After switching to 5+ string basses, what did you do with your 4-string basses?

[SleepyShark]

Essentially the title. I played 4-string basses for well over a decade before switching primarily to a 5-string bass last year. I'm conflicted about how to proceed with my collection of 4-string instruments.

Did you keep your favorite 4-banger around for sentimental/practical reasons? Did you purge your collection of all basses without 5+ strings? I know 5-strings float in and out of vogue around here for some, and others have completely converted one way or the other.

I'm interested in how you all feel.

 

[Joe Nerve]

Thankfully, I held on to them.

3 years later I had to figure out what to do with all my 5 string basses.

 

[Funk With Me]

I play them. Sometimes you just gotta have a P-Bass.

 

[MicG]

First world problems but I can relate. I have two USA Fender Precisions; a 4 and 5. Currently looking into Dingwall and mainly 5 string basses moving forward. I think tastes change in time (i.e. music, tuning, solo vs band, etc.) like anything else in life but the need to focus on 5 strings to get more familiar with the instrument leads a lot of people to put down their 4. It has with me. I've read the same is true about 5 string basses with moving to 6 strings. As with many things, sentimental reasons aside, I think we've been trained in society to get rid of things if they are no longer relevant to us or make us happy. This same logic quickly gets messy and really expensive with music gear unless you find yourself in a situation where life dictates that you do it. Here's how I see the argument in the situation I presented above: "Better to have it and not need it" vs "You have a 4 string built into that 5'ver!"

 

[SleepyShark]

First world problems but I can relate. I have two USA Fender Precisions; a 4 and 5. Currently looking into Dingwall and mainly 5 string basses moving forward. I think tastes change in time (i.e. music, tuning, solo vs band, etc.) like anything else in life but the need to focus on 5 strings to get more familiar with the instrument leads a lot of people to put down their 4. It has with me. I've read the same is true about 5 string basses with moving to 6 strings. As with many things, sentimental reasons aside, I think we've been trained in society to get rid of things if they are no longer relevant to us or make us happy. This same logic quickly gets messy and really expensive with music gear unless you find yourself in a situation where life dictates that you do it. Here's how I see the argument in the situation I presented above: "Better to have it and not need it" vs "You have a 4 string built into that 5'ver!"

First world problems indeed.

I love what you ended on:

Here's how I see the argument in the situation I presented above: "Better to have it and not need it" vs "You have a 4 string built into that 5'ver!"

In the grand scheme of things it isn't much different from the usual, "I bought a new thing, do I have a use for the old thing?" issue; but it stills feels so different. With music, each tool has its own respective way of inspiring a player. I play differently on a 4-string than I do a 5-string - not worse, just differently.

I can see that being enough grounds to keep the 4-strings around. Still, it's an incredibly common situation for bassists to find themselves in with no correct answer.

 

[TrevorG]

Just gone back to fours. Keeping the fiver just in case.

 

[TomB]

I like going back and forth - keeping sharp with both configs. I can do it without any conscious thought after 23 years of it. So keeping is not a quandary.

 

[A9X]

My main basses are 6s, but I have 2 5s I keep for different reasons. One is fitted with flats and is my lesson/practice bass. The other is a Woodberger (Hohner B2V Steinie licensed copy) which I love as I played an XL2 for many years.

I've owned my XL2 since new in 96 and it was a gift from my late wife, so it will never be sold. I have another 4 string Hohner B2 that is going to get the spare set of EMG HB pickups so I can use it in place of the XL2 if I choose to. The 2 Kawais are going to be kept just because I think they're beautiful but pretty much all the rest of the 4s are going to be sold. They simply don't get played. I think hell will freeze over before I become an exclusive 4 player again.

 

[mikeswals]

Horses for course for me. some projects require a 5'er, some I can use a 4 for everthing.

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

4 or 5, each of my basses does something a little different from the others.

 

[bluesblaster]

I play both cause I want to.

 

[fretlessguy]

I prefer a five over a four, but age and arthritis have just about ended my fiver days. I tried the DGCF thing but was lost when playing with music, and may try BEAD, but I'm j reality Four and Five String Uke bases will be my future. And that is okay with me.

 

[coyote1]

Essentially the title. I played 4-string basses for well over a decade before switching primarily to a 5-string bass last year. I'm conflicted about how to proceed with my collection of 4-string instruments.

Did you keep your favorite 4-banger around for sentimental/practical reasons? Did you purge your collection of all basses without 5+ strings? I know 5-strings float in and out of vogue around here for some, and others have completely converted one way or the other.

I'm interested in how you all feel.

My basses now are 4 string or 6 string. I’ve never managed to find a really satisfying 5er. And in both cases with my 6ers, I was actually seeking a 5 string.

 

[smeet]

Sold all my 4-stringers 20+ years ago. No regrets.

 

[Alivefor5]

I'm in projects where I use 4s and other projects where I use 5s. I'm also in a Greatful Dead project where I use 6s. Keep a P and a J around for studio work, you won't regret it. I've also been in a situation where the BL wanted nothing but 4s.

 

[G On Bass]

Did you keep your favorite 4-banger around for sentimental/practical reasons? Did you purge your collection of all basses without 5+ strings? I know 5-strings float in and out of vogue around here for some, and others have completely converted one way or the other.

I'm interested in how you all feel.

I purged all mine and have zero regrets. If I had one with sentimental I might keep it in the closet. I'm an unapologetic 5 string player and pretty much care zero about what is the fashion on TB.

 

[svlilioukalani]

Went back to the 4. Still have a few 5 strings collecting dust. I do love hearing those low notes when used appropriately. But they are not needed for the way I play.

 

[Durham52]

I've gone through a lot of basses and guitars over the decades and some types/styles have come back round again and made me wish I'd kept a particular instrument. (or a particular few instruments) I have 4 and 5 stringers, the 4's I play because I like them and the 5 I keep for when it's needed. Even if I didn't regularly play the 4's or the 5, I'd keep at least one option. Never say never. But to each his own. (There do seem to be a lot of posts on here about regrets over basses sold and wishes to buy them back, or find a suitable replacement. Human nature eh?)

 

[OptimalOptimus]

I only play 6. I played a few 4 or 5 here and there when I feel overkill and then I replay my 6 and remember why I like it so much.

I don’t listen too much people here because they are either old enough to be my dad, old enough to be my grand pa, in cover band or very into rock and roll.

 

[Rezdog]

Greetings from the North,

I have 4's and 5's and can play any of them without hesitation. They each bring something different to the table and bring something a bit different out in me. And of course everyday they give me reason to smile.

Rezdog