Five string bass

[Brian Gygi <bgygi@xxxxxxxxx>]

Arturo Camacho wrote:
> Pierre,
>
> What about the lowest note in a 5-string bass B=30.9 Hz? When I hear a
> 5-string bass playing this note I am pretty sure I hear that pitch. One
> way I could prove it to myself is by playing B one octave above (B=61.8
> Hz) and then B=30.9 Hz right after. I am pretty sure I would hear an
> interval of an octave between them (I have been musician all my life so I
> am pretty confident I know how an octave sounds like). Therefore, I
> conclude I can hear a pitch of 30.9.
>
> I guess any bass player would agree with me. Otherwise, why do they bother
> paying more for that extra string?
>
> Arturo
>
>   
Dear Arturo,

Why do they pay extra (I guess I should say we, since I owned one once) 
for  the extra string?  Because it looks cool!  The only four string 
bass players now are guys who are going for the "retro" look.  In fact, 
now you need at least a six-string bass to have cred.  I tried to get 
people interested once in a 32-string bass, the lowest notes of which 
would crack concrete and cause submarines to divert course 3,000 miles 
away.  Alas, it was declared a public hazard.

Brian