Relative String Tension (4-string vs. 5-string)

[Stylee Mousse]

Thanks [also to everyone above], I'm guessing it's mostly a perception thing. It's been a long time since I've played a 5-string bass, and plucking an E-string that's next to a low-B feels much different. Could also be slight differences in setup, i.e. relief, etc. It's a nice sounding bass, it just currently doesn't feel as snappy and immediate under the fingers as the BBP34. I'll continue to fiddle with the setup.

I’m also inclined towards the suggestions made re neck relief and nut height. It may make sense to have a pro set both up, together, and ask them to match them.

also pointing out the additional psychological factor: if the basses were by different manufacturers and looked different I suspect this would bug you less.

during the few months that I owned a identical make/year/color backup to my main bass I couldn’t stand it. Weighed more, had less contour to the body cutouts and worse action. I couldn’t get it to be as good no matter what I tried and it drove me barking mad.

 

[Five or Six]

I never play the original strings, they are usually crap. I do a complete setup only with the new strings. Couple of things if the feel isn't desirable. Change brands if you know what's on as original or, change gauges. If you are used to a 4 string setup a 5 might just feel "floppy "? Good luck.

Edit, sorry I got the quote in the wrong place. Late night!

Per Yamaha, BBP34 comes with EXL170s, BBP35 comes with EXL170-5s, so should be same gauge. Sure no one changed the strings?

 

[sumeursault]

I have a theory about this. A 5-string puts a significant amount of additional tension on the whole assembly. Is it possible that what I'm feeling is an ever-so-slight amount of give in the neck when plucking the lower strings due to the neck being slightly under stabilized?

 

[BruceWane]

I have a theory about this. A 5-string puts a significant amount of additional tension on the whole assembly. Is it possible that what I'm feeling is an ever-so-slight amount of give in the neck when plucking the lower strings due to the neck being slightly under stabilized?

Could be.

Wood is not a highly consistent material. You can build two identical basses, using the wood from the same tree, and it's likely that they'll sound/feel a little different. If not a lot different. So it may be that the 5's neck is made of maple that is a little less stiff than the 4.

Need to consider the neck profiles; it may be that the neck on the 4 is a little beefier than the 5. It's pretty common for 5 string necks to be a little thinner (front-to-back) than 4 string necks to keep the neck of the 5 from feeling "chunky" due to the additional width. So there may not really be that much more wood in the 5 string neck, and you have the added tension of the 5th string, resulting in the neck flexing more as the strings swing back and forth.

All that said, I would check the tension on 5's truss rod. Make sure that it's at least moderately tight. This may result in too little relief, so you may need to raise the bridge saddles a bit to compensate. Not optimal, but at least you can check to see if this results in a stiffer feel. Also check to make sure the neck bolts are tight.

 

[sumeursault]

Could be.

Wood is not a highly consistent material. You can build two identical basses, using the wood from the same tree, and it's likely that they'll sound/feel a little different. If not a lot different. So it may be that the 5's neck is made of maple that is a little less stiff than the 4.

Need to consider the neck profiles; it may be that the neck on the 4 is a little beefier than the 5. It's pretty common for 5 string necks to be a little thinner (front-to-back) than 4 string necks to keep the neck of the 5 from feeling "chunky" due to the additional width. So there may not really be that much more wood in the 5 string neck, and you have the added tension of the 5th string, resulting in the neck flexing more as the strings swing back and forth.

All that said, I would check the tension on 5's truss rod. Make sure that it's at least moderately tight. This may result in too little relief, so you may need to raise the bridge saddles a bit to compensate. Not optimal, but at least you can check to see if this results in a stiffer feel. Also check to make sure the neck bolts are tight.

Darn, and I even played two of the same basses in the store with the same amp, etc., before buying. Went back and forth between them and they ultimately seemed to play so similarly that I chose based on color.