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

[bassliner50]

Not I.

 

[Leigh Semmens]

When I started out on Bass last century. I had not heard of down tuning and only ever played/seen a 4 string bass. At that time I was often searching for a low Eb as I was reading the music and playing as written. I wished for a lower string. I moved onto guitar for the next 30 years, so that "need" became moot. During my hiatus, however, I played with a bloke who had his Bass tuned BEAD and from then on, I was converted. My thinking, then, and still, is, "OK I can now play the lower notes and just move up the fret board for the higher ones". I have yet to come across a "need" for a note much higher than middle C (yes, I do play higher than that regularly) so, to me, a four tuned BEAD works. That said, my current instrument IS a five str Bass and I am happy with that configuration. I have played a few standard tuned 4s in the last few years, and have had a heap of fun on them so there is nothing wrong with that choice either. Play whatever you feel comfortable, and/or, happy with.

 

[CletusMarley]

I dont need more than 4 strings at this point in my bass journey but if you do, that's what its there for. Choices are good! I have my hands full with 4. Lol

 

[dave64o]

I'm not going to debate the term "need". For every argument for or against, someone will make an equally valid argument for the opposite stance. No need to stir that pot any more than it's been stirred up daily here on TB for the last 20 years.

Playing five string basses provides me with options that, for me, make them advantageous. And, for the record, the availability of the notes below the low E is the lowest priority in my list of reasons for playing a 5 string.
But, if fours work best for you, great. Play the hell out of them! Doesn't bother me. AND if fives, sizes, sevens, nines, seventeens, or whatever, bring out your best, then play the hell out of THEM!

Carpenters don't get by the types of screwdriver they used to make a cabinet. The cabinets itself is what they get judged on. Likewise, the type of instrument we play shouldn't matter. The music we make is what matters. So just go out an make it.

 

[grimjim]

I play fours and fives, never really connected with a six. Had one, sold it off pretty quick. Though I do only play the fives with seven string guitars. They're all tuned to A.

 

[aguacateojos]

Yes.

/thread

 

[Snert]

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.

I'm working on it, but a couple of the 4s have sentimental value, and not much fiscal value, so they'll stay.

Every gig I play has a few songs in Eb or D. I need to be able to transcribe at a moment’s notice if the singer calls out a lower key. Playing an octave higher is not an option. De-tuners are a compromise and make it impossible to maintain efficient fingerings and positions.

Transcription is one of the joys of extended range basses, especially not having to think too hard about it, which is why I loathe detuners. Well, that and the weight.

I am done with this post and am disgusted and disappointed with some of the responses.

Really? The responses have been so tame as to be boring. I'd hate to think of your apoplexy if you were at a dinner with someone with a diametrically opposed political view for example, especially if they could cogently articulate their viewpoints.

Tony Levin did it with 3 strings as I recall and he made out ok.

And 12 with the Grand Stick...

 

[LowEndThrasher]

I'm not going to debate the term "need". For every argument for or against, someone will make an equally valid argument for the opposite stance. No need to stir that pot any more than it's been stirred up daily here on TB for the last 20 years.

This is what I found confusing about the op. This question has been done to death not just here but on every other forum and online group. Tons of resources everywhere on this information and countless videos on said information. It’s such a personal thing that there is no right or wrong, and people will just impose what they feel is right and what isn’t. It’s at the point where these types of questions come off as trolling as a result. At the end of the day, what you play does not and should not matter to any except yourself. If you can keep a groove and do the job a bassist does with yarn on a tire or on a 30 string bass, the listener won’t care.

 

[groovepump]

I am primarily a 4 string player, but there are times the lower notes come in handy and BEAD tuning may be confusing for me (the high C on a 6 string would certainly throw me off).

Of my 24 basses, 3 are 5 string. At some point, I would like a 5 string fretless.

5 string fretless . . . now we're talkin' . . .

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Also,

5 string fretless . . . now we're talkin' . . .

I have five fretless 5's...

 

[Michedelic]

I dunno…

 

[blastoff99]

Yes indeed, that poor horse.

It was easy to see how this was going to go, and it did.

The Search function on this site is not the best ever, so I tend not to be too hard on people who don't use it. I'm one of them, most of the time. However, my favorite search engine (and I suspect yours as well) can be useful. Try

site: talkbass: cirrus

for instance, and enjoy the results. I suspect a few dozen 'number of strings' threads could be found, along with 'tonewood' and well nevermind.