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4, 5 or 6

Do you exclusively play one kind of bass?

  • Total voters
    85
#61
5 strings only (fretless). That's 'cause I play in a brass band where almost every piece is in the flat B key or flat E key, so the flat E1 note is a must and 4 strings with standard tuning are not enough for that.
 
#62
Topic contains, "or" , just wondering if a conjunction like "and" should have been used, rather than an exclusion. Maybe I'm reading it wrong, you want to get rid of the fours and fives for a six.
Personally, I would prefer "and", then, I would avoid the confusion. :D
 
#63
Got one 4string Stingray and two 6strings, Marleaux and Warwick.

4string is for my punk and thrash bands as well as any classic rock/blues session stuff that comes my way.

The Marleaux is for general recording and main gigging because it's light and comfortable, the Warwick is tuned a half-step up and is used primarily for a death metal project I've recently gotten involved in. I sometimes use it for recording - it's not as versatile as the Marleaux but has that 'Warwick sound' which sometimes fits well.

I like 6strings because of the extended range - the low B especially comes in handy with the heavy music I play. The high C is useful for chords and lead parts.

To each their own. Michael LePond of Symphony X has no trouble playing everything that the guitars play on 4 strings, and I tell you that's no small feat - that's some crazy technical stuff.
 
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#64
I only own 5-strings, but it's just pragmatism, since I only own two basses (fretted and fretless).

I'd be happy to play a 4-string bass for most songs. I'd also like to try a 6, though I don't know how useful it would be, since I'm not playing lots of solos or something. I play a few other instruments where I can get my fix of playing chords and/or melodies. I like to stick to grooves on bass.
 
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#65
grimjim said:
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?
Click to expand...

Depends on the song, context and the tonal range I am supposed to cover with the bass.

In general, 5 string basses are really a golden standard for a working session and studio musician especially if you deal a lot with singers since it is inevitable that you will be playing more or less the same tunes in basically all 12 keys and here an added 5th string is a life saver. There are bass lines that just sound awesome being played down there in the register and transposing them an octave higher because of a limited tonal reach of a 4 string often breakes the whole groove and vibe. So instead of tuning the 4 string everytime, the 5 string will take care of that.

Otherwise, if you have a fixed band it really depends on what you want to do with it. A 6 string can really sounds guitar-ish if you play harmony in the higher registers and can really add to the tune harmony-wise. It is a great tool to have if you are thinking that way, especially if a tune would benefit from this kind of thing.

No definite answer.

Edit: Example: Stevie Wonder tunes are more or less written in the key of Eb. Without that low Eb those bass lines sound completely weak (Superstition or higher ground for example) so either you tune to Eb with your 4 string or you deploy a 5 string and start tearing things up right away :bassist:
 
#69
grimjim said:
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?
Click to expand...
I play only 5's and have for years. Don't even own a 4 and have difficulty trying to play them as I feel restricted. The only '6' I own is a Squier Bass VI that is kinda a specialty guitar. But to each his own, doesn't mean everyone should play 5's.
 
#75
I currently only have my 6 but am going to pick up a 5 someday soon. I always have to have that low B since my band consistently uses drop C tuning and the basslines I've written routinely incorporate the low C and D notes. I may get a fender Jazz 5 or a ray 5 for more traditional gigs since my bongo 6 is a bit much but I do need the 6 string for chording and spacey intros.
 

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