Five String Basses Are the Future. Here's Why

Strong opinion: the orchestral bass world needs to move toward purpose-built five string basses, and we need to talk about it.Gary breaks down why C extensions — while still widely used and something we continue to install — may not be the best long-term path forward. Why many five strings have not been working as well as they could. (hint: they're conversions, not purpose-built)The string tension mismatch problem nobody talks about — and how fixing the E string was a pivotal moment for this bassWhy playing in the C extension range is genuinely bad for your shoulder, scapula, and neckFingerboard width, bridge arc, and what a properly set up five string actually needsThe mental shift required to play and hear in five stringsWhy the US industry is behind, and what it'll take to catch upWe're continuing to refine neck dimensions, fingerboard roundness, and string isolation to get five strings where they need to be. The technology is there. The will needs to follow.If you're dealing with shoulder or neck pain from playing up high, or you've tried a five string and been disappointed — this one's for you.