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 Message Boards » » Who has a 5 or 6 string bass guitar? Page [1]  
BubbleBobble
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with, I presume a low B as the top string

I don't really know much about it

but I kinda want that lower range of sound

what say you TWW

are there success stories with 5 and 6 string basses?

4/10/2009 1:38:07 AM

GroundBeef
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you gonna be another guy who has a guitar laying around to be cool or are you actually going to play in front of people and fail miserably?

4/10/2009 1:39:06 AM

CalledToArms
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our bassist uses a 5 string. great success.

4/10/2009 1:39:14 AM

BubbleBobble
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does the low string play really loosely, or is it nice and taut (or whatever the word is)

4/10/2009 1:40:07 AM

GroundBeef
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ITS REAL LOOSE

4/10/2009 1:41:04 AM

CalledToArms
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nah its fine. string gauge and proper setup takes care of that. We play in C Standard, 2 whole steps below what most people consider standard tuning for a guitar, and its still fine. I just get thicker strings and the tension is the exact same as if I was in standard tuning. Our bassist does the same.

[Edited on April 10, 2009 at 1:43 AM. Reason : ]

4/10/2009 1:42:41 AM

d7freestyler
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ROCK!!

4/10/2009 1:43:42 AM

BubbleBobble
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ok that sounds awesome

do you know anything about the cost of one?

a 5-string

I have a 4-string

could I trade it in or something

serious issues ITT

4/10/2009 1:46:01 AM

CalledToArms
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depends on the model. Our bassist has an ernie ball stingray and it plays beautifully but it wasnt cheap. There are certainly 5 string basses out there that arent too expensive I am sure though.

bassman803 would be a good resource on TWW. Or post in the guitar thread in entertainment.

This is our bass player's:



also, you were correct in your first post...if you are playing in standard tuning, the normal string to add is that low B

[Edited on April 10, 2009 at 1:55 AM. Reason : ]

4/10/2009 1:46:02 AM

BubbleBobble
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word

I'm gonna go check these out

4/10/2009 2:00:00 AM

GroundBeef
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CUT MY LIFE INTO PIECES

THIS IS MY LAST RESORT

SUFFOCATION

NO BREATHING

DON'T GIVE A FUCK IF I CUT MY ARM BLEEDING

4/10/2009 2:23:05 AM

bassman803
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i play 5 string exclusively now. i like being able to play downtuned stuff without actually having to tune down the bass.. that gets old quick for me.

as far as floppy B-strings go, using thicker strings can help, but it really has alot to do with the build quality of the bass itself and it's scale length to a lesser extent. just about any bass with a 35" scale will have a nice tight B, but my bass is only 34" and it has one of the best B strings i've ever felt. I use medium gauge DR Highbeam bass strings (45-65-85-105-125) and i dont have any problems whatsoever with tension. just try out different basses and see what vibes with ya.

also
you can tune a 4-string B-E-A-D if you dont want to have to buy a new bass
just buy a 5-string set and use the top 4 strings from it, then adjust your action accordingly

4/10/2009 4:19:33 AM

BubbleBobble
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do want 5 strings

4/11/2009 8:41:16 PM

BubbleBobble
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who wants to sell me one?

5/3/2009 7:13:41 PM

urge311
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getchu a 5-string! it's fun!

watch out on restringing a 4 though. i used to do that back in high school. i had to loosen the b-string when i wasn't playing because all the tension was throwing the neck out of whack.

5/3/2009 7:16:53 PM

BubbleBobble
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I'm definitely gonna get a 5-string sometime soon

now I just need someone to play with

5/3/2009 7:22:06 PM

Fareako
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Failed Séance's bassist used a 6 string and we tuned in B, son! I don't know how that helps, I just wanted to post that in this thread.

5/3/2009 7:25:28 PM

BubbleBobble
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Quote :
"FIVE

STRING

BASS"

5/7/2009 2:14:18 PM

paerabol
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I have a 5-string that I tuned the bottom to low B, but my band tunes 3 steps down to A# so I still had to drop each string that half step

that said, if you already have a bass and you want it lower, buy heavier strings and tune it lower. no need for a new bass really

5/7/2009 3:02:07 PM

bassjunkie
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This is my bass (except solid black). It has the best sounding low B I've heard, but it is a beast to play with the 35" scale and a very wide neck. A lot of the low B on 5 strings sound like shit, mainly the lower end ones as bassman noted....sort of a muddy growl that lacks the tone clarity of the other strings.

I, too, play a 5 string exclusively these days. I honestly haven't plugged in my Fender Jazz bass (4) except when my 5-er was in the shop. Even though it's not in use a good percentage of the time, having that low B can add a lot of dynamic to a song.....that bass that you feel in your chest through the PA

5/7/2009 3:46:00 PM

Fareako
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I love dat 190% distorted bass

5/7/2009 3:46:52 PM

bassjunkie
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5/7/2009 4:04:08 PM

BubbleBobble
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this shit is going to be epic

I'm going to find a good one

5/8/2009 12:02:50 AM

rtc407
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played bass for a few years, wanted a 5 string but no money but the ones i tried at the store were awesome and i practiced one time on my friend's which was sweet

5/8/2009 12:28:36 AM

BubbleBobble
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5/8/2009 12:33:17 AM

BubbleBobble
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I am ready for this shit

5/10/2009 12:05:59 AM

GGMon
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potheads

5/10/2009 12:08:12 AM

BubbleBobble
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inorite

5/10/2009 12:09:00 AM

Dentaldamn
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4 is enough

5/10/2009 2:01:13 AM

BubbleBobble
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that's your opinion

5/10/2009 12:20:31 PM

BubbleBobble
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Quote :
"A lot of the low B on 5 strings sound like shit, mainly the lower end ones as bassman noted....sort of a muddy growl that lacks the tone clarity of the other strings."



is this muddy growl due to string quality, or the quality of the build of the bass itself?

5/13/2009 12:29:46 AM

stepmaniadud
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[Edited on May 13, 2009 at 12:36 AM. Reason : .]

5/13/2009 12:34:41 AM

BubbleBobble
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I see

5/13/2009 12:41:00 AM

Erfdawg
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Quote :
"is this muddy growl due to string quality, or the quality of the build of the bass itself?"


A bit of both I guess but the skill of the player is the biggest factor. The sound is mostly just an inherent part of the string being so loose and thick. It can also vibrate up against the frets. It sounded really good on a 6-string fretless I once owned. (I used to be a Primus fanatic)

[Edited on May 13, 2009 at 8:36 AM. Reason : ]

5/13/2009 8:33:48 AM

 Message Boards » Chit Chat » Who has a 5 or 6 string bass guitar? Page [1]  
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