5 string fun again

[drog1602]

Lately I have noticed that I had not been playing my 5-string and my preference has been just the fours. Thinking of why and how I could change that, it dawned on me that I just rarely if ever have a need for a low B note.

So I decided that my 5 string needed a rework. I grabbed some new strings but this time I opted for a 6- string set and omitted the low B string and then tuned my bass EADGB yes I went for a tuning more familiar with guitar players.
Well this has been the change that I have been looking for, I am finally having fun again and so much more has opened up for me. Why did I not try this sooner?

I am now going to add an Hipshot Extender onto the E string so I can quickly move to a D note if needed.

I only needed to make a slight truss adjustment and everything plays great. I am having a lot of fun! Just had to share my joy, ha ha

[jazzyvee]

When I got my Europa it was tuned that way and i kept it like that for a while before restringing it to have the low B instead.

[BeenDown139]

i've been just the opposite, playing 5-strings almost exclusively for the last 12 years, just recently had a couple of outstanding 4-stringers fall outta the sky and land in my music room.  it took a mental adjustment but i feel kinda like i've gone back to my roots, so to speak.

[gearhed289]

I've been doing EADGC on and off since around 1990. I'm mostly a 4 string guy, but I recently got back into it. There's something about that high C string (or in your case B) that sounds... inspiring.

[hammer]

I’ll have to agree with Tom on that 5th string being a high C. I use it so much more that the low B whether it’s on a 5- or 6-stringer. For me it’s a result of both the music I play and the fact that on my 6 string these stubby little fingers have a really long reach to get to that B string.

[sharkwagon]

As a counterpoint once I started playing a 5 I been shifting positions and playing up the neck - it makes fills and muting easier for me since I have some issues with my left hand that impact my reach, only drop below E if the song's tuning really needs it.  A C string would be cool tho 

[StephenR]

EADGC is great if you do a lot of chordal work or soloing but when I strung one of my basses that way I found myself playing more leads than bass. It was a lot of fun, though, I can see the appeal for certain players. Like Sharkwagon I string my five-strings with a low B because for me the advantage of a five-string bass is being able to play further up the neck and across all five-strings. I also like being able to select the timbre of the notes depending where on the neck they are played and on what string. I could easily see having two five-strings each strung differently and choosing which works best for the task at hand.

FWIW, I have two four-string basses and haven't really played them in over 30 years.

[the_home]

Never took to the added lows from when I first tried a 5 string. These days all of my 5s are strung to high C. I enjoy chording (former rhythm guitar player) and fooling around in the higher register when 'soloing'.

[drog1602]

Great replies from everyone!

Nice to see many of you doing the same as me. I enjoy playing chords and voice leading, so I guess this is a natural
progression for me. I guess it’s my guitar playing roots as well.

I picked up a Bergantino HG312 cabinet today and man does my Alembic sound good through that cab.

[jazzyvee]

It's great when you find a cab that opens up more of the alembic sound.

[edwardofhuncote]

I was surprised at myself at how quickly I could readjust to playing a 4-string from a 5-string. Maybe from years of playing an upright? It took a really long time for the low B to sink into my thick skull, but once it did, I was hooked for life on those tones. I can now play both interchangeably within one gig, and do on occasion, though most often I will bring either a 4-string fretted and fretless, or a 5-string fretted and fretless along. For most of the music I play, the low B (and the available lower register) work best. I may want to try a high C on another bass sometime, and I actually have one in mind... this old 80's Gibson 'Thunder Series' Bass V that hasn't gotten enough attention lately... perfect candidate. That bass has a cool story I'll have to tell you guys someday.

[drog1602]

@edwardofhuncote now I am intrigued with the story of your Gibson.

[sharkwagon]

Drog1602 how is it the rear firing 12 in the Bergantino HG312 in practice?  It is an interesting concept, just curious how it affects the sound and feel
Seems like an absolute monster of a cab - glad it is working for you

[edwin]

I've been playing everything from a 30.75" 4 to a 34" 5 (fretless) and 35" 5 and 6 for decades now. Every instrument has its special attributes. The really tough part is figuring out which to play.

I played through one of those Bergantinos once. It was great!

[drog1602]

Drog1602 how is it the rear firing 12 in the Bergantino HG312 in practice?  It is an interesting concept, just curious how it affects the sound and feel
Seems like an absolute monster of a cab - glad it is working for you

Sorry for my tardy reply, I wanted to play it at a gig first to comment. It performed great and filled the stage a lot more than a traditional setup. Bandmates commented that they could hear me better. The sound is what you would expect from a Bergantino full, rich sound with notes clear and distinct.

Super happy with this cabinet!