• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

4 string bass players

#101
As I'm sure it's been stated, if you have a need for the extra string(s) then get them. Personal experience, I've been playing four strings for thirty years. I recently started playing with a gospel choir and all of the material is played on a 5-string or 6-string bass. I worked it all out on my 4-string and realized that the difference in register takes away from the character of the style. Yes. I realized that I needed five strings. I bought a Squier to get me started and now I'm hooked. The 5-string has seemed to render the 4-string obsolete... for me.
 
#102
T40Chump said:
I played a fiver for about 10 years and went back to four. I just didn't see a need for five.

Just my preference though. YMMV
Click to expand...

There are a couple of things I just don't "get" about the usual 4 string-5 string debate. The above is one of them.

How can someone say "I just don't see a need for 5" or "This is just my preference"? It doesn't make sense. What I mean is a person could easily say (and I do all the time) this MUSIC I'm playing doesn't need 5 or is more "authentic" with 4 but how can one say that modern gospel or something written for a synth-bass (the original motivation behind 5ers) does not "need" the extra range? Clearly it DOES need that range. To "prefer" a 4 and ignore the original bassline and constantly jump up an octave is to "prefer" that your playing doesn't fit the music! Wha?

Now if someone says, hey, none of the music I play fits a 5 or 6 string better. THAT I can dig. Hey, currently I"m playing 5 strings instead of 6 strings for that very reason. Why carry along a string you don't use? Why have a B string for a "thumb rest" if 4 strings do the job better? But to say you "prefer" 4 strings?!! You all remind me of some potters I used to know who would say "I WANTED the bottom of that pot to be heavy"! yeah sure.

And that leads to my next mystery. Why are there so many 4 string players who need reinforcement that it's OK to only play 4 strings? To me, if your vision of bass only encompasses 4 strings, then go for it. But why do you need a bunch of yes-men to tell you that you are doing the right thing? Don't you have any musical backbone? Your vision is YOUR vision, it doesn't need a bunch of clowns telling you how "right" you are! Your audience will tell you how "right" it all is soon enough!
 
#103
bassbenj said:
There are a couple of things I just don't "get" about the usual 4 string-5 string debate. The above is one of them.

How can someone say "I just don't see a need for 5" or "This is just my preference"? It doesn't make sense. What I mean is a person could easily say (and I do all the time) this MUSIC I'm playing doesn't need 5 or is more "authentic" with 4 but how can one say that modern gospel or something written for a synth-bass (the original motivation behind 5ers) does not "need" the extra range? Clearly it DOES need that range. To "prefer" a 4 and ignore the original bassline and constantly jump up an octave is to "prefer" that your playing doesn't fit the music! Wha?

Now if someone says, hey, none of the music I play fits a 5 or 6 string better. THAT I can dig. Hey, currently I"m playing 5 strings instead of 6 strings for that very reason. Why carry along a string you don't use? Why have a B string for a "thumb rest" if 4 strings do the job better? But to say you "prefer" 4 strings?!! You all remind me of some potters I used to know who would say "I WANTED the bottom of that pot to be heavy"! yeah sure.

And that leads to my next mystery. Why are there so many 4 string players who need reinforcement that it's OK to only play 4 strings? To me, if your vision of bass only encompasses 4 strings, then go for it. But why do you need a bunch of yes-men to tell you that you are doing the right thing? Don't you have any musical backbone? Your vision is YOUR vision, it doesn't need a bunch of clowns telling you how "right" you are! Your audience will tell you how "right" it all is soon enough!
Click to expand...

I don't need reinforcement that it's ok just wanted to know how many others felt the same. I'm proud to play my 4s and I'll respect any good bass player on any amount of strings. Simply put opinions are just that opinions, everyone has them so it doesn't mean anyones wrong or right
 
#104
Most of the five stringers I looked at had the same spacing as most four stringers. Fender and Peavey and Squier all have spacing like that, but I myself prefer to have the strings closer. As far as I know, only Ibanez has close spacing on their five stringers. Are there others spaced like Ibanez? I would be interested.
 
#105
I've never owned anything but 4's. In fact, I can't even remember the last time I played a gig where the bassist in any of the other bands played a 5 or 6 string. They just don't seem nearly as prevalent in my microcosm as they were a decade ago.

Then again, as others have said it's not about what anyone else is doing. It's just that the need for an extra string has never presented itself to me. If it ever does, there's plenty of options.
 
#106
String spacing on 5'ers goes from 16.5mm (on Ibanez and others) to 17mm on Zon (and others) to 18mm on Roscoe (and others) to 19mm on Lakland/Sadowsky (and others) to 20mm on custom orders I've seen.

You can easily find a 5-string with whatever spacing you want. I frankly prefer a little narrower than typical 4-string (I've settled on 18mm) as I am not a slaptastic kinda guy and the slightly narrower spacing makes me a little quicker across the board. For 10 years I played 17mm on Zons. Just depends on what you prefer.
 
#107
John Wentzien said:
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!
Click to expand...

That pretty much sums it up for me. I have a few fives and even a couple of cheapo Douglas sixes; they rarely get played. Wasted my money. Could have bought something I enjoy playing.
 
#111
My favorite bass I play is a Warwick 5 string. If I can find a 4 string version in the same condition I would trade it. I tune my bass with a high c because it makes playing chords alot easier for me.
I don't need the 5th string but I don't need any notes pass the 5th fret also. It's just nice to have

Sent from my iPod touch using TalkBass
 
#113
4 string is the way man! if you really want those low notes tune down a whole step and keep on 4 bangin. Ive got a 69 P bass, a 1990 Tobias basic 4 fretless, and a 1966 hofner club, all with flats, all four strings. all you need! although...maybe i need a bass with round wounds....
 
#114
spade2you said:
I think this is teh interw3b and everyone is an expert. :hiding:
Click to expand...
Yeah, well maybe it didn't suit your agenda to notice that I said I have a few fives, of which none are Douglas basses. One is a Heartfield DR5, which has one of the tightest, best sounding B strings I've heard on a bass. I don't like the necks, don't like the muting. I've already had carpal tunnel surgery, and wide necks hurt my hands.
 
#116
Muddslide said:
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.
Click to expand...

:bassist: This^
 
#117
Been playing 4 string bass for 43 year and I just cannot bring myself to feel comfortable on a 5 string. I love my G&L tribute PJ bass and my 2 SX basses that I had EMG HZ pup's put into. My Samick Jazz FN1 and this old (Looks like a Fender P bass) but I don't know what make it is but it sound great. All my 4strings.
 
#120
Even Les Claypool seems to have decided that 4 strings are enough... either that or he got tired of seeing 7000 copycats at the NAMM shows ever year.

I've always been happy with four strings and never saw any point for more than that until I heard Donald Fagen's "Morph The Cat"... that song was written for 5-string bass, so I had to have one. Found a Rogue nearby for stupid cheap as a trial instrument, and I like it just fine. Neck doesn't feel too big at all. Needs better pups though.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back