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5 String stigma?

#41
If you can't do it on four strings...

JUST KIDDING!!! I play four string basses, but I have nothing against five string basses. In fact, all other things being equal, for someone just starting out playing bass, I'd recommend starting with a five string. Then when they're more advanced, the five string will be what they're used to. 40 years ago there was a selection and availability issue, but not today.

I do have one bias regarding strings. I don't think anything over six strings should be called a "bass." They should find some other name for those.
 
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#42
JimiLL said:
If you can play it on a 5, you can play it on a 4. And vice versa. Or at least it should be
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Taken to extreme, you could play everything on one string if you like...not sure how that is helpful though? Playing a 62hz B is not exactly the same as playing a 31hz B, and IMHO something is lost if the music calls for 31hz and you cannot play it.

My #1 since about 1995 has been a Yamaha TRB6P. I use the Low B and High C when they are needed and appropriate. I don't over use them. Most of the time I don't feel they get in the way or impede my playing in any significant way. If I play a few songs and don't use one of the strings, it's no big deal. I don't feel any reason to carry a 5-string or 4-string. The only reason this would make since is if I wanted a bass with a different tone. For the record, I use to tour with three instruments: the TRB6P, a NS Design 6-string electric upright bass, and a very nice 4-string acoustic upright bass. Each of these instruments had a very different voice, and I played whichever I felt best fit the arrangement.

I do feel there are advantages to both 6-string and 4-string. One way to compare is to use something called force field analysis. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each instrument and then give each a numerical rating. Draw horizontal bars so you can do a graphical comparison of each instrument's advantages and disadvantages. Each person will come up with different ratings based on their level of skill on each instrument and whether they consider the extra strings useful in the context of the music they play.

For me it is not close. The 6-string has significantly more benefits and the few areas where the the 4-string comes out ahead are either of low value, or the scores are not really that different. Of course there might be unique situations where I might choose to play a 4-string. Certain slap patterns for example would be easier for me to play cleanly on a 4-string, but I can actually play some pretty incredible slap on 6-string, so it's rarely something I would consider.
 
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#43
Wasnex said:
Taken to extreme, you could play everything on one string if you like...not sure how that is helpful though? Playing a 62hz B is not exactly the same as playing a 31hz B, and IMHO something is lost if the music calls for 31hz and you cannot play it.

My #1 since about 1995 has been a Yamaha TRB6P. I use the Low B and High C when they are needed and appropriate. I don't over use them. Most of the time I don't feel they get in the way or impede my playing in any significant way. If I play a few songs and don't use one of the strings, it's no big deal. I don't feel any reason to carry a 5-string or 4-string. The only reason this would make since is if I wanted a bass with a different tone. For the record, I use to tour with three instruments: the TRB6P, a NS Design 6-string electric upright bass, and a very nice 4-string acoustic upright bass. Each of these instruments had a very different voice, and I played whichever I felt best fit the arrangement.

I do feel there are advantages to both 6-string and 4-string. One way to compare is to use something called force field analysis. Identify the advantages and disadvantages of each instrument and then give each a numerical rating. Draw horizontal bars so you can do a graphical comparison of each instrument's advantages and disadvantages. Each person will come up with different ratings based on their level of skill on each instrument and whether they consider the extra strings useful in the context of the music they play.

For me it is not close. The 6-string has significantly more benefits and the few areas where the the 4-string comes out ahead are either of low value, or the scores are not really that different. Of course there might be unique situations where I might choose to play a 4-string. Certain slap patterns for example would be easier for me to play cleanly on a 4-string, but I can actually play some pretty incredible slap on 6-string, so it's rarely something I would consider.
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I agree, I was mainly referring to different techniques and patterns being more difficult on a 5 or 6 than a 4
 
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#44
JimiLL said:
I agree, I was mainly referring to different techniques and patterns being more difficult on a 5 or 6 than a 4
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:thumbsup:


I think the biggest difference is muting. When I transitioned from 4-string to 5-string, I did not really notice much of a difference in the muting requirements, but I was seasoned player by this time (already a pro). When I transitioned from 5-string to 6-string I noticed that I frequently had uncontrolled string ring. I would think indignantly to myself, "Who the H*** is making that awful noise?" then I would realize, "Dang it's me! :facepalm::bag:. :roflmao:

I think it took about two years to expand and refine my muting technique; it requires both hands. Now I rarely think about it.

Early in the transition to 6-string, I felt that patterns with quick repetitive crossings back and forth across non-adjacent strings were much easier on 4-string than 6-string. Over the years the difference has become pretty minimal. Part of this problem may have been that my 6-string has 19mm string spacing...which is a lot of space to cover for this type of pattern. I transitioned from a Ric 4001 to a Yamaha BB5000 to a Yamaha TRB6P and the 6-string has the widest string spacing.
 
#46
Titanium said:
Hello, I posted a thread the other day about opinions on two bass models. I’m a veteran guitar player picking up a new bass, and one thing I noticed was how many people suggested that I buy a 4 string bass instead of a 5. I was a bit confused, because I was only asking about specific models, not whether to get a 4 or 5. Is there some stigma with 5 strings that I’m not aware of? I know everyone has opinions and I respect that, but I was surprised to see it pop up so much.
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Yes, there is amongst certain people. I don’t let it it bother me. Not my fault they have girly hands lol
 
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#50
Titanium said:
Hello, I posted a thread the other day about opinions on two bass models. I’m a veteran guitar player picking up a new bass, and one thing I noticed was how many people suggested that I buy a 4 string bass instead of a 5. I was a bit confused, because I was only asking about specific models, not whether to get a 4 or 5. Is there some stigma with 5 strings that I’m not aware of? I know everyone has opinions and I respect that, but I was surprised to see it pop up so much.
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Well, it's really not much different than the people who say "Start out with a 5-string bass, you'll thank me later" whenever someone asks for beginner bass suggestions.
 
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#52
Nephilymbass said:
From my experience this is a big part of it. The types of guitarists who want to tell the bass player what to play get confused by the extra string
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So funny you say that! I once auditioned for a popular local band with a 5, and they had a song that the guitarist tried to show me how he played it originally. I kept doing it on the E string like he was showing me and he kept telling me that was the wrong string until I told him that the lowest string was a B.

Their old bassist used a Precision. I didn't get the gig.

Stigma exists with basses more than 4 strings. Does it exist in every band or musical situation? Certainly not. But it darn sure exists. Do I still have my 5? Absolutely, because I may need it sometime. But most of the time I use a 4.
 
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#54
Indeed the stigma does exist and it is tiresome.
Find an instrument that suits your style. I like having a low B so I don't have to tune down for every song that has a low D or C#. I am much more flexible with my five stringers then I am with my four string bass.
 
#57
I think its a lot to do with bands trying to protect a certain image. And TBH if your music is good enough no one gives a damn how many strings you play or if you are in swimming trunks. I see this mostly in the older crowd. I'll take the lake placid four stringer out and next time bring the 5 and they usually like the way the 5er sounds down low.
 
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