Hey bass/guitar guys

[Dmitry]

How hard would it be to add an extra string to a bass if it's even possible? Granted the whole neck/head would probably need to be replaced as well as the bridge, but are there other things that need to be replaced as well?

After asking this it's starting to not seem like a good idea or worth the time or money put in to it, but the reason behind this is just that I haven't seen any 5-strings around that I liked. Also I'm up for suggestions that any of you have played and liked.

[kuronosan]

You'd have to replace the entire neck, since you'd actually have to re-key the guitar itself in order to add a fifth string. The only other option would be to buy a key kit and restring it and jury-rig the neck... but if you mess it up you'll wish you just went and bought a 5-string in the first place.

[MisterBob]

I don't recommend it. Good luck if you're going to try it...

[Ishido]

I don't recommend it. Good luck if you're going to try it...

I just bought a new bass, although at the time my previous bass was about 4 years old. I bought an Ibanez that I like a lot, though it was about 7 years ago and I don't really remember what model.

I think it would take way too much work to add a 5th string.

[Amarok]

Definitely more work than it's worth.

[Girl]

I don't think you can do that... You'd need a new Headstock, Neck, Bridge, and Pickups. If you can pull it off, it'd probably suck. Just buy a new bass.

[izembo]

as its been said, really just a waste of time/money to try and add another string. and even then it most likely wouldnt even work properly. just find a bass, who knows itll grow on you.

[Obev]

You'd be replacing so much that it wouldn't be the same bass any more. Everything but the body would have to go, and you'd still need to cut chunks out of the existing body to fit the new neck, bridge and pickups. This isn't something you can do yourself, in my opinion. You'd need the services of a luthier, and for an alteration this extreme those services won't come cheap. By the time all that time and money is spent, you'd be better off just buying a five string.

I'd recommend ESP LTD B-205 FM. I've been playing it for five years now, and got it defretted three years ago. The defretting cost me about £70, so completely renecking and installing a new bridge and pickups is going to cost you a lot. Not a particularly antique or impressive instrument, but I like the way it plays and the active pickups have a wide enough range of sound to do everything from bebop jazz to death metal.

[kuronosan]

You'd be replacing so much that it wouldn't be the same bass any more. Everything but the body would have to go, and you'd still need to cut chunks out of the existing body to fit the new neck, bridge and pickups. This isn't something you can do yourself, in my opinion. You'd need the services of a luthier, and for an alteration this extreme those services won't com cheap. By the time all that time and money is spent, you'd be better off just buying a five string.

Basically what he said.

[sephir]

something I do when I need my guitar to be in a lower tuning is just take away the highest string. so for example a normal guitar is E A D G B E, change the strings to B E A D G B. It works well because I do do alot of stuff in that tuning but the 7 string necks are just way to big.


But as for adding a whole new string, not saying it cant be done, but I dont suggest it. My friend did it and he told me he should have sold it and bought a new bass with 5 strings for all the hassle it was worth. He didnt replace the neck, he just adjusted the action on it and it came out pretty decent.

[Guyverarmor]

get a 5-string, trust me... the hassle is noth worth it. If your gonna get one though, Might I suggest some from the Warrick or the Ibanez lines? they make good quality basses. I got a 5-tring warrick, and gives me a awsome sound

[Boyiee]

get a 5-string, trust me... the hassle is noth worth it. If your gonna get one though, Might I suggest some from the Warrick or the Ibanez lines? they make good quality basses. I got a 5-tring warrick, and gives me a awsome sound

It's more about what you are playing through and with what pickups 90% of the time when it comes to sound... but god please don't try and add a string lol just get a cheap 5string.

[Kooldac]

get a 5-string, trust me... the hassle is noth worth it. If your gonna get one though, Might I suggest some from the Warrick or the Ibanez lines? they make good quality basses. I got a 5-tring warrick, and gives me a awsome sound

which model if I may add? I've been wanting one for awhile and am still debating if its a need/dream so far. Hopefully someday.

[Guyverarmor]

http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/_corv ... rd_s5.html thats the model I have,

[Kooldac]

very sexy

[Dmitry]

http://www.warwickbass.com/basses/vampyre_darklord.htm
^ That one looks pretty cool and has the lower range I was looking for. Only problem is that it's not really my style

I was really hoping I could find a 5 string thunderbird for less than $1k but it doesn't look like that's gonna happen.

[Dmitry]

So now that we're past me leaving my instruments alone, let's talk amps :D

I was just browsing musicansfriend and I found this, which looks like a pretty good deal, but I haven't been playing bass as long and don't know a whole lot about the equipment used for it. The reviews seem to be hit or miss on the site, so I was wondering if any of you have had any experience with Crate amps in general.

[Kooldac]

Really should specify the use you are going to be getting out of it? I am going to assume you aren't in a band in which case you wont need a humongous amount of wattage. Do you have a sound room you play in? You live with parents? Live next to people like in an apartment? How loud do you really need it? I live in an apartment on the 2nd story. I have a little 15 W one that puts out WAYYYYY more than needed. Are you looking at that amp for its wattage or features? all questions you gota ask yourself.

[Dmitry]

Yeah, those would probably help.

The reason I'm looking for something with more power is because our guitarist just got I believe a 100w Marshall amp which totally drowns me out when we get together since I can choose from my 15w Epiphone bass amp or my 25w Dansville guitar amp. We don't have a sound room we play in either, just an extra room in the basement. Also, I wouldn't be using it to practice with since I have the smaller one that won't piss my parents off. The features are kind meh because I'm not really a big fan of distortion on bass but the tuner would be really nice, also having the CD input and headphone out would be good for when I need to be quiet.

Also I've never had any experience with cabinets before. Do you need a head to use them or can you just plug it in like a normal amp with the head just giving more power?