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What direction should I go in?
Go fretless! 33%  33%  [ 1 ]
Go five string! 33%  33%  [ 1 ]
Don't do either 33%  33%  [ 1 ]
Find a five string fretless! 0%  0%  [ 0 ]
Total votes : 3
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Post subject: What's your opinion on my next step?
Posted: Fri Jun 12, 2009 9:35 am
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Ok, so I have a four string MIM Fender Jazz. It's the perfect bass for just about anything I need it for. I've been feeling adventurous lately, though. I'm contemplating either going five string or going fretless (both Fender). I have about a year of bass experience, two years of theory knowledge, and about 3 years of guitar experience. Based on the fretless vs five string options, I've put together some pros and cons-

Five string pros-
- Not too much of a jarring change. I could jump in right away.
- Less position changes, so it's a benefit for everything I play
- I hate downtuning, so tuning down would never be a problem again
- Five string basses seem to be the direction the industry is going in.

Five string cons-
- Honestly, am I really ever going to use that fifth string? I'm a big rock and classic metal guy but I also like to write my own music.
- No MIM Precision or PJ five string is available, which is a bummer.
- Relatively large neck when transitioning from a Jazz, though my hands are pretty normal sized.

Fretless pros-
- Nothing says credibility like pulling out a fretless instrument and having perfect intonation.
- Would help with transition to double bass, if I were to feel like going in that direction.

Fretless cons-
- No MIM Precision or PJ fretless is available, which is a bummer.
- I most definitely don't have perfect pitch, so the learning curve would be pretty large.
- Honestly, is learning fretless going to be worth it for me? I know Zep and some other rock bands have utilized fretless, and glissando sounds neat in a composition, but will I ever utilize it otherwise?


I think there are some Fender five string fretless basses out there from previous years, but that option seems to inherit all the cons along with the pros.


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Post subject:
Posted: Sat Jun 13, 2009 4:29 am
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IMO Get a 4-string P-bass and be done with it.








And get a fretless bass too.


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:15 pm
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I've never seen anyone playing a 5 string Double Bass. I wonder why?

Yeah, "playing in perfect intonation" is harder than it sounds. LOL again!

Get a grip on what you want to play and what sounds you want to make. Go from there.

I'd go for the Fretless over the 5 string myself because I already know that absolutely and positively a 5 string bass is NOT meant for me. Your mileage may vary.


Good luck!


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Post subject:
Posted: Thu Jun 18, 2009 1:27 pm
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Sorry it is your first post and I forgot to welcome you! SO WELCOME! That was a well organized post. Obviously you were on the debate team.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 2:56 pm
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Welcome to the Forums...hey you did mention metal in your description, I would say 5 string...I got an el cheapo Squier, active pups - I know BrotherDave is not big on actives, but I am :D - transition time is about 2 weeks of playing apx 30 min per day. All those Maiden tunes I play, I play lower that Steve Harris ;) cuz of the 5 string. Your call tho. Mine are just like everyone else's, opinion, you gotta spend the dough :lol:

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'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
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'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
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Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:13 pm
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PowerJazzBass wrote:
I know BrotherDave is not big on actives, but I am :D


PJB, I actually do play an active bass (Ibanez SRX700 neck-through with two MusicMan style pups) and often it is number 2 at gigs...which incidentally are getting rarer and rarer. Maybe we should go to congress for a Musician's Bailout Plan!

When I bought a 5 string I bought the 5 string version of my active 4 string and it just wasn't for me. Like I said your mileage may vary and maybe you were born for a 5 string, but I wasn't.

The active works fine on some things but most of the time I prefer a passive bass. They just sound more organic and earthy to me.


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Post subject:
Posted: Fri Jun 19, 2009 6:09 pm
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brotherdave wrote:
PowerJazzBass wrote:
I know BrotherDave is not big on actives, but I am :D



The active works fine on some things but most of the time I prefer a passive bass. They just sound more organic and earthy to me.


I hear ya BrotherDave... :lol: I do like the VM with it's old style growl, I was going to put EMG HZs on it but the sound has really grown on me, especially with my set up now - Hartke 5000 Transient Attack, with 210XL & 115XL cabs - coming soon 2 210XL w/ 2 115XL cabs :wink:

_________________
Rez(# 30916)
'89 Power Jazz Bass Special-BadAssIII, EMG P/J
Project PBass-EMG PX, Schaller BM Light Tuner
'05 Aerodyne JBass
'06 Spector Legend Custom Neck Through
VT Bass
Hartke TA5000 w/XL Cabs(210, 410, 115)


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