• 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.

Status
Not open for further replies.
#41
So depends on the gig. The 4 with a Hipshot will do most cover gigs, IME. The 5 has 3 lower notes, which I don't tend to use all that much; but there are a few tunes where they can be useful. Detained lower notes on the 4 speak a little better (longer string length), and there are some well known tunes played in that format where the lines lay a little better. OTOH, detuning the E can require a little more fingering preparation. I say go with what works best for you.
 
#42
JimmyM said:
Enough with this "do a search" stuff. Let the moderators do the moderating.

To answer your question, I have a 5 but I love 4's and rarely use the 5 except at home. I keep in shape in case someone asks me to use it, but it's happened once in the last 7 years, and that's fine by me.
Click to expand...

Sorry, I was just trying to point out that there is ton of great info out there already. I have nothing against the new thread, I just think that there's more info out there than could be learned from this thread. I could be completely wrong though.
 
#43
Garrett151 said:
Sorry, I was just trying to point out that there is ton of great info out there already. I have nothing against the new thread, I just think that there's more info out there than could be learned from this thread. I could be completely wrong though.
Click to expand...

Besides, if everyone did a search, there would be no new threads and TB would just become an archive.
 
#44
I started playing in 1970 and never gave any thought to owning a 5 string bass until I joined my churches music team in summer of 2009. I was quite surprised to hear how many of those songs used a 5'er and I not only liked what I heard but felt like I was missing out on something. (Who says an old dog like me can't learn a new trick?)

It's a great tool to have for the right occasion. If the songs we play need a 5'er I'll use it like I'm going to this Sunday. The songs we played last Sunday really didn't require a 5 string so I used my 4 string.
 
#45
The difference between 4 and 5 strings?

About 5 notes.

I prefer playing the 5 higher up the neck as there's less of a stretch, and less moving around. Also, the B string sounds so thick. I prefer the sound of an E on the B as opposed to the open E string. Could I play the same stuff on a 4? Sure could, but it would be marginally more work, and not sound quite as good to my ears.

In short, try a 5er for a little while and find out for yourself.
 
#46
I love my 5er. I love being able to go down to E Flat or D instead of always up. I love hitting one of those big fat sustained low notes at the end of a passage that makes the keyboard player turn round and grin. Playing across the neck? Some, not a lot - not much difference to a 4 really in what I play.

When I've picked up a 4 I've instantly felt faster though. This isn't because I'm more used to 4s. Over my bass playing 'career' I've played a lot more 5 than 4 and only own a 5er. For some types of playing or certain tunes, a 4 feels more comfortable, or easier to move around.

I'll confirm more when I pick up my new 4 tonight then play the two basses for a while, but my general impression to date (notice 'my', 'general' and 'to date' :) ) is:

4 = more comfortable
5 = more useful

If I could only have one bass on stage it'd be the 5, unless I knew I didn't need the low notes. Two basses? 4 and 5.
 
#47
I just got my first fiver yesterday and to be honest, I kinda hate it so far. I like playing further up the neck but I find it incredibly difficult to find the a string with my fretting hand. My right hand seems to have made the transition just fine but for some reason my left hand is falling behind. I'm not gonna give up after a day of course but it is quite annoying.
 
#48
I never looked at the equation as a 4 or 5er. I've always looked at it as another tool or another bass to have. That is an 'AND ' equation. Therefore I have a 4 string fretted, and a four string fretless, and a 5 string with a single MM pickup, and a 5 string fretted with a J/MM config, and a 5 string Single Cut with a J/MM config, and an 8 string (Octaves) bass with a MM pickup. I believe in having multiple basses and I play each often enough where i don't stumble around switching from one to the other. The having one bass and sticking to it philosophy never stuck with me. I'll have as many and play as many as I want. Even the cats that say that have more than one bass in their arsenal and record with more than just one bass. they may have a main bass, as I do but just one eventually gets boring.
 
#49
I'm guessing people who find it so difficult to switch between 4 and 5 also don't play any other stringed instruments. I seem to be able to get by okay in putting down my 5-string bass and picking up a 6-string guitar without my brain imploding.
 
#50
To me the 'Should I get a 5' question is answered very easily: Do you like the sound of the B string?

The B really has a sound of its own. It's sort-of a hollow sound, it 'bellows'. If you like that sound then get a 5, otherwise don't bother because you'll just play it like a 4 anyway.
 
#51
I also play both 4s and 5s. I am currently down to one 5-string with the rest being 4-strings. I do love my 5 a lot (see my avatar) but view the basses as tools and pick accordingly for the job. In church you are most likely to see me playing my 5-string because much of the music we plat there demands a 5-string. You will also see me playing it on the occasional metal gig. Admittedly the 4-strings get played the most.

If I had to have a desert island bass it would likely one of my 4-strings but for me I do need a 5er with the music I play. I also enjoy going back and forth between a 4-string and a 5-string. To me that is challenging and fun.
 
#52
I play a 4 string but replaced the E string with a B, I filed the nut to accomodate and haven't had any problems :) i play in tuning B, F#, B, E and don't miss the loss of notes at the high end but make good use of the extra notes at the low end. I only really done it as I feel more comfortable using a 4 string but no doubt i'll end up with a 5 string one day for that bit better tone.
 
#54
3234718 said:
I just got my first fiver yesterday and to be honest, I kinda hate it so far. I like playing further up the neck but I find it incredibly difficult to find the a string with my fretting hand. My right hand seems to have made the transition just fine but for some reason my left hand is falling behind. I'm not gonna give up after a day of course but it is quite annoying.
Click to expand...

LOL, I bet a lot of us felt the same way at first, I know I sure did. Give your brain and muscle memory a little time to adjust. I have a 4 AND a 5, and the 5 gets the most use by far these days. That doesn't mean I always use the B....I don't on a bunch of songs, but it is always there if desired. I figure it like this: my 5 has a built in 4 string, but the reverse ain't true. My 4 is my much loved backup, but I'd have no problem with 2 5'ers. If used with taste, those low notes can (at the right time) really add something to many songs! JMO...this will be an eternal arguement, with no right or wrong answer. Some of my favorite players only use 4's. Rock on!
 
#55
JimmyM said:
Enough with this "do a search" stuff. Let the moderators do the moderating.

To answer your question, I have a 5 but I love 4's and rarely use the 5 except at home. I keep in shape in case someone asks me to use it, but it's happened once in the last 7 years, and that's fine by me.
Click to expand...

I also keep a 5 for "that day", and it's nice to have the option but 4 strings seem to cover most situations for me and I still prefer the feel of a 4.
 
#56
I have tried several five strings over the years but keep going back to four strings. I like fives but don't like them enough to want to play them all the time. That doesn't mean they are not for you though! The best thing to do is find a cheap one and try it out. Either look for a used one or get one from Rondo for under $200. That way you don't have a bunch tied up in it and if you decide to sell it you can get most of your money back.
 
#57
To be honest I got it because it looked awesome, and somewhat because I didn't have an active bass. Pretty, isn't she?
2qwlxsw.jpg
 
#58
Add a hipshot d-tuner to your four stringer and there is no question about 4 or 5 string.
Invalid Link Removed

Offcourse you can put this thing to your 5 string and you get 6 string range, 6 string gets 7string and so on :)
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back