Bass guitar questions ??
Discussion
Im just starting to learn bass but one thing that bothers me is the 4 or 5 string part !! I absolutely adore the BC Rich WMD Widow - http://www.bcrich.com/bass_widow.html - this ticks all my boxes !! Obviously the 5 string part comes in to play here, in real world terms, why 5 strings ?? What is the advantage ??
celticpilgrim said:
dunno mate, I've only ever played a 4-string, but my fingers are a bit on the short side!!!
I'd guess that a 5 string gives you more scope..
Forgot to add....if 4 strings was enough for Steve Harris, Geddy Lee and Phil Lynott (R.I.P.) than that's good enough for me!!!I'd guess that a 5 string gives you more scope..
If you are (as you state) just starting, this shouldn't even be an issue. Get a four string. When you have some chops and start finding that you don't have the range you might want, then string it B-E-A-D rather than E-A-D-G (yes, it can handle it if it isn't a POS) and then, when you find that restricts you too much in terms of high range, buy a five.
The five string bass became more popular in the eighties when synths were being used to create bass lines. Bass players were looking to get near the range of the synth and low B helped them acheive it.
Usually five strings have a 35" scale instead of the usual 34". This is to allow the low B to be a bit tighter and reduce the potential for rattle.
I have a Yamaha TRB5PII five string and it sounds great. I play it the most as it is by far my most versatile bass. I do find a four string easier to 'machine gun' though, as I can slap my left hand down onto the fingerboard a lot quicker. You do have to get use to the extra width of the fingerboard and the extra inch length, for what it's worth (no nob length gags, please!
) so it may be a struggle for a beginner. Another way of looking at it is if you learn on a five string, you will get use to playing across all five strings straight away rather than picking it up and ignoring the low B due to being use to a four string.
ETA: Sorry, I've just looked at the BC Rich bass in the OP and it's horrible (just my opinion though - good luck learning!)
Usually five strings have a 35" scale instead of the usual 34". This is to allow the low B to be a bit tighter and reduce the potential for rattle.
I have a Yamaha TRB5PII five string and it sounds great. I play it the most as it is by far my most versatile bass. I do find a four string easier to 'machine gun' though, as I can slap my left hand down onto the fingerboard a lot quicker. You do have to get use to the extra width of the fingerboard and the extra inch length, for what it's worth (no nob length gags, please!
) so it may be a struggle for a beginner. Another way of looking at it is if you learn on a five string, you will get use to playing across all five strings straight away rather than picking it up and ignoring the low B due to being use to a four string.ETA: Sorry, I've just looked at the BC Rich bass in the OP and it's horrible (just my opinion though - good luck learning!)
Edited by ganglandboss on Monday 14th April 21:18
ganglandboss said:
ETA: Sorry, I've just looked at the BC Rich bass in the OP and it's horrible (just my opinion though - good luck learning!)
Blydi Nora! I'd be scared of impaling the back of my hand during a quick slide up to the dusty end.I've got a 5 - it's a nice guitar, and the low B comes in handy sometimes (for example, when I want to play a low B
). The thing I've found irritating recently is that barring is more difficult, even if you're only trying to barre the "normal" four strings (or maybe it's just my crap technique...). I gave away my old 4-string in the forlorn hope that it would encourage "my" Ricky 4003 to arrive sooner, but no such luck.Get a four, and then look to a five when you're happier with your playing and if you feel you need it.
Major Bloodnok said:
Get a four, and then look to a five when you're happier with your playing and if you feel you need it.
Best advice yet, get a decent Jazz/precison style bass for a bit,it and then worry about if you are struggling to play the songs you want on a 4 string(I used to play a 5 ocassionally, but never liked it, so just for the odd hip-hop/metal/R n'B song I detune the bottom E down to whatever is needed)
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