I prefer to be "limited" to a four string. It helps me be more creative when playing because I cannot play the notes available on a 5 or 6 string.
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4 String Bass Limitations
- Thread starter Ron G
- Start date
Like other have said, you can always tune a 4 string BEAD if you want.
I almost won a Yamaha BB5000 on Ebay some years ago, but got outbid. I ended up stringing one of my basses BEAD, and that works for me when I need the lower notes.
Go 4, 5, 6, whatever works for you.
I almost won a Yamaha BB5000 on Ebay some years ago, but got outbid. I ended up stringing one of my basses BEAD, and that works for me when I need the lower notes.
Go 4, 5, 6, whatever works for you.
Jeez... I play Myung like crazy and have never had a problem with limitations. The only real problem is that I can't go vertically to get a lot of the notes (part of Metropolis part I for instance) and have to make huge (and FAST) horizontal leaps bc there's not 5th or 6th string to go to vertically.
Sure, it would be nice to have that lower register to hit the D at the start of "Dance of Eternity" and the high notes in other places, but as long as your technique is solid there are no limitations, practically speaking.
The prog band I auditioned for were a bit skeptical when I pulled out my P bass, but after playing with them they decided that it wasn't a problem.
My experience, anyways.
Sure, it would be nice to have that lower register to hit the D at the start of "Dance of Eternity" and the high notes in other places, but as long as your technique is solid there are no limitations, practically speaking.
The prog band I auditioned for were a bit skeptical when I pulled out my P bass, but after playing with them they decided that it wasn't a problem.
My experience, anyways.
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
Jazz: As mentioned before, most of the most popular bass icons (marcus, stanley, victor (wooten and bailey), jaco, etc) all became famous on 4's, and most people aspire to reach their "limit" lol
Gospel: Most don't use 4's IME...BUT...watch this guy; Thaddeus Tribbett, one of the best in gospel today:
Very limiting indeed...
I suppose I may be revealing my European heritage, but for me this topic always boils down to play fare. These days, I tend to be gigging more current cover stuff, and the lower notes are in it. So, the 5 is pretty much required to get the same vibe. However, I do still keep my 4's around and honestly, I would love to someday get back into a 3 piece playing the blues, r&b, and punk jazz stuff that I personally love playing; and that material does not require the 5.
As to Gospel, I think that really depends on the church you are gigging. For some, there is more of a feel vibe, and for those the 4 is just fine. Then, there are others that are pickier about renditions, and there the 5 may be needed.
I do think 4's are just a little more elemental and fun to play. The 5 is a more difficult instrument to make properly and to play properly; but you can find them and play them. Overall to cover more situations, a 5 is more certain. But, the 4 is a gas.
My < 2c.
As to Gospel, I think that really depends on the church you are gigging. For some, there is more of a feel vibe, and for those the 4 is just fine. Then, there are others that are pickier about renditions, and there the 5 may be needed.
I do think 4's are just a little more elemental and fun to play. The 5 is a more difficult instrument to make properly and to play properly; but you can find them and play them. Overall to cover more situations, a 5 is more certain. But, the 4 is a gas.
My < 2c.
The french luthier, Noguera as made a 4 strings bass for Yves Carbonne..that stuffs can kick any 5/6/7 strings bass . It's stille tune EADG but one octave lower rofl !
Just watch (put your headphones guys )
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiLy8X77O4k
Just watch (put your headphones guys
)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiLy8X77O4k
A boatload of great music and thousands of hit records have been made with "only" 4 strings. 5-strings are nice to have, but far from a necessity.
With an Xrender, I'm only limited to Low B, C & C# and I don't really like the sound of those anyway. My 5 may hit the market soon, but it is sooooo pretty.
I don't mean to get off on a rant here, but it seems that the most opinionated "against" 5ers just don't get it. The idea that the B is only limited to the notes below E is usually a dead giveaway. While boutique builders can make a phenominal B, it's not rocket science getting most basses with sufficient construction to get a good sound. It's not impossible to play, either. Like fretless, if it were impossible, I'd be the last person who would be able to handle them.
The limitation of a 4 string bass is that it doesn't have 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, or 10x5^11 strings. It does, however, have a clear advantage over 3, 2, 1, and no string basses.
But seriously, you don't see 4 strings in gospel because you have to have the B string in that style. It's an integral part of that music to have that big, thunderous low B string.
As far as I'm concerned, the 4-string has no significant limitations. You can add strings, but then again you can add strings to any stringed instrument...that doesn't necessarily make better, it just adds strings.
If you play in a lot of wacky keys and need a low note below E, you can always add a drop-tuner on the E string and your problem is solved. If not, play it up an octave and go on with life.
If you play in a lot of wacky keys and need a low note below E, you can always add a drop-tuner on the E string and your problem is solved. If not, play it up an octave and go on with life.
I was actually considering doing that-- using a cello tuning (A, D, G, C, from high to low) for one of my four-stringers, but I realize I would have to invest in some very off-the-wall, custom string gauges to get a good feel and tone from that...
