4 vs 5 string basses

[MikeBass]

Or put a HipShot D-Tuner with the Double Stop Lever on your 4 string (two dropped positions from E).
Then you have a drop D and the second setting a drop B (like I have on mine) .
So, I have a 4 string that has all the lower range of a 5 but it's not a 5. It's still a 4. But can go low like a 5......
Guys like Matt Garrison, Janek Gwizdala and Tony Grey have 5 strings tuned E-C, but a Hip-Shot dropped to B.
So they have a 5 with the range of a 5 with a low B, but also the higher range of a 6 tuned to high C.
But it's neither a 6 or a B-G tuned 5. It's a E-C 5 that goes to low B, but doesn't have a low B and still goes high like a 6 with a high C.........my head is starting to hurt.......

 

[bucephylus]

Which is better? Why?

The one that sounds better.

Because it sounds better.

Guess this question will keep popping up in perpetuity. It might help some of you guys to talk to some of our cohorts over on the Double Bass forums. They've been dealing for this issue since before electric bass guitars existed.

Pretty much the gig determines whether you need low notes or not and what kind of hardware you need to get there. No absolute answers. Put your emphasis on playing an instrument that sounds good and on your playing capabilities. Then, deal with low notes as you need to. There are detuners for the 4 which do a pretty good job.

I personally do think it is a pretty big challenge for a luthier to build the instruments with the lower string. It did take the EBG manufacturers a while to get the 5th low string well integrated, but those instruments have now been around for 15 years or more; so, its not so much of an issue any more.

 

[BlueTalon]

I find the 4 string harder to play because I reach back for that B string, and it's missing.

I have the opposite problem. The 5-string is harder for me because when I anchor my thumb on the B string, it throws off my muscle memory, and I sometimes hit the wrong string or open air.

 

[stflbn]

You get paid more if you have more strings... just like you get paid more if you play more notes...

 

[GBassNorth]

5 string is clearly better! That low B string significantly increases the playability of all my 5 string basses. Think of it as a 34" thumb rest that you can actually get a good noise out of on one or two songs in a 15 set list. (sarc off)

Seriously, all my newer basses are 5s because they just feel more comfortable to me. I do use the low B string but probably on only 10% of the songs I play in a classic rock band. In a rap, dub or regae band I'd use it a lot more.

 

[theduke1]

My Queston to you is Which fits your style? that is the one that is better for you!

 

[bassbenj]

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.

And I presume you have him do your bass solos for you also...

 

[Calaverasgrande]

The width of the neck is a non issue. There are 5 string basses made by ibanez and others that are as narrow or narrower than a 4 string. To me the 5 string has the advantage of more notes available from each position. The 4 has the advantage of less open strings to manage.
I personally gave up on 5 strings because I was never happy with the tension. Either too floppy or too tight.

 

[BlueTalon]

I started on a four, so that's where my comfort zone is. If I was starting to learn today, I might just start learning on a five. I certainly would recommend it to anyone starting out now. If they're going to start from scratch, they might as well get familiar on a bass that will give them more flexibility in the long run.

 

[Craigster]

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.

+1000 I started on a 4 a few months back found a 5 I really like, traded for a 6 recently and should have my GT-7 early next week. Everything (modes,scales) translates and with ERB's you have the opportunity to play chords.

 

[BlueTalon]

BTW why do people think it's so hard to go from a 4 to a 5 or 6?

Some of us are old codgers. It falls in the category of old-dog-new-trick. Try doing something one way for 30 years and then suddenly change it up.

That's one explanation. Another is that people just have differing aptitudes. It's like some people can learn languages rather easily, while others really struggle. (And that's another area where it's generally advantageous to be younger.)

 

[fingerbun]

Some of us are old codgers. It falls in the category of old-dog-new-trick. Try doing something one way for 30 years and then suddenly change it up.

That's one explanation. Another is that people just have differing aptitudes. It's like some people can learn languages rather easily, while others really struggle. (And that's another area where it's generally advantageous to be younger.)

It's very good for us old codgers to learn new tricks. Keeps the brain younger.

I had been playing 4 string for 32 years when I bought my 5. There are some styles of music where the extra string is useless to me but others where it is a lot of fun.

 

[fingerbun]

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!

There's something nice about the low notes on a bass.

 

[BlueTalon]

It's very good for us old codgers to learn new tricks. Keeps the brain younger.

I had been playing 4 string for 32 years when I bought my 5. There are some styles of music where the extra string is useless to me but others where it is a lot of fun.

Oh, I wasn't saying for us old guys not to do it! It was just one explanation for why the transition is harder for some of us than for others.

I have two 5-sting basses, I like them, and have no plans of getting rid of them. But that doesn't mean the transition is any easier -- playing them is still tricky for me (certainly less natural-feeling than playing a 4-string), and it probably always will be.

 

[VictorG]

I could use a bit of help.
I am having a bit of an issue going from 4 strings to 5. The issue is I have a hard time getting my fingering correctly on the low end frets especially the G and A strings. Its almost like I am playing a damn Guitar it being the closeness of the strings on a 5 string. Anyone have any good fingering exercises that would help?
I am beginning to think my dern fingers are as big as sausage

 

[James Judson]

Which is better????

Well ME of course.

 

[VictorG]

Quote:
Originally Posted by 4Banger4 View Post
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.

"And I presume you have him do your bass solos for you also..."


Nice retort, LMMFAO.
4Banger4
I have a friend I do a bit of music with that makes them 1 string cigar box Didly Bows> Also there is a fellow next shop over to me that makes them out of soda cans. I can send you their #'s and you can save a lot of $ . The CANJO's only cost 25 bucks

Save you quite a bit instead of having to spend all kinds of money on your next bass.

 

[Ric5]

4 vs 5 string basses Which is better? Why?


The 5 is one better than the 4 ... it is simple math ... no one can deny it.

 

[Bassdirty]

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!

True..BUT,
I'd guess that there are very few situations that you are on a low "B" and need that low A.
vs. being on the E and want say..a lower D? No?
JMO

Point is, I've always played a 5er, and probably..never wished I had a low A.,On the other hand if I happen to be playing a 4 string at practice, I miss tha low D in maybe 1 outa 5 songs ...easy.(Also depends on the music..which is why this is my opinion only)

 

[stingray2112]

It's all a matter of personal preference. You have lower notes with 5 strings but your also capable of hitting those same notes if you down tune on a 4 string. Just demo some 4 strings and 5 strings and see what you like best.