Why buy a five string guitar bass?!
Question: Almost every one I've seen play one, Don't even bother using that fifth string. To me four is great. If you know how to play you can get ample sound from a four string.
Answers: Almost every one I've seen play one, Don't even bother using that fifth string. To me four is great. If you know how to play you can get ample sound from a four string.
That is a good question! There are some people who (like you said) only buy it because it looks cooler, or it's some kind of status symbol thing. But there is good reason to have the 5th string. It is a low B string, so it gives you the opportunity to hit notes below the low E, which sometimes come in handy, particularly when the song you're playing is in the key of D.
As far as if you will actually use it- that depends on a couple of different things.
I personally like having a 5-string because I do alot of improvisation on multiple strings, so it helps to have an extra string to go low on.
I have played Ibanez basses for quite some time now. I started on a 4 string and it had a tiny neck radius, so small that it actually hurt my hand to play it. I moved up to an Ibanez 6-string and I liked the width of the neck for a while, but I eventually realized that it was a little bit too wide, and I wasn't using the high C string (the 6th). I upgraded to a better Ibanez 5-string and I love it. It is the perfect width.
I usually don't go below the low D unless I want to, but I have found that I usually need the D with the style that I play.
I would say that you really have to feel it out. You may actually find it easier to play on a 5-string. Even though it is an extra string to keep track of, having it there can help you to become more of a technical player. If you can borrow one for a while, see how it feels, and make sure that it has the electronics to be able to handle the deep lows, otherwise you either won't be able to hear the 5th string, or it will sound REALLY bad. The Ibanez Soundgear is a great sounding bass and it feels really good for a rock sound, and otherwise is pretty well-rounded. There are quite a few different models depending on how much you are able to spend. You can also check out Fender/Squire. They have some decent sounding low-priced models and GREAT sounding higher priced models.
Keep on playing. Bass players rock!
I am "old school" bass player, I've never understood the "5th" string" deal either, I guess it makes some "Bassist's" feel better, but If you can play, you only need 4 (I think the "5'th" is some kind of "C" chord) (not sure)
I don't get the ' fifth string thing ' either..I don't really get it..4 is perfectly fine..in my opinion that is..i suppose its for other things but 4 is fine don't u think?