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My personal experience after getting a 5 string (and becoming accustom to it) led me to a 7 string, then a 6 string, and then full circle back to 4 strings. Extended range is awesome. I do love the fact that when a (e.g.) singer wants to transpose down I can keep the same note/octave relationship of the original part. That said, a lot of the music I am playing right now (Motown, Chicago, etc) were originally on 4 string and it forces you to breakdown the parts differently (like how do you make the key of D sound as heavy as the key of E). Someone else said it: a hip shot on a 4 string can handle many of the common transposition cases.
Mostly play 4, got a 5 and found myself really just using the 5 as a thumb rest. When I would hit those deep lows from time to time it was pretty gratifying, but ultimately found that I play better on a 4 due to the excessive noise/hum I kept letting slip through with the extra strings to have to keep in check.
I played a 5-string for 20 years, now back to playing a 4 as my main axe. I still get plenty of low notes - I tune my 4 string down to C# standard and now tune my 5-string to A standard.
I bought a 5 string for the same reasons as you mentioned. I loved the 5 for what it was but also found it difficult to play as I was used to 4 string spacing. I thought about going back to a 4 and then I found a B-E-A-D strung 4. It was perfect for my metal/heavy applications. I eventually bought a regular 4 (e-a-d-g) also, and sold the 5 string. I play faster and cleaner on a 4 string so now I have 2 guitars. I recomend getting a second bass and string it with a low-B as an option.
History alert: The bass violin was indeed a 4 string instrument. The bass viol family however was very non-standard (4, 5, 6 strings, fretless, fretted, half fretted), and the two schools only converged later along the 4 string line. Take a look and a lot of Bach's bass parts and he's writing low C's because there were instruments that sported them. See here, if interested: Invalid Link Removed
This does not invalidate your feeling that a bass has 4 strings. Like the right color for a 335 is cherry, and a tele should be butterscotch.
That is an extremely important point Ken. I am primarily a legit trumpet player (orchestra, musical theater, concert band, jazz band, etc)... As an orchestral trumpet player we can be called on to play on a number of different trumpets, even in the same concert/rehearsal. While it might not seem much to go from a Bb trumpet to C or to Eb or piccolo trumpet, unpracticed it is a world of difference. But if I line them up and cycle through them as I practice when it comes time to switch I don't even really notice. My body just seems to know how to adjust automatically. Same thing with bass configuration.
Laklands are all 35" scale, no?
Ric5
Inactive
- Jan 29, 2008
- 29,772
- 30,452
- Disclosures
- I like 5, 8, 10, and 12 string basses
I went through a similar thing back in 2001.
I had a couple Rickenbacker 4001 basses tuned EADG, a 1968 and a 1973, I had a p-bass tuned E flat, and a jazz bass tuned DGCF, well then I needed a low D flat for a song. so I got this bass.
It was an amazing bass … like Thor the God of thunder, except now what would I do with the 4 string basses … Well I ended up selling them all or using the parts to build 5 string basses.
I love my 4s, 5, and 6. I used to play my 6 exclusively in the classic rock band which I play in but I never use the top C and bought a 5. I love the 5 and use it mostly. But picking up a 4 is like wearing an old glove. I'm a bit faddish and change my mind about which bass I prefer to play a lot. But that's not a bad thing, is it?
That’s funny. I’m the opposite of that. I use the 4s when the music calls for it. I use the 5s the rest of the time.
I started playing a 5-string, about 12 years ago, for similar reasons (not metal, exactly, but certain songs required a little extra bottom). Trouble was that I'd already been playing a 4-string for almost 40 years! Needless to say, the transition was a bit bumpy...I would instinctively reach for notes, only to hear a horrific, very wrong note as I had grabbed the wrong string!! Finally, I did (with much concentration) get used to it, but it has never became 'natural' or 'second nature,' if you know what I mean. Lately, I have gone back to playing primarily a 4-string, and switch to the 5 only when it's needed....so the 5-string actually tends to collect a bit of dust!
Just get thicker strings and down tune. You’ll probably end up going back to a 4 string... unless you plan on making YouTube videos of yourself noodling like some kind of virtuoso.
I have owned 4-string basses since I was 23. I own 4, including a fretless. I bought a 5-string in my 50's. I only have one. I play it, but not as my primary bass. I'm not comfortable switching back and forth during a gig, so I decided some time ago not to gig with the 5-string. Do I miss it? A little. But, with rare exception, anything you want to do with 5 you can do with 4. Including a new trick I learned - you can string one of your basses like this: B - E - A - D. You give up some of the higher notes, but it's worth it if you are cruising onto the B string a lot. In short, don't put the 4-string away. Unless you fall batpoopie in love with the 5-string and never want to put it down, your 4-string basses will always feel more natural in your hands.
I would say, keep the 4. As soon as you say you’ll never play it again, and you sell it, something will come up and you’ll end up going back out and buying another one. Keep it active in your band if you can, just to stay familiar. Maybe work it into a song that does not require that B string. That’s what I’ve done with my 4. Just a thought.
Does your 4-string sound good? That is rule #1, if it sounds good, do it. If you like playing your current instrument, don’t quit playing it because you got something else.
My 4-string Charvel B-3 sounds better than my Fender P or Gibson EB2. It’s also my most comfortable bass. I have a Fender 5-string MIM P that if I’m not playing anything requiring a 5-string, stays at home. If I need it, then it’s my backup, except on songs requiring a 5.
My 4-string Charvel B-3 sounds better than my Fender P or Gibson EB2. It’s also my most comfortable bass. I have a Fender 5-string MIM P that if I’m not playing anything requiring a 5-string, stays at home. If I need it, then it’s my backup, except on songs requiring a 5.
I came to five strings exclusively during two years. Two years to understand that the 4 was really my bass. My playing on 5 was static and eventually became sterile. I was stuck in one position and didn't explore my neck anymore. Backing to the 4 was like a new born for me.
Yes, even if you never have the need or desire to play a low Eb, D, Db, C, B (which to me is strange) - playing a 5 really opens up the middle of the neck and also facilitates more vertical playing, which means less fret hand movement. I never thought I would say this, because I played a 4 exclusively for 25 years, but it is now easier for me to play on a 5 than a 4.
There is no one answer. Depends on you, your style, your choice of music, how it works with the other members of the band, the audience, the quality of the bass, and many other factors. I do not play a 5 or 6 string because it is less comfortable and it is not needed with the style of music I play and the audience. Everything else you hear is mostly opinions that come from the individuality of what works for someone else. If you are unsure, use both the 4 and 5 string bass in different venues and acoustics and see how it goes.
I don’t think it matters much. Your going to play either what does the best job or what you enjoy playing the most. The number of strings or basses has no effect on the musicians talent. My 5 string hangs on the wall, my 1965 Framus gets more play time.
We have a tendency to promote or validate what we personally use, I don’t play much washtub bass, but I know a guy who has a Masters Degree in Music, Trumpet was his primary instrument, his washtub bass playing is freaky, you should hear him play Bach on it.
My own personal preference is the four string bass, I can’t really hear if the low B is in tune or not, it could just be not enough ear training, more likely my age, but I certainly don’t need notes I can’t clearly hear. Plus the 5 string is too heavy.
Get a 5, it may suit you well. It would be better to know one way or the other, but it would be a shame to not find out if your best bass option was a five string.
We have a tendency to promote or validate what we personally use, I don’t play much washtub bass, but I know a guy who has a Masters Degree in Music, Trumpet was his primary instrument, his washtub bass playing is freaky, you should hear him play Bach on it.
My own personal preference is the four string bass, I can’t really hear if the low B is in tune or not, it could just be not enough ear training, more likely my age, but I certainly don’t need notes I can’t clearly hear. Plus the 5 string is too heavy.
Get a 5, it may suit you well. It would be better to know one way or the other, but it would be a shame to not find out if your best bass option was a five string.
