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. In this video, I break 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 fail (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 bass Why playing in the C extension range is genuinely bad for your shoulder, scapula, and neck Fingerboard width, bridge arc, and what a properly set up five string actually needs The mental shift required to play and hear in five strings Why five-string orchestra basses are rare in the US, and what it'll take to catch up We'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.