Do 4 string basses sound different than 5 string basses?

[andruca]

I too notice and appreciate a certain quality to the kind of 5ers I usually prefer (big, classic, resonant, in your face sounding), the fullness, the compression some others have mentioned. I play almost exclusively 5ers and the two 4 stringers I own are strung BEAD. All my 5ers are 34", all have thin necks, 17.5mm spacing and 3 band active EQ, and all feel VERY alike. My main are a pair of Stingray5s, then I also have a (Indonesian) Yamaha BB-615 for Fenderish duties and I just got a MIK Ibanez ATK-405 (awesome and LIGHT!). OTOH I've played many weak sounding/vibrating basses, both 5s and 4s, so it's probably more down to instrument choice. I definitely can tell 4 string Stingrays or Sterlings don't even vibrate the same as my SR5s (and even then it's still not a fair comparison, those 3 have way different bodies). Can't say for the BB nor the ATK as I've never played 4 string versions of those.

 

[maturanesa]

I converted my 4 string custom into a 5er.
Since its a 5er the sound is more compressed and even.
Dont know why exactly but it seems (and feels) like the more close are the strings from each other the more even is the volume and the tone between the strings.

 

[Lesfunk]

I think they do. I believe it's the difference in neck mass and the added tension of the B string that makes them vibrate differently

 

[Faceman75]

Added body/neck mass surely is the biggest factor. Could it also be the tension on the individual strings that makes a difference?

 

[chris_b]

Guys with good ears might notice stuff like this in the studio but on a stage, standing in front of 800 watts with a drummer 3 feet away? Not with what's left of my hearing!

I've got other stuff to worry about. . . like why does the guitarist need such a loud amp and didn't we play the chorus in the wrong place again!

Seriously, like everyone says, bigger bass, more mass, tension and different stresses.

 

[Korladis]

Just wondering...what can you do on a 4 string that you can't on a 5?

For me?

Play comfortably.

 

[bikeplate]

Yes

 

[40Hz]

Different string scale lengths have an effect on the overall timbre of an instrument that’s measurable. In most cases the longer the scale length in relation to the same gauge of string, the fewer and clearer the overtones you’ll hear. So you might consider that ”thinner” sounding for lack of a better word. The overtones will also be different depending on the fret you play at. A .65 D-string fretted at the 5th fret on a 35” 5-string bass will sound different than that same string and fret on a 34” bass despite being the “same” G note.

You can really hear the timbral difference when comparing a 30” scale bass to a 34” one with the same set of string gauges. The effect is less dramatic when comparing a standard long-scale bass to a 35” scale. But there’s still a difference most people can hear if they listen. And the sustain and note bloom are also noticeably different.

I always considered a 5-string bass it’s own thing rather than just another bass except with an “extra” string. And to get the best out of them, you need to play them as their own instrument. Most really good 5-string players I know approach it that way too. They play their fivers subtly differently than your average 4-string player does a standard bass.

 

[GreyBeard]

I have a 4 and a 5 string passive p-basses. The 5 string has more sustain. I would speculate that it is because of the bigger, higher mass bridge and the extra neck tension.

p-bass by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr

new p-bass by TOM STRAIGHT, on Flickr

 

[Faceman75]

Yes, I was going to mention bridge mass too

 

[Mechanical]

Different string scale lengths have an effect on the overall timbre of an instrument that’s measurable. In most cases the longer the scale length in relation to the same gauge of string, the fewer and clearer the overtones you’ll hear. So you might consider that ”thinner” sounding for lack of a better word. The overtones will also be different depending on the fret you play at. A .65 D-string fretted at the 5th fret on a 35” 5-string bass will sound different than that same string and fret on a 34” bass despite being the “same” G note.

You can really hear the timbral difference when comparing a 30” scale bass to a 34” one with the same set of string gauges. The effect is less dramatic when comparing a standard long-scale bass to a 35” scale. But there’s still a difference most people can hear if they listen. And the sustain and note bloom are also noticeably....

In real life with physics involved and spectrum analyzers implemented, there are more intense overtones, especially far from the fundamental, with a longer scale bass. Most of the harmonic energy in a short scale is in the fundamental and a few overtones close to it, hence the "thumpier" tone that folks associate with a short scale, and the "brightness" of a longer scale instrument.

Sustain only has to do with the construction of the instrument.

But yeah, YMMV.

 

[Thumpin6string]

If you think the E string sounds better on a 5 string, you should hear it on a 6 string. Then again, everything sounds better on a 6.

 

[pbass2]

The fours and fives resonate different. Could be the extra body wood and neck wood. More mass makes the difference.

This is what I chalk it up to. I had a MIA Fender P fiver for a while before I went back to strictly four stringers. It was a great bass, and while it certainly sounded like a P overall, there was something . . . for example, playing on the E string on it simply sounded different than on the E on my otherwise very similar (maple neck, same strings, stock pu's..)MIA 4-string P. I did recordings to A/B them at the time just out of curiosity. Hard to put a finger on it, just . . . different. I guess I'd venture to say the 4-string was more "focused".

 

[GreyBeard]

If you think the E string sounds better on a 5 string, you should hear it on a 6 string. Then again, everything sounds better on a 6.

Yeah, but I just can't figure out what to do with that DANG C string

 

[kleinenenten]

I have the same bass in 5 and 6 string versions. I feel that the 6 string version has slightly more bass and heft to it. If I had to guess, I’d say it’s a mass thing, but I’m no engineer. I doubt anyone would notice in a mix, and I likely am the only one who has noticed in person, but I swear it’s there.

Never had a direct 4 vs. 5 comparison, but I imagine it would have similar results. Ironically, my 4 string has the most bass response on identical notes of all my basses, but it’s a much different bass than the others. Too many variables.

 

[JGbassman]

See those are all 35" scale which kinda goes back to my thinking that a 35" 4 string may be what I need to try next.

I think this is your issue as well. My deepest, fullest and best feeling basses are my 35" scale basses, which also happen to be five string versions of mostly soapbar humbuckers. While my 34" basses are easier to play, they just don't sound the same way. I'd agree with you on that point, but not because the difference is four to five string models.

 

[Two-Spirit]

Let's crack open a can of worms here!

Ignorning the B string, do you find that 5 string basses sound different than 4 string basses?

It's hard to explain what I'm trying to get at here. I had a 4 paragraph post written out that went nowhere so I deleted that so let me try to sum this up and see where it goes.
The big neck is going to affect tone, 35" scale? I think its your preference, most people like 4 strings.
Essentially, it just seems that I'm always chasing a 4 string that sounds as good as my 5 strings. I've had a lot of 5 strings (and a LOT of 4 strings) and it just seems that the 5 strings always have a deeper, clearer, stronger sound. Especially the E string. I just can't find that power from a 4 string bass, and I've had some NICE 4 string basses. And I currently own 5 of them. I always go back to my 5 strings though.

I thought maybe it was the scale length, as all of my current 5's are 35" scale. But then I remember back when I had a pair of 34" scale 5 strings and loved them as well.

Maybe I'm not finding the right 4 string, but it just seems that they all have a more upper mid sound and not as deep and clear like the 5's. But it seems that no matter how hard I try, after years of buying basses, I can't find a 4 string that I love the sound of, while incredible sounding 5 string basses just seem to fall in my lap...which literally happened...which is one reason I'm doing this thread.

Maybe I'm crazy?

 

[phillipkregg]

I don't think you're crazy at all in fact I think there's really something to it. I find that 6 string basses sound very different than 5 or 4 string basses.

It may have something to do with the mass of the neck or the increased mass of the bass as a whole.

I'm also able to get the neck straighter and the action lower on a 6-string bass without any fret buzz more than I am on any other type of bass.

 

[bassmanrocke]

I always found that the low b changed the tension on the e string making it more floppy. This resulted in a less immediate response then on my 4s. Perhaps this accentuates the lower frequencies than mids and gives you the sound you prefer. It did the opposite for me.

 

[Ric5]

it just seems that the 5 strings always have a deeper, clearer, stronger sound. Especially the E string. I just can't find that power from a 4 string bass,

You are absolutely correct Sir