5 string players - any advantage to picking up a 4 string for any reason?

[FuzzFacetious]

For a 7 string guitar it's very important to have a 6 string to hand for covers and certain things that you can't do with a 7 string.

Is there anything that the lack of a 5th string makes easier or once you play 5 string is it better to continue to buy 5 strings? Is there more to lose than gain by getting a 4 string?

Cheers

 

[bholder]

Well, only thing I can think of is that some of my favorite basses only come in 4 strings, might consider one if the bass has a unique feel / sound.

 

[Tony cook]

The 5 string adds a lower note and makes it easier to do lower tunings. Some 4 strings can handle lower tunings. A lot of 4 strings require different stings, nut work, possible bridge work, and set up.

I personally use my 5 string for low tunings and the 4 string for e standard or drop d. Your prob going to use a 5 string based on preference, music style, or ease of low tunings.

That's my take on a 5 string. My band plays in C standard so my 5 string I tune up like a half a step versus tuning down 2 full steps on a 4 string.

 

[tfer]

I use my 4 string for teaching, when my students only have a 4, but that's about the only time I use mine.

 

[Gnal]

I've found that everything I play on my 4 string can easily be played on my 5 string; in fact, some things are easier on the 5 string since there is less need for positions changes.

With that being said, playing the 5 string, you need to be a little more mindful of your muting technique (even more so on a 6 string).

My 5 strings are J style basses while my main 4 strings are P style. I play which ever best suits the music at any given time.

The only thing I can think of that that is easier to do on a 4 string vs a 5 string is wrap your thumb over the top of the fret board to mute or fret the E string for some reason.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I only play five strings on stage. But, certain 4 strings have distinct sounds in the studio. I regularly use a Kay 162 four string to record with. If I need something below its range I use a five but nothing else sounds like that Kay.

 

[FuzzFacetious]

I only play five strings on stage. But, certain 4 strings have distinct sounds in the studio. I regularly use a Kay 162 four string to record with. If I need something below its range I use a five but nothing else sounds like that Kay.

If you have a 5 string and a 4 string version of the same model, is there something about the way a 4 string is made (smaller, lighter, less width on the neck etc) that makes it sound superior? Or is it more that they don't make a 5 string version of your favourite basses?

 

[eloann]

Energic playing especially in drop D (or drop anything) tuning is trickier because the extra string can get in the way.

 

[Felix1776]

I joined a band two months after I started playing bass. The material required I play a fiver. After almost a year, I tried to play a four and was lost. I went and bought a four and played both equally. Now switching back and forth is effortless.

 

[jlepre]

For me? I've tried on several occasions to pick up a 4 stringer after playing mainly 5s since 1992. Always either returned or sold the 4. I can do anything an more on my 5.

 

[PeaveyPlayer]

I go on 4 string and 5 string all the time

you would only be more consistent playing only a 5 or only a 4

 

[StyleOverShow]

The only real difference is the string spacing. On the 4 you are much liker to get 17-19 mm spacing and if you slap/pop or otherwise it's easier if you have more space between the strings.

 

[pappabass]

I started on a 4 string, been playing 5 for 15 years. I recwntly bought a beater 4 to practice scales. Now I rarely play the 5 string. I mainly play small venues/open mics now & the 4 fits the venue better. To me, my 5 is best for church & country music.

 

[blixild]

As has been mentioned, some drop-D stuff is easier without the extra string getting in the way. That being said, I recently started tuning the low string on my 5-s and 6-s down and now I tend to prefer that.

But when I pick up my 4-string P Bass, despite having fewer strings, it seems freeing in a certain way. I definitely play differently on a 4-string than on a 5- or 6-, so it can help creativity if I'm in a rut.

 

[LaXu]

Can't really think of what you can't do on a 7 string guitar that you can on a 6 string. Same thing for 5 string bass. Of course the neck on a 5 string is wider but on the other hand it's a bit easier to find a 5 string with narrower string spacing which I prefer. I recently moved from a 4 string to a 5 string shorter scale one with a high C and actually like playing the 5 string more.

My beef with many 5 string basses is that they come with a longer scale and the same 19mm string spacing as 4 string models do. I really hope multiscales become more common as they fix the issue with uncomfortable scale length should you want that low B string. The problem is kinda the same as standard scale 7 string guitars, that low B just doesn't sound and feel as good. My only 7 string guitar is a multiscale now and it is really a big improvement on instruments with "extra" strings.

 

[Bob_Ross]

When I do studio sessions I always bring along a 4-string and a 5-string bass bass. If the part I'm going to play doesn't require a 5-string bass -- either because it doesn't take advantage of the extended range or because it doesn't need the sound of some notes being played on the B string -- I'll use the 4-string to track the part. Always seems to make it easier for both me and the engineer.

 

[jasonmatthews]

General speaking, I pick the instrument that best fits the sound I need at the moment. All of my instruments sound different, so it's usually not a question of how many strings there are.

 

[Sav'nBass]

I only have two 4s. One is an abg the other is my first real bass a 78 jazz bass. I rarely play the J4 and play the abg on special occasions. Ofher than that my mainstay is 5s and I am working on becoming better on a 6 I have.

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

If you have a 5 string and a 4 string version of the same model, is there something about the way a 4 string is made (smaller, lighter, less width on the neck etc) that makes it sound superior? Or is it more that they don't make a 5 string version of your favourite basses?

 

[Moe Monsarrat]

I think a 5 string Jazz sounds just like a 4 if you don't play the B string. And no they don't make a 5 string Kay but I'd buy one if they did.