True i own a 5 bass string i do use the 5string tho but still ive always wanted to own a 4 string. Seems more easy to slap and the neck more playable as it is thiner.
@@craigjohnson7556 my point wasn't directed towards him not having them down but more of a rhetorical point that he should have the fundamentals down and just adding the 5th string shouldn't be such an issue
While shopping around for my current bass, I played some five strings in the same range and didn't like them at all and went with a four string. No regrets and I don't think I've ever thought "I'd really like a B string right now". If I really needed to go lower, I can change my tuning.
Ooof did that once. Pulled out a newly purchased guitar mid-way through a set, after making way too many mistakes went right back to the guitar I was comfortable with.
I started with a 5 because I typically went with baritone tunings for guitar and wanted to match that without losing my highest string. Got super comfortable with 5 until I started playing with a couple of bands that play in D, which pretty much left my lowest string untouched. After a few shows and a couple recordings, I finally decided a 4 would be more practical for those applications. While that last bit was true, the transition was WEIRD when I was so used to skipping over the lowest string for those bands, not to mention how small the neck felt in comparison. Overall glad I went down to 4 for the applications that they fit better for, which is probably the biggest lesson to take away from this. None of that "only try more strings when you're super advanced" garbage, but rather figure out what you actually need for what you're doing.
Ryan Martine plays 5 string almost exclusively. He uses drop D, but it ends up being ADADG. Very versatile and he really projects his identity as a bass player through his music Check out soften the glare.
@@haydenlandry3837 I remember Les Claypool recording "Tommy the Cat" on a 6 string Fretless Bass but he never used the Low B or High C. Footage all over youtube of it
@@TheBanana93 haha, well I'm having a 7 string Fretless built and it's tuned F#BEADGC. About to jump into a whole new world. And it's a Fan Fretted Fretless as well.
There has to be a reason you're using the 7-string. I bought one. Sure, I've hardly used it... yet. But, I really would like to orchestrate on it, and see what I can get out of the lower tones, as they relate to songs I've already written. Perhaps in the studio, I'll get more use out of it. Idk, maybe it will stay in my closet 'til the end of time
I got a 7 string so that I could easily just drop the G string a half step if i feel like something might work better in a baritone tuning. even then, you've got that high E if you need it. Basically my purpose for getting a 7 string was to get a baritone with a high e, not a standard 6 string with a low B
Hello, 8 string guitar player here! I think people miss the advantages of having the extended range. Having an extra two strings goes a long way when you want to compose music that are in certain keys. An example for the 5 string bass would be songs in the keys D, C#, C, and B. Playing your lowest notes on the A string can make the bass lose its place in the mix or in a live setting because it just doesn't go low enough. Same idea applies when you are composing solo 8 string guitar music like myself. The 8th string I tune to drop E to have a very good "bass" sound and the B string helps me with different chord voicings.
If you're going to use an extended range guitars, then absolutely go for it. However, if you're only going to use the standard 6 strings and you never have any intention of using those lower strings (like myself for instance), then there is absolutely no point in getting a guitar with more than 6 strings. The extended range strings would only get in the way. That's what he's trying to say.
I'd use that B string. I often find that pieces in D move the bass into the same register as the guitar too quickly, and that limits my freedom to compose on both instruments. Eb, D, Db all feel too limited by the four-string. Not so limited that I can't do my job, but, so often, I feel the call to reach down and grab a rich low C or something, and I can't.
I agree. I guess his point is dont buy something you dont need. But we need those notes! I love the freedom that extended range basses give me. What's embarassing is when someone says they actually cant play a 5. I think as a bassist you should at least be able to play a 5 comfortably.
Actually a big fan of Db on "normal" bass/guitar, especially playing minor and having that low 3rd on the open string. Which you still do have with an extra string of course but y'know
Outside of metal and prog, a 5 isn't the best purchase unless you somewhat know what you're doing. But the most important thing is that you have fun playing it!
Kong and Basses Check it out, there’s some old upright bases that are three strings, not exactly sure where they originated but they were used in Cuban music along time ago, might even be some around there these days if you look hard enough. But you’ll see them in old photographs and some old films sometimes. Kind of makes sense for that style is you would really have to pound away on three note patterns a lot plus there’s plenty of space between the strings to get some real volume if you need it against all that Percussion!
This video will hurt a lot of people young bass players in the wrong way. I hope they are not influence by this video to not make the step in getting the 5 or 5 string because every instrument is an instrument to itself. It seems this Jon is bias towards the 5 and 6 strings for some reason. Even though he is saying it "if this or that" he is still sounding bias towards the 5 and 6 which shouldn`t be the case because he should be attacking the mentality of the player and stop making it sounds like it`s really the bass instrument that is the problem. The bass can`t play itself my friend. My opinion is that modern music has that low B string in it so it is definitely needed. If a player don`t know how to use the B string then the objective for him is to learn. That should be the objective of this video Jon and not bashing the instrument.
Well, I had a similar experience in that I got a 5 string. It was because, some of the music we were playing was in odd keys or there was a lot of instrumentation and the 5 string gave me some room to play in. It was mostly church music that I was playing and we had two keyboard players, guitars, drummers and such. And, being left handed made finding a 5 string at a reasonable price difficult!
See, I went and got a 5 string so I could be different... I don't need or use a low b string, but a high B string is great for longer runs... Also, no one else seems to be doing it... I like that, hahaha
@@SmallAxeMP I agree with you, I played 4 string in high school, in 1978,for the music then it was great, music has evolved, that E flat D, D flat, C, and B are killer notes,on a 5 string that are deep and effective in music today, I've been playing 5 strings when they first came out and have never looked back, haven't played a 4 string in 30 years, I played Rise by Herb Alpert in school, imagine if he had a 5 string, he could play that deep E flat instead of the high E flat on the D string which never sounded good to me, he needed that low E flat to finish the job! As a kid always wondered why it couldn't go deeper
@@SmallAxeMP He is wrong about Gospel music, Organ players want the bass player to play those deep notes so that they don't have to play the pedals, which is cool with me, I don't like the conflict with and Organist and his pedals patterns
I have not been playing for too long, but I started on a 4 string. Recently bought an Ibanez fretless 6 string, I love it. The extra range allows me to do some really great things, and I am really happy I bought it.
I agree that you shouldn't buy a bass just because it's shiney and new. But the thing that people just don't get. You buy the bass that fits the musical style you play. I got my 6-string because I was into the sounds of Steve Baily, Gerald Veasley, and John Pattitucci and saw the possiblities. It is not for everyone, but it works for me.
I picked up my first p bass in 1982. I have done a lot of stop and start, So I am not as advanced as I would be if I had played all these years steady. If you are interested in an instrument, bass or anything else, Got For It!! You are never too old. As far as this talk about 5 and 6 string basses, here is the deal First ignore the four string zealots. Some of the best players in the world play five and six string basses. Second, It is true that most pop songs don't need a five or six string, or 7 string bass. But once you are comfortable on a 4 a string it is an option. The question you should ask yourself is what musical style do you want to play, and does a 5 or 6 string fit that style. I enjoy playing about 7 different styles which includes smooth jazz, acid jazz, and progressive jazz. And classical (cello) music, So I have 2 four strings and six sting. I do what works for me.
Yea, if its the bass you play and the songs dont really require the 5 or 6 string bass, why should anyone really give a shit, these people really need to chill out, they're messin with my bassplayer vibe.... i mess with the 6 at home but at gigs the band isnt doing that stuff, so ill get to play the low string here and there, never the high, but idk if people think you should be doing scales up the neck on your six if youre holding it down for a C redence song 😂
Honestly the best time to pick up a 5 string is when you’re starting out or when you’re still in the beginning to intermediate stages. Picking one up super late into your bass playing “career” always seems a bit weird because you can tell when people are primarily 4 string players haha. Like you said, if you’re killing it on a 4 there isn’t much point to a 5 unless you have a real need for it. Now anyone can play anything but a lot of older 4 string players don’t approach the 5 as they should, they jump in assuming it’s the same old bass they’re used to.
its NEVER a best time to "pick up a 5 string". its one of the most useless instrument ever devised by man. a 6 is much better, because it is its own beast. it becomes a melodic and even harmonic instrument (a 5 is just a 4 with an extra (for the most part) useless string you have to find new ways of muting)
@@ShortFuseFighting nah Man. I'm pretty sure youve never ever heard of bands like cynic or veil of maya or others where bass Is a 5er but even dropped.. A 5er Is a must for guys like thundercat for example
bassist John Lee who played in Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band/ Orchestra played a 4 string Jazz Bass on that gig. also let's not forget that all of Anthony Jackson's early recordings with the Ojay's, Eyewitness, Al Dimeola and Chaka Khan's earlier recordings "Naughty and Wha'ca gonna do for me where done on his 67 Jazz Bass that he tuned to BEAD.
I'm pretty sure Flea said something like 'I'll play a five string bass when I've learned all I can about playing a four string one.' I agree with him, and you both. Excellent video!
I don’t think that philosophy makes much sense if you think about it more than a second- it just means you have an extra handful of lower notes and the ability to play lower notes in a higher position. It’s just like a singer having a little more range, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to master music one note or one string at a time. I doubt flea began with one string and mastered that and moved up to four lol Options are usually a good thing, but everyone is different
One of the DUMBEST purchases I ever made was a custom-made six string Carvin bass in the early 90s. That was $1500.00 that could have been spent on a really, really nice four string, or a serious amp upgrade. The stupidity of youth...it can be expensive.
david s same here, LB76F (fretless) too boot! Pickups were dead as a doornail, strings cost a fortune back then, and I couldn’t get the sound I wanted out of it. I was 15 and got it used luckily... but on the plus-side, did learn the notes, got used to the spacing and played a helluva lot of Primus :) just picked up another six after 15 years and finally did myself right and it sounds & feels the way I had always wanted *that* bass to sound.
I love this man. He honestly reminds me of my double bass teacher, and other mentors I've had. Wonderful energy. I mostly agree with him. The majority of people will fall victim to exactly what he's saying, but there are absolutely practical purposes for grabbin' a five string. Purchasing a V as a regular four-stringer should absolutely come with the sense of responsibility to practice the new set of intervals and scales before heading to the gig. That said, if you're a metal or even heavy rock/funk player, by all means add the double bottom layer and attack that shizz without thinking too hard. It's just another fourth.
And yet, whle the 5 string was in your way, you made it sound right in your groove, mad props. Also somebody called the fire brigade on him for excessive grooving, he was setting that yard on fire.
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH MY BROTHER FOR STANDING UP FOR US FOUR STRING PLAYERS THERE ARE STILL A LOT OF US AROUND I'VE BEEN PLAYING 4 STRING SINCE 1981 AND I'M JUST MADLY IN LOVE WITH IT I'VE HAD PEOPLE IN THE GOSPEL INDUSTRY TELL ME THAT IF I HAD A 5 I'D GET MORE WORK AND I TOLD THEM KISS MY ASS THE 4 STRING IS MY LIFE AND I WILL FOREVER STAY TRUE TO IT I'VE PLAYED GOSPEL FOR 37 YEARS AND I'M TIRED OF IT BECAUSE I DON'T GET THE RESPECT BECAUSE I PLAY 4 STRING SO THIS YEAR I'M SWITCHING TO MY FAVORITE MUSIC JAZZ ITS WHERE I HAVE THE BEST OF FUN THE HELL WITH GOSPEL MUSIC!!!!!
Lol..... My experience is a reversal of yours, Bro! I switched over to 5 string 20+ yrs ago. Now, I’m so accustomed to having that B string, I have to think too much when moving back to a 4! I’ve come across some 4 strings in the last few years that I thought I had to have. They all ended up staying in their cases after a few attempts to play them. Thank God I’ve finally learned my lesson.... maybe 😁
I played a 4 for years. Got offered an endorsement, so got 5's. And I never touched the B. So I switched back to four. Hallelujah! Although recently I tried putting a high C on my fives, and I'm using that much more than I ever did the low B.
@Zacquille Oneil Jasper is referring to the point in the video where he was making a point about the low B getting in the way while slapping. It wasn't Intentional, but it was still kickass.
When I was a teenager my friends asked me to play bass in their metalcore band and I used a four string as Ive played four strings all my life. However when I began playing with them I discovered that I would be playing In drop A. This required me to tune my bass to AEAD. I found this very difficult because I was always having to completely retune my bass guitar to standard. I eventually got a 5 String bass to be able to play in standard and in drop a because I tuned it to AEADG. This was the only reason I ever found a 5 string efficient(at least in my own musical interests), otherwise I would gladly stick to my 4 string any day.
THOROUGHLY LOVE your reviews, antics....AND your advice, Johnny. Your videos are so enjoyable to watch. You, along with other sage contributors, have extraordinarily assisted me in selecting and purchasing a WONDERFUL Bass Guitar for my brother. He'd gone through an economic downturn and had to make some financial adjustments and his beloved bass guitar had to be liquidated to meet basic living expenses. (Life, right? It happens.) He's getting back on his feet, so I just purchased a BEAUTIFUL Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 for him and it's going to be kept a secret from him until it arrives. Seeing him up on the stage again in the Praise and Worship team will be an incredible experience. Thank You for your instructive and VERY enjoyable videos. The reviews that you provide, your Bass Guitar playing ability, and the time dedication required is greatly appreciated. THANKS!
I DEFINITELY use, BUT, do not overuse the low B in my band. With just one guitarist, I actually think it's warranted, with the material that we play. I can fill up a whole lot more real estate with that low B. Especially when the guitarist drops out for solos. In all actuality, that low B has became a big part of my playing style over the years.
I better be cool. Especially after all these years of playin'. I'm 52 years-old, and I've gigged (Gettin' PAID, Jack!) literally every single weekend of my life since my 10th grade year in high school....... Nah, I ain't cool, man. I'm just a straight up bass/music geek. Lol. Peace, my man.
I got my 1st 5 back in the late 80s when I wanted to have some of them lows that the keyboard player could reach. I went a string too far for me with a 6 fretless. TRB6P. She doesn't get used much at all. My fretted TRB6P does get some exercise when I want to go all 16ths solo time. AND she has some of the best tones in my collection. But the fretless one will be going soon after being a case queen for too long now. I have some 4s and I have to consciously adjust when playing them cos my Autopilot is set to 5.
This was me when I got a 7 string guitar. It was my first ever guitar I learned on. I liked it but when learning and playing it was overwhelming at first. Plus its a larger scale length. When I switched to a 6 string squier strat, that guitar molded to my hands and playing style soo much faster and better than the 7, and I was able to express myself in so many ways I couldn't before. The best way to describe that difference is, before, it felt like I was trying to keep the guitar under control, like I was fighting it. Now, its like it feels like an extension of my hands, it molds to me, rather than I molding to it. It feels natural.
Bro. You are speaking "WORD" man. I appreciate you. If I can say this... Be the bass that you are. I think that's what you're saying. In other words. If you're a 4 stringer... Be happy with being a 4 stringer and damn good at it. But.. Be yourself. Key thing here. Be yourself. Peace & Love.
If you're covering pop songs that use synth bass the low B string can can become very useful, given that a synth bass can go lower than a traditional 4-string. It can also save you time detuning your bass down to Eb all the time for Stevie Wonder or Guns n' Roses and the like. Plus it can make certain basslines a bit easier by allowing you to play the exact same line further up the neck, and gives you a couple of extra tonal options due to the fatter tone of the lower string. And then there's obviously the heavier metal songs that you mentioned in drop Bb or whatever. None of this makes it a necessity, but it does make it useful, as long as you actually treat it as a 5-string and not just a 4-string with an extra 4 notes at the bottom.
I was in this exact same predicament with my 7-string guitar. I've been acclimating to it fairly well these past few months, but goddamn did I overestimate myself when I made that purchase. I absolutely love the instrument though and I have no regrets, but just having one extra string was a bear to get used to. Great video!
@@youthmanrecords965 he is. What, his comment isnt valid because hes not playing with a different band? Right. Thanks for the ONE negative comment in the whole thread. You are a real dude . . Prick
@@liquiterge and of course, instead of standing up for the dude who was getting talked down to you would rather call me out for taking up for him. Typical. I rarely get upset with someone making a comment but when someone has to single out a person for expressing his feelings about his chosen type of play.....well, I dont like that. But thanks for making me aware of the irony of my comment. I was aware when I hit enter.
Your message is an important one. Master the 4 before you go on to something else. I started on a 4 and I'm really glad I did. That helped me get my fundamentals and technique down and really dig into the function of the bass. However as soon as I started gigging in community orchestras and theater groups I was constantly seeing notes below E so I ended up getting a 5. Fast forward past college and I was playing on Broadway where you could not get gigs without a 5. I also got to work with some incredible players and composers that wrote charts with the 6 string in mind; wide and fast intervals that would be super-awkward even on a 5. There's a place for extended range. Regardless of the amount of strings, it's still important to have touch, tone, and taste. That said, I like to poke fun at the brick wall 4 string advocates that even the 4 is extended range because if you go back far enough you'll find the earliest double basses only had 3 strings. So if you really want to be old school you should be playing a 3 string.
You can always relocate your open E note to the B string 5th fret keeping your default hand position there (easier on the hand stretch) then work across all the strings more dropping down below occasionally :)
I came here having played a 4-string bass for ~4 months. But this video enlightened me. Now I know I've played a 4-string super well for twice my lifetime.
Pro tip: A G played at the 8th frett of the B string has much more power and oomph as played at the 3rd frett of the E string. Or playing E pentatonics, played on the B string, starting on the 5th frett makes it possible to do 3rd under the root note. Think 5 string basses this way. When l first time feeled the need of having a B string, I took my only neck through bass, because I thought the more stable the better, and strung it B-E-A-D. It came out fine. I was able to use the low B a lot in the heavy bands I was playing. Later I bought some 5 string basses, having 6 of them at the time, plus 6 4 string basses I kept. Now I feel like having everything I need, having the right bass for all styles I play.
All my bass is 6 strings and only one 4 string. I already used to the 6 string. I even kinda nervous when I brought 4 string to my gigs. Its already a habit for me. My finger is much more comfortable on a wide 6 strings neck. Its vice versa for others I think.
Words so true my friend to the low end. I got a 5-string when I played in church for about 9 years and yes I did use it. But now that I'm done with that season I'm back to the four and playing better than ever in my life. How good would I have been if I never picked up that 5-string? It's like wishing you had a girl with 3 titties and then you find out you just end up looking at it. Blessings to you all my four string Pharaohs!
I see the main advantage of the extra strings being on certain runs you can move your fingers to the extra string, rather than moving your entire hand up or down the neck to hit certain notes. That being said I only play 4-strings anymore, but I did like having the extra high string on my old 6-string for that reason. The only 5-string I'd be interested in owning at the moment is an old Fender Bass V from the 60's. Those have an extra high string and 15 frets, but offer the same range of notes as a standard 20 fret Fender 4-string bass guitar.
I love both 4 and 5 strings. I play a wide variety of low and drop tunings so the 5 makes it very easy to play and the 4 string is great for drop D or D tuning songs
To each his own. Do what works for you! I happily gigged 4-bangers for 20 years, but always felt something was missing. Started fooling around with D-tuners, etc. in the late 70's, in search of that missing low D and Eb. Bought my first 5-string in 1984, sold my '64 P-bass 6 months later and NEVER looked back. Still gigging my 5's regularly, 34 years later. You don't have to live on the bottom four notes all the time, in order to benefit from that B string.
This is some solid advice Johnny, don't switch unless you need to and WANT to. I jumped from a 4 to 6 because I needed the range, and economy of motion. It also helped when I needed to lay some chords down in a 3 piece.
I couldn't agree more. Many years ago I saw a young support band with a 6 string bassist. He was a great player but never used the extra strings. What makes this so bad is that the group were playing at Ronnie Scott's in London opening for the Stanley Clarke band!
I’ve been asked hundreds of times why I won’t buy a 5 string and this is why. I’ve always said, if I can’t do it with a 4 string then I don’t need to be doing it. I’ve played metal, blues, r&b, country....never once have I HAD TO HAVE a fifth string. A good tuner and good knowledge of how your bass operates and a fifth string could be obsolete. And if you do buy a 5, for Pete’s sake, please have your amp set up where it doesn’t sound like tainted mud coming out.
The song that got me interesting in 5 string was when I was 17yrs old in high school(yes I'm old ) In 1979 80 Herb Alpert's Rise, We played that in high school now I always wondered why the bass player never played a low E flat on that bass run he always went to Eb on the D string, didnt sound right to me, I figured it out he couldnt, I play it now in a group 40yrs later the Eb on the B string sounds so deep, extended range is great if you know how to use it
I play 4,5, & 6 string basses and I know how to use every string tastefully. I love the options available with the extra strings. I also play a fretless and, haha, I am a church player.
Hey Johnny I watched this yesterday. 10-18-2022. I had been thinking of trying a 5 again after watching a new friend play a Lowend 5. I really was about to pull the trigger when I saw your podcast. I then realized that after years of playing I probably would not hit that b string much . Besides the fact that good ones cost more than I can justify. Thanks for the advice.
Applied to a lot of things. When I was in my early twenties I bought a Marshall stack. Useless for the vast majority of gigs. Worse than useless, a complete hindrance. A quality portable amp would have been the best.
I agree, and that's a good point and all, but I got a bit distracted by the gun shots at 4:40 and then the sirens that start up not long after. Something tells me some shit just went down.
Definitely not gun shots. If you pay close attention and start listening at 3:45, the same sirens (which are ambulance sirens not police) can clearly be heard (several times) long before the banging sound (which came from the garbage truck clearly heard in the background). You can even hear the backup-beeper, and compression release engine brake of the garbage truck. The ambulance sirens you first noticed are from the same ambulance at 3:45 getting further away. Not to mention, the first time you noticed the ambulance sirens, was only 30 seconds after the banging sound from the garbage truck began. Even if someone dialed 911 the instant the banging started, that wasn't anywhere near enough time for a dispatcher to inform a patrol car that was in the area, even the same street. Furthermore, if police were on the same street and close enough to the vicinity of gunshots to hear them, they wouldn't pull up with sirens blaring, as is standard procedure in such situations as sirens alert their presence, which is tactically dangerous in a shooting in progress. Sirens are for alerting citizens to Police/Emergency services presence to avoid traffic accidents when needing to travel fast. Anyhow, gun shots have a much shorter duration, and the pitch, transients, intensity and spread of the timbre was nothing at all like a gun shot. The changes of a sound through it's duration including the onset and offset, is all wrong and doesn't come close to the unique timbre of a gun shot. The fast duration, and popping thud of a firearm is about as unique as a sound gets. Moreover, the sirens you heard were standard ambulance sirens(blower/growler/wail) not police sirens(yelp), though certain areas in the USA do use different sirens. Nonetheless, what you heard was irrefutably not a gunshot.
Moreover, I just isolated an air horn starting at 4:08, which means the sirens came from an ambulance or firetruck, as ambulances and firetrucks use an air horn to startle idiots that don't respond to the siren. Police do not use genuine air horns ua-cam.com/video/pfKmTlfnnww/v-deo.html.
More strings, more problems. I can dig that. I especially liked how he said 'you can't cheat on a 4'. I feel like a bolt of wisdom just went through my brain ⚡ 🧠
Great video bro!👍🏽 Here’s my true and funny story: I started out playing a 4 string bass.One time i went to a gig and just before i got in,one of the guys in the band told me there’s a 6 string bass inside the venue so I don’t have to play with my 4 string. Me being young and wanting to impress,I left my 4 string in the car.When we started playing,my fingers where struggling to find the notes-I was confused as crazy.i couldn’t even play the simple songs! It got so bad that the owner of the 6 string came on stage and asked if could rather play for my band since I was struggling.I gave him the bass and went to sit down and watch my band play!Hahaha! It was one of the most embarrassing moments. Lesson learned.
"You felt getting a five would make you more important," that's a pretty good quote, too. I sat in at a jazz club in Kansas City one time, and the bass was a 6 string. After I finished, several people complimented me on my unusual ideas when soloing. I was playing on the wrong strings!
Love it , I only play 4s The late great Mark Sandman had the best take on this he was known for playing 2 string slide bass and when he was asked about it and why he only used two he simply answered “oh 2 strings is sheer extravagance on my part as every note is on one string” Pretty expensive Fodera mistake to boot
"Its the old stuff that stood the test of time" This is why I'm shooting photos on film and recording on 16 track reel to reel with a mixing board and all outboard gear in my basement studio.
Johnny this is great advise. “It’s the old stuff that endure the test of time” is the reason I still shoot a film camera which it’s older than my parents. Still going strong. In Johnny’s voice “I love you girl” loool
When you play some of that headbanging heavy metal, a 4 strings absolutely sucks for sounding correct. When your other 2 guitarists have a 7 strings or an 8 string. You need to match their lower range and get those brutal breakdowns 🤘🏼😤
HAHA! So true. I've been asked "why don't you play a 5 string?", and "Don't you like his bass (guy with 5 string)?" I'm like, I only play 4 strings because I like them. I've tried them, 5 and 6, and I don't like them. Too many strings.
Exploration is super important throughout musical development. Lower octaves provide a range that can be navigated with familiarity yet feel "new" or "outside" of what everyone else is doing. Even, beyond that, what's wrong with exploring a higher string, instead of the low B. Bass player's like melody too.
“That ain’t even dumb, that’s just bananas” my favorite quote of all time
that's my new catchphrase, not even kidding
I liked the second he said that
This man is trying to do y’all a favor. Get them fundamentals down. No shame in playing four. Less is more.
True i own a 5 bass string i do use the 5string tho but still ive always wanted to own a 4 string. Seems more easy to slap and the neck more playable as it is thiner.
If he's been playing 20-30 years I hope he has the fundamentals down
@@maestro3809 did i indicate anywhere that he does not have the fundamentals?
@@craigjohnson7556 my point wasn't directed towards him not having them down but more of a rhetorical point that he should have the fundamentals down and just adding the 5th string shouldn't be such an issue
While shopping around for my current bass, I played some five strings in the same range and didn't like them at all and went with a four string. No regrets and I don't think I've ever thought "I'd really like a B string right now". If I really needed to go lower, I can change my tuning.
"You don't need more strings, you need more practice"
Ah yes, only the best players can play that B0 on a 4-string
The ancient technique
dumbest quote ever
ya and after u practice and need to play on lower tunings that’s where u get a 5 string
Exactly
Its not totally useless, 5b string can be a thumb rest
Changsoo Hahm. Most expensive thumb 👍🏼 rest I’ve seen 😆🎸😆🎸😆🎸
or buy a 4 string with a pickup that is a good thumbrest
Lmao still
just buy a thumbrest and install it
😂😂😂
Bottom line: Don't take an unfamiliar instrument to a familiar gig. It's not fair to you, your bandmates, or your audience.
Ooof did that once. Pulled out a newly purchased guitar mid-way through a set, after making way too many mistakes went right back to the guitar I was comfortable with.
I started with a 5 because I typically went with baritone tunings for guitar and wanted to match that without losing my highest string. Got super comfortable with 5 until I started playing with a couple of bands that play in D, which pretty much left my lowest string untouched. After a few shows and a couple recordings, I finally decided a 4 would be more practical for those applications. While that last bit was true, the transition was WEIRD when I was so used to skipping over the lowest string for those bands, not to mention how small the neck felt in comparison. Overall glad I went down to 4 for the applications that they fit better for, which is probably the biggest lesson to take away from this. None of that "only try more strings when you're super advanced" garbage, but rather figure out what you actually need for what you're doing.
Ryan Martine plays 5 string almost exclusively. He uses drop D, but it ends up being ADADG. Very versatile and he really projects his identity as a bass player through his music
Check out soften the glare.
@@haydenlandry3837 I remember Les Claypool recording "Tommy the Cat" on a 6 string Fretless Bass but he never used the Low B or High C. Footage all over youtube of it
I play a 5 string bass as my first bass, I absolutely love it, sometimes depending on the situation the 5th string make a huge difference
I started out on a 5 string. I like my 4 string basses, but that B string is amazing to have. The ability for different voicings is invaluable.
Having to down tune my 4 string to B E A D to match my 7 string is horrible does sound fucking nasty though haha
@@TheBanana93 haha, well I'm having a 7 string Fretless built and it's tuned F#BEADGC. About to jump into a whole new world. And it's a Fan Fretted Fretless as well.
For a while at the start of the video I thought this was just a complex mental breakdown stemming from a regretted purchase.
I'm not convinced its not
“I made a dumb bass purchase”. Continues to play $9000 fodera
I love Johnny! He's one of my faves, but that's definitely NOT a real Fodera...;-)
Chinese model Korgan.
Same philosophy applies to 7 string guitars.
There has to be a reason you're using the 7-string. I bought one. Sure, I've hardly used it... yet. But, I really would like to orchestrate on it, and see what I can get out of the lower tones, as they relate to songs I've already written. Perhaps in the studio, I'll get more use out of it. Idk, maybe it will stay in my closet 'til the end of time
I got a 7 string so that I could easily just drop the G string a half step if i feel like something might work better in a baritone tuning. even then, you've got that high E if you need it.
Basically my purpose for getting a 7 string was to get a baritone with a high e, not a standard 6 string with a low B
Hello, 8 string guitar player here! I think people miss the advantages of having the extended range. Having an extra two strings goes a long way when you want to compose music that are in certain keys. An example for the 5 string bass would be songs in the keys D, C#, C, and B. Playing your lowest notes on the A string can make the bass lose its place in the mix or in a live setting because it just doesn't go low enough. Same idea applies when you are composing solo 8 string guitar music like myself. The 8th string I tune to drop E to have a very good "bass" sound and the B string helps me with different chord voicings.
If you're going to use an extended range guitars, then absolutely go for it. However, if you're only going to use the standard 6 strings and you never have any intention of using those lower strings (like myself for instance), then there is absolutely no point in getting a guitar with more than 6 strings. The extended range strings would only get in the way. That's what he's trying to say.
Tosin is that you
I'd use that B string. I often find that pieces in D move the bass into the same register as the guitar too quickly, and that limits my freedom to compose on both instruments. Eb, D, Db all feel too limited by the four-string. Not so limited that I can't do my job, but, so often, I feel the call to reach down and grab a rich low C or something, and I can't.
I agree. I guess his point is dont buy something you dont need. But we need those notes! I love the freedom that extended range basses give me. What's embarassing is when someone says they actually cant play a 5. I think as a bassist you should at least be able to play a 5 comfortably.
Actually a big fan of Db on "normal" bass/guitar, especially playing minor and having that low 3rd on the open string. Which you still do have with an extra string of course but y'know
Agree
Outside of metal and prog, a 5 isn't the best purchase unless you somewhat know what you're doing. But the most important thing is that you have fun playing it!
i don't even play bass...
So you sure need at least a four string to learn it.
Bass is fun!
Time to start :)
Kong and Basses Check it out, there’s some old upright bases that are three strings, not exactly sure where they originated but they were used in Cuban music along time ago, might even be some around there these days if you look hard enough. But you’ll see them in old photographs and some old films sometimes. Kind of makes sense for that style is you would really have to pound away on three note patterns a lot plus there’s plenty of space between the strings to get some real volume if you need it against all that Percussion!
neither do i
Guitarist
Man this guy is so full of positive energy! I bet he is a blast to hang with and would be a great bass teacher.
Guy in video: you don't need all these strings.
Davie504: *cries while slapping 36 string bass*
davie actually uses those strings
he plays 4 string bases, he used more strings just to make the videos tho
he can destroy me with only one string, so the rest of the strings don't really matter.
Had to get a 5 string because some of the newer songs we play has that low B string in play. Way more comfortable on my 4 string.
This video will hurt a lot of people young bass players in the wrong way. I hope they are not influence by this video to not make the step in getting the 5 or 5 string because every instrument is an instrument to itself. It seems this Jon is bias towards the 5 and 6 strings for some reason. Even though he is saying it "if this or that" he is still sounding bias towards the 5 and 6 which shouldn`t be the case because he should be attacking the mentality of the player and stop making it sounds like it`s really the bass instrument that is the problem. The bass can`t play itself my friend. My opinion is that modern music has that low B string in it so it is definitely needed. If a player don`t know how to use the B string then the objective for him is to learn. That should be the objective of this video Jon and not bashing the instrument.
Well, I had a similar experience in that I got a 5 string. It was because, some of the music we were playing was in odd keys or there was a lot of instrumentation and the 5 string gave me some room to play in. It was mostly church music that I was playing and we had two keyboard players, guitars, drummers and such. And, being left handed made finding a 5 string at a reasonable price difficult!
See, I went and got a 5 string so I could be different... I don't need or use a low b string, but a high B string is great for longer runs... Also, no one else seems to be doing it... I like that, hahaha
@@SmallAxeMP I agree with you, I played 4 string in high school, in 1978,for the music then it was great, music has evolved, that E flat D, D flat, C, and B are killer notes,on a 5 string that are deep and effective in music today, I've been playing 5 strings when they first came out and have never looked back, haven't played a 4 string in 30 years, I played Rise by Herb Alpert in school, imagine if he had a 5 string, he could play that deep E flat instead of the high E flat on the D string which never sounded good to me, he needed that low E flat to finish the job! As a kid always wondered why it couldn't go deeper
@@SmallAxeMP He is wrong about Gospel music, Organ players want the bass player to play those deep notes so that they don't have to play the pedals, which is cool with me, I don't like the conflict with and Organist and his pedals patterns
I have not been playing for too long, but I started on a 4 string. Recently bought an Ibanez fretless 6 string, I love it. The extra range allows me to do some really great things, and I am really happy I bought it.
And that's all that matters.....
Your enthusiasm never fails to put a smile on my face. Keep it going, Johnny!
Right 👍👍
I agree !....love this guy, makes me smile every time !
Captain Sunder ..thanks Capt...
neocollective ...love u..
Have you heard of Brushy-One-String? He lives here on youtube.
I agree that you shouldn't buy a bass just because it's shiney and new. But the thing that people just don't get. You buy the bass that fits the musical style you play. I got my 6-string because I was into the sounds of Steve Baily, Gerald Veasley, and John Pattitucci and saw the possiblities. It is not for everyone, but it works for me.
david s How long have you been playing? I always wanted to pick an instrument up, but I don’t really know anything
I picked up my first p bass in 1982. I have done a lot of stop and start, So I am not as advanced as I would be if I had played all these years steady. If you are interested in an instrument, bass or anything else, Got For It!! You are never too old. As far as this talk about 5 and 6 string basses, here is the deal First ignore the four string zealots. Some of the best players in the world play five and six string basses. Second, It is true that most pop songs don't need a five or six string, or 7 string bass. But once you are comfortable on a 4 a string it is an option. The question you should ask yourself is what musical style do you want to play, and does a 5 or 6 string fit that style. I enjoy playing about 7 different styles which includes smooth jazz, acid jazz, and progressive jazz. And classical (cello) music, So I have 2 four strings and six sting. I do what works for me.
Yea, if its the bass you play and the songs dont really require the 5 or 6 string bass, why should anyone really give a shit, these people really need to chill out, they're messin with my bassplayer vibe.... i mess with the 6 at home but at gigs the band isnt doing that stuff, so ill get to play the low string here and there, never the high, but idk if people think you should be doing scales up the neck on your six if youre holding it down for a C redence song 😂
Honestly the best time to pick up a 5 string is when you’re starting out or when you’re still in the beginning to intermediate stages. Picking one up super late into your bass playing “career” always seems a bit weird because you can tell when people are primarily 4 string players haha. Like you said, if you’re killing it on a 4 there isn’t much point to a 5 unless you have a real need for it. Now anyone can play anything but a lot of older 4 string players don’t approach the 5 as they should, they jump in assuming it’s the same old bass they’re used to.
its NEVER a best time to "pick up a 5 string". its one of the most useless instrument ever devised by man.
a 6 is much better, because it is its own beast. it becomes a melodic and even harmonic instrument (a 5 is just a 4 with an extra (for the most part) useless string you have to find new ways of muting)
@@ShortFuseFighting nah Man.
I'm pretty sure youve never ever heard of bands like cynic or veil of maya or others where bass Is a 5er but even dropped..
A 5er Is a must for guys like thundercat for example
@@ShortFuseFighting you’re trippin bro it’s for those who need an extra drop tuned string
Bruh
@@Twilightelectronics most useless instrument ever devised by man!
Yep. Funk in E in A works fine on a 4 string. Now wind up in a big band with horns where every other tune is in Db or Eb.
Izno Iznogoud rock is for simps
@@rolliepena9113 what?
Just tune half step down thats what ive been doing although for anything more i do use my 5 or 6 string
bassist John Lee who played in Dizzy Gillespie's Big Band/ Orchestra played a 4 string Jazz Bass on that gig. also let's not forget that all of Anthony Jackson's early recordings with the Ojay's, Eyewitness, Al Dimeola and Chaka Khan's earlier recordings "Naughty and Wha'ca gonna do for me where done on his 67 Jazz Bass that he tuned to BEAD.
I'm pretty sure Flea said something like 'I'll play a five string bass when I've learned all I can about playing a four string one.' I agree with him, and you both. Excellent video!
I don’t think that philosophy makes much sense if you think about it more than a second- it just means you have an extra handful of lower notes and the ability to play lower notes in a higher position. It’s just like a singer having a little more range, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have to master music one note or one string at a time. I doubt flea began with one string and mastered that and moved up to four lol
Options are usually a good thing, but everyone is different
One of the DUMBEST purchases I ever made was a custom-made six string Carvin bass in the early 90s. That was $1500.00 that could have been spent on a really, really nice four string, or a serious amp upgrade. The stupidity of youth...it can be expensive.
och70 I got one of those too. (Carvin LB76) But I learned to use all the strings to my advantage. Especially playing jazz and classical (cello) music.
Why you didn't liked the Carvin???
david s same here, LB76F (fretless) too boot! Pickups were dead as a doornail, strings cost a fortune back then, and I couldn’t get the sound I wanted out of it. I was 15 and got it used luckily... but on the plus-side, did learn the notes, got used to the spacing and played a helluva lot of Primus :) just picked up another six after 15 years and finally did myself right and it sounds & feels the way I had always wanted *that* bass to sound.
I'm a guitarist and I was about to do the same thing with an 8 string.
and here I am, just wanting a KORG KRONOS.
am I stupid yet?
I love this man. He honestly reminds me of my double bass teacher, and other mentors I've had. Wonderful energy. I mostly agree with him. The majority of people will fall victim to exactly what he's saying, but there are absolutely practical purposes for grabbin' a five string. Purchasing a V as a regular four-stringer should absolutely come with the sense of responsibility to practice the new set of intervals and scales before heading to the gig. That said, if you're a metal or even heavy rock/funk player, by all means add the double bottom layer and attack that shizz without thinking too hard. It's just another fourth.
"that ain't even dumb to me, that is just bananas." - Johnny Long
Great quote haha :)
And yet, whle the 5 string was in your way, you made it sound right in your groove, mad props.
Also somebody called the fire brigade on him for excessive grooving, he was setting that yard on fire.
It’s nice to have more strings because it gives the option of more tones
THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH MY
BROTHER FOR STANDING UP FOR
US FOUR STRING PLAYERS THERE
ARE STILL A LOT OF US AROUND I'VE BEEN PLAYING 4 STRING SINCE 1981 AND I'M JUST MADLY
IN LOVE WITH IT I'VE HAD PEOPLE IN THE GOSPEL INDUSTRY TELL ME THAT IF I HAD A 5 I'D GET MORE WORK
AND I TOLD THEM KISS MY ASS
THE 4 STRING IS MY LIFE AND I
WILL FOREVER STAY TRUE TO IT
I'VE PLAYED GOSPEL FOR 37 YEARS AND I'M TIRED OF IT BECAUSE I DON'T GET THE RESPECT BECAUSE I PLAY 4
STRING SO THIS YEAR I'M SWITCHING TO MY FAVORITE
MUSIC JAZZ ITS WHERE I HAVE
THE BEST OF FUN THE HELL WITH GOSPEL MUSIC!!!!!
Lol..... My experience is a reversal of yours, Bro! I switched over to 5 string 20+ yrs ago. Now, I’m so accustomed to having that B string, I have to think too much when moving back to a 4! I’ve come across some 4 strings in the last few years that I thought I had to have. They all ended up staying in their cases after a few attempts to play them. Thank God I’ve finally learned my lesson.... maybe 😁
charles driver ...we all have things to learn...but the good part is we live long enough 2 do so...yeahhhhh
I'm the same.. Since got a 5 string I find hard to use a 4 string as tend to modulate down and use the Low B for low E notes.
Have a 4 and a 5. I play the 5 considerably more.
TBH I should trade the 4 for another 5.
I played a 4 for years. Got offered an endorsement, so got 5's. And I never touched the B.
So I switched back to four. Hallelujah!
Although recently I tried putting a high C on my fives, and I'm using that much more than I ever did the low B.
The energy that radiates from u is astounding, u are the type of man I would really honor sitting down with and hearing ur perspective on life
Am I the only one who thought it sounded pretty cool when he was "accidentally" slapping the B..
It did sound pretty slick.
@Zacquille Oneil Jasper is referring to the point in the video where he was making a point about the low B getting in the way while slapping. It wasn't Intentional, but it was still kickass.
"It's the old stuff that endured the test of time" I like that. Great stuff!
When I was a teenager my friends asked me to play bass in their metalcore band and I used a four string as Ive played four strings all my life. However when I began playing with them I discovered that I would be playing In drop A. This required me to tune my bass to AEAD. I found this very difficult because I was always having to completely retune my bass guitar to standard. I eventually got a 5 String bass to be able to play in standard and in drop a because I tuned it to AEADG. This was the only reason I ever found a 5 string efficient(at least in my own musical interests), otherwise I would gladly stick to my 4 string any day.
THOROUGHLY LOVE your reviews, antics....AND your advice, Johnny. Your videos are so enjoyable to watch. You, along with other sage contributors, have extraordinarily assisted me in selecting and purchasing a WONDERFUL Bass Guitar for my brother. He'd gone through an economic downturn and had to make some financial adjustments and his beloved bass guitar had to be liquidated to meet basic living expenses. (Life, right? It happens.) He's getting back on his feet, so I just purchased a BEAUTIFUL Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 for him and it's going to be kept a secret from him until it arrives. Seeing him up on the stage again in the Praise and Worship team will be an incredible experience. Thank You for your instructive and VERY enjoyable videos. The reviews that you provide, your Bass Guitar playing ability, and the time dedication required is greatly appreciated. THANKS!
I DEFINITELY use, BUT, do not overuse the low B in my band. With just one guitarist, I actually think it's warranted, with the material that we play. I can fill up a whole lot more real estate with that low B. Especially when the guitarist drops out for solos. In all actuality, that low B has became a big part of my playing style over the years.
Constructive Critique ...u have to be a cool bassist, bass on
I better be cool. Especially after all these years of playin'. I'm 52 years-old, and I've gigged (Gettin' PAID, Jack!) literally every single weekend of my life since my 10th grade year in high school....... Nah, I ain't cool, man. I'm just a straight up bass/music geek. Lol. Peace, my man.
Sounds like you are exactly the kind of bass player 5-strings are made for. I don't think he is saying they are bad, just not for everyone.
Xubuntu47 well said...bass on
I agree plus using the low F# on my 7. 😉
I got my 1st 5 back in the late 80s when I wanted to have some of them lows that the keyboard player could reach.
I went a string too far for me with a 6 fretless. TRB6P.
She doesn't get used much at all.
My fretted TRB6P does get some exercise when I want to go all 16ths solo time.
AND she has some of the best tones in my collection.
But the fretless one will be going soon after being a case queen for too long now.
I have some 4s and I have to consciously adjust when playing them cos my Autopilot is set to 5.
When do you know you're watching a pro bassist? Because they sound good even when they're trying to mess up/play bad!
I appreciate your sense of humor😂 As well as your ability on the instrument!!! z
I'll be looking out for more videos!!!😎
“That ain’t even dumb to me, that’a just bananas!”
I love his energy!
I've always said that if I can't get it done on a 4-string then I shouldn't be playing bass! Great advice.
This was me when I got a 7 string guitar. It was my first ever guitar I learned on. I liked it but when learning and playing it was overwhelming at first. Plus its a larger scale length. When I switched to a 6 string squier strat, that guitar molded to my hands and playing style soo much faster and better than the 7, and I was able to express myself in so many ways I couldn't before.
The best way to describe that difference is, before, it felt like I was trying to keep the guitar under control, like I was fighting it. Now, its like it feels like an extension of my hands, it molds to me, rather than I molding to it. It feels natural.
Bro. You are speaking "WORD" man. I appreciate you. If I can say this... Be the bass that you are. I think that's what you're saying. In other words. If you're a 4 stringer... Be happy with being a 4 stringer and damn good at it. But.. Be yourself. Key thing here. Be yourself. Peace & Love.
The only time I’ve ever seen 5 and 6 strings being necessary is in a lot of heavier metal genres but even then their somewhat more “rare”
If you're covering pop songs that use synth bass the low B string can can become very useful, given that a synth bass can go lower than a traditional 4-string. It can also save you time detuning your bass down to Eb all the time for Stevie Wonder or Guns n' Roses and the like. Plus it can make certain basslines a bit easier by allowing you to play the exact same line further up the neck, and gives you a couple of extra tonal options due to the fatter tone of the lower string. And then there's obviously the heavier metal songs that you mentioned in drop Bb or whatever.
None of this makes it a necessity, but it does make it useful, as long as you actually treat it as a 5-string and not just a 4-string with an extra 4 notes at the bottom.
Or a lot of thundercat basslines
just love love love you Johnny ;) u make every visit a blast man
"That's not even dumb, it's just bananas." - Bass guy
I was in this exact same predicament with my 7-string guitar. I've been acclimating to it fairly well these past few months, but goddamn did I overestimate myself when I made that purchase. I absolutely love the instrument though and I have no regrets, but just having one extra string was a bear to get used to. Great video!
Play bass with an orchestra. Almost every score I've been given required a 5 string. I've even had a few that were tuned to ADGCF.
I love the 2 steps down tuning, it's quite versatile.
No one here was talking about an orchestra.
That is like .009% of bass players.
@@youthmanrecords965 he is.
What, his comment isnt valid because hes not playing with a different band?
Right.
Thanks for the ONE negative comment in the whole thread.
You are a real dude
.
.
Prick
Indiana Jones and with you now it makes 2.
@@liquiterge and of course, instead of standing up for the dude who was getting talked down to you would rather call me out for taking up for him.
Typical.
I rarely get upset with someone making a comment but when someone has to single out a person for expressing his feelings about his chosen type of play.....well, I dont like that.
But thanks for making me aware of the irony of my comment.
I was aware when I hit enter.
Your message is an important one. Master the 4 before you go on to something else. I started on a 4 and I'm really glad I did. That helped me get my fundamentals and technique down and really dig into the function of the bass. However as soon as I started gigging in community orchestras and theater groups I was constantly seeing notes below E so I ended up getting a 5. Fast forward past college and I was playing on Broadway where you could not get gigs without a 5. I also got to work with some incredible players and composers that wrote charts with the 6 string in mind; wide and fast intervals that would be super-awkward even on a 5. There's a place for extended range. Regardless of the amount of strings, it's still important to have touch, tone, and taste. That said, I like to poke fun at the brick wall 4 string advocates that even the 4 is extended range because if you go back far enough you'll find the earliest double basses only had 3 strings. So if you really want to be old school you should be playing a 3 string.
You can always relocate your open E note to the B string 5th fret keeping your default hand position there (easier on the hand stretch) then work across all the strings more dropping down below occasionally :)
I do the same.. Find you can keep your hand in same position and not moving up and down so much
I came here having played a 4-string bass for ~4 months. But this video enlightened me. Now I know I've played a 4-string super well for twice my lifetime.
Yeah!!! No matter what instrument I bring to a gig, I always make sure every string participates!
Nicholas Gundy ..then u are an AMAZING PLAYER
I was feeling a bit sleepy then I watched this guy. He woke me up. Cool guy.
Pro tip: A G played at the 8th frett of the B string has much more power and oomph as played at the 3rd frett of the E string. Or playing E pentatonics, played on the B string, starting on the 5th frett makes it possible to do 3rd under the root note. Think 5 string basses this way.
When l first time feeled the need of having a B string, I took my only neck through bass, because I thought the more stable the better, and strung it B-E-A-D. It came out fine. I was able to use the low B a lot in the heavy bands I was playing.
Later I bought some 5 string basses, having 6 of them at the time, plus 6 4 string basses I kept.
Now I feel like having everything I need, having the right bass for all styles I play.
All my bass is 6 strings and only one 4 string. I already used to the 6 string. I even kinda nervous when I brought 4 string to my gigs. Its already a habit for me. My finger is much more comfortable on a wide 6 strings neck. Its vice versa for others I think.
Everyone in band tuning half step down...
5 strings bassist: HOLD MY B FLAT ....
this guy got the spirit! huge respect to you my man!!!
Words so true my friend to the low end. I got a 5-string when I played in church for about 9 years and yes I did use it. But now that I'm done with that season I'm back to the four and playing better than ever in my life. How good would I have been if I never picked up that 5-string? It's like wishing you had a girl with 3 titties and then you find out you just end up looking at it. Blessings to you all my four string Pharaohs!
If you can't figure out what to do with that extra tit then no amount of bass playing is going to help you.
I see the main advantage of the extra strings being on certain runs you can move your fingers to the extra string, rather than moving your entire hand up or down the neck to hit certain notes. That being said I only play 4-strings anymore, but I did like having the extra high string on my old 6-string for that reason. The only 5-string I'd be interested in owning at the moment is an old Fender Bass V from the 60's. Those have an extra high string and 15 frets, but offer the same range of notes as a standard 20 fret Fender 4-string bass guitar.
I read the title as "When you know you made a bad ass purchase"
same as me, hahaha
Me too!
I love both 4 and 5 strings. I play a wide variety of low and drop tunings so the 5 makes it very easy to play and the 4 string is great for drop D or D tuning songs
*F R E S H K I C K S*
*P H R E S H K I C C*
*F R E S H P R I N C E*
KeSha FriKs
To each his own. Do what works for you! I happily gigged 4-bangers for 20 years, but always felt something was missing. Started fooling around with D-tuners, etc. in the late 70's, in search of that missing low D and Eb. Bought my first 5-string in 1984, sold my '64 P-bass 6 months later and NEVER looked back. Still gigging my 5's regularly, 34 years later. You don't have to live on the bottom four notes all the time, in order to benefit from that B string.
I'm buying a 12 string bass because all I play is Jeremy.
alksdjf;alsdjf omg that’s the greatest comment ever
I got one man it's a hellish thing to have setup dual truss rod and 12 strings pulling on the neck but it plays great I need a 8 string to go with it
LOL!
This is some solid advice Johnny, don't switch unless you need to and WANT to. I jumped from a 4 to 6 because I needed the range, and economy of motion. It also helped when I needed to lay some chords down in a 3 piece.
different music calls for different types of guitars, i genuinely cant play my music on a 4 string as its heavy metal so I need that 5th string.
Agreed, I'm really surprised 5 string basses aren't the norm now. They're pretty common these days but the low b is too useful
@@babytiny5807 I'll never understand people that trash on them, must just not have the skills or experience to use it
So true!
But I just went and bought a 5-string bass because I'm interested to see whether I can re-learn a 5-string.
I do love that extra deep B note!
Great advice
I couldn't agree more. Many years ago I saw a young support band with a 6 string bassist. He was a great player but never used the extra strings. What makes this so bad is that the group were playing at Ronnie Scott's in London opening for the Stanley Clarke band!
Sounded pretty dang cool when it was getting in your way LOL
Man I hope this guy is teaching some of the youth out there he is a beast on that thing..keep real music alive.
I’ve been asked hundreds of times why I won’t buy a 5 string and this is why. I’ve always said, if I can’t do it with a 4 string then I don’t need to be doing it. I’ve played metal, blues, r&b, country....never once have I HAD TO HAVE a fifth string. A good tuner and good knowledge of how your bass operates and a fifth string could be obsolete. And if you do buy a 5, for Pete’s sake, please have your amp set up where it doesn’t sound like tainted mud coming out.
The song that got me interesting in 5 string was when I was 17yrs old in high school(yes I'm old ) In 1979 80 Herb Alpert's Rise, We played that in high school now I always wondered why the bass player never played a low E flat on that bass run he always went to Eb on the D string, didnt sound right to me, I figured it out he couldnt, I play it now in a group 40yrs later the Eb on the B string sounds so deep, extended range is great if you know how to use it
I play 4,5, & 6 string basses and I know how to use every string tastefully. I love the options available with the extra strings. I also play a fretless and, haha, I am a church player.
Dru Sax Right there with you. I love my 6 string. But I still have my 4 string p bass.
5 strings= super hero
6 strings= semiGod
Hey Johnny I watched this yesterday. 10-18-2022. I had been thinking of trying a 5 again after watching a new friend play a Lowend 5. I really was about to pull the trigger when I saw your podcast. I then realized that after years of playing I probably would not hit that b string much . Besides the fact that good ones cost more than I can justify. Thanks for the advice.
Applied to a lot of things. When I was in my early twenties I bought a Marshall stack. Useless for the vast majority of gigs. Worse than useless, a complete hindrance. A quality portable amp would have been the best.
Great advice..the word's "utility"..great channel my man‼️
I agree, and that's a good point and all, but I got a bit distracted by the gun shots at 4:40 and then the sirens that start up not long after. Something tells me some shit just went down.
sounds like a trash truck dude, yes sirens but no guns, enjoy the bass show..
sounded like 3 shot gun blasts.....OMG THEY SHOOTIN' THEY SHOOTIN'!!
Time to sell them both and MOVE!
Definitely not gun shots. If you pay close attention and start listening at 3:45, the same sirens (which are ambulance sirens not police) can clearly be heard (several times) long before the banging sound (which came from the garbage truck clearly heard in the background). You can even hear the backup-beeper, and compression release engine brake of the garbage truck. The ambulance sirens you first noticed are from the same ambulance at 3:45 getting further away. Not to mention, the first time you noticed the ambulance sirens, was only 30 seconds after the banging sound from the garbage truck began. Even if someone dialed 911 the instant the banging started, that wasn't anywhere near enough time for a dispatcher to inform a patrol car that was in the area, even the same street. Furthermore, if police were on the same street and close enough to the vicinity of gunshots to hear them, they wouldn't pull up with sirens blaring, as is standard procedure in such situations as sirens alert their presence, which is tactically dangerous in a shooting in progress. Sirens are for alerting citizens to Police/Emergency services presence to avoid traffic accidents when needing to travel fast. Anyhow, gun shots have a much shorter duration, and the pitch, transients, intensity and spread of the timbre was nothing at all like a gun shot. The changes of a sound through it's duration including the onset and offset, is all wrong and doesn't come close to the unique timbre of a gun shot. The fast duration, and popping thud of a firearm is about as unique as a sound gets. Moreover, the sirens you heard were standard ambulance sirens(blower/growler/wail) not police sirens(yelp), though certain areas in the USA do use different sirens. Nonetheless, what you heard was irrefutably not a gunshot.
Moreover, I just isolated an air horn starting at 4:08, which means the sirens came from an ambulance or firetruck, as ambulances and firetrucks use an air horn to startle idiots that don't respond to the siren. Police do not use genuine air horns ua-cam.com/video/pfKmTlfnnww/v-deo.html.
That aint even dumb, its bananas. Love this guy!
2:46
Replay button
that slap was AMAZING
More strings, more problems. I can dig that. I especially liked how he said 'you can't cheat on a 4'. I feel like a bolt of wisdom just went through my brain ⚡ 🧠
i was so confused when he pulled out that fodera and saying it was a bad bass purchase. then kept watching and was like ooohhhh i see
Thank you for this..I played 4 for years.. Went to 6 because I got into soloing and wanted that c.. Now I play a 5 tuned up eadgc.. It's perfect
that'd some nice playing man! and good info!
I always learn something new...Why? because you make so much sense. I find this same mentality with conga players. LOL... Thank you.
Great video bro!👍🏽
Here’s my true and funny story:
I started out playing a 4 string bass.One time i went to a gig and just before i got in,one of the guys in the band told me there’s a 6 string bass inside the venue so I don’t have to play with my 4 string.
Me being young and wanting to impress,I left my 4 string in the car.When we started playing,my fingers where struggling to find the notes-I was confused as crazy.i couldn’t even play the simple songs!
It got so bad that the owner of the 6 string came on stage and asked if could rather play for my band since I was struggling.I gave him the bass and went to sit down and watch my band play!Hahaha!
It was one of the most embarrassing moments.
Lesson learned.
Yoooo I would never go back after that 🤣 I can’t even imagine
@@leviathan0232 😂 I was really embarrassed.
I switched to a five pretty early on. Never looked back, and I love the notes below E, so useful! I never bring a four out for anything anymore.
"That ain't even dumb to me, that is just bananas."
"You felt getting a five would make you more important," that's a pretty good quote, too. I sat in at a jazz club in Kansas City one time, and the bass was a 6 string. After I finished, several people complimented me on my unusual ideas when soloing. I was playing on the wrong strings!
Lol
If you REALLY want a 5 string, just tune your bass to BEAD
KOUKI you’re gonna have to change out the strings for thicker gauge and then back to the original gauge if you want E standard again
Spanish Ginger a lot cheaper than a new bass. So still valid advice
NO YOU DON'T HAVE A 5 STRING. YOU JUST HAVE A 4 STRING TUNE BEAD.
No....now you have a detuned 4 string.....No comparison.
Love it , I only play 4s
The late great Mark Sandman had the best take on this he was known for playing 2 string slide bass and when he was asked about it and why he only used two he simply answered “oh 2 strings is sheer extravagance on my part as every note is on one string”
Pretty expensive Fodera mistake to boot
Guitar player here. My seven string is looking at me like 'mmmhm'...
I'd listen to this guy over the fence all day. Turn it up!
"Its the old stuff that stood the test of time"
This is why I'm shooting photos on film and recording on 16 track reel to reel with a mixing board and all outboard gear in my basement studio.
Johnny this is great advise. “It’s the old stuff that endure the test of time” is the reason I still shoot a film camera which it’s older than my parents. Still going strong. In Johnny’s voice “I love you girl” loool
When you play some of that headbanging heavy metal, a 4 strings absolutely sucks for sounding correct.
When your other 2 guitarists have a 7 strings or an 8 string. You need to match their lower range and get those brutal breakdowns 🤘🏼😤
cliff. burton.
An 8 string guitar is F#, therefore use the standard E string, hence a 5 string is enough. Works for Dick Lovgren.
It’s for when a guitarist thinks he’s Hendrix and tunes to Eb and you really don’t feel like tuning down
HAHA! So true. I've been asked "why don't you play a 5 string?", and "Don't you like his bass (guy with 5 string)?" I'm like, I only play 4 strings because I like them. I've tried them, 5 and 6, and I don't like them. Too many strings.
Gregg Johnson ..funny stuff
Exploration is super important throughout musical development. Lower octaves provide a range that can be navigated with familiarity yet feel "new" or "outside" of what everyone else is doing. Even, beyond that, what's wrong with exploring a higher string, instead of the low B. Bass player's like melody too.