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Does a 4-string bass become obsolete after picking up a 5-string?

#201
computerman said:
The mere fact that you recognise this puts you in the "want" category.
Click to expand...
No,
I CHOSE 5's as my primary configuration deliberately, after using a D-tuner, and having to rethink fingering on that string while in use, also finding that using closed position notes in higher position could be leveraged to reduce shifting positions.
The timber of the notes when played in higher positions, on lower strings can make for a more consistent tone, as opposed to the open strings of the same pitch.

As to BEAD, OPPOSITE benefit of having a 5, you have to shift more often to reach the higher notes.

I learn the material on both a 5 and a 4, and with different fingerings / patterns as appropriate.
I started on Sax,(tenor) moved to Guitar, then to bass....

I never understand all the hubub about string-count and why people that "Don't need more that 4" seem compelled to come in and state how long they have been playing 4's... Jaco only needed 4, Jamerson only needed one finger, blah blah blah.

Y'all just come across as stuck in your ways, constrained and GOF's.
"Kids today" don't know no better (let them find a new way)

I don't understand the need to drag an SVT and 8x10 to a bar gig...(but a lot of you do)
 
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#202
tfer said:
The narrower spacing actually makes it easier to chord a 5 string.

Easier still on a 6er.

IMO, a 5 string IS a bass. Six and up, are extended range. A 4 string is an LRB - limited range bass.

I’d never advise a new player to buy a 4.

As for your bass being obsolete; if you’re moving to a 5, it probably is. I’ve still got the 4 that my wife bought me for our first Christmas and I’ll never sell it - according to the serial number, it was made the same month as we were married - but it never gets played anymore.
Click to expand...

Ha, I've never heard of a 4 string referred to as a "Limited Range Bass" before, but honestly it makes sense.

After spending the last few years primarily playing 5 string basses, it's very difficult to go back to four strings now. Both because of the habit of having the extra string and because of the usability that comes along with a 5-string.

How many times have you been in a band situation where the singer needs to change the key of the song? On a 5-string bass you can almost always do this and maintain the same positions that you would play on a 4-string. If you're using a 4-string, then sometimes you're going to have to drop tune and that means not only are you going to have to play in a different key but your patterns are now thrown off.

Right now, playing a 4-string for me would be the same as if you handed a guitar player his Stratocaster with one of the strings missing.
 
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#203
Done the SVT thing, done the 5 string thing, dont need, don't want anymore, it all worked out pretty well on my end, no complaints or regrets.

I had to change keys to accomodate a singers range or for horn tunes for years without a 5 string bass, it can be done you know.

I said before and I'll say it again, how the hell did we ever get by without all those extra strings all those years, I just don't know.

I get it it, its 2018, but people did manage just fine before ERB's came along

You can call me stuck in my ways but perhaps you are missing my point.
 
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#205
michael_t said:
After having been a die-hard passive 4-string player (Fender P & J), I finally gave in and invested in an active 5-string three weeks ago.

Yes, it really is nice to have the extra low string when I need those few extra low notes, but I don't intend to stop playing my 4-strings basses. Having a 5-string is just a matter of expanding my tonal options. One does not replace the other two; it's just an addition.[/QUOTE

Thank you, Michael. Common sense prevails. :D
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#207
bluesblaster said:
Done the SVT thing, done the 5 string thing, dont need, don't want anymore, it all worked out pretty well on my end, no complaints or regrets.

I had to change keys to accomodate a singers range or for horn tunes for years without a 5 string bass, it can be done you know.

I said before and I'll say it again, how the hell did we ever get by without all those extra strings all those years, I just don't know.

I get it it, its 2018, but people did manage just fine before ERB's came along

You can call me stuck in my ways but perhaps you are missing my point.
Click to expand...
Nope, point completely taken. Just because YOU don't feel it, doesn't mean that someone else does not.
We cling to what is comfortable, and have a tendency to defend it, but what works for you (or me) may not be a fit for someone else.
I just do not think that saying I've been using the same (insert widget) for a 1/2 century, and I don't understand why you would want or need more is valid.

But back on topic, will a 5 string make 4 string basses obsolete?

No:

Modern musical tastes, (and distribution model) and production styles may kill rock and roll / blues /analog music in total before pop music forms reach their 100th anniversary .


Now I sound like a GOF !
 
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#209
/\/\3phist0 said:
No,
I CHOSE 5's as my primary configuration deliberately, after using a D-tuner, and having to rethink fingering on that string while in use, also that using closed position notes in higher position could be leveraged to reduce shifting positions.
The timber of the notes when played in higher positions, on lower strings can make for a more consistent tone, as opposed to the open strings of the same pitch.

As to BEAD, OPPOSITE benefit of having a 5, you have to shift more often to reach the higher notes.

I learn the material on both a 5 and a 4, and with different fingerings / patterns as appropriate.
I started on Sax,(tenor) moved to Guitar, then to bass....

I never understand all the hubub about string-count and why people that "Don't need more that 4" seem compelled to come in and state how long they have been playing 4's... Jaco only needed 4, Jamerson only needed one finger, blah blah blah.

Y'all just come across as stuck in your ways, constrained and GOF's.
"Kids today" don't know no better (let them find a new way)

I don't understand the need to drag an SVT and 8x10 to a bar gig...(but a lot of you do)
Click to expand...

So to summarize, you dont actually need it because you can play it on a 4 string as you've said, but you chose to play a 5 string for numerous valid reasons you mentioned. Thank you for proving my point.
 
#210
Que up "Anticipation" by Carly Simon, except change the Lyrics to:

De - gener- a -tion,
Thread de - gener- a -tion, it's making me hate,
It's keeping me ha-a-ating...

Now, once you've sung a couple bars of that... here are a few questions:

Did bassists get by before electric basses came along?
Did bassists get by before 8 and 12 strings came along?
Did bassists get by before five strings came along?
Did bassists get by before six strings came along?
Did bassists get by before seven strings came along?

Answer to all of the above: yes

Did bassists all stop using 4 strings when any of the above happened?

Answer: no

And we all do realize that the five string bass is by no means a new concept, right? The idea was used on uprights long before we (or our grandparents) were born. That being the case, have upright bassists stopped using 4 string URBs?

Answer: no

Conclusive remark: Just as we all don't sit down at a restaurant and all order the exact same meal from the menu, we bassist do not all play the same type of bass or number of strings on a bass. Isn't that just the way it should be? Or do we want to insist that every bassist on the planet play a Fender Precision Bass? Oh, and only in Sunburst...
 
#211
computerman said:
So to summarize, you dont actually need it because you can play it on a 4 string as you've said, but you chose to play a 5 string for numerous valid reasons you mentioned. Thank you for proving my point.
Click to expand...
I don't "need" an Amplifier / cabinet / or Preamp either: I can go through front of house and use in-ears.
I mean after all recordings of bass in-studio are direct, or through a pre-amp right?

I CAN play a "D" three octave up and it's still a "D" ..."Can" play the incorrect octave for the material... (on a 4)
One may "need" to produce notes below "E" natural in order to provide the sonic palate that the original material utilized for mood or impact.
Conversely a 5/6 extended upper range may be "needed" in order to express their art... Are we really going to argue linguistic terms so you can "feel" right?
there is no need of that.

Not proving your point... as you have not made one (except to infer (insultingly) that if someone feels they need a 5, that what they need is more "practiSe" (sic)
Which is flat wrong. in several ways.

I may have "proven" your conclusion that no-one "Needs" (insert thing) which is still up to debate.
 
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#213
Its not Redundant as such, its just "more" of something. although they use to say "less is more" ..... more or less. This sentence runs the risk of becoming redundant the more it goes on so less could be better the more I think about it.:D
 
#217
Curtbass said:
I keep wanting to love the five string but always come back to fours. Just grooves better in my hands than a five does.
Click to expand...

Maybe you are not playing the 5 right? They are in essence two different instruments with two different approaches to playing. If you try to play a 5 like it's a 4 there is this extra string that is always in the way and keeps you from getting your groove going. Just get rid of the extra string and the problem is solved.
 
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#220
bassbenj said:
Maybe you are not playing the 5 right? They are in essence two different instruments with two different approaches to playing. If you try to play a 5 like it's a 4 there is this extra string that is always in the way and keeps you from getting your groove going. Just get rid of the extra string and the problem is solved.
Click to expand...
I play the two very differently and a five string certainly has its place but the four string seems to speak to me better.
 
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