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4 vs 5 string basses
- Thread starter Davidandalanna
- Start date
Neither...
Because there's no better bass, no better amp, no better strings, no better pickups, no better anything in music...
bongomania
Commercial User
No such thing as "better". The 5 has one more string, which means a couple more notes and several more hand positions. The 4 has one less string to learn.
- Aug 14, 2008
- 698
- 12
- Disclosures
- Owner and Operator, Xylem Handmade Basses and Guitars
I agree with the idea that there is no "better" in this case. Each has its use.
Sometimes you don't use the B string for a certain song and the narrower neck of a 4 string makes it easier to play.
Other times you need those extra notes or a tone you can only get from a low B or high C string.
Sometimes you don't use the B string for a certain song and the narrower neck of a 4 string makes it easier to play.
Other times you need those extra notes or a tone you can only get from a low B or high C string.
I have been playing off and on for over 30 years and this past year, I finally bought a 5 string and most recent a 6 string. Back when I started out, there were 5 and 6 string basses but I never saw any until recently. Now, they are common place but you still have to learn a 4 string first....
5 has more range. More lower range. And I know this sounds untrue, but once you learn the fretboard, 5 is actually easier to play: you can keep your hand in one spot on the fretboard for most songs, LOL! This is coming from a lazy bass player! Seriously though, for today's music, 5 is almost a necessity unless you drop tune to D on a four string, and then you're still missing a few lower notes....
bongomania
Commercial User
No you don't. I learned 5 string first.
I'm glad I did, too. Made transitioning between 5 and 4 much easier than learning on a 4 would have, IMO.
Unless you go up an octave, in which case you need to neither drop D nor add a string. There will always be a note under which you cannot reach. On a 4 string anything under E is unreachable, unless you drop D tune in which case anything under D is unreachable, but if you get a 5 string then your "bottom" note is B, so Bb and A are unreachable. In all of those cases, the solution is to go up an octave. Problem solved!
Unless you go up an octave, in which case you need to neither drop D nor add a string. There will always be a note under which you cannot reach. On a 4 string anything under E is unreachable, unless you drop D tune in which case anything under D is unreachable, but if you get a 5 string then your "bottom" note is B, so Bb and A are unreachable. In all of those cases, the solution is to go up an octave. Problem solved!
That's what I always say, but people still insist...
The number of strings doesn't make you better. I play a 6 string bass for the range I need when playing some stuff, but if I don't need the extra range I grab my 4 string bass. BTW why do people think it's so hard to go from a 4 to a 5 or 6? The neck is a little wider but if you know your scales and modes well it takes no time at all to transition to more strings. Some people act like it's a whole new instrument by adding another string.
I personally like 4 string. I can cover all my strings with a lot of speed.
I play in drop c on my 4 string.
The only reason I don't like 5 strings is because the neck is so fat I have to try harder to get all the notes, plus it feels kinda awkward. Maybe it's just the basses I've played?
I play in drop c on my 4 string.
The only reason I don't like 5 strings is because the neck is so fat I have to try harder to get all the notes, plus it feels kinda awkward. Maybe it's just the basses I've played?
