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

[Bassist30]

Never thought the number of strings dictates what a bass should be. As far as 4,5 and 6 string players I have favorites in all. I see nothing wrong with Marcus, Wooten and Will Lee playing the funkiest lines on a 4. We can't forget Jaco.

 

[Bassplyr1]

I use both, prefer 4 string though. Steve Harris, Geddy Lee, Rocco Prestia, ETC. have no limitations with 4 strings. Keep on playing no matter what you choose!

 

[robbie1973]

If you don’t have a massive collection of basses you don’t play... but you just don’t want to sell (just in case) then you’re not doing it right! You must have at least 1-5 extra basses that you rarely play just lying around at all times to be a musician
I love my 4 strings but It all depends on what genre you are playing. I’m classic rock/blues so when I bought a 5 years ago I realized I never used the B once in anything I played so I sold it.

Most importantly just enjoy playing!

 

[bassicallybob]

I might be ecoing other comments here but,

The feel and approach to a 4 is in my experience very different than a 5. I love my 4 and I love my 5 for very different reasons. You'll find yourself playing slightly differently on each instrument and gravitating towards different styles on each.

Now, if you're a one dimensional player, sure, moving up to a 5 might be the end game. But nobody likes being one dimensional

 

[bluesblaster]

I had a 5 when I was playing music that required it, I don't play that material anymore so I eventually sold it, it was a tool I needed for the job at the time. I do just fine with my "limited range bass" these days

 

[Dare Rivas]

Hey! This is my first post on TalkBass!
I'm about to purchase a 5-string bass. This definitely is something I can use, I'm playing a lot of metal that needs that low B, and it'll be nice to be able to play in lower keys that would usually require different tunings (like drop-D) without needing to detune. However, my original 4-string was a big investment for me, and I'm worried it'll become obsolete once I start playing this 5'er. Is there any situation you'd rather use a four stringer over a five stringer? The only ones I could think of would be that the 5-string requires more accuracy when playing slap style, and it's more difficult to play bass lines incorporating chords on a five string. However, both of those can be overcome with the correct technique. So, will I have any practical use for my four string? I'm a bit worried it will end up collecting dust in the corner and I'll only play it because I want to use it for something, not because I need to.

Sorry if this has already been covered, I couldn't find an answer to this exact question with a search. Thanks!

In my experience and as was stated earlier, if the guitars are tuned straight standard or even playing a 7 or 8 string guitar yes a 5 string bass is great and you probably won’t be picking up your 4 string much. That being said if the guitar players are playing dropped it is extremely inefficient and cumbersome to replicate riffs that will contain lots of hammer ons and pull offs on a 5 string. They're usually using open string notes such as dropped D in which case you will have to play from the D on the B string. Not saying it’s impossible but harder than it needs to be. Almost always easier to play the 4 string dropped in those situations. I would use both. Remember instruments are just tools so use the right tool for the job!

 

[GonePlaid]

If you don’t have a massive collection of basses you don’t play... but you just don’t want to sell (just in case) then you’re not doing it right! You must have at least 1-5 extra basses that you rarely play just lying around at all times to be a musician
I love my 4 strings but It all depends on what genre you are playing. I’m classic rock/blues so when I bought a 5 years ago I realized I never used the B once in anything I played so I sold it.

Most importantly just enjoy playing!

I have 3 4s and 2 5s, neither of which go out much. I'll keep 1, maybe both, 'cause they're different

 

[joegrant413]

Had both. Currently using a 4 string, mostly because my right hand got tendon problems. The smaller neck on the 4 is better for me.

Doing just fine with 4 strings again.

 

[PaulPriest76]

I switched to a 5s a couple years ago, and can't go back. I still love playing my old P with flats at home sometime, but my job requires the 5.
I love 'em all! Do what works for you, the music, the love, and the joy of playing.

 

[DStJ]

Hey! This is my first post on TalkBass!
I'm about to purchase a 5-string bass. This definitely is something I can use, I'm playing a lot of metal that needs that low B, and it'll be nice to be able to play in lower keys that would usually require different tunings (like drop-D) without needing to detune. However, my original 4-string was a big investment for me, and I'm worried it'll become obsolete once I start playing this 5'er. Is there any situation you'd rather use a four stringer over a five stringer? The only ones I could think of would be that the 5-string requires more accuracy when playing slap style, and it's more difficult to play bass lines incorporating chords on a five string. However, both of those can be overcome with the correct technique. So, will I have any practical use for my four string? I'm a bit worried it will end up collecting dust in the corner and I'll only play it because I want to use it for something, not because I need to.

Sorry if this has already been covered, I couldn't find an answer to this exact question with a search. Thanks!

There probably is no definitive answer to this, but It seems once you start on 5 string, you tend to stay on it because it takes some getting used to, and it's really more versatile. As for myself, I still like the 4 string, I like the space between the strings..

 

[djfucchunk]

I have 3 5 strings and 3 4 strings. I was nothing but 5 for years then out of nowhere switched to just 4. Now I'm back to the 5 all the time. Still enjoy the 4 strings though. You could always use it to mess with alternate tunings. For me it just depends on what I'm in the mood to play or what my fits my current project better.

 

[CayGee]

A four-string bass will never go out of style, will never be obsolete.

just for fun -- if you haven't seen the band before or never heard of him -- check out Mark Sandman / Morphine on his "2-string" bass...

 

[evadbazz]

4 strings are still the bomb!

 

[ScotRFM]

I've moved around in my time playing. Obviously started on 4-strings, moved into 5-strings and was almost exclusively a 5-string player for years, but now I've gone back the other way and only own two 5-strings. If you're playing really chunky metal, I can see the need for a 5-string, or if you're playing jazz or want to work/weave around with a pianist/keyboardist. If I'm playing with a detuned guitarist, heavier stuff, that's plenty of reason for me to play up the neck and do countermelodies and stuff that's atypical, but often cool.

Overall, we're all different, we all hear music differently, and we all play differently. What's right for one may not be right for others. If you're feeling 5s, play 5s. I'm pretty happy with my 4s right now...still plenty of room to explore and learn.

 

[Bassist30]

I had a 5 when I was playing music that required it, I don't play that material anymore so I eventually sold it, it was a tool I needed for the job at the time. I do just fine with my "limited range bass" these days

Who in their right mind started the word Limited to describe a four string... I am positive it was someone not even close to playing a bass like Jaco or Victor Wooten.. and I am not saying you did. But I am seeing it on the post.

 

[clejw]

Holy crap...this is the most popular thread this week! Congrats! So...I switched to 5 in the mid 90s and dont even own a four now. Granted, I dont slap, so I cant speak to that aspect, but manage okay with just about every other style. On rare occasions when I play a four I dont own, I always miss the 5th string. The b string doesnt get played as much, but when I want it and don't have it...

Anyway, try to adjust your slap on the five and if you can get it fine, sell the four, you dont need it. Ultimately its should be about what the music needs, not your personal preference. I'll say that songs in the key of D sure do play nicer with a low D available.

 

[RobbieNuke]

I have a "Fake Five" when I need a low B string effect. It's a 4-string bass that is strung B-E-A-D so it's comfortable to switch between 4 and 5 string songs... for as little as I use it (cover band live gigs).

 

[GEEKAY]

Hey! This is my first post on TalkBass!
I'm about to purchase a 5-string bass. This definitely is something I can use, I'm playing a lot of metal that needs that low B, and it'll be nice to be able to play in lower keys that would usually require different tunings (like drop-D) without needing to detune. However, my original 4-string was a big investment for me, and I'm worried it'll become obsolete once I start playing this 5'er. Is there any situation you'd rather use a four stringer over a five stringer? The only ones I could think of would be that the 5-string requires more accuracy when playing slap style, and it's more difficult to play bass lines incorporating chords on a five string. However, both of those can be overcome with the correct technique. So, will I have any practical use for my four string? I'm a bit worried it will end up collecting dust in the corner and I'll only play it because I want to use it for something, not because I need to.

Sorry if this has already been covered, I couldn't find an answer to this exact question with a search. Thanks!

Im with LowEndOperative, enjoy them both. My 'go to' bass is a 5 string, but I've recently acquired a 4 string Fender Jazz and have a 4 string fretless and a vintage Shergold 4 string. I love them all ;-)

 

[Wagobibs]

Yes- you will never use it. I play in a phish cover band, the fifth string was a ness. I would play a few tunes in drop D... now there is no need. Also I’ve never down tuned a 5 string... don’t know why you would unless you r just strumming the bass with distortion...

 

[Kitsapbass]

It didn't for me. YMMV. I jump between 4, 5 and 6 string, dependent on the song.