Beginner: 4 string Intermediate: thinks more strings makes you better or makes playing harder Pro: does what the gig calls for, whether that’s 4, 5, or whatever else
I played guitar for decades and then just jumped to elite with four strings. Its the perfect size and has all the notes I want to use. And it is *so* much more fun than guitar. Just plucking a string is pure delight. There is something tactile about it.
The piccolo bass is the 8-string guitar of the bass world. I feel like it is mostly for people that want to play the other instrument but don't want to say they play bass/guitar, however I have to agree that yes, string gauge will shape the tone a bit and more importantly I believe it should feel more familiar to play than changing instrument completely (but not wanting to learn to play on the other one is a skill issue honestly), 8-string is also more versatile so it makes more sense than the piccolo outside of a band and allows you to change register easily (like my trusty 5-string)
I mostly agree with you man, I prefer a 4 string short scale if I had my pick, but I found that tuning my 5 as EADGB(C) I got some extra harmonic ability in the higher end without having to really change the way I normally play much. I don't really need that low B for what I do, but the xtra higher end has been pretty handy.
The visually impaired owner picks up the poo. The dog is trained to show them where the turd is. My friend has a guide dog and this was part of the training for both dog and owner.
@@bigmoneymandan360 I believe the dog circles the turd to indicate its position. My friend then feels around with a bag over his hand until he finds the treasure.
About the 5 string beginning at 3:33 1) Small hands are more of an issue for guitar players when you have to hold chords, especially on 7 string guitars (guitarists usually omit the 5th for full 13th chords on 6 string guitars). If you're holding down root notes on bass, it's less of an issue. Bass is like playing guitar one note at a time. So, for me, playing bass is kind of like playing guitar solos all the time. I treat bass like a melody instrument. 2) Low B strings are best for low tunings. I often tune C F Bb Eb G so it becomes like a guitar in C standard tuning with a high G. If you prefer E as a low string, go for a thinner gauge low string and tune E A D G B for more melodic content up high (although bassists might prefer C and F on the high strings). For guitarists, 5 string basses are nice because they feel more like guitars, especially if the strings are closer together like a Jazz bass. P basses can feel huge with high action and strings that are far apart, but the tone (especially a PJ) is great. I agree that playing notes below the root can be confusing and force you to think about intervals (for example, 4ths going up are 5ths going down). This is a specialty of jazz players who determine the identity of the chord by the root they play while the guitarist fills out extended chords beyond the root (in jazz, 7ths, # 9ths, # 11ths, 13ths). Some chords like fully diminished 7th and dominant 7th chords can have their entire identities changed by what root note the bassist plays while the guitarist keeps the same shape. 3) I agree that 5 string bass below A1 can be too low (Korn tuning). Guys these days are omitting bass players and using 8 string guitars and are sludging around in the 1 and 0 octaves. Not for me because it fights the bass and kick drum in the mix. My advice would be to try a 5 with a high string instead. A lot of 5s come in 35" scale length instead of 34". You might like a 34" better. Bassists have their own skills that are hard for guitarists to master as well, like proper intonation on a fretless with flatwound strings. There's also slapping and groove. You can tell a real bass player from a guitarist playing bass, especially in rock.
I love 5 strings personally. I play quite a few songs that would require me to tune down all the time, but I don't have to. I also frequently alternate between the E string and the 5th string from the 5th fret down, so I do use the 5th string a lot and honestly can't live without it.
I remember when I started bass decades ago. I had crossed paths with a famous bassist. I asked him if I should do 5 string as I was just starting and his exact words were, "Every iconic bassline ever written was done on a 4 string. It's all you need." So I never went to 5 string and I'm eternally happy I didn't.
Yeah, same with cabinets, so much talk about the latest and greatest available but most classic songs were played through 4 x 12’s or 2 x15’s with no clever baffling or trickery. There was an old Bruce Foxton cab on eBay recently, nothing special just a box with a pair of drivers in it. £1,600 though!
So, the main reason I have switched entirely over to 5 strings now is that my band does songs in a very wide range of keys, and I like having a piano-like range to cover the low end in every key. Also, once you start thinking in intervals, it gets much easier to play. 5th fret and up from the B string to the D string is the equivalent of a 4 string starting open, so you can play every note fretted or open.
True that, being able to play a low E fretted gives you so much more control and it gives you more options on sound, as a fretted note has a different timbre than an open string. Like, I get that a Low B isn't gonna be played a whole hell of a lot, but if you're playing covers you WILL get mileage out of the Low D and Low C.
Too LOW?!?! A BEHS can never be too low. I actually love the low notes that you can feel as much as you can hear. I'm glad you left out the last step (tiny hands, tiny brain, and a tiny...yea, best left out mate. 😜👍
I just saw a guide dog helping his disabled owner earlier this morning. As you expect, no one cleaned up after the dog! Thanks for the bass enthusiasm.
Ode To The Five String Bass by Nelson Montana (My apologies in advance to my 5 string loving brothers)
There once was a time, when 4 strings were fine, and an E was as low as youd go. But the desire to go deeper, turned out to be a keeper and they added a B as you know. I too joined the crowd, the mantra was so loud The five is the one that will last. But after many a gig, trying vainly to go big, my love of the B was soon past. The notes didnt speak with the clarity that Id seek. And I found that I'd use it less and less. It just got in the way, I keep thinking an E was an A, till finally asking, "is this for the best?" It wasnt for James or Jaco or Chris. Victor Wooton and Steve Harris never fell. Jeff Berlin said Nay and hoped itd just go away and Sir Paul would eschew it as well. The Ox took a stand, amid the demands. as did John Paul Jones and Flea. Rocco didn't veer and Sting just sneered -- unimpressed -- as was Pino and Geddy Lee. Claypool went back, and accepted the fact -- it was good enough for Bootsy and Clarke As did Osborne and Kaye, heading the way, and forever making their mark. Then again, there was Anthony, who played mighty fancifully -- with even more strings than six! Yet there are those, who still propose...he should stick to a four and a pick. Of course theres a case, within the right space, to add some well placed low Ds But these days if thats needed, Ive finally conceded Ill just play it on the god damn keys!
Hi Danny, fellow small handed behs player from Newcastle here… I struggled to get my head round a 5 for years and made me feel ill when I tried to play… But having been gifted one during the lockdowns, I cracked it. You have to change from playing generally open strings and play much higher up the neck around 5/7 fret, which then feels natural again as on the fifth it’s an E. but you have an extra string at the top. Anyway it worked for me! The behs looked great with the sharpie on 😂
Misa is one of the most underrated bassists playing today. Absolutely phenomenal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a band more locked in live than Band-Maid and it’s that rhythm section of Misa and Akane that are just world class.
Hope this helps....I have a standard 6 string bass. Hate the low B and high C. Screws with my head. Bought custom strings from a company called Kalium, in order to convert to guitar tuning while keeping roughly the same string tensions. SO..... E 110 A 82 D 61 G 45 B 31 E 20 plain IT"S AWESOME, easy to play, and sounds great. I can do chords without sounding like mud. Tapping is easier. Scales and chords are just like guitar. This has totally changed my game. The strings cost a total of $48 for the set, so roughly a few bucks more than a standard set of 6 string bass strings. Shipping took about 6 weeks, so if you have gigs coming up....plan ahead.
I, too, was not a fan of 5 strings until just before Christmas 2023. Walked into a local pawn shop and saw an Ibanez hanging on the wall. Asked if it was active or passive and the broker had no idea...he just handed me the bass. Passive with a single humbucker. Played a little and the neck wasn't nearly as big as others (in fact not much bigger than a precision bass). Price tag was $200 and he told me there was a 20% holiday discount. Being of Welsh and Scot blood I still balked, since the wife was drooling over jewelry. She finally said "hey dumba$$ you're getting $100 for your birthday and $50 for Chistmas." Yep, I walked out with a gently used bass for $20.
That makes sense. As a guy with fairly long fingers, I hate short scale basses for the opposite reason. They feel tiny, like it should be a guitar but isn’t.
I have small hands also - the frets are farthest apart at the nut end of the neck, and get closer together as you move up the neck. With a 5-string bass, I can move up the neck and down a string to play bass lines that would painfully stretch my hand at the extreme end of the neck.
I enjoy 5 string because it gives me more options and I have to downtune less often to play songs. And I enjoy playing low so much that I have to remind myself to lay off the B string a bit. I have small enough hands that a 6 string might be cumbersome, but my Spector Dimension 5 fits me just right I'm a bit surprised you didn't mention how clanky and floppy the B string gets, especially downtuned. That's the reason I went multiscale. Anyways, I respect that it's your personal preference to dislike 5 strings. No one should feel obligated to play one, but definitely try one out to see if its for you before you by - first time I played one I knew i had to buy one. I just remember when I started playing 15 years ago, it was cool to hate on players with a pick, and I let that influence me to the point that now my pick playing ability is far below what I would like. Now that picking is becoming accepted more generally by the wider bass community, I'd hate to see that negative energy focused on the 5 string and scare people away from trying out what could be their ideal instrument.
Yup, same. For a fretted bass, 6-string is my go-to. The added timbral options and flexibility within a given position open up so many options. Not even concerned with the extra high range-all about tone and ergonomy for me. That said, for a fretless bass, I tend to prefer 5-string max. I'm not super keen on the timbre of a C-string on a fretless neck.
I got my first 5'er in'97... other than a few acoustics, I haven't owned a 4-string since. One thing to do if you're playing songs where you don't need the low B at all is to anchor your thumb on the low B. My playing style was "floating thumb", where my thumb would switch between being anchored at the pickup and anchoring on strings (usually the B, but occasionally on E and A, depending on the songs...)
I freaking love 5-string basses! Go on, bro, try to make me doubt my devotion! 😈 UPD: watched the whole video, I totally understand you and my situation was exactly the opposite: I always needed the lower register, but downtuning couldn't work for my perfect pitch ears. So I just switched to 5 strings and probably feel as happy as you feel with 4 strings 😊 PS: and sometimes I drop the lowest string to A to match the lowest note of the grand piano, which is actually the first instrument I've learned.
@@trappedinamerica7740 in fact not as perfect as some other musicians' ears: I can "tune" my ears down a half step. But usually no more than that. So even D standard tuning is a complete disaster for me. Eb may be OK.
I started playing 5 string about 10 years ago because I got sick of tuning down for certain things and not knowing where I was on the neck note wise. Now, it’s all I play.
I literally spent 29 years as a 4-string player before I converted to 5-string and I'm pissed I waited so long. I have Danny (or Donny... Trump) sized hands also, but I learned how to play on a 3/4 double behs at age 11, so somehow my pinky still works on a low B. Edit: BTW, it's not always about hitting low notes, sometimes it's just easier to have three octaves easily accessible at all times.
i got a 5 string multi scale, because it helps with the low end tone and keeps it at the roughly 34 inch mark at the higher end. constantly having to flick between drop tuning and normal got annoying, and the extra range feels amazing, so i think it was worth it in the end.
I fell in love with my active ibanez 5 string back in 1996. As soon as i picked it up, I knew I was going to get a student loan to afford it. As far as I recall, it was the first 5 string bass produced by ibanez in their soundgear line. Still got it to this day.
I have a buddy who hates 5 strings, but likes mine. I have a Dean Rhapsody 5. The neck isn't so thick like most. It gets wide as you go to lower frets, but at the top, it's about the same as most 4 strings.
I only started using my 5 string Warwick years ago when on tour my Yamaha TRB-4P crapped out on tour and I was forced to use my 5 string as it was my backup bass. Fast forward years later, Norwood Fisher of Fishbone got me endorsed by Warwick and I have never turned back. So much versatility in them. But, I totally get why some don’t like them. Great video!
I have always had 4s and that includes my fretless but I have a new acoustic electric 5 and am looking forward to doing my solos with chords and harmonics as the low B will give me more range!
I play a 5 stringer and I am used to it but the positives for a 5 stringer are trailing thumb technique your thumb resting on the string on top of the one your playing anything using a open low E now 5fret B using all fretted notes (no need for zero fret) low D 3rd fret B sting very handy I'm a big bloke with big hands short scale basses always seem like theres 2 strings missing and should be tuned EADGBE
Barely use that 5th string, BUT its a fantastic anchor point for my thumb. Instead of being locked into wherever the manufacturer decided to put the pickup, I can put my hand anywhere I want on the thing to play it. Plus its really nice not having to re-tune for alot of drop tuned or downtuned songs.
Best argument I heard in favour of a 5-string is if you're a session player who often plays with horn-sections and so having Eb on tap is helpful. I like them because I play a lot of loud, heavy, blues-inspired music in E, and hitting a low V for emphasis just as the the music peaks is cool too
use the B. open. sliding around on the G and A. octave slide in a minor progression. you can get some morbid stuff going on. ,i have a 4 ,5 ,and two 6 string basses its the multi octave is what caught me. have a good day.
I like my 5-string basses even tho I'm not a huge fan of low tunings What I just do is complement 6-string guitar work in E standard and pick notes on the B string when the situation allows for it (which is actually quite often) Like when a song is in D minor and the guitars are playing up the 5th fret on the A string or on the open D string I just go for the 3rd fret on the B string Or just whenever the guitars are going to notes that are between B and E I use the B string I mean I could pick the notes higher up the register, but what's the point in that when the point of bass is to fill up that low end?
I bought a Music Man 5 string Behs, just for curiosity, because the guy in eBay made me a reasonable price and oh I am a big fan of Tony Levin. It takes a while to get used like you say, not get lost with the notes position on the fretboard. One thing I discovered is that the 5. string must be played not so........ aggressively (many times a product of the emotion) because the notes goes sharp and makes a peak in the track if you are recording online without a compressor. The other (pleasant) thing - even if you have small hands - is that the wood resonates much more that in the 4. string Behs, and gives more "thump" to the overall sound. Anyway, I return always to my Rick 4001 or a Fender Precision which I love.
instead of the low B you can go high C with the 5 string. That give you a standard Low EADGC adding the Tenor bass tuning made popular by Stanley Clarke (If I remember correctly) great for soloist and playing chords. Tenor tuning is used in Jazz as an alternate tuning.
Reason #2 is probably the one I struggled with the most because I thought of it as a 4 string with a low B, instead of a new instrument in the key of B. After I changed my mindset, I ended up loving my 5 string. And it's so nice to be naturally in standard B to play death metal instead of having to fuck with the action of a 4 string.
I was given that same bass (but the older model with only 3 knobs) by a friend. It was set up like a normal bass with the low E from a guitar as the highest string. I returned it to its original state. It’s got a really nice, slim neck. And of course, just starting at the 5th fret makes it that much easier to play. It now has chicken head knobs with eye stickers and is covered in various other stickers, mostly because I’m not a metal guy.
Danny, look at the 5the fret of your five string & check the notes - low to high: E - A - D - G - C (but you can ignore the highest string if you like) Sound / look familiar? The guitar analogy would be a 5th fret capo = standard bass tuning - only you don't have to stretch as far to reach some notes. (And of course a real "behs" player would never use a capo!) This was the realization that helped my transition over to 5 string from 4. Love your sense of humor, BTW. Cheers.
I string my 4-string P-behs B-E-A-D. I don't think I've ever played an open low B whilst performing or recording, but the option of a low D or C# is nice and all at the cost of those 5 high notes which I never used to play (it's a bass for f**** sake) anyway. I string my upright the same way.
Danny, I’m virtually the older English/Scottish American version of you. Wide hands with shorter fingers, glasses, used to wearing a hat most often, etc. Same issues with the 5 string bass except, I love it. After playing a 5 string since April of 1998, I got the hang of the low B string. It’s actually handy when playing up closer to the 12th fret to still get your normal low notes and give them that ultra smooth airy sound and still be close to the higher octave notes we know and love. Just give it a chance. Though my vintage Fender Jazz was my first love, …I cheat on her with my Epiphone 5 string 😜.
Pretty cool video, Danny 😎🤘🏻🎸 and that nope bass looks awesome. It’s okay if 5-string basses aren’t your thing. Not everyone is an extended range bassist. It does take some time to get use to the low b string. I on the other hand like 5-string basses. I especially like how the low b string sounds. I did once experiment with a 6-string bass and it took me some time to get use to the high c string. It is however fun to experiment with a 6-string. Especially since I get to do chords on the higher strings. Other than that, go with whichever bass you’re truly comfortable and satisfied with.
I hated 5 strings until I picked up a 5 string 35’ scale Spector now I wouldn’t look back. Absolutely love them now. I think for me it was a realisation that it’s a completely different instrument than a 4! I’ve also got small hands but play it differently now! Twas the same when I switched from 6 to 7 string guitar, again after a while I couldn’t go back!
You don’t have to have the bottom string on a five string lower than E, you can string it EADG - then add a higher note on the top like a B or a (I think more commonly) a C.
I love my 5-string bass - I love my 4-string too, really depends on if there is a need for the heavy weight thunder. Dig the “Nope” paint job - let me know if you want to sell it -it looks GREHT!
We need a NOPE Signature Bass!!!
Why not BEHS as well?
But seriously, it will need lacquer or the writing will wear off.
With *Yep* under the 4 Standard Strings.
Correction: we need a NOPE signature behs.
Yeah that design legit went hard af
I'd like mine with a Paolo Di Canio on the fret boad lol
beginner: 4 string
intermediate: 5 string
expert: 6 string
elite: 4 string
or
metal: 5 string
prog metal: 6 string
death metal: 4 strings and an obscene amount of notes
beginner: 4 string
intermediate: 5 string
expert: 6 string
elite: whatever is needed to get the job done
Beginner: 4 string
Intermediate: thinks more strings makes you better or makes playing harder
Pro: does what the gig calls for, whether that’s 4, 5, or whatever else
I played guitar for decades and then just jumped to elite with four strings. Its the perfect size and has all the notes I want to use. And it is *so* much more fun than guitar. Just plucking a string is pure delight. There is something tactile about it.
@@datutturugang666 elite metal: does more with fewer notes, see also Black Sabbath
You uploading a 5 string bass hate vid and featuring the exact same one i got weeks ago got me feeling funny
That low B keepin you big as hell
I learned on a 5 string.
What can I say. I loved Korn. It's was 99' , good times
Rest your thumb on the B and your good. It's the slapping on the E that's tricky as to not hit the B
He never said it was a bad example of a 5 string. He simply said it sucks and he hates it.
As soon as you master slap on a five string youve mastered slap on a 4 string!@@jamesadamgleason9471
A wise Behs sage once told me...'there's no Behs without B...'
BASS without a B is just ASS!
@@NegoClau That or its an ace!
This thread is gold. Lol. Both sides are right.
@@NegoClau lmao
lol
Danny's character development:
-Starting to like jazz music (prefer Django's style)
-Got a 5-String Bass
All left is the piccolo bass.
Yea right then he could so Joey DeMaios' Behs Tone XD
he owns a guitar, so he already has a 6 string piccolo bass
The piccolo bass is the 8-string guitar of the bass world.
I feel like it is mostly for people that want to play the other instrument but don't want to say they play bass/guitar, however I have to agree that yes, string gauge will shape the tone a bit and more importantly I believe it should feel more familiar to play than changing instrument completely (but not wanting to learn to play on the other one is a skill issue honestly), 8-string is also more versatile so it makes more sense than the piccolo outside of a band and allows you to change register easily (like my trusty 5-string)
Correction 5 sting behs and piccolo behs
Tell this man to check out Charles mingus for god sake
‘Five string are wrong, f**K off!”
Perfect!😂😂
I much prefer 4 string fretless over five string anything.
I mostly agree with you man, I prefer a 4 string short scale if I had my pick, but I found that tuning my 5 as EADGB(C) I got some extra harmonic ability in the higher end without having to really change the way I normally play much. I don't really need that low B for what I do, but the xtra higher end has been pretty handy.
do you use a different string for that, or did you really crank that low B up to an E ???
@@ph0end definitely uses different strings
@@ph0end used the top 5 strings from a 6 set
"What do you need more strings for, you gonna play bigger chords ?" - Lemmy.
Au contraire, with 5 strings you don’t need to stretch your fingers as much for certain chords
@@hvze9848 Chords?
What the hell is a chord?....
You mean that thing I plug into the wall?
Sorry, im a bass player.
Missed opportunity to call it "I Don't Wanna Go Down To The Behsment".
Damn.
🤣🤣🤣@@DannySapko
Fuckin-A, that was good
I like my basses 6 strings, an octave higher, and with a tremolo system
Dude that one shortcircuited something on the way getting where it's supposed to hahaha brainmelter for a sec
I like a Bass vi with the tremolo for good bass solos. But I still prefer my 24 fret 4 string.
@@gumbly4174 hes talking about a guitar
@@julianoncrack Yeah, I know, i put that together before I commented dawg.
Ultra short scale piccolo bass VI!
The visually impaired owner picks up the poo. The dog is trained to show them where the turd is. My friend has a guide dog and this was part of the training for both dog and owner.
That is so genius.
Wait what?
@@bigmoneymandan360 I believe the dog circles the turd to indicate its position. My friend then feels around with a bag over his hand until he finds the treasure.
@@barondelararie is the Treasure worth the hunt?
Wow the things i have learned on the web!!
That “nope” design is fantastic!!!!
About the 5 string beginning at 3:33
1) Small hands are more of an issue for guitar players when you have to hold chords, especially on 7 string guitars (guitarists usually omit the 5th for full 13th chords on 6 string guitars). If you're holding down root notes on bass, it's less of an issue. Bass is like playing guitar one note at a time. So, for me, playing bass is kind of like playing guitar solos all the time. I treat bass like a melody instrument.
2) Low B strings are best for low tunings. I often tune C F Bb Eb G so it becomes like a guitar in C standard tuning with a high G. If you prefer E as a low string, go for a thinner gauge low string and tune E A D G B for more melodic content up high (although bassists might prefer C and F on the high strings). For guitarists, 5 string basses are nice because they feel more like guitars, especially if the strings are closer together like a Jazz bass. P basses can feel huge with high action and strings that are far apart, but the tone (especially a PJ) is great.
I agree that playing notes below the root can be confusing and force you to think about intervals (for example, 4ths going up are 5ths going down). This is a specialty of jazz players who determine the identity of the chord by the root they play while the guitarist fills out extended chords beyond the root (in jazz, 7ths, # 9ths, # 11ths, 13ths). Some chords like fully diminished 7th and dominant 7th chords can have their entire identities changed by what root note the bassist plays while the guitarist keeps the same shape.
3) I agree that 5 string bass below A1 can be too low (Korn tuning). Guys these days are omitting bass players and using 8 string guitars and are sludging around in the 1 and 0 octaves. Not for me because it fights the bass and kick drum in the mix.
My advice would be to try a 5 with a high string instead. A lot of 5s come in 35" scale length instead of 34". You might like a 34" better.
Bassists have their own skills that are hard for guitarists to master as well, like proper intonation on a fretless with flatwound strings. There's also slapping and groove. You can tell a real bass player from a guitarist playing bass, especially in rock.
I love 5 strings personally. I play quite a few songs that would require me to tune down all the time, but I don't have to. I also frequently alternate between the E string and the 5th string from the 5th fret down, so I do use the 5th string a lot and honestly can't live without it.
THIS!!!!!!
ditto! ..and I have small hands (which is why I foolishly stayed away from it for so long!)
I remember when I started bass decades ago. I had crossed paths with a famous bassist. I asked him if I should do 5 string as I was just starting and his exact words were, "Every iconic bassline ever written was done on a 4 string. It's all you need." So I never went to 5 string and I'm eternally happy I didn't.
Yeah, same with cabinets, so much talk about the latest and greatest available but most classic songs were played through 4 x 12’s or 2 x15’s with no clever baffling or trickery. There was an old Bruce Foxton cab on eBay recently, nothing special just a box with a pair of drivers in it. £1,600 though!
Be £2 less poor. For all the joy you spread and Yorkshire solidarity.
Finally. It's here.
So, the main reason I have switched entirely over to 5 strings now is that my band does songs in a very wide range of keys, and I like having a piano-like range to cover the low end in every key. Also, once you start thinking in intervals, it gets much easier to play. 5th fret and up from the B string to the D string is the equivalent of a 4 string starting open, so you can play every note fretted or open.
I was skeptical at first, but I love my 5 for these exact reasons
True that, being able to play a low E fretted gives you so much more control and it gives you more options on sound, as a fretted note has a different timbre than an open string. Like, I get that a Low B isn't gonna be played a whole hell of a lot, but if you're playing covers you WILL get mileage out of the Low D and Low C.
"Do you think I can still return it?" NOPE!
Too LOW?!?! A BEHS can never be too low. I actually love the low notes that you can feel as much as you can hear. I'm glad you left out the last step (tiny hands, tiny brain, and a tiny...yea, best left out mate. 😜👍
I started playing a 5 string because of Polyphia, now I play a 5 string Jazz Squire and a 5 String no-name fretless
once you get a 5 string, you don't go back
I love Danny's channel and I'm not even a bassist, but Danny is so goofy but also a very talented musician as well so you can't help but love him.
How do you confuse a bass player? Give him 1 extra string. 😂
I just saw a guide dog helping his disabled owner earlier this morning. As you expect, no one cleaned up after the dog!
Thanks for the bass enthusiasm.
Bro, your videos are gold.
Ode To The Five String Bass
by Nelson Montana
(My apologies in advance to my 5 string loving brothers)
There once was a time, when 4 strings were fine, and an E was as low as youd go.
But the desire to go deeper, turned out to be a keeper and they added a B as you know.
I too joined the crowd, the mantra was so loud The five is the one that will last.
But after many a gig, trying vainly to go big, my love of the B was soon past.
The notes didnt speak with the clarity that Id seek. And I found that I'd use it less and less.
It just got in the way, I keep thinking an E was an A, till finally asking, "is this for the best?"
It wasnt for James or Jaco or Chris. Victor Wooton and Steve Harris never fell.
Jeff Berlin said Nay and hoped itd just go away and Sir Paul would eschew it as well.
The Ox took a stand, amid the demands. as did John Paul Jones and Flea.
Rocco didn't veer and Sting just sneered -- unimpressed -- as was Pino and Geddy Lee.
Claypool went back, and accepted the fact -- it was good enough for Bootsy and Clarke
As did Osborne and Kaye, heading the way, and forever making their mark.
Then again, there was Anthony, who played mighty fancifully -- with even more strings than six!
Yet there are those, who still propose...he should stick to a four and a pick.
Of course theres a case, within the right space, to add some well placed low Ds
But these days if thats needed, Ive finally conceded Ill just play it on the god damn keys!
Brilliant!
I, for one, love having a full length thumb rest.
Hi Danny, fellow small handed behs player from Newcastle here… I struggled to get my head round a 5 for years and made me feel ill when I tried to play… But having been gifted one during the lockdowns, I cracked it. You have to change from playing generally open strings and play much higher up the neck around 5/7 fret, which then feels natural again as on the fifth it’s an E. but you have an extra string at the top. Anyway it worked for me! The behs looked great with the sharpie on 😂
I come here for the behs… and stay for the comedy.
You are a very funny man, Danny! 😂
And a damn fine behsist. 👍🏻
MISA from Band-Maid made me fall in love with five string. She uses it to perfection.
Misa is one of the most underrated bassists playing today. Absolutely phenomenal. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a band more locked in live than Band-Maid and it’s that rhythm section of Misa and Akane that are just world class.
Thanks
Why is your voice so calming, I was stressed until now, but this video worked like magic and now I’m comfy
I thought I was the only one
*_“Who picks up dog shitt when it’s a guide dog?”_*
Hit me like an absolute freight train
Was not prepared at all for it lmao
Four String Righteousness!
I do love the extra depth of my 5 string over my 4.
someday i'll see Necrobutcher's tone... but your behs playing is always da behst!
Hope this helps....I have a standard 6 string bass. Hate the low B and high C. Screws with my head.
Bought custom strings from a company called Kalium, in order to convert to guitar tuning while keeping roughly the same string tensions. SO.....
E 110
A 82
D 61
G 45
B 31
E 20 plain
IT"S AWESOME, easy to play, and sounds great. I can do chords without sounding like mud. Tapping is easier. Scales and chords are just like guitar. This has totally changed my game.
The strings cost a total of $48 for the set, so roughly a few bucks more than a standard set of 6 string bass strings.
Shipping took about 6 weeks, so if you have gigs coming up....plan ahead.
I, too, was not a fan of 5 strings until just before Christmas 2023. Walked into a local pawn shop and saw an Ibanez hanging on the wall. Asked if it was active or passive and the broker had no idea...he just handed me the bass. Passive with a single humbucker. Played a little and the neck wasn't nearly as big as others (in fact not much bigger than a precision bass). Price tag was $200 and he told me there was a 20% holiday discount. Being of Welsh and Scot blood I still balked, since the wife was drooling over jewelry. She finally said "hey dumba$$ you're getting $100 for your birthday and $50 for Chistmas." Yep, I walked out with a gently used bass for $20.
I've got this exact model in orange/copper tuned down to G-C-G-C-F. Those Ibanez basses are monsters in terms of sound for the price!
Interesting perspective, got me thinking!
Good on ya! Even though we finally got to ya with the 5 string BEHS stuff, you gave it a fair shake. And frankly, that's what we love about ya ❤
And the video was 5 minutes 50 seconds to boot!
That makes sense. As a guy with fairly long fingers, I hate short scale basses for the opposite reason. They feel tiny, like it should be a guitar but isn’t.
Go go Danny!
I have small hands also - the frets are farthest apart at the nut end of the neck, and get closer together as you move up the neck. With a 5-string bass, I can move up the neck and down a string to play bass lines that would painfully stretch my hand at the extreme end of the neck.
good point.
Ladies and gentlemen I present to you the god of bass, the master of shorts DANNY SAPKO
I enjoy 5 string because it gives me more options and I have to downtune less often to play songs. And I enjoy playing low so much that I have to remind myself to lay off the B string a bit. I have small enough hands that a 6 string might be cumbersome, but my Spector Dimension 5 fits me just right I'm a bit surprised you didn't mention how clanky and floppy the B string gets, especially downtuned. That's the reason I went multiscale.
Anyways, I respect that it's your personal preference to dislike 5 strings. No one should feel obligated to play one, but definitely try one out to see if its for you before you by - first time I played one I knew i had to buy one. I just remember when I started playing 15 years ago, it was cool to hate on players with a pick, and I let that influence me to the point that now my pick playing ability is far below what I would like. Now that picking is becoming accepted more generally by the wider bass community, I'd hate to see that negative energy focused on the 5 string and scare people away from trying out what could be their ideal instrument.
I'm not a huge fan of 5 string basses, But 6 string basses: That's another story.
They are guitars and another channel.
Yup, same. For a fretted bass, 6-string is my go-to. The added timbral options and flexibility within a given position open up so many options. Not even concerned with the extra high range-all about tone and ergonomy for me. That said, for a fretless bass, I tend to prefer 5-string max. I'm not super keen on the timbre of a C-string on a fretless neck.
@@trikkke11 Tell me you've never seen a 6 string bass without telling me you've never seen a 6 string bass
@@cheeki-breeki I've never seen a guitar with such a long neck and such a thick strings. It's an abomination.
I just dislike odd numbered strings tbh, rather just get a 6. I also have small hands and short of stature.
"The neck on this thing feels miles away from [a 4-string]".
My Ibanez 6-strings in the corner: "We will haunt this man's dreams..."
I love your energy and your smile
4:51 i wish more people used this philosophy in general.
03:26 start the video, you're welcome.
That art on that bass looks sick! Ending was hilarious too!
five string violins are superior fight me
I got my first 5'er in'97... other than a few acoustics, I haven't owned a 4-string since.
One thing to do if you're playing songs where you don't need the low B at all is to anchor your thumb on the low B.
My playing style was "floating thumb", where my thumb would switch between being anchored at the pickup and anchoring on strings (usually the B, but occasionally on E and A, depending on the songs...)
I freaking love 5-string basses!
Go on, bro, try to make me doubt my devotion! 😈
UPD: watched the whole video, I totally understand you and my situation was exactly the opposite: I always needed the lower register, but downtuning couldn't work for my perfect pitch ears. So I just switched to 5 strings and probably feel as happy as you feel with 4 strings 😊
PS: and sometimes I drop the lowest string to A to match the lowest note of the grand piano, which is actually the first instrument I've learned.
I couldn’t play a 4 string any longer. It’s what you get used to and how you use it that matters in the end. I’m a proud 5’er though
Perfect pitch ear
Run into many exceptional people in RUclips comments…
@@trappedinamerica7740 in fact not as perfect as some other musicians' ears: I can "tune" my ears down a half step. But usually no more than that. So even D standard tuning is a complete disaster for me. Eb may be OK.
I started playing 5 string about 10 years ago because I got sick of tuning down for certain things and not knowing where I was on the neck note wise. Now, it’s all I play.
I literally spent 29 years as a 4-string player before I converted to 5-string and I'm pissed I waited so long. I have Danny (or Donny... Trump) sized hands also, but I learned how to play on a 3/4 double behs at age 11, so somehow my pinky still works on a low B.
Edit: BTW, it's not always about hitting low notes, sometimes it's just easier to have three octaves easily accessible at all times.
That fckn blue hat is crazy man, I thought it was some sort of cel-shaded animation
Hi Danny
i got a 5 string multi scale, because it helps with the low end tone and keeps it at the roughly 34 inch mark at the higher end. constantly having to flick between drop tuning and normal got annoying, and the extra range feels amazing, so i think it was worth it in the end.
Clicked on this so quickly.
I fell in love with my active ibanez 5 string back in 1996. As soon as i picked it up, I knew I was going to get a student loan to afford it. As far as I recall, it was the first 5 string bass produced by ibanez in their soundgear line.
Still got it to this day.
FINALLY
Hey Danny, greetings from germany. Problems with the thickness of a 5 string? check out the Warwick Corvette Taranis ^^
Finally
Danny says that he doesn’t wanna learn a 5 string but did a pretty good job on this one
No one should hate 5 string bases they are good great tone
I have a buddy who hates 5 strings, but likes mine. I have a Dean Rhapsody 5. The neck isn't so thick like most. It gets wide as you go to lower frets, but at the top, it's about the same as most 4 strings.
I only started using my 5 string Warwick years ago when on tour my Yamaha TRB-4P crapped out on tour and I was forced to use my 5 string as it was my backup bass. Fast forward years later, Norwood Fisher of Fishbone got me endorsed by Warwick and I have never turned back. So much versatility in them. But, I totally get why some don’t like them. Great video!
I have always had 4s and that includes my fretless but I have a new acoustic electric 5 and am looking forward to doing my solos with chords and harmonics as the low B will give me more range!
The tone was amazing, please tell us how you got it
I play a 5 stringer and I am used to it but the positives for a 5 stringer are trailing thumb technique your thumb resting on the string on top of the one your playing anything using a open low E now 5fret B using all fretted notes (no need for zero fret) low D 3rd fret B sting very handy I'm a big bloke with big hands short scale basses always seem like theres 2 strings missing and should be tuned EADGBE
Barely use that 5th string, BUT its a fantastic anchor point for my thumb. Instead of being locked into wherever the manufacturer decided to put the pickup, I can put my hand anywhere I want on the thing to play it. Plus its really nice not having to re-tune for alot of drop tuned or downtuned songs.
Best argument I heard in favour of a 5-string is if you're a session player who often plays with horn-sections and so having Eb on tap is helpful.
I like them because I play a lot of loud, heavy, blues-inspired music in E, and hitting a low V for emphasis just as the the music peaks is cool too
Its hilarious how serious his facial expressions are so angry 😅
Can I boil the package and use again? for extra eco friendly
use the B. open. sliding around on the G and A. octave slide in a minor progression. you can get some morbid stuff going on. ,i have a 4 ,5 ,and two 6 string basses its the multi octave is what caught me. have a good day.
I like my 5-string basses even tho I'm not a huge fan of low tunings
What I just do is complement 6-string guitar work in E standard and pick notes on the B string when the situation allows for it (which is actually quite often)
Like when a song is in D minor and the guitars are playing up the 5th fret on the A string or on the open D string I just go for the 3rd fret on the B string
Or just whenever the guitars are going to notes that are between B and E I use the B string
I mean I could pick the notes higher up the register, but what's the point in that when the point of bass is to fill up that low end?
I like that rumble sound on that 5 string bass.....
3:45 the video starts here
I bought a Music Man 5 string Behs, just for curiosity, because the guy in eBay made me a reasonable price and oh I am a big fan of Tony Levin. It takes a while to get used like you say, not get lost with the notes position on the fretboard. One thing I discovered is that the 5. string must be played not so........ aggressively (many times a product of the emotion) because the notes goes sharp and makes a peak in the track if you are recording online without a compressor. The other (pleasant) thing - even if you have small hands - is that the wood resonates much more that in the 4. string Behs, and gives more "thump" to the overall sound. Anyway, I return always to my Rick 4001 or a Fender Precision which I love.
instead of the low B you can go high C with the 5 string. That give you a standard Low EADGC adding the Tenor bass tuning made popular by Stanley Clarke (If I remember correctly) great for soloist and playing chords. Tenor tuning is used in Jazz as an alternate tuning.
Reason #2 is probably the one I struggled with the most because I thought of it as a 4 string with a low B, instead of a new instrument in the key of B. After I changed my mindset, I ended up loving my 5 string. And it's so nice to be naturally in standard B to play death metal instead of having to fuck with the action of a 4 string.
“When I completely master the 4 string bass I’ll switch to the 5 string bass.”- Geddy Lee
I was given that same bass (but the older model with only 3 knobs) by a friend. It was set up like a normal bass with the low E from a guitar as the highest string. I returned it to its original state. It’s got a really nice, slim neck. And of course, just starting at the 5th fret makes it that much easier to play.
It now has chicken head knobs with eye stickers and is covered in various other stickers, mostly because I’m not a metal guy.
Just discovered you and I have to say I haven't laughed so much in ages. Well done I'm subscribed and I won't a t shirt
Cracked me when you got the snips out
Danny im dieing for you to review some of the ghost bass tones! Some of the best baste tones ive heard for a long long time!
Danny, look at the 5the fret of your five string & check the notes - low to high:
E - A - D - G - C (but you can ignore the highest string if you like)
Sound / look familiar?
The guitar analogy would be a 5th fret capo = standard bass tuning - only you don't have to stretch as far to reach some notes.
(And of course a real "behs" player would never use a capo!)
This was the realization that helped my transition over to 5 string from 4.
Love your sense of humor, BTW.
Cheers.
I got a 5 string ibanez a few months ago. it did take a while to get used to but now its great. You sound great on yours!!👏👍love your channel👏👍🎸🙏🤗
I string my 4-string P-behs B-E-A-D. I don't think I've ever played an open low B whilst performing or recording, but the option of a low D or C# is nice and all at the cost of those 5 high notes which I never used to play (it's a bass for f**** sake) anyway. I string my upright the same way.
Same here. I actually get lost on a regular tuned bass. Bead rules!
Danny, I’m virtually the older English/Scottish American version of you.
Wide hands with shorter fingers, glasses, used to wearing a hat most often, etc.
Same issues with the 5 string bass except, I love it.
After playing a 5 string since April of 1998, I got the hang of the low B string. It’s actually handy when playing up closer to the 12th fret to still get your normal low notes and give them that ultra smooth airy sound and still be close to the higher octave notes we know and love.
Just give it a chance. Though my vintage Fender Jazz was my first love, …I cheat on her with my Epiphone 5 string 😜.
I'll put my money's worth in, all the best bass lines have been done on a 4 string.
Pretty cool video, Danny 😎🤘🏻🎸 and that nope bass looks awesome. It’s okay if 5-string basses aren’t your thing. Not everyone is an extended range bassist. It does take some time to get use to the low b string. I on the other hand like 5-string basses. I especially like how the low b string sounds. I did once experiment with a 6-string bass and it took me some time to get use to the high c string. It is however fun to experiment with a 6-string. Especially since I get to do chords on the higher strings. Other than that, go with whichever bass you’re truly comfortable and satisfied with.
I hated 5 strings until I picked up a 5 string 35’ scale Spector now I wouldn’t look back. Absolutely love them now. I think for me it was a realisation that it’s a completely different instrument than a 4! I’ve also got small hands but play it differently now!
Twas the same when I switched from 6 to 7 string guitar, again after a while I couldn’t go back!
3:49 is when he actually gives his reasons if you want to skip all the filler.
“Hey, daddy-o
I don't want to go down to the boisment”
You don’t have to have the bottom string on a five string lower than E, you can string it EADG - then add a higher note on the top like a B or a (I think more commonly) a C.
I love my 5-string bass - I love my 4-string too, really depends on if there is a need for the heavy weight thunder.
Dig the “Nope” paint job - let me know if you want to sell it -it looks GREHT!