• 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.

5 string vs 4 string

#23
More than 40% of bass players here have at least one 5 string bass. All 14 of my basses sport a low B ... For me 4 string basses already went out of style.

I find the low B is great for Metal, Blues, Jazz, Country, and even Classic Rock.
 
#24
Me personally I prefer 5 strings. I play more hip-hop, R&B and gospel, so that works best for me. First, get what "U" want and second look at what kind of music you play. Might not need the 5th string.
 
#29
Munjibunga said:
I sold my last four string to a friend, now I own 14 fivers. In reality (and you can tell Mr. Nimrod I said this), it's four-strings that are going out of style. Virtually all professional bass players play fives now, except those who play sixes and john turner.
Click to expand...

Marcus Miller always plays 4. Victor Wooten rarely plays 5. Pretty sure Geddy Lee only plays 4. After all, 4 string is traditional.
 
#30
2mur said:
I was planning on buying the 5 string Ibanez ATK305 until the guy at my local music store told me how 5 strings were going out of style. He advised me to be sure I want a 5 string before I order it, because if he gets it and I decide against it, he won't be able to sell it. Can someone give me the run down over why one might chose a 5 string over a 4 string, and vise versa. And also explain this whole going out of style thing?
Click to expand...

Firstly, when asking advice from someone who works in a music store you must always take this into consideration; They are more interested in moving units than they are in the suitability of what you buy is to you. The fact that you have to order it is a good indicator of why he might have served you up this load of drivel in the first place. Stores want to clear the stock they already have before they sell you something that they have to order.

Secondly, if you are buying something because it's fashionable seriously reconsider why you are buying it at all. Playing an instrument is about what is functional and suitable for what you want to play. It has nothing to do with keeping up with the Jonses.

What I suggest you do is go and play some 5 string basses before you think about buying anything. See if you are comfortable playing them. If you are a beginner, I would suggest that you start with a 4 string in most cases unless you have a specific need for a 5 string. You can always graduate to a 5 string once you have developed your playing.

Whatever you do though, don't order something until you have an idea of how it plays and don't be influenced by someone telling you about what the fashion is.
 
#33
The moment you said "order a 5 string", translated: he doesn't have it in stock, but the 4 string sitting on the wall needs to find a home, I thought of a guy who isn't interested in selling you what you need, but rather what he needs to sell. That doesn't sound like someone I'd want to do business with, regardless of how he may or may not be right. In this case, he's full of BS. It seems like 5 strings have been going out of style for over 20 years. At this rate, in another 20 years when 5 strings have completely gone out of style, you won't see many 4 strings on the walls of music stores.:p
 
#35
Good help is definitely hard to find in a retail store.

I haven't found an acoustic five that floats my boat, so I stick to four on acoustic bass guitar. Love the 5 for electric; rock, pop and jazz. More versatility, more options will not go out of 'style'.
 
#36
Munjibunga said:
I sold my last four string to a friend, now I own 14 fivers. In reality (and you can tell Mr. Nimrod I said this), it's four-strings that are going out of style. Virtually all professional bass players play fives now, except those who play sixes and john turner.
Click to expand...

I can't imagine the 4 string going completely out. Man that would suck. 5 of my axes are 4s and only one is a 5...that would really harsh my wheaties. I love 4 string basses. 4 strings are great, 5ers are ok too, 6ers start pushing the envelope to me and anything past that I have to question. That is nothing against the ones who play the 7+ string basses. More power to you guys..just not my thing.

Jensby design said:
:eek: You mean all we will be able to get are 3,4,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,and15-string basses :eek: what is this world coming to :confused: :rollno:
Click to expand...

3 string? O_o I gotta see a pic of this...
 
#40
JazzyJames said:
The thing about 5 sting basses is that it is extremely hard to find tabs for them and the arent the best for slap imo.
Click to expand...

you're kidding right?

i can understand the slap thing on the ones with narrower spacing, but all that takes is a little practice to get used to.

the tabs thing is just ridiculous, if you have a tab written for the lower notes on a E string of a 4 banger they are easily played in the 5th fret position of the low B string on a 5er. any bass tab can be for a 5 string. on a second point, you'll find learning songs much more rewarding if you take the time to learn them by ear rather than by tab especially since most of the tabs you'll find/buy aren't very accurate anyway.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back