4 vs 5 is there a difference in sound?

[Korladis]

Would a 4 string that had been strung with the bottom four strings of a 5 string set, and tuned BEAD, sound any different from an actual 5 string bass?

Personally, I doubt there would be much of a difference, if any.

 

[soulman969]

I would think it would be next to impossible to find this out,that is until someone builds two IDENTICAL basses from the EXACT SAME BATCHES of wood. Obviously,both basses would have to be passive. As electronics would 'color' the sound. The only difference should ONLY be the different dimensions on the neck,to accommodate the extra string,of course.
It would seem (IMO),that there would be a ever so slight change in tone due to the extra mass on the 5-string neck.

Just my 2 cents.

To me this would be the only way to say whether or not a given bass sounded different between it's four string and five string versions. And I'd agree that the extra mass in the neck of the 5 string might produce and audible difference played solo or possibly in recording but in a band mix....no.

The other differences that come from technique such as where a note is played are certainly going to produce some tonal differences but that doesn't really tell us anything since that would be the same on either bass.

I can't say by experience what the differences may have been since my four string and five string were completely different in every regard including scale length but the above seems to me like the best way to truly judge any difference.

 

[chatterbox272]

I don't notice a difference so much when playing with fingers, but when some notes are played with a pick I've noticed sometimes the B string will vibrate too, giving it a bit of a different tone as the harmonics are ringing through the other string. Of course if you mute the strings then I don't notice the difference.

Although, thinking about it maybe it could be because of the pickups? even if they are the same but with an extra pole that may change the sound?

 

[sayman]

Let's send this one to "Mythbusters".

 

[roadkill2309]

Let's send this one to "Mythbusters".

Yeah, except that if Kari Byron puts a hand on a bass, half the members of TB will immediately lose their minds.

 

[Mola Ram]

Yeah, except that if Kari Byron puts a hand on a bass, half the members of TB will immediately lose their minds.

HAH! Oh so very true.

 

[RED J]

I did find a difference. I started with a Squier with a huge neck, went to a Fender Jazz, had a couple of Fender MB-5's and a Yamaha drift through my stable.

With each and every one, I found a "mushiness" to the attack and string response I couldn't get past. They just didn't have the crisp pop and bloom of the note I get in a four.

It could just be me and my technique, but I tried new strings, adjusting and changing pickups, and went through 5 basses, and it was just "there". I loved the feel and the low B but just couldn't get past the difference I noticed.

I ended up with a four string strung BEAD, and am now happy.Truly a case of ??? for me.

 

[Modern Growl]

bigger, wider 5 string necks sound different then their smaller 4 string conterparts.

i hear a difference big time.

 

[roadkill2309]

bigger, wider 5 string necks sound different then their smaller 4 string conterparts.

i hear a difference big time.

I think you're stinkin' wrong!

Uh, unless you're right...

Quick, how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?

 

[pickles]

I don't see this as an "arguement" ... people come to TB for ideas and perspectives that might help them choose instruments that will make them happier. So I was just trying to represent a point of view that I've come to after playing hundreds of instruments and doing a fair amount of gigging, recording, and listening.

I think they sound different, and I can get into lots of theories I have as to why, but they just do. I was a fairly early adopter of 5 and 6 string basses and still own a bunch of 5'ers, so I don't mean it as a knock against 5'ers or the people that love them.

I also think the neck pickup on a J doesn't sound like a P, and that there's a different "right" set of strings for every different bass, and that every individual instrument sounds a little different from another that has identical specs.

And I also think you can handle your gigs on pretty much any bass, and your time is probably better spent practicing than talkbassing.

Opinions are like bellybuttons.

 

[Martin89]

I think the 4's and 5's of a model of bass are different but are in the same school. a 4 or 5 P, J, ATK, StingRay, etc. is going to be able to sound like a P, J, ATK, StingRay, etc. Even the same model P's sound different but still sound like their definitive sound. The EQ may not be the same but they'll pull it off.

 

[darkstorm]

No diff in sound for the regular 4 strings on a fiver. Just diff string spacing in most cases.

 

[basspraiser]

OK...I will agree with you hear...that is par tof the reason i love to play a fiver...also...I can play a Low E now and again because, as i said earleir, I do not like the way "open strings" sound....that is just me...

Notes played on the low B string are fatter than the same note on the E string (or other strings). That's the only thing I've noticed.

 

[basspraiser]

dunno....I guess I do notice that the E string has more "presence" which I atribute to the fact that it has 2 pole pieces to vibrate between (or a slighly longer strip in teh case of a strip pickup)....not a different sound, but maybe louder..

as for your comment on the 10 string...that makes ALOT of sense..not because of the number of strings, but because of the double strings.

would love to see pics of your 5 string RICS...do you modify/change the pickups? the neck does not seem wide enough to add another string....I thought the neck was too narro with 4 strings!

There is a difference. I convert 4 string Rickenbackers into 5 string Rickenbackers. So I get to compare the exact same bass as a 4 and a 5. Some 4 string Rickenbackers have a quieter low E string. But the same bass converted into a 5 now the E string is very lively.

What I really noticed was when I had my 10 string bass. (it was a 5 string with 5 octave strings) All of the strings were very live and sustained forever.

So my theory is the more strings on the neck the better the rest of the strings sound. More stress on the compresses the wood so it resonates better.

 

[basspraiser]

This is one of those arguments that TB breeds, and like so many of these arguments, it's kind of the bassist's version of arguing over how many angels can dance on the head of a pin.

well put Jess! well put! I agree...interestng though....do people REALLY say they can tell the sonic difference between clay and plastic????? REALLY? REALLY?

 

[bzmnt]

I can hear the difference on Stingray's - the 4 string models always sound more round, basically more midrange. A good amount oflow end with the on-board EQ at the center detents. Still can go plenty low though. The 5 string Stingray's just seem to have more low end on EVERY string with the knobs on the middle detents. I have noticed that on almost every Stingray I have ever played.

Different neck lengths, another string to add more pounds of force to the bass neck, a higher mass bridge, more wood overall, there are definite tone differences.

As always, play both and determine from there.

I've thought that stingray 4 and 5 had a bit different preamps? I guess that could explain such eq differences. Please correct if I'm wrong.

 

[basspraiser]

Let's send this one to "Mythbusters".

there ya go....one of the few TV shows I actually watch...on occasion when I DO watch TV!

I am even in san fran right now on business...maybe I can drop by their shop with my Lakies for a test run ( I am a Kari Byron fan as well as a fan of Adanm and Jamie!)

 

[basspraiser]

Yeah, except that if Kari Byron puts a hand on a bass, half the members of TB will immediately lose their minds.

Did not read this before my last post...hillarious...I agree!

 

[basspraiser]

I called is a "discussion" not an "argument"....no issues Pickles!

Just thought it would make an interesting topic....really....as I do not hear a difference....

maybe you have a more discerning ear than me...quite possible as my hearing has been compromised some (mostly on the high end) from years of working around machinery and being in manufacturing facilities (I appraise manufacturing equipment)....so maybe I am the one with the issues...kinda sad really as I quite enjoy the different sounds my bassses have....

I don't see this as an "arguement" ... people come to TB for ideas and perspectives that might help them choose instruments that will make them happier. So I was just trying to represent a point of view that I've come to after playing hundreds of instruments and doing a fair amount of gigging, recording, and listening.

I think they sound different, and I can get into lots of theories I have as to why, but they just do. I was a fairly early adopter of 5 and 6 string basses and still own a bunch of 5'ers, so I don't mean it as a knock against 5'ers or the people that love them.

I also think the neck pickup on a J doesn't sound like a P, and that there's a different "right" set of strings for every different bass, and that every individual instrument sounds a little different from another that has identical specs.

And I also think you can handle your gigs on pretty much any bass, and your time is probably better spent practicing than talkbassing.

Opinions are like bellybuttons.

 

[jplumansoc]

Own and play lots of 4s and 5s. They sound the same. However fretting a E on the B string is going to sound different than an open E on the E string. Some people prefer the sound of one to the other... I use it depending on the situation but mostly tend to go in favor of what makes something easier to play and I'll compensate on my touch to make them sound almost identical (fretted or open string)...

What he said.