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4, 5 or 6

Do you exclusively play one kind of bass?

  • Total voters
    85
#81
Liam Wald said:
It seems to me that a very high percentage of bass players who are considered to be the icons of the instrument play four string.
Click to expand...
Well, Jeez, given that the 4 string bass had a couple hundred years of history before the 5 even surfaced, and given how long it takes to become an "icon", that's hardly a surprise, is it?
 
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#82
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 have a 5 string Peavey Cirrus. I only need one bass, but then I'm not a rich man.
 
#84
I have only fours right now.
One fretless and one fretted.
I would like to add a fretted fiver if I can find one that speaks to me and isn’t too heavy for my torn up shoulder and that doesn’t cost me a small fortune.
 
#90
TomB said:
Well, Jeez, given that the 4 string bass had a couple hundred years of history before the 5 even surfaced, and given how long it takes to become an "icon", that's hardly a surprise, is it?
Click to expand...
The electric bass? Most of the modern bass icons are from the 60's through now. Leo Fender created the electric bass 60 years ago. How many of the bass greats who are still alive today have switched to 5 or 6 string?
Somehow proponants of 5/6 string bass make it sound like pretty much everyone is now playing basses with more than 4 strings. Is that really true?
 
#94
I played 6 exclusively for about 20 years. That was back when I played live all the time. My reasoning was basically muscle memory. My concern was that swapping between different numbers of strings would inevitably cause mistakes, due to momentary confusion and brain farts. I am sure there are others that can do it no problem, but for me, I was always concerned that I would accidentally step on my crank live. Heck, I didn't even like having different numbers of frets for the same reason.

Now, since I don't play in a live setting too often, and mostly just record, i swap between all manner of strings: 4 string bass, 8 string guitar, 6 string guitar, 5 string bass. But truth be told, I do occasionally get baffled and forget where I am or what instrument I'm on. But when doing a live project, I will try to stick to one bass, so there are less possibilities of any of that happening.
 
#95
Currently only playing fours after having sold a fiver a year or two ago. Four-strings are more comfortable for me, particularly now that I have numerous injuries/muscle issues that put more of a premium on reducing total bass weight and minimizing strain on my fretting hand. My fours also are nearly always detuned in some fashion -- most commonly down a full step, with the low string sometimes down to a C -- so the extended low range is less of a factor for me as well.
 
#97
Liam Wald said:
I wonder what new bass sales statistics would show to be the percentage of all bass sales that are 4 string?
Click to expand...
Actually, this question or a related version of it gets asked on this forum pretty regularly, if memory serves me. There have been polls as well. You can go look, but my recollection is that 4-stringers always outnumber extended range basses by a significant percentage, but that the gap has narrowed over time. Somebody here is likely in touch with sales data, knowing TB.
 
#98
I started on 4, played my friend's 5 string out of neccesity, i ended up liking the extra range and fingerings at my disposal, then got my first 6 and haven't looked back. I may get a 4 and a 5 down the road, but I'm more interested in extended range basses to be honest, and really fewer strings would be for other projects moreso than my main one, as well as chomping through literature and working with limitations for creative exercise .
 
#99
Nope, I play 4 & 5 and when I play a 5'er its because I will actually use the B string and not use it as a thumb rest. Just did a studio session on Saturday, one song 4 banger and the other a 5'er. Worked out beautifully.
 
#100
Liam Wald said:
The electric bass? Most of the modern bass icons are from the 60's through now. Leo Fender created the electric bass 60 years ago. How many of the bass greats who are still alive today have switched to 5 or 6 string?
Somehow proponants of 5/6 string bass make it sound like pretty much everyone is now playing basses with more than 4 strings. Is that really true?
Click to expand...
Really? I haven’t seen that statement here, unless I missed it. Does playing a 5/6 make you a proponent or just a player?
 

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