Do you really need more than 4 strings on a bass?

[SoulReflection]

I am "old school" and have never considered having more that 4 strings on a bass. I am, however, curious and open to opinions.

Why would you want and/or need more? What, if anything, am I missing? Is there a reason it wasn't common back in the day and if so, what changed?

Thoughts?

 

[Wanker_Joe]

I play 4s, 5s and 6s - regularly rotating between them. I love them all.

On my 5s and 6s the biggest advantage is really the extra playing positions. It's pretty wonderful to be able to play a fretted low E and lets me be far more agile for songs that require it. That low B rumble is a ton of fun too, but honestly I use my 5s and 6s for those extra positions far more than I use the low B or super high notes on the C. Less positional shifting = faster playing. (Though to be frank I do enjoy moving like a madman all over the neck on the 4s, so there's that).

 

[Geri O]

Some folks, like me, like having (not necessarily need) lower notes on the bass. Or, in some cases, a higher note, as in E, A, D, G, C. The "why" isn't important.

It's jus a preference, like flats vs rounds, pick vs fingers, wedges vs IEMs, hardshell vs soft-shell.

With all due respect, I'm not sure there's an answer that will satisfy your question (I think that'a a better way to put that rather than my response in the Drop Tuner on the B string thread....). If you have a real curiously, or a sense of "what if" about the idea of more than strings, then maybe you'll gt some insight by asking.

But simply asking "why" coupled with "I don't understand" and "I don't see the need" will more than likely never give you a satisfactory answer you can live with.

 

[HelpImaRock]

What changed are the capabilities of sound reinforcement. No sense in having an instrument that can't be heard. That's all different now.

I don't play upright, but I'm pretty influenced by them, and it's become increasingly common to have an extension on the E for lower notes. So I've contemplated a 5, and may get one, but it's unlikely to become part of my onstage repertoire.

 

[LBS-bass]

Sometimes. A lot of modern music uses the lower four notes - some even lower. It's sometimes possible to do an octave substitution, but you lose the ability to make the powerful statements that are often made with those low notes, and sometimes substitution weakens the overall impact.

Most of the time I play a four-string but I'll dust off the fiver if it's called for.

 

[Roger W]

I don’t need more than 4 strings (and given my ability, more than 0 may be too many), but clearly other people do. Some guitar players need 8 strings and some need 12; can anyone really play 8 Miles High without a 12 string?

 

[SoulReflection]

Some folks, like me, like having (not necessarily need) lower notes on the bass. Or, in some cases, a higher note, as in E, A, D, G, C. The "why" isn't important.

It's jus a preference, like flats vs rounds, pick vs fingers, wedges vs IEMs, hardshell vs soft-shell.

With all due respect, I'm not sure there's an answer that will satisfy your question (I think that'a a better way to put that rather than my response in the Drop Tuner on the B string thread....). If you have a real curiously, or a sense of "what if" about the idea of more than strings, then maybe you'll gt some insight by asking.

But simply asking "why" coupled with "I don't understand" and "I don't see the need" will more than likely never give you a satisfactory answer you can live with.

I do not believe I coupled anything, nor did I intend to.

 

[Killing Floor]

Why does Muse have more than one album despite having only one song?
Everyone is entitled to their preferences. That’s why.

 

[SoulReflection]

Sometimes. A lot of modern music uses the lower four notes - some even lower. It's sometimes possible to do an octave substitution, but you lose the ability to make the powerful statements that are often made, and sometimes substitution weakens the overall impact.

Most of the time I play a four-string but I'll dust off the fiver if it's called for.

So, is it modern music that determines the need?

 

[SoulReflection]

Why does Muse have more than one album despite having only one song?
Everyone is entitled to their preferences. That’s why.

?

 

[Thumpin6string]

The answer is YES. A 6 string can do anything a 4 or 5 string can plus much more. When I switched to a 6er, I got rid of my 4 and 5 strings.

 

[LBS-bass]

So, is it modern music that determines the need?

For me it usually is. A lot of players just like having the ability to avoid the open E and play the same patterns across the board using the B string to stay in position. That's a nice perk, but not why I personally choose one (when I do).

There is some not-modern music that uses lower notes, as well, but it's more rare, unless you're doing synth-bass stuff.

 

[2112]

Technically, nobody needs any strings on an electric bass because bass lines can be covered effectively by other instruments.

I was a confirmed four-banger aficionado for almost my entire playing "career". But now, I prefer fivers because I have some lower notes available to me that I need for certain songs, and also because I can play up the neck as though the bass is a short-scale 4-banger... which is great because I have small hands.

 

[kesslari]

You don't need 4 strings. A washtub bass will do the trick. Or sing your parts acapella.

 

[Gorn]

It's a leisure activity. It's monetized a lot of the time, but it's recreation. You don't need any strings. But people play with the amount of strings that suits their purposes.

 

[SoulReflection]

You don't need 4 strings. A washtub bass will do the trick. Or sing your parts acapella.

I like that . I am starting to understand.

 

[Killing Floor]

I find a ton of use for low D and occasional C. I’ve never tuned below that but some music I like is tuned lower. Having the ease of range can economize your hand movement which can help speed up or ease up your playing even when you’re able be the low range of the B string.

But there is no best bass.

 

[bholder]

This word "need" is so often misunderstood and misused. You don't need more than 4, you don't need 4 or less, you need however many you want. End of story. Sick of threads questioning other's choices.

 

[gln1955]

I could probably play all of my music with three strings and most of it with two if I want to give my arms a workout. I've done the BEAD thing but don't currently have a bass tuned that way. It's nice having a fretted low E if nothing else.

 

[SoulReflection]

This word "need" is so often misunderstood and misused. You don't need more than 4, you don't need 4 or less, you need however many you want. End of story. Sick of threads questioning other's choices.

You may be sick of some threads but, this is not one questioning other's choices. I am simply wanting to learn. There is a difference.