5-String Bass?

[HumanSickness]

I have been debating getting a 5-string bass, because both my band and the guy who is teaching me how to play bass is recomending it. I was curious though, what kind of genre do you use 5-string basses in? I play alot of metal, would it be good for that? If not, would else could I use it for?

[tylerxfury]

thats definitely very metal-useful
the extended low range will help you,
especially if youre into metalcore, grindcore, deathcore, etc
its not a necessity to anything, but it definitely adds to the intensity of some hardcore music

[paul999]

I use 5-string in Metal, rock, country, folk and you name it. It has become necessary and not a bonus. It is not a fad. IMO

[garageband]

As a long-time four-string user, there are times I wish I had a five-string rather than tuning down and having to think/transpose. I like the neck comfort and balance of the four-string, though, and probably will just deal with it. If I was starting out, I'd definitely get on the five-string train.

[HumanSickness]

Thanks for the replies, I usually have my bass down tuned to either D or C, so having the lower string sounds like it might help, Thanks!

[gs1800]

Having a lower range will always help if you know how to use it.

If you play drop D you can play probably most of your riffs using the B string, anyway I think it is usefull if you are going to use it, I love 5 string basses, but also have 4 string and enjoy them two.

For a rock/hard rock band I think 5 strings are great, you can always fill that lower space of emphacyse (I don't know if this is the way to write it, sorry) any line with that low end.

It is very personal, I think you should try one and check how confortable you are with it. If you have some in mind or the money you can spend let us know so we can recommend some nice 5 string

Regards from Argentina!

Santiago

[Husky Band]

I've been playing 5 for about 15 yrs now. You can play any type of music with a 5 you play with a 4. The low B string makes a lot of stuff easier to play, especially stuff in the Eb, D, etc.

[kevmove02]

Before you make the transition, think about why the 5 (and 6) string bass is even necessary. While Luthiers dabbled with 4+ strings on a bass, it didn't become necessary until the bass synth came to prominence. Almost overnight, producers and engineers almost exclusively used the deeper tones that only a bass synth could achieve. Even more frightening was the invention of keyboard controller that was worn like a guitar and even shaped like a guitar. Suddenly, studio musicians who earned a living playing bass found their phones had gone silent.

Not willing to go quietly into the night, the bass world responded. You want deeper tones? Well I got a Low B now. Need me to go higher? Here is a High C.

Of course, the advantages extend beyond just low tone. Multi octave runs expanded the musical palette and creativity of those who embraced the extended range. However, far too many get the 5 string just to say that have one. My advice is to decide if the bulk of the music you play requires the dark of a sound. If not, save you pennies and invest in something else, like lessons or something else. If you see yourself using the low b as more than just a convenient thumb rest, then go for it.

[Husky Band]

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[P.P.T.]

How does this work on recordings?

A low E is in the 40 hz range and a low D is around 37hz.
Most speakers don't go that low so the listener is hearing the 1st harmonic instead of the fundamental.
Is there really an advantage to this?

I suppose you will hear the fundamental, though at a grealy reduced volume.
As you go down he scale eventually it will sound like you jumped up an octave as you reach below what the speakers can reproduce and hearing switches to the 1st harmonic.