Why you SHOULDN'T play a 5 string bass...

[@Caaynee]

so the 5 reasons why you should play 5 string: 1. Lower notes 2. Lower notes 3. More efficient shifting 4. Lower notes 5. Lower notes

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

LOL, pretty much.

[@bishopdante]

Fatter tone

[@shaft9000]

6. i like to sound like shit the shifting example highlights how crappy the B string always sounds in comparison to doing it right with only 4.

[@TheWitchOvAgnesi]

@@shaft9000 Sounds like someone can't make the adjustment to a 5th string...

[@n._loay]

@@yvngpushh6027 sounds like someone who hasn't had a five string for over 2 days

[@Monocultured01]

Reasons to play a 5 string bass: It's the only one at my parents' house.

[@jackkovar7806]

Your parents have a five string bass, okay cool!

[@marianoservat1]

Reasons to play a 5 string bass: I had to buy mine and it has 4 so... no reasons tho...

[@Kaydee-p7x]

hahaha

[@itzsoggytoast]

The only reason i want a 5 string is because most of the songs i like use 5 string bass.

[@worsethanhitlerpt.2539]

I always thought 5 strings ruin the feel of the bass, too blocky and wide. Just tune the 4-string way down!!!!

[@XxStonedImmaculatexX]

I should play a 5 string bass because of the depth it adds. I shouldn’t play a 5 string bass because I actually have no depth and suck lol

[@Benevolar]

You have more depth than those who don't realize that.

[@dronespace]

Lol

[@6-stringbassalternateplayi303]

Gotta have that low b.......

[@XxStonedImmaculatexX]

Ron Platt I agree. I’m just too used to playing a 4 string and I sometimes forget my “depth” options with a 5 string. I’m actually a guitarist so thats probably why I cant retain the bass skills! Basic talent!

[@knutz7]

I can relate, 4 strings are too many for me....

[@markthurman281]

I started playing (4-string) bass in 1971. I added a 5-string bass at the beginning of 2006. My only problem was a BIG problem - at first I often started any given song on the wrong string. After 35 years of the top string being the E string, I had to get adjusted to the fact that the E string was now the second string, or that the A string was now the third string, etc. Once I found the correct string at the beginning of each song, I was good for the rest of the song. But, it took about a year of regular playing and making a mental note at the beginning of each and every song to make that transition successfully. I eventually got to the place where I could comfortably switch between 4 and 5 string basses with very minimal disruption. That one issue challenged me much more than I expected.

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

Mark I could not agree more. We both began bass at the same time. I'm still at it. I grabbed a 5 string recently and, yes, about a year is what I estimated it would take me to become cozy with a 5 string neck. And where to find my notes without having to watch my left hand constantly.

[@whatsappscambot1802]

I started on a 5 string and kept it tuned down to A standard for years but had a similar issue when I switched to a 6 string, immediately restrung and tuned down to F#. My muscle memory was confused for about a year.

[@scifiartman8370]

Same story for me, Mark! I got a 5-string in the mid-90s as some clients were requiring it, and I never could properly adjust to that weird top string! I'd pull it out and play it on the songs where it was needed, and got back to my 4-strings as soon as possible. The comfort level was palpable! I see it as more of an effect - I have basses set-up for clean play (my usual), and some set for sloppy buzzy play, and the 5-string is just another effect for me. After playing 4 for 25 years, it was just an annoyance to add that 5th - doable, but not lovable.

[@NikkieRoxxx]

Same :)

[@cgramlick542]

I love the added low end, but I have the same issue. I find I have to really concentrate on what I’m doing because the moment I go to hit the low E I invariably hit the low B if I’m not paying attention to what I’m doing.

[@davidbaines7330]

I prefer 4 string with B-E-A-D. I get more use out of the low B than a high G. Also more comfortable with my smaller hands.

[@Jobotubular]

I did this as well, in the late 80s -- in effect, trading the five highest notes (which I never used) for five lower ones (which I did). While some bassists might use those highest notes, I just never did.

[@batman9592]

Same. More ppl need to realise how good this is as an alternative. Also, sometimes you can tune the new B string down to A to get even more range if needed.

[@HelloKittyFanMan.]

Your guitar is made up of strings and beads, eh? Cool!

[@Felipera_]

That sounds cool and all, but it would probably break my cheap bass in half with the tension lol

[@davidbaines7330]

Felipe Pereira my main one I used it on (and my brother still does weekly) is an under $200 Rogue. I probably did the conversation 8 years ago.

[@wumpus6716]

Title: "why you shouldn't play a 5 string" Scott:Proceeds to jam out on a 5 string

[@scotttesar6661]

I believe they call it "clickbait"... =)

[@SuperBrictson]

If you won't jam, don't scam!!!

[@ChipsA17]

Exactly 🤣 Its like don't play a 5 string its awesome but.. like any other bass. Dont olay a rickenbacker. Its amazing but. Lol

[@sarahdavenport9462]

Th

[@sarahdavenport9462]

This is not click bait. There are people who play and the 4 to 5 string transition problems are real. I'm glad this guy is giving advice on how to approach it.

[@gooney0]

I prefer a 5 string for a few reasons: 1) I can play along with Drop D without tuning down. 2) I have the lower notes B-Eb. 3) There is now an E and F at the 5th and 6th frets on the B string. 4) You can play E as a fretted note or an open string. Muting is harder for sure but I'm learning to play bass so I can avoid learning things....

[@megamrsoftee]

3 and 4 are the same thing

[@gooney0]

@@megamrsoftee basically yes

[@6-stringbassalternateplayi303]

Gooneyo, you got it right Thats why exactly i use one..

[@crimsonschizoidman]

whew, good thing I bought a 6 string instead of a 5 string. One of the biggest things I like having a low B for is the smoother tone. Playing higher notes on the lower strings gives you that well-rounded, deep tone perfect for hip hop and you can instantly switch back to the higher strings if you want more attack and clarity for double stops and such.

[@Sweetmanthanks]

I used to play with a hip hop band too and that low B can mimic an 808 hit pretty effectively when the DJ is doing breakbeats or whatever.

[@andrewkennedy6802]

exactly

[@66fitton]

Lmao!! Good one!

[@stretch8390]

A very under appreciated point in general in my opinion. Our hand positions shouldn't be driven solely but how we can play it easiest/fastest but by what kind of tone the song/phrase requires.

[@thomaspeck430]

This. 5 string players know its all about intonation.

[@yigitcengil2465]

3 more reasons to play 5 string basses 1.If you like synth bass tones 2.If you like metal music 3.If you want to experiment more

[@DannyBoi2112]

Yep, if you wanna play blue monday by new order, you will need a 5 string because the bass basically follows the synth with octaves

[@jackkovar7806]

@@DannyBoi2112 New Order, yasss

[@yigitcengil2465]

@@anniedarkhorse6791 Most synth lines incorporate those low notes. They can be achived either with an octave pedal or a 5th string. The 5th string has a different timbre than the octace pedal that can be useful in emulating some synth lines. Also since i wrote this comment i discovered the source audio c4 synth pedal which does marvels when it comes to making your bass sounding like a synth( and it even allows you to control synth oscillators through your bass signal.) I definately reccomend it.

[@yigitcengil2465]

@@anniedarkhorse6791 You are welcome. And welcome to the world of making electronic music with live instruments. It really is amazing

[@alivealloy3563]

I don't agree about 5 string in metal. If in your bass lines you play only root notes in standart tuning, 5 string isn't a nessesary. Even if you have drop A tuning on guitars, just drop your bass and that's all. But if your lines are quite hard (i mean, large range), 5 string bass will be a great purchase. I mean, 1 guitar in a band, drop B tuning, and bass plays a role of rhythm guitar, too. And there you will need low B and high G to play solos and something like that

[@Abonodi]

6- string player here. My personal advice is to pick as many strings as you need to express yourself as a bassist.

[@paulhagelston9246]

Right?!?

[@emmanuelbarfield2745]

Abonodi I completely agree

[@1bIgFaTsOnOfAbItCh]

Exactly! I have 4's, 5's, and 6s'. The reason being pretty much what he said as well. Sometimes different jobs call for different tools. You use the one that most efficiently get that particular job done.

[@johnpaglia8231]

Abonodi that is the PERFECT answer.

[@ZeroTheHeroGOAT]

If you need six strings to express yourself, you're not as great as you may think.

[@Daniel-fy1fn]

Reasons to play 5 string 1.reggae 2.segae 3.raga 4.metal 5.lower note

[@RegulareoldNorseBoy]

The bassist in Bob Marley's The Wailers actually played a 4 string

[@harrydaniells5359]

For metal, usually detune a 4. Don’t add a string just for low notes if you’re only going to use 4 (or for some bands 2 or 3) strings.

[@RegulareoldNorseBoy]

@@harrydaniells5359 i have a 4string B-bass B E A D

[@joaquindiaz8340]

@@RegulareoldNorseBoy Reggae is not only Bob Marley

[@RegulareoldNorseBoy]

@@joaquindiaz8340 i know. But I see most raggae bassist have four strings

[@TheRealMrBeercan]

I got a 5-string because I'm in my 60s and it easier to play some songs that hurt more on a 4-string. I can move down on the fret board and as a result move my left fret hand less. When you get arthritis and joint stiffness, you appreciate not having to move as much.

[@greenNRGinit]

I've been playing bass for decades. Now thinking of buying a 5 string fretless bass. So hard to find a 5SFB at a good price.

[@charlesmcgehee3227]

I'm surely grateful I learned to stretch and exercise my hands at a young age. I am a tick over 66 and my hands haven't begun to suffer, YET, bass playing-wise. Real glad the 5 offered you a solution. Keep up your playing.

[@kevinallen4743]

@@greenNRGinit Don't buy a 5SFB, de-fret a cheap fretted 5 string then fill the fret slots with wood filler and gently sand down with 220 or preferably 440 paper. Get a really cheap one so you really don't care if you f88k up. I picked a trash jazz bass up at a car boot for £20 so it really didn't matter, as the tuners, pick-ups and bridge were worth more than that. Worked for me.

[@greenNRGinit]

@@kevinallen4743 hey KA, I bought a 4 string EBO. Plays and feels like the one I played 50 years ago 😀👍🏼.

[@jamescase6639]

I just bought a ibanez sr305e very grateful to expand to a 5 string I'm going to be 44 July 8 2023 I love playing bass I say always learning every day is a learning experience

[@olivecool]

5 reasons to play a 5 string: - big boy low notes - big boy lower notes - big - cool sounds cool - makes you brain shakeshake

[@gbmarescaj311]

6-Big bass=Big PP, small bass= small PP

[@joaohenriquesilvarafael1659]

@@gbmarescaj311 Five string are for CHEATERS, great bassists ONLY NEED 4 STRINGS (image of davie playing a 24 string)

[@gbmarescaj311]

@@joaohenriquesilvarafael1659 69 lmao strings bass

[@pstrokeslibsarctic]

42069 strings is better

[@Bsdetectors]

And big boy 5 string players usually have trucks with big wheel and balls hanging at the back, big belt buckles and other ways to compensate for something small.

[@catboyzee]

Play whatever instrument you want. Just make sure you play it WELL. Haters be damned.

[@lucy-4037]

Infidel14? You don’t even need to play it well, as long as you enjoy it, play it!

[@Tictac-s2e]

Damn, you make it sound so easy LOL

[@ramencurry6672]

Before the internet, most people didn’t care. The internet has bred accelerated a lot of tribalism

[@patchieseec]

My adventures with a 5 string bass Background: Started with a 4 string as most of us do, but always wanted a 5 string, about a year and a half ago-2 years ago i got my first 5 string bass. Pros- Expanded range: the band I play bass for does have a lot of songs that are in E flat or D so opens up new sonic possibilities that are not possible with a 4 string, even on songs that are not in those keys, can drop to a lower register to accent parts of songs or change the 'mood' of a song. More fretboard options: as stated in the video, can adjust fretboard position for songs making some licks easier playing them on the higher frets where spacing is closer. Cons- Increased weight: It didn't occur to me when I started that a 5 string would be heavier, but it was noticeable the first couple gigs I had with the bass. The extra weight is noticeable and I was sore after the first couple shows I did with a 5 string, consider getting a good strap to help distribute the weight better. Wasn't really a big issue, just something to be aware of for long gigs. Learning curve: Definitely not as easy as pick up and go play a 5 string for the first time without issues. Muting the B string is something to keep in mind and work to do. For me personally it took a few practice sessions to not hit the wrong string with my pick/pluck hand, I'd either be a string to high, or one too low. After a few weeks of practice I was able to adjust, but definitely had to work at it. Expanded range: I know I said it was a good thing, but there is a temptation to try and shove low notes wherever possible and try and force the use of low notes. While practicing solo and with a band, I do like to play with various voicings, but I try to look and determine if it makes sense to use the lower register in the context of the song, and look to see how my bandmates feel about different voicings I come up with. Just because you have a low B, doesn't mean you should use it all the time. Switching between 5 and 4 string basses can be hard in the beginning: My first month or so I tried going back and forth between my 4 and 5 string basses, this proved to be difficult while learning my 5 string. it would mess up my muscle memory for the new bass and make my playing sloppy with a 4 string. This can be dealt with through practice, but something to keep in mind. if your going to learn a 5 string, try and make sure you can stick with it to avoid any challenges and/or frustrations. Once you have a handle on the 5 string, it isn't too bad switching between versions, it now takes me almost no time to adjust between 4 and 5 string bases. For shows however, I try to make sure I am either using a 4 or 5 string for the whole show to avoid any mistakes. I put a couple more cons than pros, but I do love my 5 string bass, I play with a band that pretty much gives me free range to compose my own bass parts and having the extra options allows me to play with various voicing and fretboard positions when working with the music I play. These are just some things I came across in my switch to a 5 string, your experiences may differ.

[@southjersey10]

Wow ....... you described my experience as well 😀

[@uncletom-e4461]

Have you tried tuning B-E-A-D with a 4-string...???

[@joedirt3563]

To much more weight? What are you a pussy or something?

[@guidodiman]

@@joedirt3563 At some point weight on ones shoulder becomes an issue for many players. It's common and part of the natural ageing process or ones given physical make up. So to your comment, it's not about being a "pussy" it's about you being a dick.

[@buckemptier]

So you've played in bands before where you couldn't come up with your own bass parts? That's fuckin lame. What's the point?

[@pierfrancescobiagiola6963]

Damn, who would imagine Johnny Sins was a killer bass player!

[@osakafoojin]

He’s the ultimate jack of all trades

[@mopsydaisy]

who?

[@ap7390]

@@mopsydaisy your dad

[@myoriginalname]

@chris storrier i think you replied to the wrong comment

[@myoriginalname]

@chris storrier iight but that has nothing to do with the comment you replied to

[@HHGary]

Another good reason is tonal flexibility. The B string has a darker tone higher up the neck, i.e. a G on the 8th fret of the B string sounds noticeably “woofier” than at the 3rd fret on the E. It gives you the opportunity to tonally differentiate between different sections of a song/piece of music.

[@FritzMania]

Lower notes than the possibles with the 4 strings:p

[@UkkoBass]

I play in a metal band (with a five string) with two guitarists using heavy distortion, usually playing in standard tuning. I think it's nice to be able to play the lower notes to make the sound even heavier and also to cut through the distorted guitars. I think I use the B-string in about every song we play.

[@Historyfreak-f7o]

B tuning for guitars seems relatively common in that genre too.

[@bobcollyer181]

I play a 4 string because I don't have a 5 string. Just love the bass you have.

[@jttech44]

Get a 5-string set of strings, re-string your 4-string to a 5-string and leave of the high G, tune B-E-A-D. Best of both worlds, and you'll find that you don't miss the high G very much.

[@trente823]

love this mentality

[@asylumrain]

I play a 4 string because I don’t want a 5 string

[@danieldean9989]

@@jttech44 a friend of mine did that with the intention of eventually buying a 5-string. he loved the low-tuned 4-string so much he never bought the 5!!!

[@jttech44]

@@danieldean9989 It really is a great setup, kindof a wonder that you don't see it more often. I know Ernie Ball makes a 5 on 4 line of strings for this purpose, and they have an extra-long set for string thru bodies which is handy.

[@cladinarglye]

tbh, I love my 6 string. The "shift" you were talking about, is very convenient. Such a huge percentage of the entire 4 string bass range is available from a single position.

[@kraigompls]

#6 If you're playing with horns, they like flat keys and a five can help you out quite a bit.

[@thorstenguenther960]

I'm playing with horns ONLY and it helps a lot!

[@hmr101wylde]

accurate but he covered exactly that when he talked about down tuning like hendrix and transposing...so no 6th reason sorry.

[@nishimura-katsuo]

Good reason to play a 5-string bass. It's my only bass!

[@glennbuenavides8112]

Same here. bought a 5-string and my first bass. Still learning though. No funds to buy a 4 string right now :)

[@portgasd.bassii8952]

@@treemoderator7312 do u mean east coast bass

[@Kleinsakkie]

Same here!🤣

[@jonesfactor9]

Lol. Me too, I own 2

[@aedric1937]

same lmaoo

[@jaredhoeft2832]

5 string is needed for a lot of metal music, to provide the full octave below the low-tuned guitars (7 strings, tunings like drop-B, etc)

[@Arxitec]

There are no basses in metal just tuned down guitars. Everyone knows it ;D

[@whereami6586]

They are not needed. People only tune down their basses and guitars because they don't have the talent to play. So if you cant make out what they're playin', you cant tell thdy suck. Mustaine has said the same thing.

[@jaredhoeft2832]

@@whereami6586 that's not true at all. The chord options opened up by using baritone guitars, 5 string basses, etc are great for metal and other genres as well. They're not necessary, of course, but it depends on what sort of sound you want.

[@whereami6586]

@@jaredhoeft2832 it wasnt meant to be taken seriously, pal

[@s.a.j.7116]

You can’t hear the bass in metal music, and that’s why it sucks

[@usop382]

I play the 5 string bass in EADGC tuning, fun to get high notes on a bass when you're improvising on a solo.

[@buckemptier]

Also good for if you have 2 bass players in your band, one can play eadgc and one can play beadg

[@mattkenney57]

I just got a Rogue five string and have no other choice but to be in that tuning. Lowest I can go is C and it sounds like crud.

[@romanbellamy1933]

Or just get yourself a 7 string and have both. That's my next purchase

[@alexgleeson9644]

@@romanbellamy1933 that's possibly one too many😂

[@jonfairway8235]

@@buckemptier two bass players to moan at ... bonus

[@ryckjunior9911]

Instead of saying "should" or "shouldn't", rather think "pro's and cons".

[@Mariooo57]

But the latter words don't bring enough views!!!!1

[@sethmcbrown9492]

It's an marketing strategy buddy

[@blanhamwdl53]

Your right! The pros use it because their good enough and the Cons aren’t good enough and the 5 would show everyone they’re Cons on bass! Lol

[@rikvartigyan2667]

You just used "rather" in place of "should". You should drop the thought police gimmick.

[@bennetsmith4686]

That’s how he gets views

[@phillippasteur3904]

The 5 string has been my primary instrument for the past 15 years. I play mainly Southern Gospel and country, and the low B adds so much, particularly to ballads. You have to learn how to use it judiciously, however, else it won't have the desired effect of accenting certain lines.

[@willf3556]

In metal, a 5 string is a must have, and I'm glad to see that this list isn't hating on 5-stringers, rather warning them of the hard work ahead of them

[@domagojoinky8262]

It depends what kind of metal you play. Steve Harris from Iron Maiden does it perfectly fine on 4 string precision bass. Robert Trujillo from Metallica plays 4 and 5 string basses. John Myung from Dream Theather uses 6 string bongo bass.

[@1SmokingLizard]

That didn't stop Lemmy Kilmister, Cliff Burton, or Geezer Butler.

[@morganix007]

I would say most "modern" metal bands…from Korn to Djent

[@Shikigami6]

Death-Metal on a 4 string is a mess

[@beltube]

nah, you just need a 4-string with strings the size of pickup trucks and downtune by a whole octave :D

[@ElectromagneDikk]

As a guitarist i play 6 7 and 8 string guitars and i actually view them as different instruments. It was also maybe wasier to transition for me because i played violin piano and cello before i played guitar and i just view them all as different instruments within the category of strings. They just happen to have a lot of tuning similarities

[@PepperDoom]

this video was more like "10 reasons why you SHOULD play a 5 string bass"

[@Herehear49]

I play trumpet and bass and I can't think of one other player I know who wouldn't want more upper range on his or her horn. In fact, a lot of players feel that the high range on trumpet is a holy grail. Bass-wise, why wouldn't a bass player want to extend his or her low range? Some of my bass playing friends wouldn't even play my 5 string bass as if doing so would be an unforgivable break from the 4 string tradition. Follow your bliss, honor the music and don't let tradition limit your possibilities.

[@souloftheage]

Pat Gannon I play trumpet too and I do NOT think the upper range is THE HOLY GRAIL of trumpet playing. In fact, a schreechy tone, off key is something that Maynard Ferguson loved but you wont hear Wynton Marsalis play except to ridicule it. In some situations the high register sounds cool, as trumpeters can play "over the top of other instruments WITHOUT drowing out their fellow players (Children of Sanchez at Hollywood Bowl is a great example of this I think). But I prefer just beautiful TONE. I could listen to one perfect note on a horn vs. a whole, high register, "squeeky" playing. Marsalis is DA MAN!. Cool that you play BOTH bass and trumpet.

[@Ch69ad]

Completely agree... "the freak register" in infact a holy grail for the very reason the previous comment derides it. Not everybody can hit those notes with proper tone, power and clarity. In my opinion, Diz was the master of that upper range and the best example of how a player can emote when they have mastered the technique.

[@souloftheage]

poppachubby chubby Tone and PHRASING-the latter being so very important and something learned later by most trumpet players. I would go over phrasing; over and over and over, on piece of music, to make it as beautifully melodic as possible. The above I've always preferred to "Hit them notes and hit 'em HIGH!".....ick. Can't stand to listen to that for 1 minute.

[@souloftheage]

poppachubby chubby Ever listen to Maurice Andre on his piccolo trumpet?. Most impressive. I believe his father was a baker Story goes that Andre was almost kicked out of the conservatory as it was believed he did not have a proper work ethic (something so many kids think they DONT need to "just play an instrument"...oooo....I HATE that!!). Andre reply came a few weeks lated when he played the 14 studies in the back of Arban's Trumpet (kind the touchstone of trumpet practice books) to the highest of standards. And that is when it is said "Maurice Andre became Maurice Andre." I heard him when I was 15yo. I thought he the greatest living trumpet player. I'm happy to read in Wikipedia that he is regarded by most as the greatest trumpet player of the 20th century. He REALLY made an impression on me!!!

[@patrickwood9724]

And that is why you need a six string bass! Lol

[@OakRichDey]

“ i play a 2 STRING !!!!!!!” *”I PLAY 1 STRING!!!!!” “i play theremin. *alien noise*”

[@PHURHXD]

davie504: i play a 0 string

[@RustyKnorr]

This comment for the win.

[@terrymiller111]

@@PHURHXD So he just plays with himself, then? :-/

[@alansolano4763]

Started as a 4 player, transitioned to a 5 about 7 years in, and the rest is history. Been playing a 5 for 13+ years now. Main reason I got into it was just because I was playing a lot of new age gospel and r&b where a 5 is a necessity, not an option

[@erzorroperro]

Can you please explain me why? Real question from a music enthusiast- thank you

[@alansolano4763]

@@erzorroperrowhy I transitioned to a 5?? A lot of what I was playing warranted it. And now I’m playing in a couple of metal bands, so it’s kind of a no brainer. I mean A LOT can be done playing a 4 (cue the JACO ONLY NEEDED 4 arguement) but for me personally, I’ve just gotten accustomed to playing a 5.

[@johndreher7814]

thank you for this ive played 8 years and this past year i joined the gospel band and coming from playing small heavy rock/metal gigs i was kinda shocked to hear how many new gospel songs use notes below E. ive been debating getting a 5 sting because how much they play in the key of C

[@pioneerph1169]

I'm happy with the way this video is made bacause it does not try to bash 5 string players or basses it's a positive warning and learning video and i can appreciate that, good video

[@ivanrojasperu]

The first bass I bought ages ago was a 5 string. I had never played bass before but I had experience with guitar, sax and flute. It was never hard to play it and in fact that B string makes a beefier E, has much better tone and it comes really handy when you play down the neck. Instead of going back up and down quickly, it provides a helping hand. Plus it makes your window panes tremble like a fucking earthquake. I now have a 5 string fretless by LTD and I absolutely love it.

[@Harpotos]

I love this comment :)

[@kennethhughmusic]

I am not a bass player by any stretch of the imagination so my opinion on the bass holds not ground BUT I really did enjoy the video, well balanced, objective view on the topic. Thanks for that.

[@danielwetzel7777]

5th fret on B sounds better 90% of the time than the open E. Lot of 90s alternative is in Eb tuning. And I like knowing where my notes are. On guitar I'm fine tuning down on bass it throws my center of gravity off. It's also a nice thumb rest for straight 4 string part. And the low D has came in handy in so many songs in D(uh), A , F. Hardly ever hit the low b. But the low D is surprisingly usable. And finally it helps me navigate my High B on guitar better

[@Ruizappa]

In my modest opinion bass is an instrument with great margin of progression and each musician must choose the best solution for himself. I use high C, for me it is much better than bass B, it fits more to the music I play. And we must not forget that every single person is unique.

[@Ruizappa]

or should be unique.

[@ConwayBob]

Whatever floats your boat. Standards are fine if you don't let them be your prison.

[@Ruizappa]

You are right! but i keep my opinion as it is, more i know more i'am in the position to do the right choice for me and not because is a standart or some one say so.

[@Khayyam-vg9fw]

That's displaced (in terms of the major third interval in the tuning). (Maybe you only use three- or four-note chords. For a lower version (albeit transposed) of guitar tuning you should tune to BEAD - F sharp - B.

[@jclark1693]

I've always enjoyed 6 string bass tuned like a guitar, so it's more like adding two higher strings. I often played in 3 piece bands and so the bass had to carry harmonies and fill more roles. You can play beautiful chords, and quickly shift from lower resonance to ringing piano like tones. And I still love 4 strings. To me it's really a matter of objective and comfort. Instruments are just tools, use what makes you happy to play.

[@johnmgunn]

Here's the alternative--works great for me, anyway. Tune down a whole tone on every string. Thus E-A-D-G becomes D-G-C-F. To make this work, you need heavier strings. They won't feel heavier because the tension on the strings will remain matched to the tension you used for EADG. I started this for playing with a singer-songwriter whose style is folk-ish but with more interesting chords and some open tunings. She does a lot of songs in D and Eb. Plus for her songs in G it is very nice to have a low D. I buy my strings from Kalium, formerly CircleK, on line. You can Google them. I don't have any connection with the company. I use a 'balanced' set with the D (low) string at .112 instead of the usual .105. As a guy with not very big hands, this is more appealing to me than learning and stretching across the wider fretboard of a 5 string. Hope some of you try it! By the way, imagine that you put a capo on the second fret. What would you have created? A 4-string bass with a scale of about 30", tuned to EADG. In other words it's not much different from a short scale bass, except that you get the lower notes and the tone of a 34" scale bass (because of the improved tension).

[@EclecticHillbilly]

I do this on guitar, mainly because it makes singing easier for me. My voice is a better match to being tuned down and I can always use a capo, if I need to go higher.

[@peterzabriskie]

Your getting into that "Andre Gouche" thing...It works...Cool. But Like Scott said you need to be playing that music that uses those notes. Just to have it , "to have it". makes no sense.

[@wingracer1614]

That's exactly what I did when I started playing with two different bands, one that played a lot of drop D stuff (though not all) and one that never did. At first I just re-learned everything for DGCF tuning until someone pointed out the capo trick. I had never even thought of using a capo on bass before but it was brilliant. It also helped that I was playing a 35 inch scale bass with fairly light strings to begin with so stepping up to mediums was all it took to have her sounding and playing great.

[@bryanleigh6497]

Yes, I tried that and liked it, wished I'd always played that way, but too. late now. I get all mixed up, esp reading. But recommended. You sacrifice two top notes you hardly use and get low Eb and D you'll use a lot

[@MidlifeRenaissanceMan]

John Gunn I thought about getting a 5 string and tuning it like that with low D and high Bb. So D G C F Bb Anything below D gets pretty mushy anyway. I play guitar in a band too and the bass player uses 5 strings with low B, but once he disappears down the first few frets on that low B, it's never nice I'm all 4 string. One is tuned to Eb and another has a hipshot D tuner on it. Never needed to go lower, but I haven't been asked to Djent either. With the tuning above, I could drop a hipshot on there to take it to a C. That said, I prefer Billy Sheean's solution. Octave pedal and play up the neck

[@LanxPenzenpepper]

Without headphones, all i could hear are the fret buzz 😂 😂

[@Mihail2304]

Then buy headphones, so you can hear what are you supposed to do!

[@buckemptier]

Use passive pickups

[@jeremypoulton7279]

I have played a 5 string bass for over 20 years and love playing it. Your pros and cons were great advice and I too have seen too many people get a 5 string just because they think its cooler to have one and never really make it part of their over all tool. I love the B string and incorporate it everywhere I can. Also I am a bit lazy and the 5 string definitely makes some lines a lot easier to play than jumping all over the fret board. I think it comes down to personal taste and for me playing a 4 string is a strugle these days as I am just so use to having 5.

[@Henry-zc4ch]

Scott: if you play a five string it means you don't have to tune down Ryan martinie of mudvayne: *laughs in F# B f# b e*

[@haniffunky1]

I laugh too. LOL

[@LordSesshomaru584]

Scott probably doesn't listen to metal

[@6-stringbassalternateplayi303]

Mudvayne, where are they,??? What a bassist...ryan where are u ..buddy

[@primalp83]

Yea I just get a set of 5 strings put them on my 4 string tune to drop b or c and job done

[@shAiDawn]

☝🏼🔥

[@unfunnydave5485]

I got a 5 string recently, I love it because I have lower note, and it’s made me improve a lot. I’ve improved from it a ton because it’s forced my to get super accurate with slap, finger style, tap, and even fretting.

[@qayruaza]

reasons to have a 5 string: •stevie wonder

[@jeffwood1873]

I have been all over the all forums and video's trying to figure out if I should get a 5 string. I have been confused and have gone back and forth until this video. Extremely well done. I know that I should get a 4 string now. One of the better video's I've seen. Thank you some much!

[@volpeverde6441]

get a 5 string....I've got 7 of them.... I love em all....wouldn't play a 4 now....

[@patrikkenspillerjegbass8269]

"how to trigger every Robert trujillo fan in 15 minutes"

[@CommanderPiglet]

Jeg spiller bass på bussen ;)

[@Elderscrollsgamer9625]

På trikken spiller jeg bass I agree with him because all I play is 5 strings

[@cunjoz]

he has fans?

[@thegrungegod7463]

@@cunjoz Yea U

[@cunjoz]

@@thegrungegod7463 no u

[@air9music]

Takeaway from this video: Stevie Wonder invented 5 string bass.

[@dansch19]

It was a joke.....

[@andrewbrown1936]

Yes

[@brotherloveakarhythmicsola2943]

Yeah he's in the Bass players Hall of Fame, Oh!,No he's not!, great musician, great performer ,One of my favorites, but let's be serious, Motown had bass players that could play circles around Stevie Wonder's playing bass.

[@neill.m.herbert]

That's funny, I thought he invented E flat.

[@jcrobso]

And California builder Alembic delivered their first 5-string with a low B to Jimmy Johnson in 1976.

[@wulf67]

You turn up at a gig and the guitar player has tuned down a half step to Eb. Do you: a. quickly tune your four strings down 1/2 step or b. go buy a $2,000.00 bass with an extra string

[@EpicStuffMan1000]

3. sigh and tell him to take his meds and tune back up, this wasn't in rehearsal

[@weirdskyreallyweird.5519]

c. maybe buy a cheaper 5 string lol

[@wulf67]

@@weirdskyreallyweird.5519 That sounds like a brilliant idea.

[@fotog04]

I added a Hipshot D-tuner on the E string. There's a little thinking to do, but it's not difficult to get used to. I also have a 5 string, but the 4 string is so much nicer to play, IMO. I'm still struggling which one to commit to 🤯

[@5688gamble]

C. Just tune that one string down even faster!

[@Detownrebel1]

I actually started on a one string bass. I had an older cousin that died when I was 3. Later in life when I was 11, my uncle gave me a bass that my cousin built in his high-school wood-shop. It was basically a garbage can with a huge maple neck, a long ass wire and a see-saw type of adjuster up top. You could get about half a scale of frequencies out of it...

[@virginia7125]

Was it the kind you play with the spoon lady with a rope tied to a wash tub with a 2X4" neck?

[@Detownrebel1]

Yes Virginia, and if we wanted to get crafty, I would invite uncle Billy Raybob over to blow the wine jug. We can talk more about over a nice dinner.

[@wedjr97]

@@Detownrebel1 try listening to a band called Morphine who’s bassist and songwriter Mark Sandman played with his two stringed, home made bass with a guitar slide, a sax player who I once saw play 3 saxophones at once and depending on which album, two different drummers. Don’t knock a dudes ax till you’ve bloodied your fingers on it.

[@wedjr97]

HONEY WHITE MADE A DEAL FOR SOME ANGEL FOOD YEAH!!!!!!

[@Detownrebel1]

@@virginia7125 Yes, the neck must have come from something thicker than a traditional 2x4". it was rounded down on the outside with one flat end.

[@ShaneScott69]

if you have a 5 string but only play as a 4 string player re-string the bass by moving the strings down but add a High C string where the G string was

[@mateusboing691]

"Sounds good, doesn't work", I mean, if you get a 5 string, and only play as a 4 string, even if you restring with a high C, you will keep ignoring the C string, a fiend of mine did it and keep play as a 4 string, but since he have smaller hands, he had to put a lot more effort while playing

[@bassplayinfool]

Deaf Naked Hipster -Shane Scott Sounds like it might add a twist into my neck...

[@mateusboing691]

Nate Bellon If you adjust your but correctly probably not, even better if it have a double nut

[@bassplayinfool]

Mateus Boing Are you perhaps referring to the truss rod instead of the nut? I'll tell ya, the worst bit of neck twist I ever had was on a Peavey Fury VI with a double truss. That thing got so wonky, even my luthier couldn't save it. Sad times, I liked that bass.

[@mateusboing691]

oh yeah, exactly the truss rod... I totally messed up the words ( non native english speaker hehe) about the double truss, I never used a bass with a double truss rod, I thought that it would be better for non standard tunes, but I might be wrong

[@Marc_Giovanetti]

I play 6 string string bass because Im really a guitar player. Tune my bass B E A D F# B. All in intervals of how standard guitar is tuned. E (4th) A (4th) D (4th) G (3rd) B (4th) E. I do this so all my chords and scale shape/patterns stay the same you just have to know how to transpose to understand what note your really sounding

[@randomname191]

Reasons not to for me: - technique adjustment - learning curve - I only play for fun - expensive Reasons to: - Polyphia

[@cursedcliff7562]

Is ThAt LoSs??!?

[@thearthropocene]

that "Polyphia" thooo

[@RustyKnorr]

Fucking love them!

[@randomname191]

Update: getting used to the five string was way easier than I thought and I took less than a week! It was definitely worth it and after playing it for some months now I upgraded my guitar to an eight string and I’m pretty much completely used to it after just a few days. I don’t understand why some people make it out to be harder when it’s really not. That’s my experience anyway.

[@prplehaze8442]

@@randomname191 you kinda made it sound hard though... And I'm thinking of picking up a bass. Should I use a 4 or 5 string?

[@horusfalcon]

I've been playing five-string basses for over twenty years now, and I still have trouble with B-String muting occasionally. One of the things I found early on was that, if the instrument is not set up correctly, and if the tone is not consistent across all the strings (yeah, B-string, I'm lookin' at you...), the bottom end just sounds muddy and dark. Be sure to give the B-string adequate relief at the top of the neck, and enough room under it at the 14th fret to be able to dig in when you need to for funk, tap, pop, etc. (Usually this is about 2.5 to 3 mm from the fingerboard at fret 14 for me, depending on the instrument.) String selection plays a big part here, too. Not every instrument is going to sound good with a .135 B-String. Look at what the maker of the instrument puts on it from the shop - that's likely going to be its optimal string set (or at least something in the same gauge).

[@Set_The_Controls]

A multiscale dingwall solves that issue :)

[@A_Stereotypical_Heretic]

A set of .130 hi beams solve such issues

[@telefunkenyou47]

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them". Bruce F-in Lee

[@jeoxenx]

I first read "Bruce Lee - in F", which could have been an argument for a 4-string... :-D

[@gary999t]

Extra reasons for playing a 5 string: 1. Broadening your horizons. You'll never know unless you try. 2. Satisfying your Gear Acquisition Syndrome (arguably a case for not getting a 5'er as well).

[@VallinSFAS]

I. NEED. MORE. STUFF!

[@mrmogensen]

3: TOMMY THE CAT.

[@TC-zu3xc]

No, it is not the absolute truth. Just for you and some cases. There are a lot of people who began with a bass and are in love with the instrument. I began with a guitar and learn to play it for 15 years, but then I find that I like better the bass, but I don´t have one, but I would love to play bass in a band, not guitar in spite of a play the guitar better than bass. Actually I like the most the piano and keyboards ( the 88 keys ones) Yes with those very low notes. But a 5 string bass do not really apeal to me, un less I was playing some kind of metal or some score music, or King Crimson´s songs but I would need a Stick... PD. Tell your thruth to Jaco and Les Claypool and they surely won´t burn you, just ignore you, not like me. Specially Jaco would not respond you, or maybe, who knows

[@anthonycardott3541]

ALSO it depends on the five-string. Warwicks are so comfortable, so efficient, that it's like having a 4-string. Deans, on the other hand, for one example, are like playing a shoe so even the more efficient range hurts

[@Deathrape2001]

3 reasons: 4 string basses don't go low enough! 4 string basses have them ridiculously far apart 4 no fuking reason = lameness. 4 string basses when tuned 'low' don't offer the high 1, so losing something relevant. 4 string basses SUUUUUK!!!!

[@bartoniusz]

Should: + it adds to your sound spectrum and dynamics, e.g. going below E can make the bassline monumentally loud, palm-muted B string has great percussive sound + some styles just require it, like different kinds of metal Shouldn't: - sometimes you will prefer to detune, especially for open string riffs; drop-D anyone? :) - you can have differently tuned basses with you - ergonomics: 5 strings have smaller spacing which makes them less convenient for slap technique - in some styles the B string sounds weird I personally play a 5-string bass because I only have one and treat it as a Swiss-army-knife.

[@rtmdc721]

My pros for playing a 5 string are there’s more flexibility. The low B string adds another dimension with regard to playing rock, as well as other genres. It can be thunderous. It’s massive especially when going into a chorus. The con is that it took me a long time to get acclimated to playing it. I was off and on with my 5 string bass and it wasn’t productive. Until I saw Nate Watts with Stevie Wonder and the lightbulb went on, I struggled. From that time on (2007) I’ve played the 5 string. It’s awesome to play but I had to play only the 5 string to be proficient.

[@kapmasterflex]

Switched over to a 5 string 1 year ago. I have large hands and width of the neck feels much more comfortable. Also much easier for me to transition from top to bottom. Thanks, as always for the videos scott. Take care

[@1mespud]

To each his own. The purpose of the "Extended Range Bass" is to be equivalent with or compete with the extended wide range of the piano. An instrument capable of playing in both bass and treble clef when the moment or reading is called for. The evolution of the bass guitar not only has step out of the shadow of just being an old world era low range, single note backup instrument, but has also morphed into a progressive lead instrument in which you can now also incorporate chords. Everyone be careful out there..

[@dcvisionstudio700]

Interesting video....personally I absolutely LOVE a 5-string! And, by far, I prefer having that extra low end and flexibility of the B-string. There is a HUGE difference in getting used to playing with one versus playing on a bass with only the standard 4 strings. And, not that it's difficult, it just takes some practice and a few gigs to really enjoy the new found horizons afforded to those adventurous sojourners of the musical ether! Enjoy! 😎

[@bikelifewill6483]

I just bought a 5 string Stingray. Thanks..... Cost me 80% of my money

[@petethescalemodeller6130]

Artist 5 string Awesome/Cheap ..

[@petethescalemodeller6130]

@Ace Frehley Because its my money , I have many cheap guitars , they all play just fine , go bully someone else

[@almostliterally593]

I’m about to buy a new Rickenbacker 4003S/5W 5 string rickenbacker bass..

[@juliobello4561]

I have Spector euro4. Love my bass black and dark blue in the middle.

[@izzybell6735]

@@petethescalemodeller6130 Cort basses are good too. They have some very cheap but quality ones

[@whatsleft0]

As usual, your insights are helpful and make a lot of sense. I went back and forth and spent a lot of $ on basses trying to figure out which player I want to be. I settled back to a 4 string. I made a commitment to the 4 string - Thanks Scott.

[@6NBERLS]

The B string is a very thick cable and hence contains significantly more energy than the others. When you pluck this string it really pumps more energy through your speaker cabinets. The sound from it just penetrates more. If you want that kind of effect, the B string offers it without the need to turn knobs. If you don't want it, you just work off the other 4 strings and mute the B. The B string adds flexibility to what you can do with the guitar.

[@rowlandstraylight]

Well, no, because it's moving more slowly and E(k) = 1/2 m v² The reason you get a farty amp is the frequency response of usually the speaker cab is not really designed to go that low and move lots of air at low amplitudes and you get physical distortion of the speaker cone and mechanical resonances.

[@TheSilverfox1960]

Great advise, I'll stick with my beloved 4 strings, I've got by for the last 40 years. Thanks!

[@vincenttuckwood]

Scott - I hadn't thought of this before, but an advantage of 5-string is that it places the open position of a 4-string mid-neck. That region physiologically feels more comfortable to me, so that may be #6 on your SHOULD list. Great vids, mate.

[@wulf67]

It's also the number three reason you should see a psychotherapist.

[@dikledoux8407]

I played my basses with BEAD tuning for 30+ years for a number of reasons. So when I finally bought a 5 string I realized I'd approach it very differently than I would have otherwise. I had already figured out how differently things sounded on different parts of the neck, and how to use that. But now I finally had that G string to use when I had to go higher on some parts and in some keys. Scott I really dig your video lessons - SO much good information!

[@AndyVanBass]

WHY I QUIT PLAYING 5 STRING: 1 - The B string is floppy & muddy on lower-cost/lower-quality basses. In my experience, I needed to drop more cash for a good sounding B-string bass. 2 - Less space between strings, I couldn't slap/pop as well on a 5-string. I did get used to it, but I was faster & funkier on a 4-string. 3 - 10 years ago I decided to switch back to 4-string & detune 2 half-steps (D-G-C-F, heavier strings) to get the low D-Eb I wanted. * I've played for 25 years & played a 5-string a total of 6 years. Styles: gospel, soul, jazz, rock, pop

[@andersbarfodsvaneskolan9378]

Yes,, D-standard on a 4 string is a good solution.. The low D is essential is a couple of classic tracks like "brick in the wall",, and you never actually need anything lower than that low D. A thin sound is created by bad EQ and a bad "touch",, I always managed to get a pretty decent fat sound out of a standard passive jazz bass tuned to standard. Though I despise A4=440Hz and prefer the slightly lower former European pitch at A4=435Hz (-20 cents). Actually if I was the front man in a rock band the bass and guitars would probably be tuned to E-flat with the 20 cents detune (A4=435Hz).. Rock in A/D/E are too high for my deep baritone voice..

[@jasin1441]

You seen the new schecter apoc 5 string , test one out and let me know what you think Andy Van Engen..

[@mikehampton1140]

Andy Van Engen the schecter stiletto studio 5 has a great 5 string sound. That’s what I play and it wasn’t too hard on the wallet

[@MongoFreddie]

I bought a little Ibanez 5-string with active pickups, mainly for the weight difference, and it's been a great little axe; I was having problems with my back and my Jazz was too heavy. I only paid $249.00 new. I pretty much use it all the time now.

[@peteralbert9805]

Who cares? Does it matter at all? Should anyone follow your decision? Do you think hundreds of thousands of people can not decide what instrument to play?

[@simplestrum]

Poor man's 5th reason why 5th string sucks... my guitar amp can't get away with handling its godly thunder.

[@desolatesoul2304]

LMAO. Good one man.

[@samthisam570]

Haha can't even with my 4 string bass.

[@Mrcloc]

My guitar amp just about does the B... :) A MAK bass amp is soon to be built, and it's going to shake the foundations of my house!

[@joelshields8807]

Even a 4 string could blow your cones. Probably time to get a bass amp.

[@tommyfraz.]

I filled in with a southern-rock cover band for a couple of shows. There PA could not handle when I hit a D, let alone let the low-B go.

[@charizardmaster13]

simple you get one for metal. especially if you are in a very tight and rythmic lower range band like periphery. and put on the right tone that fifth string sounds gnarly as heck.

[@nashj.3238]

And how many people here play in a Periphery type band? The answer is none. Everyone plays in bar bands or mediocre original bands no one has ever heard of.

[@charizardmaster13]

yh but maybe some people actually care about the art they are making and practice hard to play more complex and rythmically difficult music. and just because a majority play in mediocre bands doesnt mean everyone does

[@joshstarkey8883]

I saw a video of Nolly demoing a darkglass pedal. Interestingly, he used a 4 string that looked/sounded like it was tuned to BEAD or thereabouts, and also a 6 string. But yeah a 5 string is probably what most people would use.

[@Mr.Goldbar]

Paul Smith Nolly uses a 4 string for Drop C songs and a 6 string for Drop G# songs

[@charizardmaster13]

yh it makes it easier tbh i dont get why he uses a 6 string wouldnt a 5 be enough for super low tunings

[@glenciesielski]

I stopped playing bass at all. I went from four string to five string in the 80’s and I loved it. The fat b is great. I have decided to pick up an instrument again at 70 years of age, a four string, but to me I need a five string to feel complete. Five is way easier to play for me. But hey thanks for the class. I’ve been a blues bass player for about 50 years and was always introduced as the world’s laziest bass player. Got paid the same as the busy guys for doing half the work. According to a drummer I worked with , knowing what to leave out without making the tune sound wrong made for a really good bassist. Cheers

[@wendellsimpson906]

Once you go 5-string, you never go back...

[@Broyale26]

That’s what my wife said :(

[@eddieperez9565]

I miss playing my 5, since I bought my P bass and you can always drop d

[@mileswilliams4807]

Started off on 4, went to 5, back at 4 and never looked back. That's just me though. I still like playing a 5 from time to time.

[@knrtn439]

I have a 4 string and 5 Love both equally

[@cameronharris8848]

@@mileswilliams4807 Same. But I won't rule out the possibility of getting another 5 strong some day

[@MichaelStoneham]

Using a 5 string bass helps me as I dont have to shift around as much. I can go across the neck within 5 frets. I find that playing up the neck as you showed at the end helps give a different sound and tone as opposed to playing down the neck like on a 4 string. It's great.

[@knightalumni]

Switched to 5’s a couple decades ago and never went back to 4’s. The 5’s just provide more versatility, and are a must for many of the great heavy rock bass lines out there. When not using the string, I often rest my thumb on it. Best reason to own a 5 string is the 4 string bass still exists in a 5 string setup. If you don’t need the 5th string, don’t use it. Play it like a 4 string. And when you do need it, you have it. It’s really no harder to master than a 4 string. ✌️

[@bassboysix]

So much truth in one comment. I tried a 5 string 30 years ago - never looked back. I was always trying to get lower - EADG became DADG .... then I dabbled in CGCF, which made other songs (riff-based ones) harder. 5 strings solves all your problems. I even have a hipshot on my E string (detunes to D for things like Killing In The Name, or Silverchair riffs, or even Summer of 69 for heaven's sake - there's a song that sounds gutless played an octave up, ugh) which some people look weirdly at but it can get you out of your stale patterns of playing, you're forced to create new ideas and you can do some cool things. And muting the B ? Didn't we are have to learn to mute the E on a 4 ? Same technique, just learn it. #excuses Think of it this way - my job as the bass player is to hold down the bottom end. Not the low-mid end. And I know people say "If it was good enough for Jaco ...." - well a Model T Ford was good enough for my Grand-daddy, but there are simply better cars out there now. OWN THE BOTTOM END !!!

[@ElliYeetYT]

Another positive is that it can be a lot easier to pluck the E-string fast with 2 fingers for me. As someone that uses an Ibanez SR875 I found that to be welcoming.

[@michaeldickey3582]

Another reason to have a 5 string is for the added articulation capabilities. The extra string gives you the option to move your fingering hand closer to the bridge which offers you a different tonal and articulation option. With guitars... certain genres might work out better with more than 6 strings for this reason, but I'd say for MOST people's purposes... no. With Bass though, you're articulation is not coming from changing your pick, and for the most part, a bass is played as a monotonal instrument. This means, extra attention can be paid to string alternatives that might allow you longer or shorter sustain, a deeper slap, enable a pinch harmonic, enable a bend (bends are harder to execute the closer you get to the nut).

[@gunkanjima3408]

The only reason guitarists play a 7 string is for stupid djent music

[@ThunderBassistJay]

A four string bass tuned to B, E, A, D works very well for me. I need that B string, but don't miss the G string at all.

[@ChrisDavis1975]

I've done that to a bass before. I just have to remember which bass I have set up for BEAD & which one(s) are standard EADG. Hate hitting that B open thinking it'll be an E. Oops, I farted, my bad.

[@ThunderBassistJay]

Just do it! It's so much fun to play a four string BEAD boom stick.

[@c.j.sutton7168]

I play BEAD now pretty much exclusively. however, if I hadn't had 15 years of playing a 5-string, i wouldn't have the mindset needed to play it. you have to get your brain to accept that the low string is a B not an E. you have to train your muscles to know what string you're on. you can't just flip to this tuning and expect it to be easy with no learning curve. that said, it's absolutely worth the effort!

[@jay8819]

C.J. Sutton BEAD is tuned to the exact same string relation as EADG.its just lower. You do not have to learn anything new.

[@c.j.sutton7168]

I am saying you have to get your mind to understand that the bottom string is B and not E. just like anything, with practice, it becomes second nature.

[@BluzBazz]

Why I do: basically all of the reasons you listed. Why I shouldn't (surprised you didn't mention it): Dependence. I've come to rely on the low B being there. It's become instinctive. So, when I'm in a situation where there's only a four string available, it takes extra though, consideration, and (frankly) time to figure out how to do what I want to do. That being said, I'll stick with the 5er. It's simply where I feel comfortable.

[@serpentswyrls]

That depends on the music you have to play. Once I had a terrible situation when the B string tuning peg broke right before the gig - I mean, everyone was onstage, and while they were announcing the band, I decided to quickly check the tuning, the B was a little low, so I turned it up... and it broke! But then I realised that all the bass parts for that band had been written with a 4-string in mind, and though I did use the low B for the ease of fingering and some embellishments (like slides up to the low E), I could still play everything on four strings... The gig went fine!

[@Anjohl]

Rookie bassist here, who's also a guitarist! I think having the extended low range for scales is a big plus! IE, if I'm in an Am pentatonic or A Blues, being able to go back up to the E and G notes right above my root and 2nd is wonderful! Let's you mix things up. You just get some fun positions by having a string "above" your box!

[@DrDoggo-ty1nc]

Reasons to have more that 4 strings 1. Primus

[@drgonzo9148]

Michael Pantzlaff dog will hunt

[@schjonicus]

Even Les started with 4 strings

[@wizardmix]

These days it seems like Les spends more time with 4 strings than 5 or 6.

[@JimDandy69]

I feel like I've ONLY seen Les play 4! :o

[@captainatt]

jim dandy yeah, I heard in an interview that he pretty much only plays fretted 4 strings now. I've seen him live and he played all of the tracks he recorded with a 6 fine on a 4.

[@bryandukeBrynyab]

Pro 5 reason you missed- the energy output of not only the sub E notes but using higher positions with the B string. I find it a hugely effective trick, especially in rock and pop, to either transcribe a cool part down the octave or play it high on the B. It's particularly useful in a songs climax or final chorus to draw on all that extra energy .

[@MiddleAgeMusic]

I've been playing bass for 41 years. Back in the mid-80's, I saw a picture of Jack Bruce with a Warwick 5-string, and I had to have a five-string. I played it exclusively for a few years--forcing myself to make full use of that B string, but every time I picked up a four string, it was like, "Yes, I'm home!" For a while, I kept a 5-string around (just in case), but I never played it, because, honestly, I simply preferred the feel of the 4-string. So, my reason for NOT playing a five-string might be this: Don't do it just because a musician you admire uses one. A little irony for this Jack Bruce fan: Ultimately, Jack didn't like the five-string.

[@karelvdd]

My first bass was a 5 string. I played it for years before buying a 4 string. It’s not ideal for slapping, but for most other songs, it’s still my favorite kind of bass.

[@DrivinBarefoot]

I went to a 5 string bass because I often play the bass lines from regular piano sheet music. The capability to go down to that low B makes sight reading a lot easier and more smoothly.

[@SecretEyeSpot]

"very long thumb rest"

[@pecavallo]

Some other things to consider: 1- Most 34" 5 stringers have a bad 5th string (that is loose, undefined, unbalanced). Consider 35" or more for a well balanced 5th string that can hold the fundamental. 2- Some 5 stringers reduce string spacing at the bridge and/or nut to accomodate the 5th string, changing the overall feel of the bass. Some may prefer the cramped string spacing, some may hate it. There are some builders that keep wider spacing but you have to get used to wider necks and stretch your hand a little more. 3- Some people not only use the 5th string as a thumb rest, but also like the feel of the 4th string with the 5th above it, as when you are playing the rest of the strings and your index/middle finger hits the string above after each note. 4- You can also use a 5 string with a high C string, extending to the higher notes (for soloing, chords, etc). 5- D-tuners and altering your tuning on a 4 string defeats some of the "positive" points you mentioned about the 5 stringers.

[@WeAreHere-42]

The B on the bass he's playing is flabby af.

[@trance9158]

Pablo Cavallo just get a heavier gauge set of strings and set the Bass up properly....simple fix.

[@RealKingChief]

Yeah my B string is a .145, on my other favourite sets (Kalium) it's a .142.

[@Fluffy2772]

To counter your 5th point, I still like 5 strings over drop tuning because I can use the same shapes and know what notes I'm playing more easily. One of the advantages of a string instrument versus a woodwind or brass instrument is that there is no native key so you don't have to transpose anything, and you also don't have to change fingerings. Sure you can adjust your patterns and learn how to transpose, but it's nice to be able to play a major scale in any key with the same fingering.

[@figeon]

I'd take a wide neck before tight string spacing anyday. My first bass (a 5er) had a small neck and tight spacing. Found it hard to play. I moved on to another 5er, which had a wider neck and much more string spacing. Much better.

[@chuckr8988]

Some good tips here. Before plunging into buying a 5 string I decided to try an alternate tuning on my 4 String Peavey T20. For one song I really like that I play at church it would sound so much better with a low D#. So I tuned my low E down a half step and really liked the results!

[@destructOzap]

My 5 string starts with an E string tuned down to D like the whole bass is. DGCFB# Im in the middle of a 6 string and i'm absolutely pleased with this option. Its a long scale, and the drop down made it easier to play too.

[@diogogoncalves5549]

1- Heaviear songs/ lower notes 2- stare at my guitar player while he tunes down and chat with the drummer meanwhile 3- strings are closer to each other what I found easier to play fast riffs 4- I honestly dig the look of the 5 string bass 5- Fool around with octaves lower than the original song Still I have to always have a 4 string with me, even is just to play for whom the bell tolls live, much easier on the 4 string. And a 4 string it's always a 4 string Different moods, different set-ups too

[@garrettkopp542]

I just restrung my 4 sting to BEAD. I'd rather have the low B instead of the high G. Just my opinion!

[@nigeltooby7681]

Garrett Kopp So did I. When I started out with lessons my teacher asked me to choose... 5 or 4 strings... he said I would not play both well without titanic effort. I chose 4. Much later I needed the low B so ended up switching in gigs between a BEAD and a EADG which was a pain. Decided to make the switch to 5 on elec and elec accoustic. Fingers mostly 'lost' initially but hid the 4's and stuck at it and though it took some work I have transitioned. I wouldn't go back to 4 now.

[@elijahdycus4648]

There’s C string extensions for bass, they have levers you pull For a C,B, or E.

[@H3WMW]

Ross Valory from Journey tunes his bass to BEAD too.

[@janetarnold5464]

Do you buy strings for a 5 and then not use the G? Seems like the string tensions would be off if you just tuned down.

[@aarondavis4341]

Janet Arnold it depends on the bass,in the 90's when I was playing a lot of nu metal and couldn't afford a 5 yet, I just bought 5 strings and threw the g aside, I know most of your fender style pbasses will take a b just fine,I had an esp f 104 I think it was it wouldn't let the string tighten to b key,if I tuned down I was fine,but anyone whose used a b string knows it sounds its best in standard tuning,thinking about it I'd safely say that basses with the big clover style tuners will hold a b string but the smaller arrow style tuners aren't that great for a b

[@theanarchistcook]

My best reason you shouldn't is that your G-string is already high enough that it's in the range of a regular guitar. I'm playing a 4-string tuned to BEAD so I get those lower registers at the expense of the higher ones that are less of a priority.

[@tonybparalegal]

A low B-string will allow you to play much cleaner and more efficient on the E-string by back-stopping your plucking fingers.

[@figeon]

Boy am I glad I started on a 5 string. As a jazz fusion player I'm CONSTANTLY using the low B string for either shifting, or for lower notes. 90% of the music we write uses the low B at some point in the song. And starting on a 5 string made it much easier to move up to 6 strings.

[@amychristian8071]

Years of playing in cover bands taught me that I actually NEEDED a 5. Made things alot easier... lol

[@priceconsult5880]

Incorporating the B string seamed so natural and joyful, the extra work(muting) is so worth it! Also, I did have to retire my 4 string for a year or so...I didn't miss it at all.

[@jasonvegan5761]

#5 *DJENT*

[@xXBiShOXx]

This man knows what's up.

[@vincentkoster6291]

Jason Vegan we get it, you're Vegan😂

[@Floriflop]

Go Vegan :D and go 5 String xD

[@DharmaMidget]

Florian G. Be an omnivore as nature intended and play seven strings.

[@jakegambino]

dont eat and dont play music

[@pedrom.bustos4345]

For people like me that can't afford more than one bass, i prefer having the 5 string bass because i can't switch for a bass i don't have

[@TheMaybelater2]

Sigueme1 not if you don’t have credit and no one will give you anything.

[@windk100]

Exactly! After having exclusively played a 4 string bass for 25+ years, I enjoy the flexibility that my 5 string (Squier J-Bass) offers.

[@windk100]

@@TheMaybelater2 exactly! And some of us who have the credit don't want the burden of additional debt. I'd rather own my musical instruments than a financial lender own them.

[@piotrjedra9319]

I am a hobby bass player and currently playing 4 string - and it is great. Next year I am planning to upgrade my gear a little - and I most likely will be looking for a 5 string. Why? Because I would like to have this low sound at my disposal, whenever I think I need this kind of sound. This will be most likely my last bass purchase in my life (I am turning 40 next year)- I want it to be as verstatile as possible. If I get to have 5-string - I know sooner or later I will start coming up with ideas and riffs which are "5 string", including very low sounding b-string. And I think, very low dep sounding bass can make music more "spacy", add a lot of depth to sound. An it that comes with challenges and work to do - hey, who said we should only do easy and unchallenging things in life?

[@pecavallo]

"This will be most likely my last bass purchase in my life" don't fool yourself, there is no such thing as a "last bass purchase", we will all go to our grave thinking about the next bass we were going to buy ;)

[@davebax6819]

Go to the shop every day (With 4 string in cupboard locked, with a friend keeping the key), if after a week of attending the shop and playing the Fender American Elite 5 String Bass....spend 2 hours each day (You need a week off work). If at the end of the week you love it, get the 4 string and trade it in. Scott named a few songs in Eb (for starters) there are quite a few (Another one bites the dust).....as you walk to the shop with your 4 string, hum this song.....you'll feel better!!

[@aquamarine99911]

I'm well over 40 and in the last few years have purchased a P-Bass to put thick flatwound strings on, and a P/J hybrid for versatility, to go with my 1980 Ibanez four-string with 23 frets and Japanese Jazz fretless. And now I'm thinking about a five-string. Don't limit yourself. Buy a five-slot guitar rack and fill it up!

[@vincentkoster6291]

ParadoksyZenona something that greatly improved MY 5 string's versatility is installing 2 humbuckers and 2 dpdt switches so I can individually switch both pickups to single coil/series/parallel. Even though GAS is acting up again, I've got everything covered in terms of sounds and tones because of those switches. Especially if you also install an active preamp, you'll get the most versatile bass on Earth!

[@AlexPriceMusician]

"My last bass purchase" sure...that's what they all say hahah

[@johnsaintjohn777]

All what you say is pretty much spot on. As far as putting the 4 string up while working with the 5 string. Each will choose what works for them. I'm the 4 and 5 string player

[@antonniedersteiner4377]

Another reason to not use a 5 string is because those few lower notes are difficult for amplifiers (speaker cabs) to produce properly. Even when run through a large FOH system producing anything below 40Hz is a challenge.

[@domagojoinky8262]

It has to do with physics. What you get from the bass is mostly the 1st octave harmonic. You also get the fundamental, but even on the E string of a 4 string bass you get more of the 80Hz octave harmonic than 40 Hz fundamental. Fundamental frequency of open low B is 30.81 Hz, subs only go to 40Hz and many can handle 30. So if your amp does good at 40Hz, you could even play bass with low F# string fine, yes that open string vibrates at only 23Hz and can be bellow someones hearing range. Instruments have harmonics, and there is also missing fundamental phenomen occuring with near infrasonic tones. A little bit of overdrive from vintage preamps or plugins (like they used in old blues or motown recordings) can help the bass to stand out and also be heard in the mix. Old Ampegs or Bassmans did not have much under 70Hz and basses still sounded great.

[@MassacreVegan]

It's great for metal. Especially grindy and death stuff. You've got to have those deep rumbling tones.

[@elpeluca7780]

Scarlett S. It's better to tune down a 4 string imo

[@jay8819]

Álvaro Bass if you ONLY need the lower tones yes, that's fine. Or else you are losing the G string

[@MassacreVegan]

That was my point, especially if you're tuning down to something like drop B or C. Not only do you lose the ability to use a higher octave, but you also have to deal with a floppy B. In fairness, though, this wouldn't be the case in, say, drop D.

[@sageambrosek5206]

Scarlett S. I'm in a death metal band and I play a six string tunes down a whole step.

[@MassacreVegan]

Could I hear some of your music? lol

[@windk100]

Even though it can sometimes be clunky, I feel that a 5 string offers more flexibility than a 4. It offers more alternative positions up & down the fretboard, plus I don't have to down tune the E string for songs like "Another Brick in the Wall Part 2". It's a J-Bass so the neck width is relatively narrow to begin with.

[@sevensurvival]

I.m going to 5 string for lower notes in deep bass reggae. You are an excellent Bass Player, and Teacher. Thanks, Blessings, and Respect.......