Members Davey90 Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 I've been playing 4 string for a while now, and am thinking about upgrading to 5 string. Though I don't really absoultely need one right now, I'm just keen on trying something new One thing I know is that the strings are closer together: My question: would this distance not affect the bass' 'slapability' or would it be a whole new ball game? cheers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members der oxenrig Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 You'll look more professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members perrydabassman Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 I have made the switch myself not too long ago, and although I don't play anything slap style, I have seen a number of people slap with 5's and 6's and it doesn't seem to hamper them at all. For me, I tended to get lost on the strings for a long time when I first started playing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jasper383 Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 The strings don't have to be closer together; I believe many fives have the same spacing as comparable fours. You can get the spacing info from most brands. I have a Stingray 5, and its spacing is a little tighter than many fives, but that doesn't seem to stop many players from slapping the hell out of them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members TN.Frank Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 You may as well just take the jump and move up to a 6 string. That way you'll be able to play guitar chords and octive lower, which would be pretty cool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bigblueishness Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 depends on what bass you get, some lakland 5 basses have realy fat necks that part the strings out realy far apart, but some of the schecter 5 strings, the strings are super close together go for a 5 string, but if you want a 6 string dont bother, just get a guitar with a octive pedal-basses are meant to be a low note instrument Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members One Bad Monkey Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 While a lot of five strings do have narrower spacing, you can find ones that will use the same spacing as a four string would. Around 19mm-20mm spacing and you should be good to go. Slapping isn't a problem. It'll take a little time to get used to it, but nothing really bad at all. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members jasper383 Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 While a lot of five strings do have narrower spacing, you can find ones that will use the same spacing as a four string would. Around 19mm-20mm spacing and you should be good to go. Slapping isn't a problem. It'll take a little time to get used to it, but nothing really bad at all. Listen to OBM, he has a bass that doubles as a plane runway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Thrustin Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 You'll look more professional. This^ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Funkee1 Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 Theres a little learning curve, and you will have to experiment with ways o keep your low B from droning while you're playing, but you'll adjust. I made the switch almost 10 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted November 26, 2009 Members Share Posted November 26, 2009 If you have an overly aggressive hand while slapping you'll run into some issues while figuring out how to work the 5 strings. If you aren't hitting the strings so hard a little practice will get your hands into the right place. Going from 4 to 5 does force you to be more accurate with your slapping. You have a narrower range before hitting strings adjacent to the one you want. If you want the same string spacing, Ibanez BTB basses have the same spacing as most 4 stringers just with an extra low B. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassthumpintwin Posted November 27, 2009 Members Share Posted November 27, 2009 I have a couple of narrow 5ers (Schecter Studio and an Ibanaz Ergodyne) and don't have any trouble slapping on them. It may take a small learning curve to get super comfortable, but for me, the transition from 4 to 5 wasn't a big deal at all. I now find it hard to go back to a 4 banger. Granted, this is more a "number of strings" issue than a spacing issue. My suggestion would be to try a few different models of narrow and wide spaced 5ers and see what feels good to you. Keep in mind that either one might take a little getting used to if you've played a 4 string for very long, but you should at least get you an idea of which you might prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Sugarskull Posted November 27, 2009 Members Share Posted November 27, 2009 If you want the same string spacing, Ibanez BTB basses have the same spacing as most 4 stringers just with an extra low B. Beat me to it. I actually found the spacing on the BTBs to be quite comparable. I'm also a big fan of how Dingwalls play. I can't forsee anyone having any spacing issues with those. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members FreestyleIntruder Posted November 27, 2009 Members Share Posted November 27, 2009 Surely that should be 'moving down'? Unless you tune it E-A-D-G-C Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members bassthumpintwin Posted November 27, 2009 Members Share Posted November 27, 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted November 27, 2009 Members Share Posted November 27, 2009 Beat me to it. I actually found the spacing on the BTBs to be quite comparable. I'm also a big fan of how Dingwalls play. I can't forsee anyone having any spacing issues with those. Understandable, but I wouldn't recommend a Dingwall for a first 5er! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Davey90 Posted November 30, 2009 Author Members Share Posted November 30, 2009 Thanks for the info guys. I was thinking about a cort curbow 5 string, I might take a look around and try to find some BTB 5ers if I can Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members sunburstbasser Posted November 30, 2009 Members Share Posted November 30, 2009 Cort's Curbow is a pretty solid 5, but it does have narrower spacing than the 4 string model. If you can get Cort basses, try finding an Artisan A5 or B5 to try out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members oldivor Posted November 30, 2009 Members Share Posted November 30, 2009 Surely that should be 'moving down'? Unless you tune it E-A-D-G-C That would be moving up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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