4, 5 or 6

[packhowitzer]

I have 4s and 5s. The 5s get 99% of the live gigs and the 4s get 99% of the studio stuff.

 

[HolmeBass]

Only 4-string basses. I like the idea of a 5, but just never really needed to invest in one for any of my gigs so I haven’t taken the plunge.

 

[QweziRider]

How a bout you guys?

I play primarily 5, or 4 if tuned BEAD. Not so much for lower notes regardless of the genre, but for more real estate above the 5th fret. I never latched onto a 6 string very well, but if I did it would be for the same reason. More real estate rather than just higher notes.

And 12 if Cheap Trick is in the set list.

 

[Felken]

5 or more only.

 

[klejst]

Just 4's for me.

 

[scuzzy]

i have some of each. i like basses.

 

[seanm]

Fours only. I have used BEAD, I also have used D-tuners. But I mainly play classic rock or classic country and all the music was recorded on 4s.

I tried to switch to 5, but didn't find a 5 I liked and the experimenting was too expensive (5s were hard to find and had no resale value).

 

[GroovyBaby]

I’ve got two 4s (three if I count the ABG) and a 5. My bluesy rock band mainly sees the 5 but i play the 4s a lot when home. The 4s are a G&L P and J, the 5 an L2500. I like the sound of the L in a live loud band and the option to go low. It’s good to have options. Never tried a 6.

 

[Thumpin6string]

Play only 6 string fretted and 5 string fretless. 4 strings are missing the BASS, no B string to rattle the building off it's foundation.

 

[basslayer]

Mostly 4s, but my fretless is a fine and I use a 6 when I need a fretted extended range.

 

[BassholeKI]

Yes.

Although I currently only own three fours, I'm gasing for a 5 and a 6. Even an 8 would be something cool to experiment on.

 

[4SG]

4 Strings Good, thanks.

 

[Wulfensteiner]

Mainly 5 string. It's just more practical across the board. I have messed around with a 6 but I'm not seriously considering one.
That said, I do a LOT of my writing on my 4.

 

[mikewalker]

"electric bass guitar" 4 strings only.
Other bass-like instruments (arpegionne, viola da gamba, etc) five or six. Various electric guitars, acooustic guitars, mando-cellos, other hybrids : six, eight, or more.

Four-string bass guitar has a special charm all its own... I like to exploit its limitations

 

[2F/2F]

Only 4's here. I don't line the feel or the look of 5's. I am in the middle of an extra long scale BEAD bass, though.

 

[glocke1]

Does anyone here play only one version? Like only 5 strings, or only 4 strings exclusively? I’m gonna predict more 4 string players do.

I personally play 4 and 5 strings depending on the music. 4 strings for most rock and other forms of music and 5 strings for the heavier stuff, mostly because of the deeper tuning and going with 7 string guitars.

How a bout you guys?

I pretty much play 4 string only. It's enough for me although I keep thinking of adding a 5 or 6 string.

 

[4sight]

4's enough for me. Hell, most of the stuff I play probably only needs 3

 

[interp]

I play a special five string that has a four string integrated into it.

Edit: It actually has two four strings integrated into it: one tuned BEAD and the other tuned EADG.

 

[Wulfensteiner]

I play a special five string that has a four string integrated into it.

He's here all week, folks!

 

[Giga50]

4 and 6. When I want the B, might as well have the C.