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4 String Bass Limitations

#81
T-MOST said:
Like everything it depends on the music you play. I play Gospel and and contemporary jazz and I'm using my B string regularly so a 4 would not work "for me". If the songs you play don't need a B string then "you" don't need a B string.
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Yeah. I have a 5 and I need/use it regularly for church and contemporary jazz.

Last night I had a rehearsal with my R&B/Soul/Funk horn band for NYE and I didn't touch my B string. I suppose I could have a different bass for that band, but we don't gig very regularly so it isn't worth it. If we played once or twice a month I might go and get a Squier Jaguar or something like that, but until then, I'll just use my B string for a thumb rest and favor the neck pickup just a bit. ;)
 
#82
rtav said:
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.
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I share the same opinion. A 5er just makes sometimes things easier, letting you play more vertically than needs to go horizontally. Just it. The additional notes are just 5 (from B to D#), but sometimes these very low notes adds a more dramatical approach. I have a 5er and 2 other 4 strings basses (1 fretless). I also had a 6 string, but i just think it was not necessary (the C string).
 
#83
SteveC said:
Yeah. I have a 5 and I need/use it regularly for church and contemporary jazz.

Last night I had a rehearsal with my R&B/Soul/Funk horn band for NYE and I didn't touch my B string. I suppose I could have a different bass for that band, but we don't gig very regularly so it isn't worth it. If we played once or twice a month I might go and get a Squier Jaguar or something like that, but until then, I'll just use my B string for a thumb rest and favor the neck pickup just a bit. ;)
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So you did touch your B string. ;) :D


Pretty good use for it BTW. :hiding:
 
#84
I switched to 5 about 11 years ago. I tried to go back to 4 a few months back and eventually gave up the experiment. My approach incorporates the b string in a lot of places (generally up the neck) and when I reprogrammed my brain to 4 I found when I would grab my 5 I wasn't as quick on the uptake. Other guys can swap, I just stick with 5 all the time. Ymmv
 
#88
As to the original topic (yes, its a bit dated now):

The fact is, there are things you can play on an ERB that you cannot play on a 4 (certain chords, some tapping pieces, etc). To my knowledge, there isn't anything you can play on a 4 that you can't play on an ERB. So, to say there are no limitations is just plain wrong. Now, whether or not those limitations will ever effect you is an entirely different story. They probably won't. Probably.
 
#90
sherlock10851 said:
Hey, this question may be naive but I will ask anyway... as a novice/beginning bass player, isn't it better to learn on a 4 string? (Serious)
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I was where you are (I think) not too long ago. Starting over, I would still learn on a 4 string even though 97% of my playing is now on a 5-string. My personal reasons were/are (ignoring what has been stated earlier):
1. 4 string basses are lighter. This is more important if you play (or plan to play) standing up.
2. The necks are substantially less wide (although not necessarily thinner) and I found it much easier to reach the notes.
3. It got me up the learning curve quicker since most lessons, books, videos, etc. are oriented toward a 4-string.
4. A good 4 string will cost less than a comparable 5er, which gives you the option of saving money or getting a better bass with the same investment.

IMO and YMMV. :cool:
 
#91
I played a 4-string for years. Three years ago I bought a 5-string and I'm glad I did. I play a lot of gospel and contemporary Christian stuff and the 5 makes life so much easier! Also, when playing with horns, having the low E flat makes my life easier. Another thing, too, is that key changes are easier for me to handle on the fly with a 5-string, but that's just me.

I played a service at church this weekend that felt like it really needed a five, but I had to use a four anyway because I grabbed the wrong case! I even used the five for rehearsal, but the four worked fine. It did make things a little more difficult for a couple of the tunes, but no big deal.

In the end, having a 5-string is a good thing, but not absolutely necessary.
 
#92
Ron G said:
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.
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In Gospel the 5 string bass is standard. But not mandatory.

For me I am uncomfortable on a 4 string bass. But If I did play a 4 it would be tuned DGCF.
 

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