Having bought a really nice 4-string bass a couple of months ago and thought I was done, after all, the bass I bought is freakinā fantastic!
But now Iām getting 5-curiousā¦. I posted a cover last week, where the original was recorded using a 5, meaning I had to improvise around the low notes and I was learning different song today that goes down real loooow.
Yes, I can play a higher C, a higher D, butā¦.
Help, what should I do?! š«Ø
Hipshot Bass Extender, if you donāt go lower than D!
maybe set up a 4-string in BEAD ? this has been my choice, over a 5-string. but a 5-string still has solid arguments.
We got some threads about this on the forums. For example Another 4 bass or a new 5 strings bass?
Iām also having thoughts about adding a 5 string to my collection of one. Iām trying to convince my wife and wallet that it will make sense why I need it, once I have it.
For me itās just that low, low growl of a B string that really makes me itch.
this is what I did on my 2nd P Bass about a month agoā¦Im yet to have any issues with missing the G for the songs I play on it, and now I am learning a few 5-stringer songs I had been wanting to play earlier but had to put off, so it has been fun
- just restring one of your 4-strings as BEAD.
Bead is a really good option. If you have a second bass, you can resting it for the cost of a set of strings. If you like it, go for the fiver if you still have gas
Why buy one when you can have two twice the price, 
Still is. 
I have been ā5 curiousā more times than I care to count. Each time I feel it I wind up with a new 5āer, and revel in its awesomeness. I shake the ground chugging on the open low B string.
And then I realize that I donāt really play any music that would benefit from a 5āer, so the awesome, booming low B string becomes a thumb rest. Then I eventually stop playing the 5āer and switch back to one of my 4s. Then I wind up selling the 5āer for pennies on every dollar I paid for it. 
Thanks Tim. Your second paragraph saved me from saying the same.
Iāve played 4 string basses my entire life but got asked to do some recording where a 5 string would work better. Ordinarily Iād borrow one like I have at times with a fretless but I found a really outstanding deal on one and bought it. Two years later and no longer needing that 5 string I sold it and replaced it with a similar 4 string version of the same brand. I donāt miss it.
Itās all matter of personal choice but my suggestion is to first ask yourself how often you really need to access those few notes a 5 string provides and also whether or not youāre willing to alter your approach and technique to play a 5 string because they do play differently and youāll think differently as well. Just one manās opinion but based on my own experience and wanted to share.
Cost to BEAD an existing 4-string: $20 for the 5-string set, $3 for a small round diamond file to widen nut slots if needed
Cost to downtune to Drop D: Free, takes like 10 seconds with practice
Cost for a 5-string: $hundreds minimum
That first point assumes you have a spare 4 string bass hanging around or you donāt need a g string. Otherwise the cost for a BEAD and EADG bass is about the same as EADG and BEADG.
A second 4 string is a safer investment than a fiver. Meaning if you donāt like it you can just turn it back to 4 strings and now you have basses with two tones.
Youāre call. But even if you have 1 bass, for 20 bucks, you can turn it to BEAD, give it a whirl for a few weeks, because you can play a lot without a G string, and then put your old strings on and switch it back.
And you will know if you got five string fever or not.
I still beat myself up every time I need to drop my E string that I sold my Kubicki. Itās simply the best solution for that. Youād play every other string like normal just 2 more notes at the flick of the thumb. My next custom built Iāll ask if that can be incorporated, or if I can find a great deal on a Kubicki, whichever comes first,
Thanks for all the comment!
There is a certain logic to BEAD and I do have three basses, one of which isnāt used a hell of a lot. As you all say, Iād need new stings and a new nut. Itās currently got a brass nut, so Iād not really want to file that! I guess the alternative (which the CEO/CFO wouldnāt like) would be to go and buy a cheap, second hand bass and have a bash on that. Or, go and look for a cheap, second hand 5.
The trouble with the cheap, second hand though, is they could be cr@p!
Of course, I could always go &@Ā£! it and go and buy thisā¦
ā¦but I think my wife would divorce me! 
Since you are in England, would Thomann be an option for you?
Iāve been looking a lot at their gear and I know Josh also reviewed a Harley Benton model and it came out either on top or a close second.
They even offer free shipping to England when itās over 150 quid.
