Does anyone here care about 5 strings?

the mojo hobo · June 20, 2013, 06:27:52 AM

New Gibson EB 5 String:

http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/BAEB5N5CH-13/sn115030370

I'm guessing the Completest Kollektor will have to have one.

Highlander · June 20, 2013, 07:21:18 AM

Surely not...

amptech · June 20, 2013, 08:04:35 AM

Ah, just another little brother of the EB-6....

gearHed289 · June 20, 2013, 09:00:54 AM

I've actually TRIED to convince myself that I could use a 5 string over the past couple of years, but I just can't really find a use for one. I might convert my Paul to BEAD some day. The EB looks pretty good, but I'm tired of the cheapo finishes Gibson is putting out there nowadays.

Dave W · June 20, 2013, 10:08:16 AM

The natural satin finish on Uwe's EB Bass I had here for a few months was nice enough. I question whether it would look as nice on the colored finishes. OTOH Sweetwater's description of this (obviously) natural one says "fireburst vintage gloss" so maybe they have changed the finish. Or maybe it's an error.

the mojo hobo · June 20, 2013, 11:23:24 AM

Maybe it said that because I had just looked at the Fireburst one and the finish does not look good at all on it. Has wood filler gone out of favor?

leftybass · June 20, 2013, 11:54:00 AM

I don't recall ever even TOUCHING a 5-string bass.

planetgaffnet · June 20, 2013, 12:31:10 PM

I've owned several (Warwick/Bongo/DJ5), but they're all gone. About 18 months ago, I bought an Indian Sunn Mustang bass (effectively a Precision bass copy), refinished it and it's strung BEAD. Good enough for those moments when I need a B-String wobble. As far as the EB goes, eeew.
P

Highlander · June 20, 2013, 01:49:52 PM

Strung my headless Jack BEAD... still not used the beast... going back to normally aspirated...

Five strings... six strings... eight, twelve, ERB... thereby lies Dante's Inferno... (give up all hope, all ye who pass this point...)

TBird1958 · June 20, 2013, 04:29:13 PM

I keep thinking I should have a Studio 5er 'Bird

But I'm not paying the 6k ebay idiot!

Hörnisse · June 20, 2013, 05:38:51 PM

My only 5 string is an early 90's Carvin Bunny Brunel. If you play in a cover band that plays anything current it is a big help.

the mojo hobo · June 20, 2013, 06:16:01 PM

Actually, I just bought an LB-75 a week ago because I started playing with some younger guys who play stuff that asks for that low C and D.. I'd really like to buy a new EB bass, but for the same money I can have two very nice used Carvins.

godofthunder · June 21, 2013, 03:57:16 AM

I can't get excited about a fiver lord knows I've tried. I'd go shop for one and come home depressed, not the usually feeling one gets shopping for a bass. I built a Warmoth fender bird and strung it BEAD, it certainly filled the need at the time but I eventually sold it to someone in Sweden I think. These days it's all 4 bangers onstage, if I want any low notes I may step on my micro pog twice a night.

patman · June 21, 2013, 07:43:52 AM

BEAD works fine for me, but I still have to think...a standard four banger will play itself pretty much without thinking.

I just bought the GHS Precision flatwounds 5 set to try on my Precision...hope a flatwound B sounds ok. It'll be a new adventure.

Pilgrim · June 21, 2013, 08:22:28 AM

I like to say that my fingers aren't smart enough to play more than 4 strings. But the truth is that I see no need to playing surf, classic rock or blues. There might be a rare occasion where I'd tune the E to D for a specific number, but if that happened often I'd buy a trop-tuner and keep it to 4 strings.