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

#41
I've got a six, and a five. Both Dingwall. The only four strings I've kept are really for sentimental reasons.

There are songs that can be played on a 6 but not a seven? Maybe if the song uses an alternate tuning, but the OP wasn't specific.
 
#43
5 string players - any advantage to picking up a 4 string for any reason?

I have a lot of basses ... none have 4 strings ... for me playing a 4 string bass is like it is missing a string ...

There is no advantage for me to play a 4. My 5 string bass will do everything the 4 does and more ...
 
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#45
I find that a four string and five string models of the same bass respond differently. Consequently I prefer the 5er for certain numbers and the 4 for others. And before anyone goes on about the difference being in brand or model or scale length, they are identical except for the string count. And I've played scores of each from the same maker, and the difference between 4's and 5's is consistent.
 
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#46
two fingers said:
I have gone completely 5 string these days. It's a rare style that can't be found in a 5 string today.

I even went so far as to turn down buying the sweetest sounding bass I ever heard by far because it was a 4 string. I just knew I wouldn't play it. It was a refin '63 P bass at Carter Vintage in Nashville. It was light as a feather, perfectly setup, and sounded incredible. Even my wife was egging me on to buy it because she had never the that kind of look on my face. I went back and played it twice. It sounded even better every time I picked it up. But I knew I wouldn't play it....

My main player is a 5 string P bass. Sounds like a P bass. What's not to like?
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You made the right decision. Hopefully, some monster player will find that P-bass and make waves. That would be a whole lot better than being a case queen at your house.
 
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#48
I've been playing a 35" scale 5 string Yamaha exclusively for the last ten years. Sounds amazing - but starting to sense a little strain in my wrists & hands after longer gigs.

Looking to pick up a Fender 4 string to simply my approach and lighten the schlepp.
 
#49
onydag said:
I played a 4 string bass guitar for 25 years before I got a Blue-Burst Stingray 5. I was in love with looking at that bass at the very least. Just an aside, but I had a girlfriend at the time who said: "Oh now that you have that blue bass you can get those rockabilly girls you like." ---I thought: "You jealous psycho," but also: "Who the f thinks rockabilly when they look at a Stingray 5?" Sorry for digression. I put a high C on it and had an amazing amount of fun with it for a year or so. Eventually, I just sold it because I was always more comfortable with the string spacing on my 4 string.
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Stingray 5's are the absolute best! A year ago I bought a NOS 2012 Fender American Standard Precision 5 and it still is an amazing bass. Last week my friend bought a 2016 Stingray 5HH and now that's all I can think about.
 
#51
Dr. Cheese said:
You made the right decision. Hopefully, some monster player will find that P-bass and make waves. That would be a whole lot better than being a case queen at your house.
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Agreed. That sucker needs to sing in somebody's hands. If I did ANY studio work these days I would have walked out with it.
 
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#53
I play a 4-string solely because I prefer a 4-string, despite the fact I also own and play a fiver when it's needed.

As others have said, unless there's a certain bass you like that's not available as a fiver, there's no big reason to add a 4-string to your collection.

That said, I notice I play very differently than I usually do when I'm using a 5-string. And I approach the bassline I'm playing in a different way as well. It's almost like my brain reprograms with that extra string and my entire feel and groove changes.

I don't know if other players experience the same thing. But people I play with tell me I'm like a whole different bass player on a fiver.

I sometimes wonder if my Spector is possessed by a spirit, or something similar? :nailbiting::cautious:
 
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#55
Carter Vintage is an amazing store. I love going in there. They've got it goin on especially with the acoustic instruments/mandolins etc.

I've been playing a 5 string for 10+ years and haven't looked back. But I don't know if there's an advantage to it. I think that slap bass is a bit easier on a 4 string.

Also, just because you have the extra string doesn't mean you need to play it. Just stick to what's right for the song and you'll be ok. I'd check out Jimmy Johnson. A session ace who is one of the best 5 string players I've ever heard some some reference on how to incorporate the low notes tastefully.

Lastly, you can have a 5 string with a high C. Lots of people are doing that in really creative ways. I'm sure lots of people post about Matt Garrison and Janek Gwizdala on here.
 
#57
FuzzFacetious said:
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
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Some bass players just don't like the feeling of 5s, so they will keep 4s around for when they don't need the B.
I use a 4 and a 5 during my set. The 4 is CGCF. Working that out on a 5 would be a pain.
 
#58
I am torn when choosing between 4 or 5str too. I feel that 5 string has more versatility. They have access to more lower notes and that B-string really rumbles that stage with the low thump. The string spacing is also closer and it's easier to do licks with that.

4 String bass is lighter and I feel it is easier to slap on a 4string bass rather than 5string. BUt I think that's about all.

Price-wise, Normally 4-string and 5-string bass differ relatively little in price. Fender American Elite Jazz Bass even has same price for 4 & 5 string. With all this fact, I wonder why don't we all just use 5-string bass as a one-bass-for-all? A lot of pro players still prefer 4 string over 5.
 
#59
On a 5-string, I tend to mainly use the bottom 4 strings in a band situation. On a 4-string, mainly the bottom 3 strings.

It's just one of those funny things about how I play in a band. At home I'm all over the neck. Up, down, sideways.

As far as practicality on a gig or in the studio, pay no attention to me. My experience with fivers coincides with my sojourn among basement bands.
 
#60
Dr. Cheese said:
You made the right decision. Hopefully, some monster player will find that P-bass and make waves. That would be a whole lot better than being a case queen at your house.
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Exactly! That's why I sold my my beautiful '77 P bass last year. Unfortunately the buyer was not a bass player (he bought it for his music studio in brooklyn) but I hope one day it will be in the hands of some monster bass player in new york.
 

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