Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 25 of 28

Thread: Why 5 string instead of 4?

  1. #1
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    The center of California
    Posts
    43

    Default Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Yeah I know probably a really dumb question. However after playing acoustic mandolin and bouzouki, (honestly I tune it like an octave mandolin.)for well lets say a long time. My style comes from a mixture of blues, jazz, rock, Motown,bluegrass. My theory comes from a classical Guitar background. The Mandolin became my main instrument after playing guitar for many years because it flows better for than guitar ever could.
    I'm getting ready to buy an electric Mandolin. I can with... practice do what ever I want to do on 8 strings. One thing about playing mandolin after playing guitar is I don't overplay any more, it was a bad habit that was easy to quit on mandolin.
    So with a decent knowledge of your fingerboard already, what can that extra low C or high string B do for you?

  2. #2
    8 Fingers, 2 Thumbs Ken Sager's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Burnsville, NC
    Posts
    1,829

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    A couple quick thoughts:

    That lower c-string gives you a broader (lower) range.
    It gives girth and depth to chords.
    It gives the instrument some heft, too, with a wider neck.
    It gives the instrument a "little guitar" look as opposed to an "electric ukulele" look.

    Just some quick thoughtless thoughts...
    Best,
    Ken
    Less talk, more pick.

  3. #3
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Mar 2008
    Location
    Duluth Mn.
    Posts
    443

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    What Ken said. And, I think , in an electric, it gives it more of an electric guitar sound. I don't play guitar, but want to sound like one on electric. I guess it depends on what type music you're going to play on it. After playing a five string electric, I can't imagine going back to 4.
    Chief. Way up North. Gibson 1917 A model with pickup. JL Smith 5 string electric. 1929 National Triolian resonator mandolin with pickup. National RM 1 with pickup. Ovation Applause. Fender FM- 60 E 5 string electric (with juiced pickups). 1950's Gibson EM-200 electric mandolin. 1954 Gibson EM-150 electric mandolin. Custom made "Jett Pink" 5 string electric- Bo Diddley slab style. Jay Roberts Tiny Moore model 5 string electric.

  4. #4
    Innocent Bystander JeffD's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Upstate New York
    Posts
    24,807
    Blog Entries
    56

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Gives more double stop harmony opportunites for melody notes on the e string or on the g string.
    A talent for trivializin' the momentous and complicatin' the obvious.

    The entire staff
    funny....

  5. #5
    Registered User Tom Wright's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jun 2010
    Location
    Rockville, MD
    Posts
    1,919
    Blog Entries
    7

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Why not? It may confuse, but that is something you can overcome. I assume any model you would buy will use ball-end strings, so there is no problem there. Since it is amplified, a big body is not necessary.

    As to why 5, low end is more generally useful than the top, since you can accompany other instruments or voices better. It means you can play complete music alone, also. It means you can play more tunes in original keys. You can play Bach cello suites in the original keys.

    Why not a mandola-tuned electric? For the ease of reaching at the shorter scale. With five fifths you have a larger open-string range than a 6-string guitar, two octaves plus a major third. This is only a half-step less than the range of a 7-string guitar.

    Check my postings of various tunes and styles with solo 5-string to see some possibilities---
    http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/se...archid=1203480
    Bandcamp -- https://tomwright1.bandcamp.com/
    Videos--YouTube
    Sound Clips--SoundCloud
    The viola is proof that man is not rational

  6. #6
    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Northeast Ohio
    Posts
    6,001
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    The lower E, F, & F# notes are used so frequently in electric rock guitar hooks and riffs, that I would think that just those three notes on the C string would make the fifth string worthwhile.

    I have a four string electric and I lament not having low registrar access to those notes.
    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
    Think Hippie Thoughts...
    Gear: The Current Cast of Characters

  7. #7
    Registered User Tom C's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Warwick, NY
    Posts
    3,985

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    I always wonder... why a play an electric mandolin if you know how to play guitar.

  8. #8
    Work in Progress Ed Goist's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2010
    Location
    Northeast Ohio
    Posts
    6,001
    Blog Entries
    3

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    The mandolin (with its tuning in fifths) makes so much more sense (to me) than the guitar!
    I'm a better mandolin player after one year than I was a guitar player after several decades!
    (Note: This is not saying much, but it's certainly true!)
    c.1965 Harmony Monterey H410 Mandolin
    "What a long, strange trip it's been..." - Robert Hunter
    "Life is too important to be taken seriously." - Oscar Wilde
    Think Hippie Thoughts...
    Gear: The Current Cast of Characters

  9. #9
    Registered User bjc's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2004
    Location
    SoNo Chesapeake, Va
    Posts
    1,252

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    I was looking for a four string, but found a used Mann 5-string...but after playing 5-string, I'd never go back...the low C string helps fill out space in a rock band and it gets into guitar range...I love doing a soundcheck and cranking out some overdriven thrash type riffs...it gets people's attention...
    PeacE
    Brian

  10. #10
    Chief Moderator/Shepherd Ted Eschliman's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Nebraska
    Posts
    4,382
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    I like the sound of the lower range, but in addition, a 5-string allows you to play two octave patterns up and down the fretboard without having to move anywhere else across or up the fretboard. I like having the mandola and mandolin voicings all in one instrument.
    Ted Eschliman

    Author, Getting Into Jazz Mandolin

  11. #11
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    The center of California
    Posts
    43

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom C View Post
    I always wonder... why a play an electric mandolin if you know how to play guitar.
    After playing guitar for 8 yrs, studying classical 3 of it. I bought a Gibson A2.
    I progressed more in a year on mandolin than I did the 8 I played guitar.
    Also I have really short fingers.

  12. #12

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    you will not get this kind of bottom end out of a 4 string . rhythm and lead both by 5 string mando plugged straight into my mesa 5:25 and a little reverb on post recording . i made the whole thing up and recorded it in a few hours so its not perfecthttp://soundclick.com/share.cfm?id=10479138

    unless you use the heavy side of the 5 string set on a 4 string

    can't believe i posted this song

  13. #13
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2002
    Location
    Outer Spiral Arm, of Galaxy, NW Oregon.
    Posts
    17,103

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    3 finger chords .. IV, I and V are all on the same fret.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  14. #14
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    The center of California
    Posts
    43

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Gentlemen, Thank you very much for the excellent info. I will be going with a 5 string. Just as soon as I can get John Mann to make me one. Thanks again.

  15. #15
    Mandol'Aisne Daniel Nestlerode's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2004
    Location
    Picardy
    Posts
    2,176
    Blog Entries
    81

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom C View Post
    I always wonder... why a play an electric mandolin if you know how to play guitar.
    I can only answer for myself...
    I can play both, but I'm better on mandolin. I'm faster, livelier, and more inventive.

    Daniel

  16. #16
    In The Van Ben Milne's Avatar
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Location
    To the left of the Southern Cross
    Posts
    1,287

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Quote Originally Posted by Tom C View Post
    I always wonder... why a play an electric mandolin if you know how to play guitar.
    I've got a somewhat small stature and the guitar just looks way too big on me.
    Hereby & forthwith, any instrument with an odd number of strings shall be considered broken. With regard to mix levels, usually the best approach is treating the mandolin the same as a cowbell.

  17. #17

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    post some pictures when you finally get your Axe . john makes some sweet looking mandos

  18. #18
    Registered User
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Location
    The center of California
    Posts
    43

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Quote Originally Posted by rico mando View Post
    post some pictures when you finally get your Axe . john makes some sweet looking mandos
    Absolutely and that he does. I've been discussing it with John over the phone.

  19. #19
    ever the bad student Alfactor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Kingston ON
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Quote Originally Posted by rico mando View Post

    can't believe i posted this song
    That is such a wonderfully grungy bit if mando-music Rico, I am leaning to getting myself a 5-string and not a mere 8-string! You and the others in this thread make the extra string a more-than- worthwhile pursuit.

  20. #20

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Hey Alfactor Thanks . be sure to check out toms arrangements on 5 -string . he is awesome . http://www.twtunes.com/pages/mando%20clips1.htm

  21. #21
    ever the bad student Alfactor's Avatar
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Location
    Kingston ON
    Posts
    8

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Thanks for the link to Tom's arrangements. I agree with you rico -- awesome is a good description! Nice playing Tom.

  22. #22
    ISO TEKNO delsbrother's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Caulifonya
    Posts
    3,098

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Rico... Did anyone ever tell you that you bear a resemblance to Henry Rollins?

  23. #23

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    you mean this guy

    and this is me

    not sure why these came out so big

  24. #24

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    maybe more like this one

  25. #25
    ISO TEKNO delsbrother's Avatar
    Join Date
    Sep 2002
    Location
    Caulifonya
    Posts
    3,098

    Default Re: Why 5 string instead of 4?

    Well, you looked [strike]angrier[/strike] more earnest with the mandolin.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •