Electric 5 string vs. 4 string

April 2, 2005 at 02:36 AM · Jeffrey,

A 5-string electric can be very helpful as for range, but in my experience, is also significantly heavier than their 4-string counterparts. My personal taste would be to stick to a 4 string, but everyone has their different preferences!

Alex

April 2, 2005 at 05:23 AM · If she likes lower instruments like viola and cello, I'd say definitely go for the 5 string. If not... she can probably do without. :)

I'm 18 and looking into getting an electric, mostly to record songs I'm composing that I'd to like a "different" sound. An electric that is 4 strings can be a difference of $200 compared to 5, but after I tried a 5 string, I just couldn't imagine getting one without that lovely, deep C string. To get an electric that's only 4 wouldn't be worth it to me. But I think if she is only going to have one to play around with and practice on with headphones, five strings aren't at all necessary, and it won't be found lacking. Also, "heavy" would never be a word I'd use for any electric violins I've tried. The five string electrics I've played on were considerably lighter than my four string regular violin. I can't imagine, with all the small shapes electric violins come in now, that your daughter would find them heavy. Take care!

April 3, 2005 at 02:33 AM · Jenni,

If you like the "lovely, deep C string", then ditch the violin and become a violist.

Also, what was that Heifetz thing about???

April 4, 2005 at 03:19 AM · Jeffery,

I recently purchased a Ned Steinburger 5-string violin, because I was asked to do some work with local bands. I too was debating between a 4-string and 5-string. I experimented with both, but decided I liked the range the 5-string had to offer, and I loved the deep, rich tones of the C string. Beware though...it's quite a bit different than playing a standard violin. I'm not sure if this applies to all electric 5-string models, but my fingerboard is quite a bit wider, because there needs to be extra room for the additional string. Also, the strings are spaced slightly closer together. I've realized that I can't relate the 5-string and my regular violin, because there are so many differences between the two. I have to see them as two completely different instruments. I am very happy with the dicision I made of getting the 5-string instead of the 4-string, but the 5-string is used only for genres other than classical. Good luck with your search! -Jess