And I thought I was a little crazy

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Wed Nov 15, 2006 8:00 pm

Ya for me 5 is enough ... I get low notes and a fairly slim neck ...

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:06 am

I've come to the conclusion that five strings are just right, provided they are on a wide four string neck, most factory fives are too wide for me.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 2:55 am

Quote - "I honestly don't know why anyone needs more than four - but when you get into seven string territory, it just doesn't seem musical to me. How the heck does that fit into a band setting?"

I wonder if guys who play one-string basses (yes they do exist) think the same about 4 strings?

Seriously, there are many reasons for playing multi-string basses. They allow for different playing position-wise, which can make playing certain things much more comfortable. Also they allow different voicings. And they can help you think "outside the box". Sure, they're not for everybody, but is anything really for everybody? Maybe the guy in question is playing some sort of fusion (possible and fairly likely). Maybe he's playing some sort of orchestral music. Maybe he's not playing in a band setting at all. Maybe he's actually trying to challenge himself or push the boundaries of the instrument. Or maybe he's just plain having fun. Each to their own. I've owned a six, and it was alternately great fun/a nightmare, depending on what type of music I was playing. I eventually gave it up mainly because I didn't feel I could devote enough time to learning to play it to the standard I wished. But I love all sorts of instruments, and the only ones I don't like are the ones I don't like. One string, 12 strings, whatever, they're all musical instruments in the right hands.

rickaddict · Post by **rickaddict** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:50 am

I recently went to some big production and knew one of the sax players. I went down to the orchestra pit before the show and talked to him. Knowing that I'm a bass player, he pointed out the bass player in the pit and told me that the guy was really good. The bass player had some big, white seven-string bass thing resting on his leg. Then I went back up and took my seat and saw the show.

But I've gotta say...I don't get it at all...he was a great player, but that thing was as annoying to listen to as it was to look at!

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 5:53 am

I've spent a lot of time playing in a three piece band, & to do that you have to fill in the blanks when the guitar player takes a lead, or else the bottom drops out. The extra one (or even two) higher strings would make chording easier, but it can be done well enough on a 4 or 5 string.

I really couldn't see the benefit of a bass with 10 individual courses, though!
And I have to agree with Keith about the exotic woods, now that it's brought up. I know a lot of folks love the stuff so I usually don't comment about it, but I think it's quite beautiful wood, but rather out of place on anything but fine furniture.

henry5 · Post by **henry5** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:15 am

With regards to woods, just goes to show how we're all different, as I love a natural finish Alembic or Pedulla for example, but am not crazy about Mapleglo Rics, other than very aged, very ambered ones. That's one of the main reasons I sold my V63, I just found it a bit dull visually for my taste. But a Ric 4001/4003 is a very different type of instrument, and its visual cues are very different. I'm personally not keen on fancy wood Rics like the 4004; to me they lose that "Ric-ness" and just fall between two stools, neither a Ric nor an exotic. But that's just my preference; if you like it, go for it! I prefer more organic looking instruments to be built from exotic woods; a Ric isn't a very organic looking instrument IMHO and puts me more in mind of 50s cars, so I like to see some colour there (which is also probably why I like the pastels so much). It's all in the eye of the beholder as usual.

One thing I will say is that I'm not very conservative when it comes to guitars; I tend to lean towards striking (some would say ugly!) instruments. My favourite bass, other than a Ric, is the Alembic Triple Omega (one of which I possess), and most people find them hideous! I also love Pedulla MVPs and Sei basses, and the Warwick Dolphin. I'm not so keen on Fenders generally, although I quite like some P Basses.

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:54 am

Put me down in the loving figured maple camp, though I'm not into the subject 7 string collection.

I need to get better pix of this one someday.

Jeff,

I like your Fenderbirds!

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:37 am

Beautiful bass ...

and I like the fenderbirds too ...

the upper body shape makes for a nice arm rest ...

teeder · Post by **teeder** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 9:58 am

Who's neck is that, Warmouth?

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:33 pm

"most factory fives are too wide for me"

Try a Zon.

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 1:48 pm

I use Mighty Mite necks ... I get their p-bass necks with maple and rosewood fretboards. I give them 2 coats of oil finish, install a new nut and drill an extra hole in the headstock. I found that when I did not oil finish them they usually ended up s curving.

They make a really comfortable 5 string neck ... 1 5/8" at the nut and 2 1/2" at the bridge ...

When I play wide necked 5 string basses I get cramps in my left hand ...

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 4:27 pm

I don't know Jeffrey, that Zon looks to be as wide(at the bridge) as the G&L 2500 that I had and even that was too wide for what I like, and where's the teeth, it's toothless!

jps · Post by **jps** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 6:49 pm

The string spacing at the bridge is 11/16", which does make it pretty comfy, actually it feels narrower than the Ricks.

sabbath_of_bass · Post by **sabbath_of_bass** » Thu Nov 16, 2006 8:02 pm

Eh, I can play a 5 string, not like i can a 4 but I can play one. I just never enjoyed the sound of the low b tho. Iv heard alot of stuff where it works, just nothing Iv ever wrote on a 5 string was any good. And anything over a 5 string, I just feel like Im spending more time trying to mute the thing then play it. I understand the use for them, just not really for me. It is a good idea to own at least one 5 string tho.

On the neck subject, My deans neck is hardly bigger then my 4 strings. Which I like alot. I haven't played many 5 strings. Out of what i played I didn't like many. My dean felt okay to play. Chip has a Lakland 5 Iv played. It felt really good. Its a longer scale tho. 35 I guess. Im not sure honestly. Then one of my friends had a 5 I really enjoyed playing. I cant seem to think of the name of it off hand.

markbass99 · Post by **markbass99** » Fri Nov 17, 2006 2:02 am

Jacob- I know exactly what your talking about as far as the muting is concerned, that was my biggest problem with factory size five strings. With the 4004 conversions you have a neck that has four string width and you can use the same muting techniques that you used before, you just have to get used to the tighter spacing.
If you are someone who goes between guitar and bass alot(I'm not) this could be a plus.