On the rare occasion that I have picked up a union gig I have been able to supplement my pay by neeeding to play a 5 string, 4 string fretless, and an upright…I have always wondered why some studios, bands and sessions calls for "bring your 5 string bass". If I brought my 4 string BEAD it didn't work out ... for them. Is it "for your eyes only" ? Or is it like the old days when Herbie Flowers played his iconic bass intro to Lou Reeds "Walk On The Wild Side" got more pay if he played one track with upright bass and the other track with electric bass?
Like, if your bass has one more string it's 2 dollars more per hour?
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Aversion to five strings: actual dislike, or unfamiliarity?
- Thread starter MacaroniShrek
- Start date
As someone mentioned before, some of the old Precision 4 strings had wide fretboards. The Stingray 5 is about the same and is much easier in some ways with the narrow string spacing. You don't have to reach as far to the E string and the B is pretty close to where the E is on a wide neck 4 string.
I have fallen in love with the stingray 5 neck profile (atleast on mine from 1998) you do have to mind the infamous G string slip off the fingerboard issue, but I have no problem with it.
I usually don't have a problem with the G string, but recently I tried really light gauge strings and then I had it happen once or twice. Went back to regular gauge.
I prefer 4. I've used a 5 in a few bands where it was necessary.
At this point I'd rather use a 4 tuned BEAD.
At this point I'd rather use a 4 tuned BEAD.
I knew a few studio guys in Nashville back in the day that would carry at least one 4 string strung BEAD. It's definitely a different sound, but a good one if you ask me, and a lot less of a leap to get used to. I keep one around because they do sound cool.
D
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We ought to form a special subforum here, for all us 4 string BEAD players. We will get ostracized from all 5 string players, and regular tuned 4 string players anyway... 
The way I use a capo on my fanned fret BEAD bass is actually a stop, to stop me from playing too low notes all of the time.
I know that mr @Sheldon D. even hinted at this during his latest clinic when visiting London Bass Show a month ago (or something). Streamed live on FB. He got that idea from somewhere... to use a capo....don't know where... but it is slowly dawning on people...
The way I use a capo on my fanned fret BEAD bass is actually a stop, to stop me from playing too low notes all of the time.I know that mr @Sheldon D. even hinted at this during his latest clinic when visiting London Bass Show a month ago (or something). Streamed live on FB. He got that idea from somewhere... to use a capo....don't know where... but it is slowly dawning on people...
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I needed to play 5st parts. I couldn't find what I was looking for as 5st were quirky 30 years ago so I went Custom.
My main points were 19mm bridge spacing..standard now.. and comfortable neck.
Once I started playing 5, and more importantly getting to grips with it, I sold all 4's and never looked back.
My main points were 19mm bridge spacing..standard now.. and comfortable neck.
Once I started playing 5, and more importantly getting to grips with it, I sold all 4's and never looked back.
I'm gonna get hate but anything above 4 isn't a bass imo. It's a hybrid.
I don't like excessive chords on a bass. I don't like crazy leads on a bass. I leave that to keys or guitars.
I play greasy bass. Some fills etc but my job is to groove.
But.. if you like 5's, 6xr's etc. I can appreciate that even though I don't agree lol
I don't like excessive chords on a bass. I don't like crazy leads on a bass. I leave that to keys or guitars.
I play greasy bass. Some fills etc but my job is to groove.
But.. if you like 5's, 6xr's etc. I can appreciate that even though I don't agree lol
Puhleeze:. Just play whatever works for you. Whatever that is. This horse was beat to death, shredded, and made into dog food and soap a long time ago.
Why is this even a question any more?
Why is this even a question any more?
