5-string players with a 4-string?

[Roscoe East]

many people I've played with say it's my best sounding axe.

Stop right there.

Keep it.

 

[Mastermold]

Why assume one can only play one bass or another? Play both (or neither if you like 6'ers).

 

[phillybass101]

I own and play both 5 and 4 strings and I used to own a 6 string. At first moving from 4 to 5 took some getting used to. I've found that the discipline and muscle memory I've developed playing the 5 and 6ers has made playing a 4 string a real treat. Playing a 4 string after mastering the 5 or 6 string is like a boys night out if you have a steady girl or a wife. it's an abolute treat. and the slapping is like all out abandon!!!!

 

[Gaius46]

I have 4, 5 and 6 string basses, fretted and fretless. The vast majority of my playing in on the fretless 6. The 5, a fretted Jazz, accompanies me on gigs and gets used for about a third of the set list but that's it. The 4s stay in the music room and get played maybe once a month if that much.

 

[Marko 1]

Only four-string I have left is a nice MIM Precision that I had set up, Hippoopie Drop-D tuner and DR Jonas Hellborg strings. I keep it just because I feel I should have a four-string, maybe more for someone else to play if they wanted, and the P was the one I thought best to keep.

I’m so acclimated to the B string, I personally can’t imagine a good reason for me to play a four-string anymore.

Understand, though, that most of my actual playing experience has been on a fiver, and I never got very good before then. If I had played a four-string a lot before and was really comfortable on one, I might feel differently about using both.

 

[JimiLL]

I play two 5 strings now, only reason I keep my 4 is because thats the bass I learned on and it has some sentimental value. And the 4 doesnt get played AT ALL anymore

 

[Mastermold]

I regularly use both 4 and 5 string basses and navigate back and forth without any problem. It's like driving cars with different gears, not a big deal.

 

[Dave Siff]

I'm considering parting with my last decent 4-string and need your opinion. It doesn't see much play time anymore, but many people I've played with say it's my best sounding axe.

I just faced this exact same situation. I sold the bass, and then a playing situation came up where I could use a 4-string. Luckily, the guy I sold it to had decided to sell it, and I snagged it right back.
There was another factor in my case: the bass has tremendous sentimental value (which, admittedly, didn't stop me from selling it.)
I'd say if it's a bass you love, and you think the need for a 4-string might ever arise again, keep it.

 

[jfh2424]

When I found that a 5 was necessary for some of the paying gigs I was offered, I went Hipshot. It was a great decision. With the D tuner and the Double Stop, I can tune to B, D or E.

And I can keep my 4 string.

So I can't really help you.

John

 

[TinIndian]

I have a 5 and 2 4 strings right now. My main bass during the gigs is the 5 but I use whichever 4 I bring with me for at least 1 set. I like the differences between them. In fact next year when I buy another bass it will be a 4.

 

[georgestrings]

When I found that a 5 was necessary for some of the paying gigs I was offered, I went Hipshot. It was a great decision. With the D tuner and the Double Stop, I can tune to B, D or E.

And I can keep my 4 string.

So I can't really help you.

John

I hear people saying that, but can't imagine my .105 E strings(typical medium string) going all the way down to low B without being floppy, and sounding like crap - regardless of the device that gets it there... FWIW, I have Hipshots on 2 of my basses, and they work vey well - but I don't see any bass string being capable of such a tuning drop without some issues...


- georgestrings

 

[Lee H]

I have, and will keep both.
I have friends who have become so used to their 5ers, that they now have a difficult time playing a 4. To me that means they have eliminated the possibility of 8 and 12 string basses, with multiple courses. That is not something I am willing to accept just for the B string

 

[Rev.Dr.]

I have 4, 5, and 6 string basses. My 4 string MIM Fender jazz , which is the least expensive bass I own, gets just as much playing time as the others.

 

[vin*tone]

I play both 4 and 5 & use the bass that SOUNDS best for any gig. IMO people get too hung up about how a bass plays and feels. At the end of the day, we're musicians - its all about the noises that are coming out of your rig.

If your 4 is copping tones your 5 can't then keep it. You should probably be playing it more.

 

[lowphatbass]

If you're posing the question it seems like you're ready to part with it. My guess is, if the bass you replace it with really hits the mark you'll be happy, if it falls short you may be kicking yourself in the butt.

It took a long time to realize that for me, there's a huge difference between a 4 and 5 beyond the 5 extra notes. The whole approach and feel is different. There are also some people I play with who appreciate, and are more comfortable with a 4 string playing bassist on their gigs.

I didn't own a 4 string from '91 until around '04 aside from my UB. Relearning how to play a 4 string made me really appreciate and understand how to approach the use of range and octaves to make the notes work and the songs groove. In a lot of ways playing 4 string is more challenging.

 

[P. Aaron]

I have both a 4 & 5 strong Fender Precisions. I rotate them every few weeks. For today's Country music, a 5'er seems almost mandatory but my 4 string is also a joy for tone & feel.

It's great to have choices. I like both basses so, they both get played.

 

[bassist4dalord]

Variety is the spice of life!

+1. Why limit yourself? Hold on to the 4.

 

[pbass62]

For me it is the complete opposite situation. Im going back to a Lakland 4-94 with a hipshot d-tuner which works for most of my playing duties. I play at your sister church, but Im not familure with what your weekly song list or style consist of. If they are what we are doing at north a 4 is what seems to be on the recordings of the newer songs. On occasion if we do something that has a little more of a gospel feel that requires that low B,C or Db or that modern tone I will pull out the Roscoe 5.
IMO: Keep the MOD.

 

[hrodbert696]

I'm not hearing any strong reason to sell the 4. Set it aside, you may want it later. I mostly play 5ers, had a revolving door or 4s and donated the last one to a middle school jazz band fundraiser a year ago - and then spent the year wishing I had a 4 just for the variety and, I don't know, the basic simplicity of it. Oh yeah, and the skinny neck. Just picked up a Squier Jag with some birthday money and very glad to have it. I don't really play it in a band, the 5s are for that, but do a lot of practice and exercises at home on it.

 

[basspraiser]

I just got a 4 banger in a trade (a REALLY nice one).....but seem to be having troubles re-adjusting.....the other day I was playing it and something did not "sound right" for a few notes...looked down and I was on the wrong string (usually you hear that from people going from a 4 to a five!)

may have to sell it.....sad because it is a special bass!