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Anyone moved away from bothering with a B-string?

#241
I played 4 string for 14 years before getting my first 6-string. I've been playing 6-string now for 16 years and can't ever imagine going back to a 4, I simply wouldn't be able to play the stuff on a 4-string that I've written on a 6, it would be impossible. So, in the end, it comes down to playing the instrument that is right for what you need.

No guitarist would ever want to play a 4 string guitar, they would feel limited. I feel the same way at the idea of playing a 4 string bass, there would be so much of what I do that would get thrown out the window.
 
#243
I've only ever owned a fiver... so...
Yeah.
But honestly I find myself never wanting a 4 string because then I would have to change the tuning multiple times per show with my band. It would be inconvenient, not to mention hard to find strings for because we vary from C standard all the way to E standard.
 
#244
Jaco Taco said:
I played 4 string for 14 years before getting my first 6-string. I've been playing 6-string now for 16 years and can't ever imagine going back to a 4, I simply wouldn't be able to play the stuff on a 4-string that I've written on a 6, it would be impossible. So, in the end, it comes down to playing the instrument that is right for what you need.

No guitarist would ever want to play a 4 string guitar, they would feel limited. I feel the same way at the idea of playing a 4 string bass, there would be so much of what I do that would get thrown out the window.
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Hey, I played 4 string banjo for years and then started playing 6 string guitars. It was OK but then one day I tried one of those Bela Fleck style 4 string guitars (with the banjo neck) and it was just like coming home! I don't seen why anyone needs more than 4 strings on a guitar!

Seriously, every time I see one of these "nobody needs more than 4 strings because 4 strings is like coming home' threads, I pull up the lawn chair and make some popcorn. But the thing interesting to me (I played 4 string bass for MANY years and ALWAYS felt the limitation of them even when it was all there was, but since switching to 5+ string basses I'd ... well let's just not say "never" OK?... be unlikely to switch back for any reason) is that when I first started seeing these threads here virtually 90% of the posts were about how 4 strings were all anyone "needs". But over the years that number keeps getting lower and lower.

Sure I love to joke and pull the 4 string guy's chains about how I think that only ERBs are "real" basses, even though 4 strings are still pretty popular I can see that 5ers and more are here to stay and gaining ground all the time.
 
#245
Jaco Taco said:
No guitarist would ever want to play a 4 string guitar, they would feel limited.
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Actually, tenor guitars have four strings. Their lack of bass-register strings allows them a strong place in a mix, as well as a comfy left-hand playing environment. Tenor guitars have been around for decades.

Similarly, Keith Richards is known for playing five-string guitar, removing the bass E from his standard six-string instruments.
 
#246
I've been playing bass guitar since the early 60's. before that it was cello and double bass. About 6 years ago I decided to give 5 strings a try. I have 2 5'ers. one is fretless. I played them almost exclusively for about 3 years. I've since gone back to my 4 string basses.

I mentioned this before, but it illustrates my point so I'll post it again:I purchased 4 basses this year (2013). All of them are 4 stringers. Not because I actually decided not to buy any more 5 string basses, but because they simply don't interest me.

Presently, there is only one 5 sting bass on the market that I would consider owning, a Fender MIA 5 sting P bass.


....of course if a nice 5 string Ric were to surface, I doubt I would be able to offer much resistance. lol
 
#247
I play the B string on every number, but I don't play below E that often. Playing across the neck is the big advantage for me and it's nice to be able to start from a low root when playing in Eb.

5 string basses I've owned, an MM SR5, Wal mk3, Lakland 55-94 and Lull PJ5. 2 were 34" and 2 were 35", they all had great B strings.

IMO, anyone who can't find a 5 string with a good B should check these basses out.
 
#248
I am considering a couple of 5 strings at this point. But it's been a while since I've played one and I want to make sure it doesn't kill my hands. Unfortunately I am starting to develop arthritis in my left hand. It's not bad at this point, but I can feel it starting to limit the mobility in my pinky just a bit. I've been spoiled by a nice 4 string with really low action which still sounds great, so if I do get a 5er, it's got to be easy to play.
 
#249
I need a 5 string for the band that I am in. About 3/4 of the songs are in drop d, my guitarist always gives me a dirty look because he has to tune down all the time (refuses to get a hipshot). I just convert everything to my 5's because it's much easier
 
#252
I really tried to warm up to fivers. I found that unless I played my five regularly, 30 years of muscle memory was hard to overcome. I didn't have the confidence to play one live. My band doesn't have any tunes that require it, so I'm back to all fours.

I recently got a vintage P-Bass that cost me a few bucks and I sold a few basses to cover the Visa bill. My Fender Deluxe Jazz V was the first one to go.
 
#254
If the B string was a "bother" then I would move away from it too. I find it is however an "asset", and I feel more comfortable playing a 5-string bass for all the reasons probably mentioned already somewhere in the thread (range, positioning, tonal options, wider neck). So, no, I'm not moving away from it, quite the contrary, I've completely moved away from 4-string basses. Isn't it great there are different options available though, so we can choose what suits us?
 
#255
FretNoMore said:
If the B string was a "bother" then I would move away from it too. I find it is however an "asset", and I feel more comfortable playing a 5-string bass for all the reasons probably mentioned already somewhere in the thread (range, positioning, tonal options, wider neck). So, no, I'm not moving away from it, quite the contrary, I've completely moved away from 4-string basses. Isn't it great there are different options available though, so we can choose what suits us?
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Well said!
I haven't moved away from 4 strings. I just think if I'm eating dinner I don't have to swear off breakfast.

"76 keys work for me because those 88 on my Steinway were a bother." ;)

Why take a position?
 
#256
Five strings took me exactly 7.5 weeks to warm up to. I remember because it was so memorable I actually looked at a calendar to mark the moment. I knew that I had just had an epiphany, and nothing would ever be the same. (I also at that very moment quit regretting all cool 4-string basses I ever sold). I fell in love with the wonderful instrument we call "electric bass guitar" all over again. This does not mean I dislike four strings, and I still play a four if I feel like it, or sometimes if I'm playing stuff that was burned into my brainstem in days gone by on a four (especially if it's a jam situation and alcohol starts telling me what to play).

After 40+ years of playing a bass, I'm fairly certain I'll never buy another four-string though. I'm positive I'll buy more fives, and the excitement of that desire itself makes me happy :) .
 
#257
Tools in the toolbox dudes. I had a huge debate awhile ago about not digging a low B and have since owned a 6 string and 2 different 5's. If I had to pick, I'd probably stick with 4's but I don't have to so I won't. I really like playing 5's now and there are some tunes my band does that the low B works well on but when I don't need it I find myself switching back to 4's. I suppose I could just play a 5 the whole time but why own 4 basses if I only play 1?
All you guys that remember me from my post a few months ago may go ahea with the "I told you so's" anytime haha.
 
#258
Every 5 I have and have ever had except the very first one which was a Jackson has a great B. The Jackson had a loose floppy B .. it was so unimpressive to me at the time that I still consider my first 5 the SR505 that I got about a year later. That was about 8 years ago or so.. I have played 5s since and have bought nothing but 5s since. For me a 5 is a bass.
 
#260
Lou Bottini said:
I'm a four string guy but recently bought a 5 to play around with. I decided to go the other way and strung it EADGC. Kinda fun with cords and double stops.
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Yeah, I've done that too. Great fun for solos too. Add to that a nice B string with low notes and decent tone at higher frets to let you get a huge range across the neck as well and you are talking REAL fun! That's why 6ers are my favorite basses for doing it all.
 

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