BeZo
Well-known member
There are two reasons to play a 5 string bass, and they are somewhat genre specific. One is when th bass gets to stand on it's own outside of the guitar tone in a band/mix. These are usually not rock or metal bands, but funk, R&B, pop, and such. It gives you the freedom to walk down instead of up.
The other is in heavy music where the guitars tune down or use extended scale guitars. Since the bass is blended in with the guitar tones, the bass needs to match the tuning of the guitars.
I only played my Spector Euro 5 Fretless for the few years I played bass in the 7 string band. I thought about using it with my last band, but being in standard D meant a low A, and I didn't really ever need it. I prefer a 4 string for rock and metal, providing nobody is playing drop J sharp on an 8 string.
The other is in heavy music where the guitars tune down or use extended scale guitars. Since the bass is blended in with the guitar tones, the bass needs to match the tuning of the guitars.
I only played my Spector Euro 5 Fretless for the few years I played bass in the 7 string band. I thought about using it with my last band, but being in standard D meant a low A, and I didn't really ever need it. I prefer a 4 string for rock and metal, providing nobody is playing drop J sharp on an 8 string.