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Are 5-string basses dying out?

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ThumbyAche

ThumbyAche

Gold Supporting Member
Sep 15, 2005
3,486
1,384
Colorado
#1
I was thinking about it and most all of my favorite players use a 4-string, some almost exclulsively: Marcus, Wooten, Flea, Vail Johnson, Wimbish, etc. Even noted 5-string players like Roscoe Beck, Jimmy Earl or Pino Palladino are using 4-strings most of the time I see them play. Most signature basses I see being built are 4-strings..so what's the deal? Is the popularity of mutiple string basses dying out or what? Seems like most of the real famous players prefer a 4-string.
 
#2
5 string may be less of a fad among 4 string players, but there's a strong core of players for whom they are THE instrument. Esp. in gospel, soul, funk. Jamband world too.

I play both 4 and 5. But I tune my precision in D now. Can't live w/out the low D.

Check Juan Nelson w. Ben Harper for one killer 5 player...
 
#5
I don't think they're gonna go away...I agree that with the constant expansion of the electric bass in terms of strings, having just one more doesn't seem all that huge now. It does mean that popularity in 6 strings is rising ("hooray" says Anthony Jackson!) but in reality, the low B completes the package for some players.

Also TS, good to see another Vail Johnson fan here!
 
#6
I have tried to live without the low B but I just count on it too much. I rest my thumb on the string below the one I am currently playing and the 5 is just more in tune with my playing style. I do use the extra string for it's range, but in reality it just fits my hands and style better.
 
#8
+1

The low B probably completes the package for many players - as opposed to the high C. I know that's the case for me. I had a 6 and personally just didn't use the high C as much as the low B.

I play my 4 string quite a bit. I tend to use the 5 in church. The 5 is the bass I would take if I could only take 1 and wanted the bass on which I felt most comfortable.
 
#9
It's funny I was just thinking about this same question the other day... actually cats at work were talking about that too.

I love having the B string, but I recently picked up my Jazz 4 stringer and played a few gigs with it... so the 5'ver I put in an order for is going to have the nut cut for both E-C and B-G tuning and have a detuner...

Not sure if I could say that 5's are gone for me though.
 
#16
Thunderbird91 said:
5 strings are ok but anything more makes me wanna puke. I don't know I just don't like the way it looks... anybody else this way?
Click to expand...

I can honestly say I've never been offended by a musical instrument. Looks or otherwise. I've been playing primarily four-string for two months now (after almost ten years of five or more), and I still prefer the looks of basses with five or more strings.

There's lots of guys out there that really seem to get upset about five, six, seven, etc. -string basses. This has never made the slightest bit of sense to me, particularly because they get the old rolley eyes at SOMEONE ELSE'S instrument choice.

I always imagine that they're so in love with their copy of Led Zepplin III that they take it as a personal offense wehn someone buys an instrument that has the capability of going outside the look or range of what they see/hear in classic rock bands. Like music itself culminated and perfected itself in that time period, and anything beyond it isn't an evolution- it's a perversion. Like "who do they think they are, thinkin' they can rock more than Boston??!!?"
 
#17
Dr. Cheese said:
The five string fad may be dead, but the practical reasons for extended range remain. I know I will keep a five, I'm not worried about Wooten, Marcus Miller, or Jeff Berlin.
Click to expand...

Victor and Marcus both play fives and sixes as well- Vic's one fretless that he always plays is a five-string, and I think all of Marcus' fretlesses are five or six-string.

They just don't get seen as much because people focus on their slapping, which they both do primarily on four-string.
 
#18
Bryan R. Tyler said:
I can honestly say I've never been offended by a musical instrument. Looks or otherwise. I've been playing primarily four-string for two months now (after almost ten years of five or more), and I still prefer the looks of basses with five or more strings.

There's lots of guys out there that really seem to get upset about five, six, seven, etc. -string basses. This has never made the slightest bit of sense to me, particularly because they get the old rolley eyes at SOMEONE ELSE'S instrument choice.

I always imagine that they're so in love with their copy of Led Zepplin III that they take it as a personal offense wehn someone buys an instrument that has the capability of going outside the look or range of what they see/hear in classic rock bands. Like music itself culminated and perfected itself in that time period, and anything beyond it isn't an evolution- it's a perversion. Like "who do they think they are, thinkin' they can rock more than Boston??!!?"
Click to expand...
Well for me that is completly wrong. I have played 5,6,7+ string basses and I kinda enjoy playing them but I don't like the looks...

As for the last paragraph... You have you opinion and thats fine. That was not what I was thinking at all when I made that comment. I have a diverse taste in music believe it or not. The music made with the 5,6,7+ string basses is good its just the look of the bass I dont like. Obviously my opinion.
 
#19
Thunderbird91 said:
As for the last paragraph... You have you opinion and thats fine. That was not what I was thinking at all when I made that comment. I have a diverse taste in music believe it or not. The music made with the 5,6,7+ string basses is good its just the look of the bass I dont like. Obviously my opinion.
Click to expand...

The second part of my post was directed at the "I HOPE SO!" comment- only the first paragraph was directed at your post. Sorry if it came across differently.
 
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