5-String bass questions

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:00 pm

I am looking to complete my bass arsenal buy getting a 5-stringer. The one I have been planning on is the Fender American Standard Jazz 5-string. This is not the deluxe so no active electronics. I do not have a regular Jazz bass (except a Squire Jazz Fretless). I was just looking for a standard traditional Jazz sound so didn't want the active circuits.

I was also looking at the MusicMan Stingray 5 which does have active electronics. I am interested in opinions on these two or maybe others like the Warwick Corvette.

Also, I even debate in my little mind the usefulness of having a 5-string with all the others being 4. It seems like the 5 lower notes would be good, as well as changing how scales could be played around that area. Is there a time when you 5-string owners who also love your 4-strings say "man, I really need the 5-string for this song"?

There was a recent Chris Squire interview where he said he played a little 5-string but stuck with the 4 as the 5 was like learning a whole new instrument. I don't really understand how much different it really is, and would appreciate comments about that.

So before I pull the trigger on this Fender, any comments?

Thanks

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:12 pm

I like thin necks so I have a hard time finding 5'ers that I like. I prefer 5'ers over a 4 string if the neck is still thin. Some of those 5'ers fell like interstates when I just want a "2 lane"!

jps · Post by **jps** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:14 pm

I have played various 5 string Fenders and if you have large hands, you should be okay on it; for me it was like a baseball bat. If you can afford it, check out a Zon, Joe's necks are like what a RIC 5 string neck should feel like. His Mosaic series are less expensive basses that may fit what you are looking for.

www.zonguitars.com/zonguitars/mosaic.html

I have had Joe make basses for me with passive electronics, but that may only be viable on his US made instruments.

If you talk to Joe, tell him I sent you!!!

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Mon Jul 16, 2007 2:19 pm

I have read that the MusicMan 5-strings are very chunky in the neck, compared to the Jazz. It seems like the Jazz has about a .2" wider neck at the nut for the 5-string vs. 4-string.

BTW, loving my "new" '99 Essence 4-string Jeff!

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:25 am

I've played some Musicman fives and G&L fives, they sound great but the standard size five string neck just didn't feel good enough to me to justify those extra notes. The factory RIC fives are either to narrow or too wide(4003S/5,4004/5). The breakthrough came when I saw Jeff Rath's converted 4004's, just as perfect a neck as you'll ever see. Wide enough taper as the neck goes towards the body that enables the strings to have a good spread for your right hand. The neck is very close to the width of a fender "B" neck but with five strings on it and a flatter profile on the back. Now we're talking, you can have your cake and eat it too. The only problem is these are custom basses and come with the issues that are associated with that(possible devaluation?). Worth it to me though.

As far as learning to play a five string, it just takes a little adjustment. The biggest problem is getting used to the A string being in the center of the fretboard instead of higher. You basically trick yourself into thinking that you are playing a four string underneath a fat wire(B string) thumbrest.

rickenbrother · Post by **rickenbrother** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:42 am

I've tried several Fender 5 string basses, not impressed and the B strings are terrible. The Musicman StingRay5 is a nice bass, very good sounding B string. My complaints about the StingRay5 are that big horrible looking pickguard, you have to be careful when fretting the B and G strings as it's very easy to pull those strings off the side of the fingerboard and even with the 3 band onboard preamp, it's still basically has one tone at any setting. There finally are now options for a two pickup model and no pickguard.
When I started playing 5 string I also thought it felt like learning a new instrument.
A Zon 5'er would definitely be a great bass to check out. You should also check out a StingRay5 and Lakland 5'ers. I've heard that Warwicks vary in feel and tone.

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 3:51 am

Thanks Mark. I think I should go out and play some before I buy. I did pull the trigger on the Fender last night from MF, but the order could not go through at the time. Maybe that's a sign.

What I am interested in playing is improvisational jazz or Phish-like jamming (that's why I am working so hard on theory these days). Think Mike Gordon or our friend Jeffrey Scott. Is a 5-string really necessary for that?

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:15 am

Dean makes some nice 5 string basses ...

also look at Ibanez, Warwick, Schecter,

if you go active try to get a 3 band circuit ...

squirefan01 · Post by **squirefan01** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 5:48 am

Thanks. I remember you saying that before Jeff and have been looking at the 3-band active circuits only (if active at all).

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:16 am

For what you want to do a 5 string is not neccesary. For a few years I played nothing but 5 string basses, now I almost never play my 5 string.

bassduke49 · Post by **bassduke49** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 6:28 am

Also consider "converting" your four-string to BEAD tuning. You have to file the nut a bit to accommodate the larger strings. You'll lose the top five notes on the "G string" (now the D string), but you'll gain those five fat notes on the bottom. You may have to relearn tunes as far as position goes.

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 7:53 am

I like 5's but I dont like tight string spacing. I played a Warwick Thumb "Wide Five" a while back and loved it.

Imagine P-bass string spacing across 5 strings.

My Roscoe Beck V had a nice wide neck as well. I really recommend one of these if you can find one. A great passive fiver with lots of tone flexibility.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 8:21 am

Wide necks, yuk!

(:^)

jps · Post by **jps** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 11:24 am

I guess it depends on how big your hands are. The Rocsoe Beck V is one of those Fender fivers that had baseball bat necks, to me anyway.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Tue Jul 17, 2007 4:22 pm

Quote: "For what you want to do a 5 string is not neccesary. For a few years I played nothing but 5 string basses, now I almost never play my 5 string."

I am just the opposite ... 4 string basses annoy me ... but if I did play one I would probably tune it DGCF ... or BEAD ...