Do You Really Need A 4-String?

gus1894 · #1 01-22-2011, 11:19 PM

The question is simple...

If you play a 5-string, do you need a 4-string as well? If you get accustomed to playing on a 5-string, is there any real point in having both?

I am about to purchase a second bass, and currently have only a 5-string. I find myself accustomed to having the 5-string in my hand. A part of me thinks the second should be a 4-string, but then what seems to be rational thought tells me that you should be able to do whatever you do on your primary bass on your back-up as well.

Weigh in, tell me I'm crazy, or right, or wrong.

Tx. Gus

jsingles · #2 01-22-2011, 11:23 PM

no... theres nothing a 4 can do that a 5 cannot, so if your hand is comfortable on a 5, then why confuse it with a 4.

People will probably argue that there are some insignificant details that make it worth having either, like how some people think its easier to slap on a 4. That is nonsense.

Ric5 · #3 01-22-2011, 11:35 PM

I have not owned a 4 string in years ... I sold off some really nice collectable 4 string basses because playing them was like playing a bass missing a string.

SMILEYSIXX · #4 01-22-2011, 11:45 PM

I own a five string and three fours. There's alot I do on a four that I find myself physically unable to do comfortably on a five. My five honestly rarely gets played and I will more than likely never buy another five.

If you do everything well on a five, then it's not needed, but to me, they're two different animals.

MrWalker · #5 01-22-2011, 11:45 PM

I know alot of people keep backup basses for their #1 bass, and I can understand why. Me, however, I like to keep options. If I had one 5-string fretted bass and needed a second bass, my choice wouldn't be a 4-string, but a 5-string fretless. If I had afretted and a fretless, my choice for a third bass would be something that would expand my horizon... maybe a 6- or 7-string fretted. It wouldn't be a direct backup for my 5-string, but I would be able to do my job on it. When I was younger and were on limited funds, I would do exactly that. I had two basses, a fretted and a fretless (number of strings varied), and I would bring them both. I was lucky, never had to use a backup for anything, but I knew how to play a tune on both basses, so although the sound would change... the song would live

I still only bring two basses to most gigs. Usually a fretted and a fretless, unless it's something that requires only one type (if I do a musical, for example, I'd bring two fretted, but not necessarily two 5-string fretted... maybe a 5-string and a 6-string, if I was relying on that low B a lot).

That's my philosophy. Still, with 10-15 working basses in my collection, I don't have two basses that would be exact backups for another. I have two 5-string fretted basses, and one is tuned B-G and the other E-C, so the backup for the B-string would be a 6-string.

About needing a 4-string... i wouldn't say "need it", but I find there are different feel to the two basses. Sometimes I just want to play a 4-string because that's what feels right.

In my collection I have anything from 4 to 7 strings for fretted basses, and I play most of them regularly. Although currently, 6-string is my main goto instrument

mwbonsall · #6 01-22-2011, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ric5

I have not owned a 4 string in years ... I sold off some really nice collectable 4 string basses because playing them was like playing a bass missing a string.

I totally agree. I tried a 4 srting after playing a 5 for years and missed the 5th string. But, it is totally your choice.

JimmyM · #7 01-23-2011, 12:00 AM

that's a question only you can answer.

LowBC · #8 01-23-2011, 12:02 AM

I find that my brain just goes to different places on a 4 vs. a 5. If you have a 5-string that you love then GREAT. Add a 4-string to your arsenal and see if you play it the same.

good luck!

gus1894 · #9 01-23-2011, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

that's a question only you can answer.

This is true, just fishing for input. In the end I have to decide. I mean, really, its not a backup so much as an alternate bass to play, but I literally just sold off everything but my MTD Heir b/c I couldn't get comfy on them. Reality is I need a second bass, b/c I can't just have 1 and I find myself gravitating towards a second MTD. Why? I really don't know.

klaus486 · #10 01-23-2011, 12:35 AM

Put a fresh set of roundwounds on your 5 string. Drop your E string down to D....slap it. Then slap the low D @ at the 3rd fret on your B string.
Notice the difference?
If I need lower than E I just drop tune.
Played 5 for years then went back to 4.
From 18volt Bartolini equipped Modulus 5 string to......wait for it....... P bass!
Never looking back.
Wait a Modulus neck on a P bass would be sweet!
I am also of the back up bass mentality meaning I have 2 fretted P basses & 2 fretless J basses each identical other than color.

iri5h_punk21 · #11 01-23-2011, 12:41 AM

4's to me are just so much more comfortable and easy to play than a five. To me it feels like I'm trying to grip a rounded 2x4. Plus I've never really found a 5 that I enjoy tonally. I have two fours, one in DGCF and the other in BEAD

seanm · #12 01-23-2011, 12:46 AM

I think it depends on the type of music you play. If you are in a cover band, I find songs originally played on a four string are easier to learn on a four string. You are more likely to make the same choices as the original bass player and get it faster.

And, yes, I find the opposite true as well. A few times I have struggled with a song, only to try it on a five and find everything just falls into place.

Other than that, I can't think of a reason you need to have a four.

Chrisk-K · #13 01-23-2011, 12:49 AM

If you can comfortably play a fiver, why bother with a 4 string bass?

Quote:

Put a fresh set of roundwounds on your 5 string. Drop your E string down to D....slap it. Then slap the low D @ at the 3rd fret on your B string.
Notice the difference?
If I need lower than E I just drop tune.

You can always drop tune a fiver. For me, a fiver doesn't look like a bass, so I don't plan to buy a fiver.

MNAirHead · #14 01-23-2011, 12:57 AM

I've never been paid to play faster or higher notes.

JimmyM · #15 01-23-2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gus1894

This is true, just fishing for input. In the end I have to decide. I mean, really, its not a backup so much as an alternate bass to play, but I literally just sold off everything but my MTD Heir b/c I couldn't get comfy on them. Reality is I need a second bass, b/c I can't just have 1 and I find myself gravitating towards a second MTD. Why? I really don't know.

there are arguments both in favor of and against getting two of the same basses when you only can have two, and i think both viewpoints are valid. it's fun and more versatile to mix things up, but it's also more convenient onstage to have your basses match up tonally so you don't have to deal with having a completely different sound.

gus1894 · #16 01-23-2011, 01:45 AM

Hmm. I don't mind tonal differences so much, that really wouldn't bother me. I suppose I figure that I want to be able to do whatever I do with one with the other, vs. taking the 4 and having to play slightly different. If I'm realistic with myself, I tend to go to a specific sound/tone no matter what bass I play. If I buy a 5 now, I will probably buy a 4 down the road when money is better.

Klaus I know what you're saying about how an open E or D (tuned down) sound a bit better than the 3rd or 5th fret on the B.

SMILEYSIXX · #17 01-23-2011, 07:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klaus486

Put a fresh set of roundwounds on your 5 string. Drop your E string down to D....slap it. Then slap the low D @ at the 3rd fret on your B string.
Notice the difference?
If I need lower than E I just drop tune.
Played 5 for years then went back to 4.
From 18volt Bartolini equipped Modulus 5 string to......wait for it....... P bass!
Never looking back.
Wait a Modulus neck on a P bass would be sweet!
I am also of the back up bass mentality meaning I have 2 fretted P basses & 2 fretless J basses each identical other than color.

That's what happened to me. I was engrossed in a Schecter Studio 5 for months, then picked up a Precision at a pawnshop and rarely play the schecter now. Personally, I think OP's question should be "Do I NEED a five string?" I want to like fives, but they seem very unnecessary to me.

Lady Kayri · #18 01-23-2011, 09:45 AM

Depends on the musician. I believe in being versatile. However, if you're on a gig with a 5 string, I'd say you would want another 5 as your backup - but if I had a 5 string fretless and could play it well, I'd have that as my backup, not another fretted. However, if you have a 4er, it's easier to have a 5 as a backup if you don't have another 4, assuming you have enough experience to be able to switch back and forth when needed.

Actually, no matter what the results of the poll, I suspect this is one of those really personal decisions that is going to be somewhat different for each player...

Mind, I've always found it funny that a lot of guitarists have not one, but two or three backups, and at least one of them an electric or mic'd acoustic, yet if their bass player has more than one bass it gets up their nose (yeah, not all guitar players, but I've met a few...almost as bad as the ones who get upset if you want to play something other than a Fender P or J!!)

Jamie_Funk · #19 01-23-2011, 10:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SMILEYSIXX

That's what happened to me. I was engrossed in a Schecter Studio 5 for months, then picked up a Precision at a pawnshop and rarely play the schecter now. Personally, I think OP's question should be "Do I NEED a five string?" I want to like fives, but they seem very unnecessary to me.

No the OP's question shouldn't change...because THAT thread and debate gets created every other day on TB. He is focussed on what backup to get, not whether he needs a 5 as his main bass - looks like he already made that decision.

J

Drifta · #20 01-23-2011, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrisk-K

If you can comfortably play a fiver, why bother with a 4 string bass?

You can always drop tune a fiver. For me, a fiver doesn't look like a bass, so I don't plan to buy a fiver.

So you play bass because of the way it looks? I'd say any bass guitar doesn't look like a bass either..