There IS no better or worse. Play what you like, how you like, and when you like. Oh and do a search. This topic comes up about every 30 seconds and the answers don't get any smarter.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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 vs 5 string basses
- Thread starter Davidandalanna
- Start date
There IS no better or worse. Play what you like, how you like, and when you like. Oh and do a search. This topic comes up about every 30 seconds and the answers don't get any smarter.
I had a 7 String Conklin but I found it a waste. I would play everything on the A and not touch the other 6 strings. Just got it because I figured it would make me look like I was really good.
I eventually sold it, bought a four string and only put on the A string. Eventually worked my way up to having all four strings but I tune B-E-A-D cause I like a da lows and I play with a guitarist and he plays the high notes.
I eventually sold it, bought a four string and only put on the A string. Eventually worked my way up to having all four strings but I tune B-E-A-D cause I like a da lows and I play with a guitarist and he plays the high notes.
Having gone from 4 to 5 string, and still play both, i sometimes play a note on the b string by accident as i was so used to the e string being the string at the "top" of the fretboard, but thats more a case of more practice, getting used to it needed that anything.
However the five string i have has a more jazz bass nut width , as in the smaller of the two nut widths for five string that warmoth offered, which did in turn sharpen my playing on my p bass aswell, both are good, ones just a bit different, plus i have learnt one or two songs lower using the b string.
However the five string i have has a more jazz bass nut width , as in the smaller of the two nut widths for five string that warmoth offered, which did in turn sharpen my playing on my p bass aswell, both are good, ones just a bit different, plus i have learnt one or two songs lower using the b string.
A five string is objectively superior to a four string and I can prove it mathematically.
5 > 4
Dare you argue with concrete mathematics? No. No, you shan't.
5 > 4
Dare you argue with concrete mathematics? No. No, you shan't.
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!
This is always true. You can play any music ever written on any instrument you put your hands on and people don't seem to understand that.
Bonus: If you choose to move UP, you're actually moving into the instrument's low-mid range, which will help you cut through the mix, provided you're in the typical band situation for popular music. People seem to think the solution is to move lower, lower, lower and that just muddies your tone to the point where note articulation is horrible. I always find the "sweet spot" where I can hear the bass separate and distinct from the distorted guitars and tell what it's playing is when the bass player goes up a string.
Wow...you actually got bites from people who should know better. Chuffed, no?
+1!
I find the B hard to mix in with the sound of my bluesrockband, whereas in my jazz/fusion projects it fits perfectly.
I have both 4 and 5 string basses. I find the 4 string harder to play because I reach back for that B string, and it's missing. It forces me to move to a lower note on the E string or depending on the key I'm in, play an open E.
Both my 5ers are high quality basses with excellent B strings that ring out clean and clear. I prefer playing the B at the 5th fret versus the open E. I can play in the same key higher on the neck where the frets are closer together and acheive better economy of motion. I also like to use the lower notes to end songs or if I'm playing something slow it's nice to put a big heavy low note in tastefully.
That said, you can play a 5er like a 4 string, but you can't play a 4 like a 5. To me, a 5 is the best of both worlds.
Nothing wrong with a 4 string. Like I said, I have one, and play it quite a bit. But my 5 strings are like comfortable old shoes. They just fit me.
Both my 5ers are high quality basses with excellent B strings that ring out clean and clear. I prefer playing the B at the 5th fret versus the open E. I can play in the same key higher on the neck where the frets are closer together and acheive better economy of motion. I also like to use the lower notes to end songs or if I'm playing something slow it's nice to put a big heavy low note in tastefully.
That said, you can play a 5er like a 4 string, but you can't play a 4 like a 5. To me, a 5 is the best of both worlds.
Nothing wrong with a 4 string. Like I said, I have one, and play it quite a bit. But my 5 strings are like comfortable old shoes. They just fit me.
First off, yes there is better in music. Many people think music is 'all about feelings bro', which it can be, but there are some absolutes:
Jaco was better me
Marcus is better than me
Geddy (bass is great! but the music Rush makes is :scowl
is better than me..yes, better. Physically better, theory better, sold more albums better...
Scream-o, thrash metal could be used as torture
oh and as far as the 4 v.s 5 argument, whoever is BETTER will make that instrument sound BETTER..
Jaco was better me
Marcus is better than me
Geddy (bass is great! but the music Rush makes is :scowl
is better than me..yes, better. Physically better, theory better, sold more albums better...Scream-o, thrash metal could be used as torture
oh and as far as the 4 v.s 5 argument, whoever is BETTER will make that instrument sound BETTER..
I have only played on a 4 string bass....so far. I can only dream of how much I could do with more realestate to imagine on.
And some dig on the 2 stringers... YouTube - Sandberg California P (Thanks to Sandberg) <----check this out
MikeBass
Supporting Member
- Nov 4, 2003
- 11,943
- 3,133
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist- Suhr basses, PedalTrain, GHS, Ultimate Ears
there is no better 4 or 5 string.
What do you think if I say more than 4 string is just a hype, for show off, so looks cool, play better ?
I know a lot of bassist with more than 4 strings play horrible music.
I play 4, 5,6 strings but it I think the number of strings doesnot make me play better .
What do you think if I say more than 4 string is just a hype, for show off, so looks cool, play better ?
I know a lot of bassist with more than 4 strings play horrible music.
I play 4, 5,6 strings but it I think the number of strings doesnot make me play better .
If im not mistaken though, For Today goes to drop C on thier albums. In that case, no notes are out of reach because you are exactly in tune with thier bassist.
I use my 4 string for anything thats Drop C or higher. Then for Drop B or lower I go to my fiver. But also I dont drop tune, i just lower everything equally. It makes it harder to follow a guitar with your eyes, but its way more comfortable to me. Even if some riffs are kinda harder to play.
