Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

dump the old obsolete 4 string basses ... and keep the 5 banger ...

Have to disagree with you Jeff, 4 string basses are not obsolete ! I just dont think its worth it having a 5 stringer. I know this will seem controversial and probably irk some but here are my reasons why I think like I do.

A) How many thousands of amazing classic songs from the 60's - 80's had 5 string bass ? I reckon virtually none !

B) They are unwieldy to play and heavier (Talking factory 5's here) in my opinion.

C) The low B is almost inaudible in most cases and doesnt sound very good in my opinion.

D) The strings are more expensive.

E) You get just 5 extra notes ! Its just not worth it. A D tuner is the better option in my opinion. That has probably ruffled feathers but I bet there will be a fair few agree as well !

Not ruffled feathers, just differences in opinion. I really love playing my fiver (albeit it non-Ric). A 5 string is like a mommy van...not a sports car, but nice if you ever need the extra room. I find it much easier to play than a four string...much less shifting around the neck. Oh and I can rattle teeth with the B string (SVT + 4x10 HLF + 5 strings). Mine is actually lighter than my 4003s.

I had a 5 stringer for a while, but found the best use for the low B was as a thumb rest!
Each to their own

Quote- "I just dont think its worth it having a 5 stringer".

Well they work for Jeff, so they're obviously worth having for him!!! I always think you should play whatever you feel comfortable on. If it's got 1 string, fine. 10 + strings, fine. It's your choice.

I love the Thunderbird, and was going to get one at one stage, but will stick with RIC I do have an Ibanez Iceman, but selling that to get another RIC

For me the point of a 5 string with a low B is the ability to go where the singer is comfortable with a song without detuning or playing higher in the register & losing the bottom.

I don't usually use mine unless I need to, & anything below D seems too far away from what the rest of the band is playing to use much.

My 5 string is lighter than my 4001, but it's not a RIC 5 string.

It's not a way of life, just a tool, as Scott has already said.

Some of you guys don't realize that employ hyperbolic rhetoric to get others to consider things they may not normally consider ... those that have been here awhile see some of my posts and say to themselves ... Jeff is on his soapbox again ...

"Jeff is on his soapbox"

No, surely not!

those that have been here awhile see some of my posts and say to themselves ... Jeff is on his soapbox again ...

ummm...LOL...never mind...

I recently got a T-bird myself and it's been seeing a lot of playing time. A totally different tool. I find it somewhat more comfortable to play than my 4003. But everyone here is correct, its a tool to use.

I understand that everyone ultimately plays what they are comfortable with, however as I said previously, 5 more notes, is it worth it? Do people who use 5 stringers play "down" there because they can or because they need to ? I am curious because whenever I have seen someone using a 5 live I have found it to be so low as to be almost a rumble with no definition or clarity.

The definition and clarity come from quality equipment. I string one of my 4004's BEAD and it sounds defined through my setup. I use it when the song requires or benefits from it. No big secret. If you don't need or like it then don't use it. I could play quite a few of the previously mentioned "thousands of classic songs" on one or two strings so should I cut off the rest?

Yes!

Quote - "I understand that everyone ultimately plays what they are comfortable with, however as I said previously, 5 more notes, is it worth it? Do people who use 5 stringers play "down" there because they can or because they need to ? I am curious because whenever I have seen someone using a 5 live I have found it to be so low as to be almost a rumble with no definition or clarity".

Depends on the bass, the venue, the player, the type of music.....as some have said, it allows different playing positionally; there are all sorts of uses. Maybe you actually want it to be "almost a rumble". Your taste may not be someone else's taste. I don't own anything other than a 4 at the current time, but can certainly see the uses(and have played a six before now). However many strings, it's just a tool.

If an artist thinks there is a use for a colour, then he will use it. If you can't see the use of playing a fiver, don't use it. If others do, then that's up to them. Also bear in mind not everyone plays "classic songs" (not that they couldn't play them on a 5-er). I've never been in a cover band in my life. There are plenty of uses for those low notes in dance music for example, or stuff like Massive Attack. But I think Jeff, who uses them pretty much exclusively, is kind of the final word on the subject. If there was no point, would he be using them? Unlikely. But ultimately, as long as he's having fun, who cares?