Let us know...do you play a 4, 5, 6, 7 string or more?

3 or 4 4s, a 5, 6 & 7.

Edit: I didn't vote- I don't really consider any of these to be my primary ax. I like them all, though most listeners seem to prefer me to use the 5(MIA passive Fender Jazz).

haven't played a 6 yet... so i gotta say 4.

Don't think I'll ever go 5 though... might as go one more string.

never been a fan of 5s. 4s have always been my primary basses, but I hope to someday own 6 & above. I would own a 6 right now if MusicMan or Fender made one, but considering you either have to go lesser-known brand or several-thousand-dollar ax, I don't own a 6 or above right now.

i've played 5's and 6's in guitar stores and just never liked them enough to buy them... everything i own or have every own if a 4 string and i think thats they way its going to stay.

do you play a 4, 5, 6, 7 string

yes... with 6 string fretless being my main.

Your not going to get real good data. I own both 4's and 5's and play them both. I would guess a lot of 5 and 6 string palyers own at least 1 4 string. Not all.

I have a 5 right now, and am waiting for a Carvin 6 fretless to try out. I don't own a 4 at all, and am not sure I will. Granted a Fender Jazz is always tempting (and I'm intrigued by Fender Urge II). But at the end of the day, I have to say that a 6 (especially fretless) is highly preferred.

I'm a 4 player. I've never tried a 5+ that I liked as much as my EMG Active 72 Jazz and never had the kind of money to go experimenting. I also have a 4 string Cargill Custom fretless which I absolutely adore.

Too old to change and never been given a good enough reason to.

I play a 4, but I miss the low B on my fretless.

I feel most comfortable on a 4.

there should have been an option for multiple voting. I play a fretted 4 and fretless 5 string. I may play my 4 a little more often than the 5, but that doesn't mean it isn't as important to me. But my next form of G.A.S is going to be a fretted 6 string to use as my main bass.

But since my go-to bass is currently my MIJ '75 Reissue Jazz, I'll vote 4 sting.

yes... with 6 string fretless being my main.
I'm in the same situation as James ....... :cool:

I never have owned one, But the 8 (4srings with an extra behind it) and 12 (two strings behind the main 4) string basses are pretty darn amazing.

I currently play a 5, but I'm dying to get a 6.

Played all of the mentioned, I prefer the good old 4, I play best on that format.

Five string basses are perfect for my hands and ears. I've no use for or interest in anything else. :bassist:

An amateur practices until he gets it right,
A professional practices until he never gets it wrong (anon)

That is a great quote.

Tough choice, 4's are more comfy to me, but 5's are more versatile.

I only own one four stringer, so I had to vote "4".

However I do eventually plan on getting a custom 7 stringer made and possibly buying a sixer.

I say bass is bass man. Ive got 4's,5's, 6's, and am in the process of aquiring a 7...then an 8...then...a 9.....and then............... If it kicks you in your gut who cares. Some people have this notion that only four strings are the proper bass and "real bass players can do everything on four strings"....Guffaw i say..guffaw!!

In the immortal words of Patrick Henry, "Give me a 6er, or give me death!" (or something like that. heh heh...). :bassist:

6 and 7 string, by being a 6er my main instrument

Let us know...do you play a 4, 5, 6, 7 string or more?
4, 5, 6 & 8 but mainly 5s and 6s..

A few years ago I said that I was a die-hard 4 stringer, but I later ate those words after I got my first 5er.

It took me about 3 months to get completely comfortable with a 5 string, but now whenever I play my 4 strings I feel a bit restricted.

I've played a few 6ers, but haven't yet felt the need to buy one, but that could change at any time.

I will never say never. ;)

Mike

I've pretty much decided to stick to 4's after experimenting with a couple of 5's (traded the last one in for a MIM P) and a 4 strung BEAD. B strings just aren't for me.

Though I am seriously pondering a jazz or MM/J 5'er just so I won't ever have to downtune to get into a band.

i am a 5 stringer at heart.

i own two 5's, one 4, and one 6 string

Lower is gooder, you can keep all your plinkity high strings, thanks.

When I got my first 5 I brought a 4 with it to the first 2 gigs just in case I got all chickenshoot. I have not brought out a 4 banger since unless it's the essex beater p-bass with DM2s for the rare jam night.

There is nothing like dropping that low B bomb in just the right spot.

My secret dream is a fully voiced 5 string upright.

Exclusively 5-string basses! Everything else feels very strange for me. Yup.

I have a 4 and a 5... tend to play the 4 more often than the 5, but that has more to do with the type of music I play rather than preference... so I voted 4-string... but I luv 'em both! Doubt I'd ever go for a 6 or more... :hmm:

5. Love the low B, rarely play on G so I don't need a 6. 5 is perfect for my style for the time being.

What I play depends on the song or set, and if I have time to switch basses. I usualy have two of these with me:

Fretted 4 J/J w/U Retro Deluxe
Fretted 4 P/J w/Bart NTMB
Fretted 4 P w/Raven Labs PBR-1
Fretted 5 SB/SB w/Bart NTMB (any one of many)
Fretless 6 SB/SB w/Bart NTMB
Fretted 6 SB/SB w/Bart NTMB
(I sold my fretless 5, but am making a replacement)

and if the set calls for it, I'll also bring along any of these

Azola Bug II EUB
El Capitan 5 EAB
Kramer 80's alum neck 8-string

as I also build basses for a hobby, chances are I'll have my current project out for an initial test run at practice, or a full-on test run for a low profile set

The Azola is on a custom stand I made, and allows me to walk up and add arco/pizz within a song in places where the tune also calls for an electric

All the best,

R

I play 4s, the nicest basses I've played have been 5s (Alembic, F, Zon), and my favorite number of strings is 6. I think a 6 string F-Bass would make me need to change my pants. Just looking at it up close would probably do it.

I think a 6 string F-Bass would make me need to change my pants. Just looking at it up close would probably do it.

HAHAHAHAHA

Some people have this notion that only four strings are the proper bass and "real bass players can do everything on four strings"....Guffaw i say..guffaw!!Rabble! Rabble Rabble!

I play 6, but I would definitely look into 7's if any stores carried them, if only to be as cool as JT:D

Rabble! Rabble Rabble!

I play 6, but I would definitely look into 7's if any stores carried them, if only to be as cool as JT:D
Buy this from me:

http://www.nehp.net/~coe1/Basses/8red4.jpg

And you too can be as cool as JT!!!


:D ;)

5 strings for me, I don't hit the low B C or even D very often but I love it for the Eb and to be able to play a closed low E for better dynamic control.

Buy this from me:

And you too can be as cool as JT!!!

:D ;)


I like the red binding on the neck. Cool!

I have a fretted five and a fretless four, I prefer 5 by far and am currently trying to sell my fretless 4 to pay for a fretless 5. Any takers?

Ok, I'm surprised I'm the first to go here, but aside from my affinity w/4's I'm currently giggin' and diggin' my new 8 and I've got an endorsement deal in the works with Waterstone for a 12ver.

4 and only 4. I am too old school to play anything but a 4 string. To me its seems like blasphemy to play more than 4 strings on a bass.

Used to play 5's, now I play 6ers exclusively. Anything else feels uncivilized now.:hmm:

I was a die hard 4 string player, i tried a five string and the B just got in the way. When I decided to start playing again my old guitar player , and my cuz who also plays bass kept telling me to get a five string so I gave in. Now mind you this was the only bass I had and I kind of was forced to work with it, well now I don't know how I ever got by without the low B string. I don't think I will ever go back to playing a four sting bass.

4s and 5s.

I play 5s in my band because I need the deep B. But if you ask me what I prefer, my answer is 4s, because they are definitely more fun to play.

I should also add I usually tune my 5s E-C.

6ers are omnipotent!

It would be awesome if you carried sevens, though. I don't know any store that has them.

I'd love to try them, but.....I can't :hmm:

4 strings on my fretted and 4 strings on my fretless.

Primarilly a four, but I'm also jonesing for a sixer.

Ok,gonna piss off some people in here, don't mean to! It's just my humble opinion,a bass has 4 strings. Tuning down a half-step or so is ok, too low a frequency sounds like diareha!

Ok,gonna piss off some people in here, don't mean to! It's just my humble opinion,a bass has 4 strings. Tuning down a half-step or so is ok, too low a frequency sounds like diareha!

You are entitled to your opinion. While I don't agree with you, I am not going to get pissed off about it. But I seriously don't think the low B strings on my basses sound like poop. IMHO, of course.;)

Ok,gonna piss off some people in here, don't mean to! It's just my humble opinion,a bass has 4 strings. Tuning down a half-step or so is ok, too low a frequency sounds like diareha!

ironic response from someone who considers himself a "rebel". heh. ;)

The low B on the Roscoes are fantastic. Very, very clear in my opinion.

The low B on the Roscoes are fantastic. Very, very clear in my opinion.

Every bit as clear as the rest of the strings on the bass, to my ears.

Voted 4. I just tune to B-E-A-D cus I'm not really a fan of the G on bass (sounds to high/thin) :hiding: + I like the "looser" sound I get ;)

I prefer four. I prefer just to only have B-E-A-D strings.

A five string bass will keep you a bass player for ever.A lot of play and action on.With a six string you can step a side keep the notes rolling and drink a soda at the same if you want.With a 4 string you will be music poor.. That's my thinking for now.

The low B on the Roscoes are fantastic. Very, very clear in my opinion.

Word to that, best Ive ever played.

Right now, I play both a four and a five, but Ive owned more fives than anything. Im considering picking up a sixer sometime, when I get some more money.

Dave

Probably 5.

i play 4. i'll be playing 5 in about 3 days...:bassist:

IMHO, a 5-er fulfills all requirements for both supporting and getting on the edge too. If minimal or way too extreme is your way then choices are 1-string bass to 12-string bass, respectively. As far as describing the sound of a certain string "diarrhea" (in order to disqualify an x-stringed bass), i have the feeling that we should be talking about proper instruments here and not bellow average basses (eg a 32" low B would never sound proper i guess).

The first time I heard a 5 string I kew it was the sound for me.

4 all the way.

Five string basses are perfect for my hands and ears. I've no use for or interest in anything else. :bassist:

+1 on this one!!! i regularly use my Ibanez and have my Cort Artisan A5 as back-up... i also own a Cort Artisan A5 fretless

http://img226.imageshack.us/img226/5681/ibanezzb8.jpg
That is my main gear onstage

While I have more 4 string basses (5) I also have a 5 and a six...I play the 5 pretty much exclusively with my gig however. I voted 5. I'm looking into getting another 5 right now too...I just have to decide which way to go.:bassist:

We might be able to hel you with that Tim! Get in touch later this week man... We'll be closed tomorrow as we're just coming off a long 2 weeks with no breaks. But back in action Wednesday...and I think you have my cell #. :)

Peace!

Will do James!
I know that I have some number for you.
Enjoy your day off!:hyper:

4 and 5....my ksd 5er is my main, and i pick up either my bass collection or ibanez 4's if the mood strikes
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v611/Kubicki_heath/RIMG1579.jpg

I'm more a a four strin kind of guy, but I would like a five string someday. I dont know about a six string, and anything more than that is just for show since the neck is way too big to go crazy. Unless you just play that R&B stuff.

ya six is definetly the limit in my book, i play either a four or a six, i truely don't see a reason to buy a five (for my playing anyway) because i can get more out of my six, but my fender jazz is probebly my main bass

Last January I converted to a 5'er. I have since played a 6'er for the first time and I think I may be moving to a 6'er at some point.FOr years I bellowed what would I need 5 for when I only use 3 now. After converting to the 5'er, I now wonder what I was thinking. Far less hand movement with just as much ability to play alot!

I started on a 5 and won't go any lower. I get GAS for a 4 every so often, but that's quickly eleviated when I pick one up.

I think a 5 will get you through everything and anything that requires some groove (ESPECIALLY GOSPEL) :)

Are there basses made with more than 4 strings?....... seriously I tryed a 5 for a while, hated the low B restrung it to a high C and liked it but never could adjust to the neck width and string spacing

I own 2 fives and 1 four that doesn't get played... ever.

I like 4 & 5 string basses. It depends on the mood.

I am partial to my Roscoe SkB3006 6 string, but I also have an old Tobias Killer B-5 and a custom jazz 4 with a moses graphite neck.

This surely is about the music that you play and what the line up of the band is?

I play mainly in blues and rock bands and as far as I'm concerned, for blues I have to be able to hit a low D note. Rather than tune down, I just play a 5 string and i can also use the low B if the need arises.

I personally also think that the lower notes can work great with some of the older rock and seperate the guitars and bass out in a way that wasn't possible when originally recorded but that's just opinion and my interpretation of a song.

Now I don't go for more than 5 strings at the moment because anything above a G string is into guitar frequencies and you might as well play guitar. If I started to work with different oufits who required more than just the bottom end holding down and/or a groove being created then i would switch to whatever was required.

Surely the secret is to put the correct frequency range into the space that you've got?

I'm really enjoying my 4-strings. I've played on both 5 and 6 stringed basses - didnt like them one bit >.<

I guess I like 5 the most because its in between a 4 and 6 and I probably play my 5 more than the other because of the bass rather than how many strings I have. All in all I'm glad I have 3 basses.

if i had more than one bass this could be difficult but i only have a 5. i have begun to hate fours for my purposes

I played 4 string for years..started on string bass in 5th grade. After taking a hiatus from actively gigging, I got back into it in a combo with a drummer and a pianist. Bought a 5 string and found I was absolutely addicted to the extra 5 notes downward. I'm afraid it has changed my playing style, but when I ask, everyone is like, "nah, bass is supposed to be low unless you are like Stanley Clark". Still like my Guild B4-LE(black) and my P bass,but my Washburn Taurus T25(5 string) is the drug of first choice. Playing rock, contemporary Christian, alternative. Major bass bully!!