4 String Bass Limitations

[Ron G]

What are the limitations of a 4 strings bass?

Most of the music I listen to is Jazz and Gospel one day I like to play for my church, but I don't see anyone playing these styles using a 4 string.

 

[tooloudalex]

I play at my church every week with a 4 string

 

[spade2you]

I think the thing with Gospel is that singers like to change keys on the fly, which can often be E flat or a little lower from time to time.

 

[pasco jacorius]

I play Gospel , and Jazz , and I've never had limitations with my 4 strings , I've also played on 5 strings and almost never used the B string, it really sounds LOW but...I love when it sings you know ? I'm definitaly a 4 strings guy, and I don't feel limited.

I think Marcus Miller , Stanley Clarke , Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorius wouldn't be who they are if 4 strings basses were limited . IMO it's just a matter of taste , some guys love to have deep lows so they love the B strings some prefer thiner necks, a better B string,shorter/ sweeter scale lenght. (most 5 strings are 35")
But it's also hard to find a "decent" B string, the best I've found was on Abe Laboriel's bass ...and that's a 3000 $ bass..and that's Abe , you know what I mean ?

And you can play E flat on the A string

 

[Jazz Ad]

No limitation. They have 12 notes like most other instruments.
5 strings make thing easier more than often though.

 

[Winnb]

What are the limitations of a 4 strings bass?

None. The limitations begin and end with the musician.

 

[Chin]

Four string should be fine for church music. I would say it's more of a matter of personal taste. A 5 would definitely make key changes less harsh though.

 

[spade2you]

I play Gospel , and Jazz , and I've never had limitations with my 4 strings , I've also played on 5 strings and almost never used the B string, it really sounds LOW but...I love when it sings you know ? I'm definitaly a 4 strings guy, and I don't feel limited.

I think Marcus Miller , Stanley Clarke , Victor Wooten and Jaco Pastorius wouldn't be who they are if 4 strings basses were limited . IMO it's just a matter of taste , some guys love to have deep lows so they love the B strings some prefer thiner necks, a better B string,shorter/ sweeter scale lenght. (most 5 strings are 35")
But it's also hard to find a "decent" B string, the best I've found was on Abe Laboriel's bass ...and that's a 3000 $ bass..and that's Abe , you know what I mean ?

And you can play E flat on the A string

I might agree that a good B isn't cheap, but perhaps the Dingwall or a basic 35" scale bass should get the job done. OTOH, something like a Curbow, Modulus, etc will sound absolutely phenominal.

I play a lot of 4 and 6 string, but the point many bassists miss about a low B is that is can and should be used above the 5th fret. There's an idea that only virtuosos play a 5-6er, but to a certain extent, playing in position is a lot easier and more efficient than constantly shifting.

On a side note, Wooten and Miller have recorded plenty of music with a low B. Needless to say, they still sound like themselves, the B is appropriately placed, and it still sounds killer.

 

[puddin tame]

the limitation is it doesn't have more than 4 strings

 

[spiltcoil]

George Porter just recorded an entire gospel album with John Scofield on 4 string. As far as "limitations" go, one needs to look no further than Victor Wooten...proof that anything is possible on a 4 banger.

 

[pasco jacorius]

Well last time I saw a gig of Miller , he brought 5 and 6 strings and fretless...he never touched them , only the 4 stringer. Actually the french/canadian bassists tend to love ERB (up to 11 strings fretless !!!) , so it's all a matter of taste , but there is no limitations if you can control your instrument properly.
As I said ,when I played the 5 string bass I didn't find the B string useful ...but that's my style , I find the C better sounding at the 8 fret on the E string that on the 3rd fret on the A string or the 1st fret of the B string , just a matter of taste. I often practice unplugged , and it sounds like the notes are "better sounding"and "louder" below the 5th fret .

 

[IntrepidCellist]

...proof that anything is possible on a 4 banger.

Except three or more octaves available within one hand position.

EDIT: Unless you tune in fifths.

 

[Nev375]

Personally 5 strings are more limiting for me. Theres always an extra string in my way it seems. My right hand gets lost.

So I ditched the G string and adopted the low B. Have felt happy and free ever since.

 

[spade2you]

Well last time I saw a gig of Miller , he brought 5 and 6 strings and fretless...he never touched them , only the 4 stringer. Actually the french/canadian bassists tend to love ERB (up to 11 strings fretless !!!) , so it's all a matter of taste , but there is no limitations if you can control your instrument properly.
As I said ,when I played the 5 string bass I didn't find the B string useful ...but that's my style , I find the C better sounding at the 8 fret on the E string that on the 3rd fret on the A string or the 1st fret of the B string , just a matter of taste. I often practice unplugged , and it sounds like the notes are "better sounding"and "louder" below the 5th fret .

I don't know the Marcus Miller tunes, but there are a few and top notch.

Off the top of my head, Wooten uses a low B in Big Country and Yinnin' and Yangin'. I know there are more, but that's what I'm digging out of the memory banks.

I can't say why the B doesn't sound good to you, but I think many of us found stuff many moons ago. I'll admit that there are more than a few basses on the market with mediocre at best low Bs, but a good one is very consistent sounding without being loud and farty.

 

[Marty Forrer]

None. The limitations begin and end with the musician.

Amen.

 

[plankspanker13]

Some of us don't NEED no steeenking 5-string. Of course, having an octaver and a Hipshot Xtender can help with some songs.

 

[Rockmusician]

What are the limitations of a 4 strings bass?

Most of the music I listen to is Jazz and Gospel one day I like to play for my church, but I don't see anyone playing these styles using a 4 string.

There really aren't any limitations. If there were most of the major artists would not be using them.

 

[acebase62]

More recent black gospel music tends to feature the lower frequencies of the B string.

I played older gospel music like Hawkins family, Andre Crouch, Shirley Ceasar, etc. I think most of the music from that era was played on a 4 string.

Plenty of good 4 string players in jazz and other music styles today.

 

[Icculus]

Came in to say none, other than the lack of a low B thru Eb

 

[Martin89]

Imagination is the only limitation of any bass. I play jazz and church stuff all the time on a 4. nothing against 5s though, I actually have one on the way but won't replace the 4s anytime soon.