4 string bass players

[lyes4string]

Am I the only person who would rather just continue playing my 4 string even though I own a 5 string? I have owned 3 five string basses and always have felt this way. I have only had my latest 5 string a month ( Warwick custom shop 2006 corvette) and I am already trying to trade it on craigslist for a 4 string. Is there anyone else who just loves their 4 string?

 

[spade2you]

Jaco only needed 4 strings. SX basses are $11. Something about coffee table basses.

 

[Muddslide]

Aw man, different tools for different applications really. Personally, all through the 80s and 90s I went through a cavalcade of different basses only to find out all I need for what I like to play is a decent fretted passive solidbody 4-banger.

I learned this after much experimentation and expense buying and trying out 5, 6 and 8 strings, active electronics (hate 'em!), owning some fretlesses, etc.

I'd still dig on having an 8 stringer or a fretless, or an ABG, or a hollowbody or semi-hollow to string up with flats, but I learned to make do with a minimal setup. I can get everything I need to out of a good P or P-clone by varying my playing attack or hand placement or using EQ.

Different strokes. Obviously some things call for different kinds of instruments. There's nothing wrong about that. I'm just a caveman who plays mostly caveman music.

 

[JonahTheAmazing]

I've never played any extended range basses, but from my experiences with 5ers, I would also much rather stick to the 4. That said, I wouldn't deliberately get rid of any bass because it has more strings. It adds more selection.

 

[bassfunk329]

All I need is my jazzes( if that's how you would say it?). But yeah I had two 5ers a olp and a tune. Dumped em both never used the b let alone the basses at all. The only other bass I need is a good p and my life life will be complete. Passive fours are the way to go.

 

[lyes4string]

I've never played any extended range basses, but from my experiences with 5ers, I would also much rather stick to the 4. That said, I wouldn't deliberately get rid of any bass because it has more strings. It adds more selection.

honestly the band i play in tunes down pretty low drop B so i really only even use the 5er on one song which is in b standard. so keeping it for the simple case of just having a wider selection of basses really doesnt appeal to me. i would rather get another bass i can use more often and just go back to having a 4 setup for B standard.

 

[brndn123]

I use four strings when I want to be cool...five strings for when I want to be cooler.

 

[lyes4string]

I use four strings when I want to be cool...five strings for when I want to be cooler.

ok but if i can do everything on my 4 that you can do on your 5 does it really make it cooler?

 

[lyes4string]

not to mention its not about being cooler its about getting the job done with less so i dont have to haul around extra gear.

 

[anonymous073020132]

I've been playing 4 string forever. I've owned a few 5 strings but never had the need for them & even when I tell my band mates I'm getting another 5 they say "what for?" I play mostly in drop-D anyway.

 

[brndn123]

ok but if i can do everything on my 4 that you can do on your 5 does it really make it cooler?

Yep

 

[John Wentzien]

Don't like the heavier neck..don't like the width of the neck..don't like buying extra strings..don't like having to mute the extra string ..and just don't like the tone "Down-Low"..IMO!

 

[lyes4string]

Yep

i guess thats your opinion honestly i think its a little more impressive to watch a 4 string bass player just look at jaco

 

[John Wentzien]

Can't afford it ..and too stuck in my ways!

 

[honestjohnny]

I like 3, 2, and one string basses.

 

[SlingBass4]

Am I the only person who would rather just continue playing my 4 string even though I own a 5 string? I have owned 3 five string basses and always have felt this way. I have only had my latest 5 string a month ( Warwick custom shop 2006 corvette) and I am already trying to trade it on craigslist for a 4 string. Is there anyone else who just loves their 4 string?

You are NOT alone...

 

[John Wentzien]

I like 3, 2, and one string basses.

Who makes those...I'm In!

 

[lyes4string]

Can't afford it ..and too stuck in my ways!

Yeah I guess that's part of my problem too i am just stuck in my ways

 

[Mike]

I played 5's exclusively for a couple of years and owned a 6 at one point but 4's are the answer for me. So, yeah, I dig my 4's.

 

[diehard70]

I had a fiver early on. Got rid of it in the early 'aughts in favor of four strings (creature of habit, i guess) I find i need that low B rarely, though I have had one that i strung B E A D for just such an occasion. my .02, of course.