The Truth About 5 String Basses...

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

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[@dbass9767]

Been playing a 5 for over 35 years never looked back..

[@JRP3music]

5 string is important for my band, because I play 7 string guitar. They go together very well.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 The Low B String on a 7 String Guitar makes it ideal for Church Gigs.

[@jal4319]

personally i find 5 strings to be my choice always as someone who plays in a band where a lot of latin/tropical music is played such as salsa, cumbia, merengue and genres like that that have songs that require you to have that extra string. the back and shoulder pain is worth it lol

[@beornthebear.8220]

Much of the music I practice goes down to C or sometimes B. Obviously a 5 string fills this requirement. I also like that if I am playing up the neck, I can hit lower notes with the 5th string without moving my hand. Another thing I sometimes like to do is hit a low E in the 4th string, and the 5th fret on the fifth string simultaneously. This cab really make a powerful growl. It took me a little practice to stop instinctively hitting my 5th string as a did my 4 strings. After a little practice, I am quite familiar with the deep E being the 4th string.

[@derekvalenti6657]

Totally agree. I also find it doesn't make my arms ache as much when reading if you can start up around the 5 the or 6 this fret instead of being jammed up the nut end!!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Basses with 5 (or more) Strings are good for those who have arm aches too. I because the string spacing on a 5 String Bass is smaller, this is where using a pick kicks in.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 How did you miss that?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

That's a Bonus & it's true for 5 string Upright Basses too due to how tall they are.

[@mintybluevk8542]

Guitarist here,hardly played any bass before but in this afternoon I pulled the trigger on buying a Ibanez EHB1005,I will be learning on a 5 string,yeah

[@robsantorobass]

Great video man.
I do session work and a 5 string is a definite must because not everyone plays in the same tuning and having a solid 5 string comes in handy when you’re recording and gotta be ready for anything thrown at you.
Also the band I’m in plays songs anywhere from E standard to A# (I have a d tuner to drop my B string to an A) needless to say my 5 string puts in a lot of work.

[@stevec6427]

I will always have a five and a four. Sometimes I think a down tuned 4 string is better, why have five strings if the song only uses two of them? For me the advantage comes in being able to play lots of songs in different tunings without changing instrument or for notes below a low C the 5 string seems to have better definition and tone

[@megaexidor]

I love 4s & 5s and 5s & 4s. So I play both. Yes I also like 6ers.
As a bass player. I enjoy bass especially playing out! Tools for the job are to be used on the job.

[@WilDBeestMF]

This dude, this. I find that I'm smiling more when I'm playing a 4 string in gig photos, but I do love me a 5 when the music calls for it.
Granted, I'm going from a 4 Jazz to a 5 Jazz, so it isn't that much of a crazy leap.

[@lasse3412]

Best is that the B string abso have varmer and deeper sound even when play higher on fretboard. Use it a lot on songs

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

This is why extended range Guitars & Basses are fun upgrade because it's easier to play in every key & you can use them to also play music that was originally written for the lute. They're the modern equivalent of the lute.

[@christianhenry4173]

Reasons
More chord Options like a 6 string.
Less Detuning to play in different keys
That B string Makes a Bass a Bass.
The neck is good for dexterity.
Sounds Like a Boss in a Band.
4 string is good but 5 string is a Beast.

[@KimSE4]

This is all true and I totally agree, but I think you could do a worthwhile follow up to this with the downsides of a 5: weight, neck-width, muting and image as examples.

[@kujob6442]

I just bought a Ernie Ball Ray 5 Special and it’s actually lighter than my Sterling Ray 34. That’s only one brand of basses, but their new lightweight stuff is awesome. Weight is a big deal if you gig for 3-4 hours. I often play near 3 hours at our gigs, sometimes longer, and that Sterling got heavy at the end, so I was very pleased when my Ernie Ball was lighter. Good points

[@KimSE4]

@@kujob6442 EB have really put effort into putting instruments on a diet haven't they? Good to see, and glad it's paid off to make them more comfortable. My Dingwall weighs A LOT! My old '89 'Ray is quite dense but nothing like the Combustion...

[@WilDBeestMF]

I only feel the need for a 5 string when I'm playing something heavier. Otherwise, 4 is actually more than I'll ever need so I stick to it haha.
That fretted low E, tho..

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Extended range Guitars with 10 (or even more) Strings (sometimes 10 pairs of Strings almost all in Octaves thanks to .006 High B, plus a High A Unison pair for a total of up to 11 courses) have pretty much the same advantages cause when you add some distortion, you'll add a bit of Rock n Roll to your Church Gigs & get the Choir & Congregation into Rock mode.

[@bustabass9025]

After nearly 50 years of playing primarily by ear and chord charts, I have committed to going back and developing my sight reading skills on bass. Played trombone and piano as a kid through high school, so I had a good foundation in music. However, playing bass all those years by ear and chord charts made me lazy. Now I have joined a community jazz ensemble and suffice it to say reading is fundamental to my success. As I have been on this journey for about a year now, I use a five and a six string bass. You are absolutely right about it facilitating reading a lot better than the four. The six is even better because I cover a lot of note range in one position. The added B and high C strings on the 6'er makes soloing a lot easier and more melodic as well. I have three four string basses that see very little action these days. They were good back in the day for funkin' and picking out tunes, but for reading and at my age, the added strings have made it a very pleasant and successful experience.👑🎸🎵

[@bustabass9025]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1
Yep, five and six. I just prefer them for playability. I have a pretty large hand and the wider necks feel and respond better for me. Hey, I just gave you another nod for the 5'er! 😀

[@johndaniel4597]

OnlineBass Guitar very valid points - totally agree. As Busta bass says 6 strings are great for chart reading, as I discovered years ago when I worked on cruise ships backing production shows etc. Nowadays I prefer the 5 which is a good compromise
Cheers John

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@bustabass9025 The 6 String Bass has a Low B & High C which makes it very fun to play. I find a 6 String Upright Bass ideal for playing Cello pieces down an Octave. A 7 String Bass adds on a High F & because the strings on a 7 String Bass are closer together than on a 4 String Bass, it's alot easier to play with a Pick.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@johndaniel4597 The 7 String Bass has a Low B, High C, & High F along with the regular 4 Strings & I find 7 String Basses ideal for transposing reperitore that was originally not written for Bass. Because the strings on a 7 String Bass are closer together than on a 4 String Bass, it's highly reccomended to use a Pick.

[@johndaniel4597]

CircuitsAndStrings 2 Mr Stern
Thanks for your explanation. Play as many strings as you can manage/ think necessary. My 6 made chart reading much easier. For me 5 is a good compromise. Before Covid I played with a big band and could have managed with 4, however one of the charts had a sneaky low Eb - no problem.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The 5th and bonus advantage of a 5 String Bass for those of you who play Double Bass is that it eliminates the need to use an extension when playing Orchestral Double Bass parts that go down to Low C.

[@athollmoray]

Ok I have wondered whither or not to get a 5 string bass… after playing a 4 string for many years… I think you answered my question… now I just need to figure out if I want it to be a jazz bass or not… I have never played one.

[@athollmoray]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 I will try that as my niece has a jazz bass…just never tried it.. my bass is a 45 year old Carvin…it has served me well…..since I am looking for beauty as well as function.. am looking to spend about 4k

[@PopsFBR]

Keep a 5 & 4 for all the reasons mentioned. But my singer loves the key of Eb!
Had to get a 5'r so we can play the deep well notes. And, forget about Eb on D string soprano range! Hahah LOL

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I have a Fender 5 String Bass that I bought from Guitar center when I was near the end of 5th Grade. The fun thing about a 5 String Bass is that for those of you who play Double Bass, it eliminates the need to use an extension when playing down to Low C cause now the lower notes are on a lower string. Because the strings on a 5 String Electric Bass are closer together, it's much easier to play with a Pick, but on a 5 String Double Bass it's easier to play sitting down cause then you can look down the neck of the Bass.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 That's why 5 String Basses are a good upgrade for 4 String players.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Does using a pick make it easier to get around the smaller string spacing on those heavy cumbersome extended range basses with 5 (or more) Strings?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

OnlineBass Guitar Extended range Guitars (7 or more Strings, even a 20 string which has 10 pairs of strings etc) have those same advantages too because on both Extended range Guitars & Basses the additional strings (both lower and higher) make it alot easier to play what's written on the page.

[@bengosse7217]

Jeez how many times did you comment on this damn video

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@bengosse7217 It's a couple of good comments that fit into the video because they're interesting.

[@Some_Cat_]

My ideal bass is a short scale 4 string with the four lower register strings of a 5 string. I don't like the width of 5 string necks.

[@powerforward1955]

Thanks for getting straight to the point without the fluff. I've been considering this question for a couple of years--I keep hearing the 6-string calling my name but only started on the bass (4-string) 3-yrs ago...played keys for 45-years (and still learning). Peace Be well.

[@powerforward1955]

I do wish the transfer was that easy...just learning the notes on the neck is a bear...unlike the keyboard, every space on the bass looks the same (smile) I’m enjoying the bass-it’s such a cool and prominent instrument in the mix..it’s a life-time endeavor. Peace

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@powerforward1955 With extended range Basses, I highly recommend using a Pick cause the Strings are closer together.

[@kelvinbrooks9588]

Thank you! Good presentation.

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

Glad it helped!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I tune my 5 String Bass down a half step to Eb Standard with a Low Bb on the bottom because the higher notes are much easier on my singing voice.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 And powerful too, which is why the 5 String Bass is a good upgrade. If you were also a singer, you'd prefer tuning down half a step (Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb) cause you then get that Half Step relief.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 That Power Big Sounding Low Bb is a half step above the Low A on a Piano, although they now make Pianos that can play both Lower & Higher than that. The new Stuart & Sons Big Belura Piano has 108 Keys arranged in 9 sets of 12 so 9 octaves like an Organ

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@UCXhP5YgHEm7UYleg94RU1VA
Extended range Guitars (7 to 10 Strings going down to Low G#) are mainly used for heavy metal, but then again they also make transposing songs to every key alot simpler.

[@willieelliott352]

GREAT ADVICE

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

OnlineBass Guitar I always play with a Pick since the strings are closer together, you might not have even mentioned it.

[@dbass9767]

Totally agree, I wish you would tell some of the others to show advantages of the 5 string instead of these so called bassist trying to shoot down a 5 every chance they get, I couldn't have explained it better, thanks great video!

[@kingsaidso7258]

Just got a 5 string. This did not help much. I understand what you say about some some songs written for the 5 string. That B string does help

[@DavidPerez-ex1qo]

I wanted a 5 string for a long time. All the songs i like, they use a 5 string bass. I just can't afford a bass right now :'(

[@DavidPerez-ex1qo]

OnlineBass Guitar Thanks, I think its time. o(^▽^)o

[@luigi.zanini]

you can find a 5 string Cort bass for less than 300 euros...

[@luigi.zanini]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 www.thomann.de/it/cort_gb55jj_spg.htm
www.woodbrass.com/it-it/bassi-elettrici-a-5-corde-cort-act5p-gloss-black-p224414.html
www.musicstore.de/it_IT/EUR/ESP-LTD-B-15-Black-Satin/art-BAS0009659-000

[@dbass9767]

Hope you get one you'll love it!

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@DavidPerez-ex1qo Because the Strings on a 5 String Bass are closer together than on a 4 String Bass, it's much easier to play with a pick.

[@terryremaly957]

I've been thinking about a 5 you helped so much thanks

[@terryremaly957]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 no I've browed a acoustic dean that a friend has I've been having a lot of fun with it

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Advanatges
1: Easier to play in more keys
2: Easier to read gigs
3: More gigs are available
4: Easier to transpose (If you're playing a song on B Minor but asked to transpose to Bb minor, you can tune your 5 String Bass down a half step from BEADG to Bb, Eb, Ab, Db, Gb)
5 (Bonus): If you play Double Bass in an Orchestra, it eliminates the need to use an extension when playing Orchetral Bass parts that go down to Low C.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 That's why many Double Bassists are upgrading their instrument into a 5 String so they don't have to use that extension anymore.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 For 4 String players who wanna upgrade to a 5 String, it's recommended to use a Pick since the strings are closer together.

[@Butterpants1987]

@@RockStarOscarStern634 but you cant SLAP with a pick

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@Butterpants1987 You'd have to wear a thumb pick to get that going.

[@TheOldmandaddio]

Hi, after getting a four string bass after not playing for 30plus years (I cant read sheet music, used to just bugger around playing punk style) it was literally when I got the 4string that I learned the open notes EADG! lol.
But now I'm older I'm I'm appreciating loads of different types of music, the bass I currently have is great but I personally have trouble playing slap on the upper frets, so been looking for another bass for awhile, some people say get a 5 then at least you have other tonal options, others say stick to the 4, I'm not in a band or anything like I used to be, but that could change if I plucked up the courage & practiced more, so how difficult is it to go from a 4 to 5 plus is it worth it as like I said I've not a great understanding of the whole neck so would I use the low B much? Thanks in advance if anyone replies 😉🤙

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

The 5 String Bass is a bit easier to play with a Pick since the strings are closer together

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

You can use the Low B String to play higher up the neck at fret 5 or 6 if you find your arm hurts up near the nut.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Any 4 String players out there, a 5 String Bass is a good extended range Bass to start with cause you've got one more String tuned down a Fourth from the E String & it's the B String. A 6 String has both Low B & High C, the 7 string adds on a High F etc, cause with more & more strings you could play in every key plus Guitar solos when you also step on the distortion pedal such as Eruption by eddie van halen cause you'll get a sound that you just couldn't get out of a standard Guitar. You can also use them to play music that was originally written for other instruments like a lute.

[@mostafazendedlan]

thank for like commet and share video

[@istvankertesz3134]

Would you advise a five string for an absolute beginner going for soul/blues/reggae/funky?

[@istvankertesz3134]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 thanks for the quick response!

[@pussycat6469]

Hi today i bought rbx5 white ash bass my first 5 string ever .always been a 4 string guy. Im like wtf is this .its a whole new world.very strange world. New .not sure.were too go.

[@c4ss1133]

i currently play a 4 string Encore bass and would love to get a 5 string. any recommendations for a brand/model?

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

A Squire Affinity 5 String J Bass ought to do the trick cause it's great for beginners that wanna learn 5 String Bass.

[@craggerrs]

I'm still pretty much beginner, starting to ask questions of intermediate level bass playing - - I would like to transition to a 5 but I don't want to confuse myself - - do you think there is a good time in your progression to transition or is there no such time? Just get on with it?

[@craggerrs]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Thanks for the advice, mate! One last question; would the same apply to a 6 string as well?
I'm excited by the prospect of the bass as a solo instrument

[@craggerrs]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Noice one :)

[@MrDarylfox]

I have 4 ,5 string bass , but four string is cool

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

Alot of Guitar parts will be written for extended range Guitars cause the composers just want that lower end.

[@alexlandsbergs]

Eb is not the best example as most players that want to play in that key, will tune down the half step. should have used the key of C or Db. not to mention even with a 5 string, you still might want to tune down the half step anyways to be able to play Eb open. rather than fretting it. otehr than that. your vid is quite good.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I tune my 5 string Bass Down a half step so it's easier for me to sing the high notes w/o straining my voice & that Low Bb is powerful

[@VincentDuxD]

darn dude, now I'm thinking of selling off all my extra vape gears for that sandberg.

[@VincentDuxD]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 yeah man, will be finishing up my thesis in 6 month, guess I'd get a bass for either graduate celebration or comfort shopping for another 2 years of metallurgy anyway :D.

[@VincentDuxD]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 that's nice to know, I'm glad that I'm here early so that I've got time to watch and rewatch all your videos since I'm still at the beginning of my bass journey and could fine something new every time. have a good one then.

[@bustabass9025]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1
It's a matter of quality not quantity...hey, ya got me😕

[@nealb6]

I have a five string

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

I have one as well & I tune mine down a half step so it's easier for me to sing the high notes w/o straining my voice

[@babs1277]

I'd like to start but should I buy a 4 or a 5 string bass?

[@babs1277]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Oh ok thanks a lot for the reply :D

[@babs1277]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 4 strings seems a bit cheaper... maybe I will buy one of those to start

[@babs1277]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Can I send you the Amazon link? Maybe you can tell me if it is worth the price

[@babs1277]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Had to use Amazon.it cause I live in Italy

[@babs1277]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Oh ok Thanks I am going to watch that review now :D

[@abdullaaleef1170]

Hey so should i buy a 5 string baas as my first bass?

[@xiaoyu88]

thats basically one thing..RANGE.

[@RockStarOscarStern634]

@@OnlineBassGuitar1 Can using a Pick help get around the smaller string spacing? Those heavy cumbersom extended range Basses are playable but with such a small spacing, using a pick is highly reccomended.

[@steve00alt70]

Its not a gimmick its METAL!!!!

[@rnh93]

What kind of strap are you using here?

[@oneriousraider913]

You bass sounds good...what is it???what is its model??may i know

[@oneriousraider913]

Subscribed your channel
..and thank u for ur kind rply...

[@tuguybear930]

5 string is actually easier for me to play.

[@OnlineBassGuitar1]

Same! I really enjoy it!

[@mostafazendedlan]

thank for like commet and share video