![]() ![]() Chances are that if you enjoy metal, you also enjoy many sub-genres of it. Notably, this is also a big reason some metal bassists opt for 6-strings in genres like progressive metal. This is a big advantage if you are a melodic player or are looking to play solos. As the deepest string is usually tuned similarly between 4 and 5 basses in metal, this means that the 5-string offers more high range. An extra string gives you more flexibility in your playing. This can make it easier to master and control your instrument than constantly having to tune a 4-string. Some songs will require a drop tuning, but in general, you can play most metal songs on a 5-string without tuning your instrument. Metal bands often tune their instruments down to various tunings, such as C# standard. While the right 4-string will work for metal, the 5-string does hold some advantages over the 4-string. What is the advantage of a 5 string bass in metal? Other bassists that play in B tuning just opt to play a 5 or 6-string instead. Ibanez, Squier, and Schecter are all great brands that produce more robust basses for this purpose. Thus, it is often a preferable choice to purchase a 4-string that is designed to be played in BEAD. You might also need to re-cut the nut on your bass. It is thus common to purchase a set of strings intended for a 5-string and not use the G string at all. You also need a set of thicker bass strings. Tuning a typical 4-string bass this way might require you to tighten the truss rod on your bass in order to get less bow. 4-string basses are commonly tuned 2 and a half steps higher than this tuning. These bassists tune their basses BEAD (or similar). What is important to note is that these players all use basses and strings that are suited for the lower B tuning. However, many bassists that tune down to B, do in fact use 4-strings. Thus, on the surface, a 5-string seems like a natural choice for genres like death metal, black metal, and progressive metal where instruments are typically tuned down. This way, you will be able to make an informed choice on whether a 5-string is right for you as a metal bassist or not.Ī 5-string bass is not objectively better for metal than a 4-string, it is a stylistic choice.Ĥ-string basses are normally tuned EADG, while 5-strings are tuned BEADG, which offers a deeper range. Therefore, I`ve written this article to showcase why some metal bassists play 5-strings and others don`t. The downside is that it can feel cumbersome for younger players, and they tend to be more expensive than 4-string basses. The 5-string can be a great beginner instrument, and will for the most part make down-tuned songs easier to play. While a 5-string bass is not a necessity to play metal, it can however often be a better choice than a 4-string. In sub-genres that utilize deeper tunings, many bassists opt for a 5-string as it has more range and flexibility than the 4-string. ![]() Given that you are providing the low end in a genre that already is heavy, do you need a 5 string bass for metal?Īs a general rule, you do not need a 5-string bass to play metal and for most genres of metal, a 4-string is sufficient. During this time, there was a question I got asked on a regular basis. Playing in a melodic death metal band was thus an amazing experience for me. One of my favorite things to do as a bassist is to play low and fast. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |