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Do You Prefer 4 String, 5 String, 6 String?

#121
I started out on a 4-string, but always felt like it was tiny in my large hands. Got a 5-string in 2000 and fell in love with the way they feel. I've owned mostly 5s since then, though I do have an el Cheapo 4-string Dean ML bass I tune B-E-A-D and have used at exactly one show. And of course my original 4-string Fender Jazz and Fretless Jazz.

Sadly, 4-strings just feel really weird to me now - like playing banjo or tenor guitar or something.

My main basses now are Carvins - a B5 and an LB75, both with the bridge humbucker. I like having the range, the larger neck (but slightly narrower string spacing), and like others have said, the B string is a fabulous anchor for your thumb when you're playing the other strings.

I've tried 6s before and didn't really enjoy them with a few exceptions...A $5000 Ken Smith I got to play. That one was NICE. I liked the 5-string Smith I also got to play even better. There was one Yamaha 6 I played that I really liked, too (might have been the John Myung model).

It's tricky to get a good B string, though...I don't LOVE the B string on my Carvins, but they're workable. The best B string I ever had was on my Ibanez BTB515EW - but that was because it had a 35" scale. THUNDER.

So getting to the point: I like 5-strings. :)
Tripper
 
#123
Played 6+5, fretted+fretless, and just moved on to double bass and skipped E-bass playing completely.
Don't know why, but the reduction to 4 strings helped me to develop as musician.
Less fireing of finger patterns but more thoughtful selection of the right tones.
I'm just more aware of what and why I'm playing the particular notes on given chords.
But I suppose the effect not only comes from the 4 string reduction but also from the different instrument. If I would purchase another E-Bass in future it would be a 4 string.
For now I sold all my E-basses but my beloved Marleaux 5-string that now sleeps in his gigbag waiting for a prince...
 
#129
I'm familiar with the ERB concept. I just quoted the man! And if you look at his career, for most of it he gigged and recorded what? Yup, a 4-string.
You know, all those magical recordings we all watch, admire and hope to one day play? Yup, 4-string all the way!
If you want to rock a 5, 6, 7, heck, a 12-plus stringer, then more power to you. Myself, I'll stick with my lowly 4-string axes. Peace.
 
#130
McBassHead said:
Just because I never got into the 5 string thing doesn't mean they shouldn't exist. It's just not my personal cup of tea :)
Click to expand...
If only everyone thought like this :rollno:

Here is my story:
2006-2009: 4-string basses
2009-now: five string bass and not looking back.

My initial motivation for getting a fiver was just wanting to play heavier downtuned stuff and missing sub-E low range.

Here is my logic: lowest octave of standard bass contains the most used notes (I talk about usual in-the-pocket playing). Then we have higher notes that are less frequently used but are still here in case we need them. But low range of standard EADG bass is abruptly cut off right below E (one of the most used notes) and it always seemed strange to me. I prefer having those sub-E notes even when I don't need them all the time.

Then i found some more advantages of five-stringer in "not downtuned" context:

- Positional freedom in low E-G# register. No more awkward fingerings "just because I can play that note only one way".

- Some distorted chords that guitarists play (even if they play standard-tuned six-string) make me want to play sub-E bass notes under them. For example, inverse power chords or sus2 chords. With five-string I don't have to sacrifice that powerful sound. If you need an example, listen to Invalid Link Removed, when guitar plays inverted C5 chord and bass plays low C.

Probably, I would be just fine with two 4-string basses, EADG and BEAD. But in 2009 I couldn't afford two basses so I sold my four-stringer and bought fiver. And now I have songs that utilize all 5 strings so there's no way back :) And I prefer not having to switch basses.

As for 6-string bass, I just don't want one now and don't see use for it in music that I play. But who knows what the future will bring...
 
#131
Can you play jaco pastorius on a 1-string bass? Probably not. Can you play it on a 4-string? Yes, but it's tricky. Can you play jaco on a 5-string? Yes, and it's probably slightly easier.

My point is, whatever you play, it's still a bass. I play 4's because I don't need the extra notes or positions in the music I play, and because I like the neck shape. If I ever found a 5er with a neck I like, maybe I'll try it, but for now, I don't need it.

So because you play a 4-string you're instantly a better player because you look like jaco? Crap, not true.
Because you play a 5-string you're instantly a better player because there's a few more notes? Crap again, not true.

Now 1-string basses, that's where it's at.
 
#132
Just for the record, I never said anything about looking like or playing like Jaco, or anybody else. You should strive to look and sound like yourself, not anybody else. I just quoted Jaco, that's all.
I never imagined a simple quote would be so controversial. Some of you guys are really tense, chill-ax!
 
#134
Nowaday I play a 6 strings fretless. I also have a 5 and 6 strings fretted.

I just like big neck and I must say I feel that my instrument is complete with 6strings. If I want to play some Dream Theater, well I don't have to change any notes while on a 4 strings I won't have any choice but to play in different octave which change the feel a lot.

But I restarted to play DB a year ago with my old Nanny book and they deal with playing in many key without having the root has their lowest note or they are more melodic and creative ... so I might be tempted.
 
#135
Started on 4 string in 1970 and got into 5 string in late 2009. I never considered a 5 string bass, but I bought one a few months after joining my churches music team. Couldn't believe how much it was used in the music they play, liked what I heard and thought I was missing out on something. I love having those few extra lower notes at my fingertips and being able to use them at the right times. Adds a whole new dimension. But I will admit that it took me a few to adapt to it and will further admit at times I still get a bit lost on it. (Is that a G or a D?) But I've gotten much better and am getting over that hump.

But I still play my 4 strings and will never say goodbye to them. Fact is, I've lately been in what I call "study mode" and am doing it all on a 4 string. Just feels more at home I guess. I even bought my first P bass about 3 months ago. It's great!!

As to whether I prefer a 4 or a 5 string bass is a tough question. Fact is, I really can't answer that one right now.

6 string basses? While I have nothing against them I really don't think I could do one justice when I consider the kind of player that I am. Not saying never, but as of right now I have no desire to try one.
 
#137
jbossolo said:
Just for the record, I never said anything about looking like or playing like Jaco, or anybody else. You should strive to look and sound like yourself, not anybody else. I just quoted Jaco, that's all.
I never imagined a simple quote would be so controversial. Some of you guys are really tense, chill-ax!
Click to expand...

Ghehehe, well for some reason people actually DO agree what Jaco says :XD: I on the otherhand don't. Just go your own way, and if you play 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more strings is all up to you!! :p:hyper:
 
#138
gus1894 said:
There's no more argument.
5-er for me. Although a 10-string would be cool if I could get my hands on one.
Click to expand...

+1 on a 10 string. I'm assuming you mean doubled. I've got an 8 string and I think I'd play it a lot more if it were more like a 5er instead of a 4. MY 8 string is a Carlo Robelli I got at a Big sale at Sam Ash on a lark. It was cheap and a good education! There are times when I really love what doubled strings can do.

I've been looking for a 10 string to really tweak out the herd but yikes. They are either WAY too expensive to justify the money on a bass like that or just plain non-existent. I"m hoping one of these days I'll run into a "Brownsville" 10 string (another Sam Ash brand) at a decent price. Even though my Carlo Robelli was pretty bad, with some mods and changes to get rid of the problems it now plays pretty good for a beater!
 
#140
Very happy with 5. I started on 4 for a few months, then got a 5 and I use the full range so I can't see me going back to 4, unless I change my style of play or try out fretless. 6 looks like too wide a neck for me but I'd be interested to try one.
 

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