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

[georgestrings]

I would love to use both a 4 and 5 on my country gig, would be a nice break from the 5 string when playing four hour nights. I need to check the set lists and make it work.

That's what I do - we just group my 5er songs together in clusters of 3 or 4 songs, which usually coincide with the guitarist changing up, too... I *can* play a 5er all night, but prefer to switch up - besides, I've got a few nice 4 strings that I really enjoy playing...


- georgestrings

 

[georgestrings]

Same.

I switch between a Spector Rebop 5 w/ active EMGs and a 35" scale and a Fender Aerodyne with passive Dimarzio P/J's and a 34" scale. They are apples and oranges across the board except that they are both strung with GHS Boomers. Med gauge on the Spector and Heavy on the Fender.

Each bass gives me a totally different palette of tones to utilize. I can't get either to sound anything like the other, which is kinda the point.

I don't think I would ever take both to a gig, rehearsal yes, gig no. I prefer to stick with one bass all night. I can drop the low string if needed, only takes a second to tune off the guitar once he's done tap dancing on his pedals and playing hot potato with three different guitars.

It's okay though, gives me and the drummer time to noodle some free form grooves or sometimes play a game show style theme for the poor guy while he struggles to not to drop his guitar for the second time that night. Crowds love that. One night we started jamming the Imperial March while he strapped on his all black Strat. People loved it.

Whatever works for ya, I say - I typically pair up a passive 4 with an active 5, EQ my amp for the passive, and make adjustments on my active so that change ups are fairly seamless... Anything that goes lower than E standard gets played on a 5 string, everything else gets played on a 4 string - I probably play 1/3 of the current band(top 40 country) on a 5er, in the modern rock band I played in before that, it was probably closer to 50/50...


- georgestrings

 

[KingRazor]

I was happy at first. But I've been missing having a 5 string. I hope to have one again later next year.

 

[skidmarkbass]

After 13 years of 5ers, I'm back to 4 strings and trying not to look back. For me the weight is a big +, also I found a Great G&L SB-1.

 

[Solarmist]

I was so excited when I got my first 5er back in 93', and could never put it down it seemed like, but to this day I still love my 4bangers as well. I don't mind the narrower spacing being I play with a pick.

So I guess I like both - they each have a purpose.

 

[blindrabbit]

After 2 decades of only having 5s, I picked up a 4 for a specific project, and within a year later I owned nothing but 4s again. They just feel more comfy to me, for lack of a better way of putting it. I'm guessing weight is an issue too, I really need to stick with lighter instruments these days. So far I don't miss the low B enough to pick up another 5er.

 

[noahw1]

I've gone back and forth a couple times, but I think I'm done with 5ers as my go to instruments for good now. The 4 just feels right and I need to remember that. I still own a 5er in case a musical situation comes up where I need one but it will only be for specific songs from here on out.

 

[Wally Malone]

Not only did I move away from fivers in this last year but also active basses. I didn't own a Fender for over twenty-five years and now have three, all four string & all passive. I still own a six, a Ibanez GVB36 but don't gig with it.

Wally

 

[Asher S]

Link Removed

Yup, but he still didn't NEED a fiver.

 

[fedenybass]

I agree. I always play a fiver at church. Perhaps its just because the keys are in d and eflat and I don't like detuning my 4s. I find myself playing 5vers only when the key dictates that I need the bstring.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I think the only reason I don't play a five all the time is that I grew up on a four and my brain is wired to handle the muting on a four string. That flows with zero effort. When I play a five, it requires a little bit of thought to keep all strings from ringing and everything perfectly clean. I can do it and everything sounds fine on a five, but I feel less blocked and more free / creative on a four - except when Eb and lower come into play. Then it's five all the way. If anyone feels the same way about muting on a five, try a fret wrap by Gruv Gear and put it just over the nut. It keeps things clean and you have to think less about muting.

 

[Liam McMonigle]

Just Ordered my 5, but i'll be using my 4 Just as much as the 5, definitely

 

[tevitag]

I go back and forth. Sometimes it's nice to change it up. It isn't hard after you do it a few times.

+1 . Did a local Christmas carols gig the other night using my Roadworn P IV - after doing a covers gig the week before with Lakland V. Comfortable with both. You do get used to the switching. I love the flexibility and tonal range of different basses, including between four and five string.

 

[lbbc]

I had a 5 string Alembic Rogue and found that I didn't use the B string that much....so, I traded for a 4-string Alembic 32" scale Persuader (plus $) and haven't looked back. It's all what you get used to in sound and feel

 

[Dr. Cheese]

The main reason I have been using a detuned four a lot lately is because my four is my best built bass and has the best and most silent electronics. Since USA Millenniums are 35", they really handle detuning well.

 

[TheGreatSealof]

I play a Pbass most of the time. I love it. I have a Sterling SUB5 that I also love. However, the SUB5 string spacing is tighter than the pbass. I find that I must practice more often with the SUB5 before jumping into some songs just to get my fretting fingers to hit the right strings and notes. After playing the SUB5 for a period of time, when I play my pbass, I feel more comfortable with the pbass. Both have their place in the mix.

 

[speyer]

I have been a 'one bass' player since I started out on a four string about 17 years ago (I doubled on upright for a while tho). 3 years into it, I bought a six string and stuck with that for almost 10 years. 4 years ago I switched to a 5 string as my musical tastes and styles shifted. Anyhow, I just bought my first 4 string again after 13 years of playing 5's and 6's... and I'm LOVING it.

My band covers about 30 songs in various styles and to my surprise, there's only a few songs that require my 5'er. Playing my 4 string PJ is so much fun because I have been playing larger scaled 5's and 6's my whole life and therefore, I find it it very easy to play. This has allowed me to enjoy my playing and the music more than ever before. The shift to a 4 was much easier than I anticipated... moving songs to lower positions on the neck just came naturally and I don't ever get lost on the fretboard or feel like the B is there or not. I pickup my 5'er (which feels huge sometimes now) and my hands automatically make the adjustments to settle into the big neck, kinda like riding a bike. So, going back and forth between the four and five was a bit weird for me at first... but after about a month it has become pretty natural.

So, I am one who is very happy going back to four strings! My playing has improved because it's physically easier to get around on and as a result of that... I have more fun playing! Also worth mentioning is that my PJ4 through my all tube amp nails that sound I've been hearing in my head.. so I'm in tone heaven too. Only downside I can think of - I'm now gassing HARD for an alder/rosewood Nordy PJ5.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I have five basses: two five-strings and three four-strings. I play a number of instruments (electric guitar, harmonica, Dobro and -- up till I had foot and leg surgery -- pedal steel). It's all about what works and what the material calls for.

When I pull out a five-string, it's because I need the B string. Otherwise I prefer the string spacing (StingRay 5 vs Precision). I'm equally comfortable with any instrument I own.

 

[sadowskyguy]

I have gone from an active 5 to a passive 4 and I love it. I do not miss the b string. It was cool sometimes, but its all about the song. Sometimes the b was just different feeling and sounding from the rest of the bass. Hard to explain, but im happy without it...

 

[spade2you]

Yup, but he still didn't NEED a fiver.

Why don't you ask him?