What was it like when you went from a 4 to 5 string, any different?

[6stringslinger]

Now that my Ibanez SRX505 has been set up properly it is still taking a while to get use to. My teacher can sit there and play it with no fret buzz at all. I still get some fret buzz especially on the B string up towards the nut on the first 4 frets(starting with C) it will take some time to get use to that 5th string. I think it is a matter of finger strength.Other than that problem with my left hand it is really not different.
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Here is the area(below)where I get a lot more fret buzz, my teacher of course can play it smoothly. It is a matter of getting use to the size of that B and being able to hold it against the fretboard smoothly. I pratice this pattern in addition to others. Using your pinky is a real challenge on the B string!!


G-------------------
D-------------------
A-------------------
E-------------------
B-1-2-3-4-4-3-2-1--


How many of you play 5 string only, no 4's or 6's?

[neatobassman]

I think it might be that when you play, you bring your fingers down toward the bass instead of parrellel to the bass.

[Criss Frantic]

When I got my 5er, the first thing i did was ditch the B string and tune it tenor (EADGC) so I can't say I've had that problem :cool:

[ThunderBass]

once i built up the little extra finger strength you need i was fine... then i wondered how id managed to live without a fiver previously... :)

[fltlnbassist]

i play a 5er(ibanez 305) but like punkbass i tuned my tenor

[Ian]

When I first got one, it took a few weeks to get used to the B string being there. A bunch of times I would hit the B, thinking it was the E out of habit. But you get used to it eventually, and you start to apprieciate the whole new range available to you. Although I got sick of 5 strings and sold mine.

[aks_29]

When I got my 5er, the first thing i did was ditch the B string and tune it tenor (EADGC) so I can't say I've had that problem :cool:

Can you just tune them all up, or do you have to buy a C string?

[ShetaN bRaT]

I'm sure you'd have to buy a C string. The tension would pop your strings off.

[rik]

I got used to the B string pretty quickly, took no longer than a few days. When looking to buy new basses I only look at 5 strings, although i'll probably end up get a six soon enough.

[sixner]

i actually went from 5 to 4... i started playing bass w/ a 5 string.. when i tried a 4, it was pretty weird, and i used to have troubles getting used to not having a B.. i would play an A string like an E.. but after a while of playing, i got used to it...
-Sixner

[Left Shoe]

i actually went from 5 to 4... i started playing bass w/ a 5 string.. when i tried a 4, it was pretty weird, and i used to have troubles getting used to not having a B.. i would play an A string like an E.. but after a while of playing, i got used to it...
-Sixner
my transformation went
6(guitar)>5>4>4>6

going from a four to a six is rough, id get lost on the fretboard, not like id get strings confused(i did) but id completely forget what i was doing trying to figure out where i was

[muthafunkabass]

i had no prob went i went to 5 sting, it really made no difference to me at all.

*shrugs*

[Spaceman Spiff]

I went from 4 to 6, but I didn't have any major problems. At first I had a little trouble with the string spacing being smaller, but I quickly got used to it.

[Phalanx]

I don't think i'll ever get a 5 string, for me, if im going to get an extended range instrument, im going to want extra higher register as well. It took me about a day of playing till 5am in the morning to get used to the extra strings. None the less, ERB are very rewarding if you put the effort in to get used to the extra strings

[Ting]

Pluck near the bridge, it gives it extra tension. I even do it with my 4 string cause my E sumtimes gets a little buzz

[Akira]

You sure it is set up properly?

[Mad_Fingers]

yeh, it takes time, just work on a quick pentatonic scale going up and down the string with your middle finger and pinky and change it coming up or something. Somthing like:

G|--5-3-----------------------------------1-3-4---||
D|*-----5-3---------------------------1-3--------*||
A|----------5-3-------------------1-3-------------||
E|*-------------5-3-----------1-3----------------*||
B|------------------5-3-2-1-3---------------------||

Just repeat that for awhile, it will help you find the strings much easier, work on your dexterity, work on finger placement, speed, strength, and if you watch your left hand while you play it looks damn fun! I do this to warm up and it never fails to impress someone who has never heard it before.

In my opinion, it's best to be open minded, I play both 4 and 5, being able to switch is great.

[muthafunkabass]

yeh, it takes time, just work on a quick pentatonic scale going up and down the string with your middle finger and pinky and change it coming up or something. Somthing like:

G|--5-3-----------------------------------1-3-4---||
D|*-----5-3---------------------------1-3--------*||
A|----------5-3-------------------1-3-------------||
E|*-------------5-3-----------1-3----------------*||
B|------------------5-3-2-1-3---------------------||

Just repeat that for awhile, it will help you find the strings much easier, work on your dexterity, work on finger placement, speed, strength, and if you watch your left hand while you play it looks damn fun! I do this to warm up and it never fails to impress someone who has never heard it before.

In my opinion, it's best to be open minded, I play both 4 and 5, being able to switch is great.
heh, my teacher tought me that when i first got my 5

[Left Shoe]

I went from 4 to 6, but I didn't have any major problems. At first I had a little trouble with the string spacing being smaller, but I quickly got used to it.
my string spacing got bigger

[thelowsoundofbass]

it took me all of five minutes. i loved it for about 4 months, then hated it for a year and only played it a few time. now i am in love with it again, what worked for me was not approching it as a bass with an extra string, but as a whole new insterment. this has helped me write lines more effectivly on it

lowsound

[vashts80]

I'm sure you'd have to buy a C string. The tension would pop your strings off.

I have mine tuned EADGC and it works fine with the factory strings (I think they're .132-.100-.85-.65-.45 or something to that effect)

I've had my 5er for about 3 weeks and I'm still getting used to the smaller string spacing, I keep hitting the high C out of habit instead of my G string