4 string vs 5 string?
what are the pros and cons of a 4 string bass and a 5 string bass
your opinions matter.thanks
what are the pros and cons of a 4 string bass and a 5 string bass
your opinions matter.thanks
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4 string vs 5 string
- Thread starter grindking089
- Start date
4 string cons: missing a b string
5 string cons: has an extra string
Best bass for country? Mothman bass
5 string cons: has an extra string
Best bass for country? Mothman bass
Well, 4 string basses are better for doing a search before starting a new thread while 5 string basses have an extended low end which is perfect for doing a search before starting a new thread.
NEither one is better than the other.
I have tried THREE times to play a five string (made a 5 string purchase) only to eventually want to pick up my 4 banger..
Yet, when I get rid of a 5er, I find myself wanting one 'just in case'..
its a never ending saga for me
I have tried THREE times to play a five string (made a 5 string purchase) only to eventually want to pick up my 4 banger..
Yet, when I get rid of a 5er, I find myself wanting one 'just in case'..
its a never ending saga for me
4-string basses have 4 strings
5-string basses have 5 strings
Aside from that 5-string basses generally cost more and usually (but not always) have active electronics, or active pickups, or both. 5-string basses have wider necks, and many of them are 35" scale instruments, as opposed to the 34" scale on most 4-string basses. 5-string basses are sometimes heavier, owing to larger pickups and more wood in the neck. The added string on a 5-string is most often a low B, but sometimes is a high C.
None of these are absolute, except that 5-string basses have 5 strings, and 4-string basses have 4.
5-string basses have 5 strings
Aside from that 5-string basses generally cost more and usually (but not always) have active electronics, or active pickups, or both. 5-string basses have wider necks, and many of them are 35" scale instruments, as opposed to the 34" scale on most 4-string basses. 5-string basses are sometimes heavier, owing to larger pickups and more wood in the neck. The added string on a 5-string is most often a low B, but sometimes is a high C.
None of these are absolute, except that 5-string basses have 5 strings, and 4-string basses have 4.
Is it too late to make a New Year's resolution to avoid "vs" threads? I might have to begin Jan. 2011.
rockstarbassist
Inactive
/thread.
Basically you can only play rock, funk and jazz on a 4, where R&B, pop, country are strictly reserved for 5's.
Srsly, like if you tried to play "Brown Eyed Girl" on a 5'er, the bass wouldn't even work.
Hmm.... References to rock, funk, jazz , R&B, pop, country. Uh oh, I think I am lost & need direction. Should a 4 or 5 be used for metal?
OP, in case you didn't notice the sacasm, you should learn that preferences will never be facts no matter how much you want them to. If you want a solid Low B, get the 5er as with 4 string Fenders, or any other 34" scale bass, you will usually have a very floppy B if you down tune. If you don't mind it, I don't, then don't get one. There is no better bass for any genre. I know usually I would get pissed at people that say "Do a search" instead of using the time they used to give a good explanation, but it really wouldn't hurt searching simple things like a comparison between 5's and 4's.
At least you didn't ask what the best bass for metal is.
At least you didn't ask what the best bass for metal is.
The best way to play a 5'er w/o buying one is to take one of your 4 string basses and string it BEAD. On a 34" scale bolt on neck just make sure and use a big B string ,like a .142. That way you get good clarity and no flop.
Couldn't these 4vs5 threads be consolidated into 1 megathread? Or sticky'd?
Anyway, the 5 strings will be less prone to neck adjustments being needed due to their increased mass. I'm not joking, either. I never touch my 5ers, but I have had numerous 4s that won't stay true if the weather changes.
Anyway, the 5 strings will be less prone to neck adjustments being needed due to their increased mass. I'm not joking, either. I never touch my 5ers, but I have had numerous 4s that won't stay true if the weather changes.
Audio Music
Commercial User
Seems like it depends on the music? Some stuff requires it. Other stuff doesn't need or seem much to benefit from it...
Why 5? Why NOT?
Here is my stock reply for this question, which I have posted many times in the past.
For me and a lot of other 5 stringers with a low B, the B string is not primarily about the low notes, nor is it a thumbrest. The low notes are nice, but the main reason that I love 5 and 6 stringers is so that I can play in Eb, so I can play in E without using an open string, so I can play in F, F# and G without having to play in first position, so that I can do two octave runs(two and a half on a six) without shifting my hands, so that I can can grab a root and a tenth on the B and D, E and G, and on the six, A and C strings. The low notes are cool too. But I spend 90% of my time between the fifth and fifteenth fret.
Want to ask 'Why 6?' Got a stock answer for that one too.
If I want to pedal a note on the B or E string, and pop a tenth, or the second octave, it's necessary. I don't have to do that, but if I want to, I need that sixth string. If your fingers are six inches long, you won't need it for that situation. Mine aren't. My hands are small. One of my solos requires the sixth string, I go up to the 22nd fret on the sixth string. Also, on another original, I slap chords on the intro and during the guitar solo. You can do that with a four or five stringer, but you get mud on the ADG strings. DGC works great for chords.
Again, why NOT?
Here is my stock reply for this question, which I have posted many times in the past.
For me and a lot of other 5 stringers with a low B, the B string is not primarily about the low notes, nor is it a thumbrest. The low notes are nice, but the main reason that I love 5 and 6 stringers is so that I can play in Eb, so I can play in E without using an open string, so I can play in F, F# and G without having to play in first position, so that I can do two octave runs(two and a half on a six) without shifting my hands, so that I can can grab a root and a tenth on the B and D, E and G, and on the six, A and C strings. The low notes are cool too. But I spend 90% of my time between the fifth and fifteenth fret.
Want to ask 'Why 6?' Got a stock answer for that one too.
If I want to pedal a note on the B or E string, and pop a tenth, or the second octave, it's necessary. I don't have to do that, but if I want to, I need that sixth string. If your fingers are six inches long, you won't need it for that situation. Mine aren't. My hands are small. One of my solos requires the sixth string, I go up to the 22nd fret on the sixth string. Also, on another original, I slap chords on the intro and during the guitar solo. You can do that with a four or five stringer, but you get mud on the ADG strings. DGC works great for chords.
Again, why NOT?
Honestly, the only things that I personally see as issues between 4 and 5 strings (after finding out if the B string is decent,which is the foremost criteria) is the width of the neck and, consequently, the string spacing.
Everything else that would determine whether I like a bass or not will be judged the same: weight, balance, tone, overall feel, etc.
I like narrow necks and fairly tight spacing, but everyone is very different in their preferences.
Everything else that would determine whether I like a bass or not will be judged the same: weight, balance, tone, overall feel, etc.
I like narrow necks and fairly tight spacing, but everyone is very different in their preferences.
