5 strings: superior to 4 strings.

[ArturoOsito]

When discussing fretted vs fretless, the best answer is: both. But with 4 string vs 5 string, the answer might not be. Yes, 4-bangers are easier to play. But, with time, you can do anything on a 5 that you can do on a 4. So the question is, how many TBers are exclusively 5-stringers? How many people started on a 4, switched to a 5, and never looked back? How many people would argue that a 4 really does offer some particular benefit?

 

[nostatic]

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-string-vs-5-string-64426/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-string-vs-5-string-674212/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-vs-5-string-basses-767892/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-string-vs-5-string-677948/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-vs-5-string-915639/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/5-string-vs-4-string-509833/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/5-string-vs-4-string-453373/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-vs-5-there-difference-sound-876922/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-string-vs-5-string-beginner-316159/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-string-5-string-849767/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f194/4-5-string-basses-700863/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/4-string-vs-5-string-newbie-questions-464476/
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/5-vs-4-conundrum-observation-724940/

that's a start...

 

[curbowkid]

Well that was quick and dissatisfying. I was hopping to see a battle go on between metal heads and classic rockers.

 

[onosson]

But, with time, you can do anything on a 5 that you can do on a 4.

By this logic, everyone should just switch to keyboards.

 

[MarcMurder]

prefrence

 

[Russell L]

Personally, I don't care for a five-string. I think the sound is too low. I'm strickly four-string. There are times, however when they fit in. Just my feelings.

By the way one or the other is not "superior," IMO. Each has merits.

 

[MelodicExp]

well i find slapping on my 4 string MIA jazz bass (because I have adjusted the string spacing to be wider than normal) but I really prefer the overall sound of my Ibanez btb 676 6 string. I had played 5er's for years and I would prefer a 5 over a 4 anyday.

 

[curbowkid]

I think the only time superior can even begin to be used is when you compair 4 to 6 strings. 6 strings being more superior for their endless flexibility in any, ANY portion of a song. Finger, slap, tapping, chords, lead, rhythm, anything you want. It's not as easy on a 4 string. Let the flame war begin..,

 

[awilkie84]

Personally, I play 5 string for almost everything. BUT, if I'm playing anything that requires a lot of drop tuning with open string to fretted note switching (Tool, Rage, APC, etc), I'll use my 4 string. It's much easier, I find.

 

[tbsodsmuck]

Each has merits.

+1

 

[ArturoOsito]

At the end of the day, a 5 can do more. Even if you don't utilize the lowest tones, you can stay up the neck and use the 5th string to stay up the neck. You can hit a low F or G without diving down to the first frets. There are simply more options with a 5 string. Who can dispute that?

Onosson, keyboards are a different animal. The playability is different, and if played as a bass, far less satisfying than a bass guitar. You're not directly plucking the string. So it's not the same at all. I see what you tried to do, though!

Nostatic, i wasn't coming in here asking about the difference between the two. I was asking who is exclusively a 5 stringer.

 

[Webtroll]

If 5 were clearly better than 4 then we'd see a lot more 5s. I like em both.

 

[ArturoOsito]

If 5 were clearly better than 4 then we'd see a lot more 5s. I like em both.

The reason you don't see more 5s is because they're harder to play. And people like stuff that's easy!

 

[awilkie84]

The reason you don't see more 5s is because they're harder to play. And people like stuff that's easy!

I'd argue against this. I find a 5 string easier to play, because I can stay in 1 spot on the fretboard longer to play certain songs without having to move to find a note that's an octave higher than the one i could have played low on the 5.

Also, a tight B string is second only to a G string buried between a nice...never mind.

 

[nostatic]

Nostatic, i wasn't coming in here asking about the difference between the two. I was asking who is exclusively a 5 stringer.

no, you asked more than that. And many of those threads (and that is a subset of the google results) get at the points that you asked about.

 

[ArturoOsito]

I'd argue against this. I find a 5 string easier to play, because I can stay in 1 spot on the fretboard longer to play certain songs without having to move to find a note that's an octave higher than the one i could have played low on the 5.

Oh I'd agree with you, but that's not what I mean. Imagine you're a beginner or even an intermediate bassist. That 5th string is going to throw you off, and you're much more likely to get frustrated. Then you pick up that 4 stringer and *wow* it's so easy to play!! Know what I mean?

 

[Tanner5382]

I don't find a 5 string to be any harder to play than a 4. However, it is harder to find a 5 string that I WANT to play over a 4. Most low B's don't sound very good to me, until you get to the higher end stuff. Best five string I ever played was a USA G&L M2500.

 

[nostatic]

Oh I'd agree with you, but that's not what I mean. Imagine you're a beginner or even an intermediate bassist. That 5th string is going to throw you off, and you're much more likely to get frustrated. Then you pick up that 4 stringer and *wow* it's so easy to play!! Know what I mean?

Nope. A beginner will actually have an easier time as they aren't having to change their frame of reference.

5 is neither superior or inferior to 4 - they are just different and have different strengths and weaknesses. It is up to the individual player to determine which is a better fit for their needs.

 

[Webtroll]

The reason you don't see more 5s is because they're harder to play. And people like stuff that's easy!

At worst someone can get confused by the extra string, but that doesn't make it harder, and it doesn't take long to get used to it. I used to have a hard time switching back and forth and when I first started on the 5 the 4 was harder. I supposed with the wider spacing there's evidence that the 5 is harder, but I think the increase in difficulty is negligible for most bass players.

 

[ArturoOsito]

I don't find a 5 string to be any harder to play than a 4. However, it is harder to find a 5 string that I WANT to play over a 4. Most low B's don't sound very good to be, until you get to the higher end stuff. Best five string I ever played was a USA G&L M2500.

Definitely agreed, you have to have a good 5 string to make it worth it. And I'm sure you're not a beginner, so it wouldn't necessarily be tough for you. I'm talking about beginners, or guys who have played 4 forever and try to switch and get frustrated.

no, you asked more than that. And many of those threads (and that is a subset of the google results) get at the points that you asked about.

Well, basically I was arguing that 5s are superior, and I was curious if anyone could make a truly compelling argument that 4s can do something that 5s can't.