Any 5 string Players happy going back to 4 String bass?

[Baird6869]

I went from 4's to 5's for a few years then went back to 4's last year as I was playing basic classic rock.

We just added a keyboard player so now I am back to 5ers!

 

[chump stain]

I went from my main bass being a 5 string, then switched to a 4. I tune DGCF on my bass now, and it's great. I have the low D now which I use more then I used the low B.

 

[nostatic]

I was 5-string only for about a decade, then a few years ago decided to go back to 4 and eventually "start over" with my playing. I have happily been gigging a 4 in multiple bands for the past year or so. I only have one instrument in the house with a B-string and I never play it. I have been able to work around not having the low notes, and in general tend to play more simply on the 4.

I have however recently picked up a new 5-string and it has become my go-to bass. But...it is strung E-C and has a hipshot on the E. Pretty much game over for me. For what I'm doing I don't need a low B and now have no issues swapping between 4 and 5 string - since the low string is always an E. The extended range up high allows me to play at the nut and get extra notes without shifting (and they sound different - as a side note I never have been crazy about most B-strings up the neck). And now I can comp without it sounding like mud and flick a lever to get low D.

All depends on what you're playing though and your goals. But I find that I play a 4 differently than a 5, and they also sound different.

 

[lowphatbass]

....
All depends on what you're playing though and your goals. But I find that I play a 4 differently than a 5, and they also sound different.

+1

To me, a 4-string is NOT just like a 5 without the extra notes. They're different animals.
I've been primarily a 5 string player since '91 or so but in the last few years I've sprinkled-in some 4's. It's been a lot of fun, and it helps keep things interesting.

 

[Jeff Scott]

I bounce back and forth with my 4s and 5s, yeah some low notes that I have to transpose up but I'll take whatever i feel like to gigs.

 

[Ewo]

Guess I'm in the minority on this thread, but since I switched from 4s to 5s, it feels like a 4 is missing something. Like, a low D, a low C...

And my plucking (right) hand technique has evolved to where I instinctively mute with my thumb, and I miss being able to rest the base of the thumb on the B string.

 

[IntrepidCellist]

I miss the thumbrest of the low string when I play my 4s. In fact, the only 4 I really play all that often is my Kubicki Ex Factor, because the ability to drop the low E string to a D without changing fingering patterns is incredibly useful for what I do in my band.

 

[RitchS]

I go between a Stingray 5er to a hot pink Warlock 4 to a Fretless Jazz 4 from song to song. It was challenging at first to wrap my brain around the different feel of each beast. My biggest challenge now is keeping the levels right.

 

[chadds]

It's gray not black & white.
For me, I play both.
Why do you have to make a global decision?

 

[KeithPoker]

I went to 4s for the first time 3 years ago after playing 5s for 12 years. I prefer the horizontal playing of a four which gives my lines a lot more movement and it's more stimulating for the mind. I also think the neck size of 4s sounds most organic, as the neck increases mass I think the sound gets closer to a piano which is not what I'm after.

 

[PilbaraBass]

I could play all 5's if I owned all 5's, but I don't... so I rely on my 4's for some things that I do.

One day, I may own all 5's, who knows... but I will always have at least one 5 on hand.

 

[PrietoBass]

I learned on a 5ver, but I love my CV60s J. I added a Hipshot Xtender so I can play songs that require the Eb or low D. I think that is the only 4 string I'm interested in right now... I mostly gravitate towards 5 stringers and maybe a 6xer in my future.

 

[totallywink]

I go back and forth on both my 4 and my 5. My next move may be to take a 4 and string it BEAD...

 

[GRoberts]

Really appreciate all the great feedback and real-world player experiences. I think I'm gonna give a 4 string bass a try. Found one that really speaks to me, for a good price. And it's at GC. So if it doesn't work out, I can return it within 30 days. I will most likely be playing it on my Duo gig. We do some current material where a B String is sometimes helpful, but I should be able to work around that well enough.

 

[KeithPoker]

Who's the lucky lady?

 

[GRoberts]

Who's the lucky lady?

Actually what appears to be a 2008 American Fender active Jazz, alder/Pau Ferro. Surprisingly 'right'. Just has that sound I love. Punch, focus, growl, some jazz bass slap tones and playes like a Jazz. Light weight. and if I can pick it up for $900, it will be the least expensive bass I've purchased in a while and seems to be a real keeper.

 

[nostatic]

Until you find a used Nordy 4-string

 

[GRoberts]

Until you find a used Nordy 4-string

SHut up! (fingers in my ears and vault over my wallet!)

 

[awilkie84]

Every time I've sold a 5, I've regretted not having it in my line-up.
I also keep a 4 string around for things that are too awkward to do on a 5er.

 

[anton72]

I played 5ers for several years and then went back to 4str and was very happy. Much easier for me in terms of ergonomics and feel. Never missed B string but still you need it sometimes so I ended up with having one 4str bass strung normally and the other 4 str with 35" scale strung BEAD, the second one has only 10-20% of my total play time. I just can't take these 5ers seriously, nothing wrong with them but not mine...