBass Guitar Hi Hugh - a sensible, common sense point of view re number of strings. Having played 5s since the late 80s, they feel comfortable and familiar - and very useful when reading notated charts/arrangements with register shifts. Those players who are fixated on 4 don't bother us who prefer 5. Regards, John
OnlineBass Guitar You're welcome Hugh. Many years of professional experience have taught me what is important and what isn't: Keep up the good work. Cheers John
hi, i've been playing guitar for 4 years now and been a fan of bass. i mostly listen to prog and love the heavy sharp bass tone like TOOL, TesseracT, Karnivool. should i get 5 string bass?
I switched to a 5 string and don’t want to go back to a 4. They’ve become 2 different instruments - kinda like the difference between an electric and an acoustic guitar. An acoustic guitar is limited to certain playing styles and so is a 4 string bass. You can do so much more with a 5. Good luck with your playing, enjoy!
I have only played on one 5 string bass and I found that the E string is a lot more trebly and punchy sounding and not much low end. Not sure if they are all like that.
I did it for a while on an old headless bass that has a zero fret, so I did not have change anything about the nut. But I started missing the G string, so I bought a 5-string bass, and I am really happy that I decided to do that, because it is a lot more convenient for my brain. Now I refer to 4 string basses as 4/5 bass guitars ;-)
I'll stick with the 4 string, on a 5 string the B string is nothing but a thumb rest for me, i just play 70s and 80s rock anyway, to each his own, great video 👍🏆.
I never saw the benefit other than, “I have one more string”. Just get a hip shot lever set for drop D. That low B is hardly ever gonna be used. Even Les Claypool with his six string bass hardly goes beyond those middle four strings. To be honest, most bass players use only EAD strings the vast majority of times…..what people mean to say is that it feels better with neck width for their larger hands. That’s about it. That low B is pretty much muddy sounding, no matter who plays it.
I just tuned one of my basses to B-E-A-D. I find that I simply don't like the sound of the G string, and some notes are more comfortable to reach with that B being there.
The B string is for show, nothing more nothing less. Look at any popular metal band...Metallica,Slayer, Pantera, LOG....ect. All the bass lines are written on 4 strings. And I'm pretty sure they had the "money" to buy five strings and lay down tracks with them, but they didn't. No different then having a double bass drum. There really isn't a "need" for a double bass drum...other than to look cool. Anything that a double bass drum can do a single can do...except not look nearly as cool while doing it.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 You’re absolutely right- jazz, pop, etc. B string notes are used. But in metal and rock, I can count on my hand the songs that involve the B string. Dig by Mudvayne, and frankly… Anything by Les Claypool.😂 but that’s it. I actually wanted a five string bass because frankly it does look cool.But I tried googling metal and rock songs that involve it… And I couldn’t find any. I wanted to find them because then that would authenticate the need to have a five string.
@@domagojoinky8262 I'm seriously debating to get me a 5 string but it is not that easy when all you played are 4 string basses. I always start from E and use that as a thumb rest so I guess I need to let go of some habits to enjoy a 5 string :D
I chose a 5 string even though they say you should start on a 4 string because a 5 string is 2 basses in one: i just play it like a 4 string and use the B string when I need it for sutff like Korn or Lamb of God
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So essentially it's the age old question To B or not to B
I am not just dead, I'm reincarnated!!!!!!!! 😂😂😂😂💀💀💀💀💀✝️✝️✝️✝️🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I know, wrong religion (I'm Christian), but it's the revival aspect. Lol.
@@Six3rdybro gave us a clarification ☠️🙏🏾
@@yvngsensei5522 Yes! Yes I did! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I chose a 5 string even though they say you should start on a 4 string because a 5 string is 2 basses in one: i just play it like a 4 string and use the B string when I need it for sutff like Korn or Slipknot
I have a 5 and a 4 string and for the genre I play, I find myself using the 4 almost exclusively. The only place I like to use my 5 is when I'm playing funk or metal.
I thought 4 string is for rock/metal
@@yasuharu3118 Multiple jazz bassists play 4.
@@yasuharu3118 i mean, slaughter to prevail, korn, and like every djent band use a 5 string
I only could afford a 1 string bass
LMAO
@@ewaneds5435 right! and second hand lol!
You are getting strings?
😅😅😅
@@icycounter-strikeandleague8431
I had to made one myself... such a sad world.
B E A D tunning is a great option
But if you have 5 you can spell BEARD which for a Viking is top notch 🙆🏻♂️
@@thelifeofpewpew3290 Bruh, there isn’t such a thing as an “R” note.
@@ZaneDalton yeah I know just a bad joke 🙆🏻♂️
@@thelifeofpewpew3290 I thought BREAD was better
@@thelifeofpewpew3290 if you tune it EADGC you can spell "CAGED"
The B string is so much thicker and heavier that it affords you flexibility in working with the rest of the band. If the lead is playing something complicated that needs to stand out, it is better to play the E and A strings so as to put out less bass energy. If you are doing a bass solo, the B string will add energy and give you some serious punch that you can't get from the other strings.
The B string lets you adapt to the type of music also. A slow and soft ballad can sound better with the bass playing the higher strings. A heavy metal riff can sound louder and more punchy when driven with the B string played closer to the bridge.
So you like 5 string? I don't play bass yet so I could not understand what you were saying. I play guitar. I think you advocate for 5. In GC, the 5 string sounded more like what I perceive a bass should sound like- deep and rich.
It is not the amount of strings, it is how you use them.
I think it’s the same concept.
Oh, now you tell me. Right after I spent thousands on a ten string bass!
that's exactly what my girlfriend tells me...
That just something people with 4 strings say..
Bushy one string?
Great vid and well explained, adding my experiences ive played four and five but aside of the added range I gave up my five as spent most of the time with my thumb resting on the B and i also found that most of the bass cabs i was using responded better to the low E and got muddy when going below for d, c, and b. Its a preference thing too and it didn’t matter how many times I tried to get comfortable with 5 strings, I would always be drawn and enjoy playing four strings better. So, i sold the 5 only play fours and have never looked back. A seasoned senior bass player once told me, the best bass guitar is the one that makes you want to play it! For that I have my Fender P and my Vintage VJ74 Jazz. Thank you for all the effort you put into your vids, you have a great channel.
A couple thoughts (haven't tried this out myself): A 5-string bass might actually be better for people with small hands, because the same 4 strings you would have on a 4 string can be closer together. Also, if nothing else, seems like the B string would make a nice thumb rest when playing on the E string, which you don't really have on a 5 string. So even if you never use the 5th string as a string, it still serves a purpose.
I use a 4 string but with BEAD tuning instead of the standard EADG. For me 4 strings are enough
@Patch Sound Creation I think the thicker the better
@Patch Sound Creation If you are still looking at tuning your bass down, the easiest way to get it right first time is to buy a 5 string set and don't use the thinnest string in the set. Paul Gray used a 4 string bass tuned to B, F#, B and E (Also the 'new' bass player V man uses a 4 string bass too).
Heard and heard. And I respek it.
For me, I appreciate the 5 string, because I like to keep that E A D G setup around for when I need it.
The G string may not look like much, but it's helpful to have imo. Especially for slapping and popping, and also for chords and taking the high road (high register). I don't do the latter two at all just yet, but I may want to in the future, and I'm working on my slap bass game.
The B E A and D strings are like varying levels of beefy. The G string isn't beefy at all to me; it's more like a side of fries. But the thing about fries is that they compliment beefy entrees (i.e., burgers) very well. So I like to keep it around.
But that's just me. To each his/her own.
I'm new to the channel, so I'm digging what I see. You made the comment "if you tune it in 4ths", that made me think, you should do a video on tuning in 5ths,this is something I've been messing with for a couple weeks, takes getting used to but the melodic lines I create now, WOW, defiantly worth a video on its own!
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I'll be waiting!.....
I play my 5 string like a 4. I never play the open E on it. It's always the 5tj fret on the B string. If you use the B string as a thumb rest then use a 4
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 no that's not what I meant. I meant you have to get your head round using the B string as you would the E on a 4 string. So when you play a low E you play the 5th fret on the B string. I love playing B Thru to E on the 5th string.
5 string is a beast.
4 string is too but the 5 has a better husky bass tone.
For me I am self taught, so even though I use the 5th string as a resting point, I almost always end up using the B string anyway. Almost religiously actually for the music I like to play. Makes great and powerful notes and makes it to where I don't have to downtune.
@@shamsam69I actually agree with this, and for the most part I have the same approach: treat you B string on a 5 the same way you treat your E on a 4.
But my key difference is that while I use the 5th fret, I also tend to use the E string on a 5 at times. It depends on how I feel. Using the open E string does feel good to me sometimes.
Another rule of thumb (no pun intended) is that a 5 string is just a 4 string with an extra string at the "bottom."
before i use to despise 5 string basses. i used to see them as being abnormal like for instance when u see a person with 11 fingers.. that type.. but now for some reason i always play 5 string. i think it looks more impressive plus u have much more notes.. would advise everyone to play 5 strings over 4s any day of the week
As someone who champions both 5s and 4s, I respect this take and respect the character arc. ✊🏾✊🏾✊🏾
Five string basses are a little more difficult at first, because the neck is wider. But it also a little easier because I don't have play as much to get two octaves.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I play both. Depends what mood I'm in.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 4 string is better
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 4 string or 5 string which one is Play better
To me the most important difference is that you have an extra string to mute (against resonating). String damper at the end of the neck does assist, but only partly. Resting your dumb on it is convenient, but then still the E to mute. Resting on the E and with your dumb damping the B at the same time is also an option. Nevertheless, it is more to take care of.
For having a decent sound of the B-string a certain stiffness af te neck is needed. However, I play a 5-string fretless, and that one gives more harmonics on the lowest string than a fretted one.
The B-string is not used often, but sometimes it is fine to have it. Low D is well usable as a main note. Low B or C sometimes for intermediate notes (like a A - low C - Low D - low E sequence).
Must say that it took me several weeks to get used to 5 strings. Somehow my right hand 'counts' downwards, and my left hand upwards. So, sometimes confusions between the hands.
Hello, I've been playing guitar for over a year, and planning to buy a bass... Which type of bass will you recommend? A 4 string or 5 string bass?
I recommend a 5 string.. 4 string might be easier but you've been playing guitar I think 5 would be easier given your hands already have that muscle memory.
Also you get lower notes obviously on 5 surely, I like the low sub option, or lower notes...
I thinks its all about your personal sound you need. I love 5 string bass because i love deep tones of H string. Of course you can drop your E string to low but its not the same like H string. But maybe E string sounds better on 4-string bass than 5-string. Its very difficult. Another big question is fingers or pick, i prefer fingers because more bass is more bass :D
H string? lol
@@josh8196 in Czechia, we use the letter H to describe what Americans describe as B, meaning that the tone H in Czechia is tone B in the US.
In Czechia, the tone B is Ab in America.
H = B
B = Ab
@@simon_arnet very interesting!
Interesting we in hungary also call it H but B when it is Hb.
@@simon_arnetSo is it, like, naming the 12 tones differently, or are there others in your system as well? (I ask because Jacob Collier exists, and he likes to play around with the tones in between the tones. Lol. So I just wanted to inquire deeper.)
But this is interesting to learn about nonetheless. I've heard of the H tone before, but I thought it was something different.
I play a 5 string, I started on a 4 but I've found that the 5 string is more comfortable on my hands for some reason. Might be the wider neck. I rarely have to use my B string but it just feels nicer.
I play 5s &4s & I love 4s &5s. More Tools for the job. I also love 6rs, but I have a severely injured neck that has constant pain down my arms into hands. That makes playing 6ers more of a wrestling match of pain, than just enjoying playing. I choose to enjoy playing.
I'm a guitar player and considering this issue when thinking about getting my first bass. For me it would be mostly home studio use to have a tool for new ideas. And because I need to learn it kind of the beginning, it would be ok to learn right away with 5 string. No hassle with alternative tunings and more flexibility with just one bass. So I'm leaning towards 5 string :). Have been looking Marcus Miller V2 gen2 5-strings. That seems to have more narrow neck (46mm) than what you have in this video. My Les Paul is 43mm, so not a big difference there
I was originally (and still am) a guitar player, who plays bass sometimes. I have only ever had 5 string basses. On the odd occasion I have tried 4 strings they feel like a toy.
I play guitar and want to try bass. Thanks for your comment. At GC, 5 string sounded deeper and better- even unplugged! So one guitar player to another- is the idea with bass to just hit the root notes of the chords the guitar is playing? Honestly, I can play guitar pretty well- even theory but clueless when it comes to bass other than it sounds cool.
@@MOAB-UT of course you could just play root notes. For some genres of music that is sometimes enough, for other genres it isn't. If you listen to some good players you may be inspired to develop your bass playing, try Jaco Pastorias and Tal Wilkenfield
@@georgewilliams5833 Thanks. I will learn. Now I am clueless but sometimes it is fun to be clueless as you can discover more.
Thanks you for explaining this. Im a beginner and i didnt know if i should get a 4 or 5 string… because i have small hands.
I'm a guitarist that mostly plays Metallica covers so idk what bass to get since I want to learn. I know Jason and Cliff used 4 string, Rob uses alot of 5 strings from what I've seen. What would be better to get to start?
Edit: Which would also give me more versatality when I start trying to write my own stuff?
Well if you're more influenced by the old school metal bassists e.g. Cliff Burton, Steve Harris, Jason Newsted, Tom Araya, Lemmy etc and that's the kind of style you want to aim for when you do start producing your own stuff, then there isn't as much of a need for you to have that extra 5th string. If you want to incorporate heavier sounds or some funk into your sound, a 5 string bass will give you that option to do so. It all depends on where you want to go with your music I think, I have a 4, 5 and 6 string bass, and use each one according to the kind of music and sound I want to create. If you want my personal opinion based on the info you've given on your comment, a 4 string will probably suffice. If you find yourself wanting to expand your soundscape later on, you can always get a 5/6 string further down the line.
i like the thin neck of a 4 string. but i also like 5 strings with lower notes.
OnlineBass Guitar that is an option but smaller string spacing does make it more difficult to slapp
Hey bro! I have a 4 string bass but I'll to play metal and want to low tunings... What type of bass do you recommend for low tunings? Drop A or BEAD tunings for example... Do you think a 34" scale can hold these low tunings or should I look for a 35" scale bass?
Look at rex brown, he had the 5 string there to create that octave below to distinguish the sound and let the Dimebag shine more. A low B string is an asset that really allows the guitar to standout beacuse the lowest ABC and D notes sometimes just aren't low enough.
Wow, couldn't you find a 5-string with a wider fretboard 😂 - nice video man, and actually very on point. The extra string isn't for everybody. And I'll go one step further, if you play a 5-string, going high-C isn't for everybody either. Good vid 👏
i owned a 4 string for the first 2 month than i switched to a 5 String and pretty much sold my 4 String.. I can play anything i could play on a 4 String and since i only play metal, its just easier than just have to tune down every time...
Hey so I have a 5 string and the B string seems really loose and smacks the frets. Could you tell me why it does this and how to stop or fix it?
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Yes I do I've been thinking about taking it in because the electronics need work done. Thank you for the advice and quick response.
Great video Hugh. Never heard it explained that way Thanks "🎸
My first bass is 5 string but its heavier than my friends 4 string bass 😂 when we play i always sit because i cant last 10 mins. While im standing
My rate is 9/10
9 for 4 string
10 for 5 string
Because you dont need to tune when you play some songs in drop tuning and also my tuner is playing hide and seek to me 😂
I have three basses and they're all 4 strings. My next purchase, before my original band fizzled out, was going to be a five string but hasn't happened yet. I started playing seven string guitars back in 2003 (blame Korn) and have never gone back to six strings since. I currently play in a cover band (with over four hours of material) and I've learned that having more strings can make remembering songs harder because you can play the same song in the same key in two different positions on the neck. This can make it tricky in live situations when you've forgotten where your hand goes and you're relying on your ears to figure it out.
Enjoying your videos...lots of great info so far, really enjoyed your intro to slapping. I'm getting a pretty nice bass to start on this weekend from a coworker...you will definitely be seeing more comments from me lol
I played 4 string for 15 years. I started with 5 string aproxx.15 years ago. I still use 4 string a lot ...but I love that low B string. The low string is usually only used as an " accent" to a song normally. But through the right P.A. system that "b" ( or lower).really kicks butt. I use alternate tunings a lot...its a personal choice. Don't be scared of a 5...they are awesome.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 - evidently you did not read my post.....adios.
OnlineBass Guitar Hi Hugh - a sensible, common sense point of view re number of strings.
Having played 5s since the late 80s, they feel comfortable and familiar - and very useful when reading notated charts/arrangements with register shifts. Those players who are fixated on 4 don't bother us who prefer 5. Regards, John
OnlineBass Guitar You're welcome Hugh. Many years of professional experience have taught me what is important and what isn't:
Keep up the good work. Cheers John
I get 5 stings and just don’t use the G string so it’s basically BEAD tuning instead of BEADG
nice video. Been wanting to add a 5 string to my collectio . I think this video helped me make up my mind.
Thank you. What year is that Precision? I have a brown '70s P with a maple fretboard, but I think the rosewood + brown looks brilliant.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Thanks for the response! I didn't think they'd made any quite like these since the late '70s but wasn't sure. Take care.
hi, i've been playing guitar for 4 years now and been a fan of bass. i mostly listen to prog and love the heavy sharp bass tone like TOOL, TesseracT, Karnivool. should i get 5 string bass?
I switched to a 5 string and don’t want to go back to a 4. They’ve become 2 different instruments - kinda like the difference between an electric and an acoustic guitar. An acoustic guitar is limited to certain playing styles and so is a 4 string bass. You can do so much more with a 5. Good luck with your playing, enjoy!
I use 4 string cause my music with 4 string is enough for genre pop punk
I have only played on one 5 string bass and I found that the E string is a lot more trebly and punchy sounding and not much low end. Not sure if they are all like that.
Great job...thanks....going with a 5 string.
I've never seen a 4 string that uses the B, E, A & D from a 5 string. I wonder why... 🤔
I did it for a while on an old headless bass that has a zero fret, so I did not have change anything about the nut. But I started missing the G string, so I bought a 5-string bass, and I am really happy that I decided to do that, because it is a lot more convenient for my brain. Now I refer to 4 string basses as 4/5 bass guitars ;-)
I'll stick with the 4 string, on a 5 string the B string is nothing but a thumb rest for me, i just play 70s and 80s rock anyway, to each his own, great video 👍🏆.
Nice video, thanks and subbed!
Ty for this video!
I plan on playing metal so 5 string right?
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 looking at a Yamaha TRBX305 5 String or TRBX304 4 String
I do well on 4 strings and it will be forever 4. Thanks for this educational clip.
I liked the 4 and 5 string bass, so I started with one of each...
5 string bass can get complicated....
I really have to concentrate....
Does a five string have a wider range of playable notes/octaves than a four string?
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Well that decided it for me. When I get around to picking up bass, it'll be five string
If I buy a 5 string bass, can I learn effectively from a 4 string method book, or would I need a 5 string method book?
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 good to know! Thank you! 🙏🏻
X,Y and Z keys are different between 4str and 5 str.
for example Z major needs thumb in 5 str
If you have small hands. I’d rather you pick 4 stringed bass
If you have big hands. It’s up to your choice.
I have big hands but i feel uncomfortable playing a 5 string
4 string for life
Correct
5 string
I never saw the benefit other than, “I have one more string”. Just get a hip shot lever set for drop D. That low B is hardly ever gonna be used. Even Les Claypool with his six string bass hardly goes beyond those middle four strings. To be honest, most bass players use only EAD strings the vast majority of times…..what people mean to say is that it feels better with neck width for their larger hands. That’s about it. That low B is pretty much muddy sounding, no matter who plays it.
Meanwhile, I think most 5-string basses have a wider neck than my 4-string. I wanna get a 5-string now though.
4: normal thin bass with limited notes
5: a huge thicc big bass with less limited notes
Hope it helped :3
Very informative thanks
So the hardest is 4 string?
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 okay thank you
5 strings bass name please
Sadowsky!
you're cool. nice video. thank you.
Apologizes for shoddy audio quality then proceeds to have delicious tone lol
I'm 13 and paying 5s is hard for me since the neck is soo wide and I have small fingers
More strings more options to play simply as that
I just tuned one of my basses to B-E-A-D. I find that I simply don't like the sound of the G string, and some notes are more comfortable to reach with that B being there.
Microphones matter
I love playing a 5 string but I will admit, muting is a son of a bitch. I couldn’t imagine living with a 6 or 7 string
B E A D tuning on 4 strings doesnt really work , dont really like the tone and light gauge is unplayable
4 string is better
The B string is for show, nothing more nothing less. Look at any popular metal band...Metallica,Slayer, Pantera, LOG....ect. All the bass lines are written on 4 strings. And I'm pretty sure they had the "money" to buy five strings and lay down tracks with them, but they didn't. No different then having a double bass drum. There really isn't a "need" for a double bass drum...other than to look cool. Anything that a double bass drum can do a single can do...except not look nearly as cool while doing it.
@@OnlineBassGuitar1 You’re absolutely right- jazz, pop, etc. B string notes are used. But in metal and rock, I can count on my hand the songs that involve the B string. Dig by Mudvayne, and frankly… Anything by Les Claypool.😂 but that’s it. I actually wanted a five string bass because frankly it does look cool.But I tried googling metal and rock songs that involve it… And I couldn’t find any. I wanted to find them because then that would authenticate the need to have a five string.
5'er For Life! 😆
I also think so. Five string is easier to play and I love the thunder of low B string.
@@domagojoinky8262 I'm seriously debating to get me a 5 string but it is not that easy when all you played are 4 string basses. I always start from E and use that as a thumb rest so I guess I need to let go of some habits to enjoy a 5 string :D
So I should get the 4 string, so women will be more amazed and impressed watching me move my hands more? 😂
Marching band a five is better
Hot basses
Jesus is King by the way
Just play a 6 string. Thank me later
I chose a 5 string even though they say you should start on a 4 string because a 5 string is 2 basses in one: i just play it like a 4 string and use the B string when I need it for sutff like Korn or Lamb of God