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

[MarkA]

BEAD. Totally BEAD. Been doing it a couple years now (and I thought I was the only one for a while - somewhere on TB is my "will-BEAD-hurt-my-bass?" question). I'm not much of a bassist and can't handle 5 strings anyway, and since I generally try to play bass rather than mid, BEAD is the perfect tuning for me. When I need the G string, that's incentive to get good enough to jump up the neck like real bassists can do. It takes a new nut and re-intonation at the least.

Very prolly gonna set my guitar up that way too: BEADGB. Additional advantage to BEADing the guitar is that I truly hate that B/4th in between all those 5ths. Again, I'd have to learn to jump up the neck, which would be good for me. I'll never play a lot of leads anyway, or write a lot of songs that call for them.

Not to take away from your valid points, but, re. standard guitar tuning, it's a Major 3rd (G to B) amid a bunch of 4ths: E to A to D to G (all "perfect" 4ths), G to B (the aforementioned third), and B to E (another 4th).

 

[JZQuantum]

This question does not compute for me. A 4 string IS a bass, not an obsolete bass. I personally have a 4 and 5 and need/want both.

It's like saying does this blue 3 pc. suit make my gray 2 pc. suit obsolete? Nothing wrong with having 2 suits.

 

[nilorius]

It is absolutely hard to make a 4th sting to 5th string, the neck is made for the 4th and it can not survive and to find the right place for the 5th string you must make a lot of changes on your 4th bass. So actually - it is imposible.

 

[Ukko]

It is absolutely hard to make a 4th sting to 5th string, the neck is made for the 4th and it can not survive and to find the right place for the 5th string you must make a lot of changes on your 4th bass. So actually - it is imposible.

This thread has nothing to do with making a 4-string bass into a 5-string. But since you brought it up...

Impossible? Just ask @Ric5 who has converted dozens of 4s into 5s.

 

[Ric5]

It is absolutely hard to make a 4th sting to 5th string, the neck is made for the 4th and it can not survive and to find the right place for the 5th string you must make a lot of changes on your 4th bass. So actually - it is imposible.

For me it is quite easy

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425.htm

http://www.3dentourage.com/425/425-Ric.htm

 

[Ric5]

This question does not compute for me. A 4 string IS a bass, not an obsolete bass. I personally have a 4 and 5 and need/want both.

It's like saying does this blue 3 pc. suit make my gray 2 pc. suit obsolete? Nothing wrong with having 2 suits.

Whenever I play a 4 string I feel like there is a string missing

 

[mapleglo]

Yeah, I agree with Ric5 on both counts.

425 Jetglo

• mapleglo
• Sep 14, 2018
• 4 to 5 rickenbacker

almost complete

425 Precision

• mapleglo
• Jul 25, 2018
• 4-2-5 precision conversion

finished

Both of these are 4 to 5 conversions.

 

[Ric5]

Yeah, I agree with Ric5 on both counts.

425 Jetglo

• mapleglo
• Sep 14, 2018
• 4 to 5 rickenbacker

almost complete

425 Precision

• mapleglo
• Jul 25, 2018
• 4-2-5 precision conversion

finished

Both of these are 4 to 5 conversions.

Good work my friend ...

 

[Ric5]

For those who want to continue playing a 4 string bass you might try a DGCF tuning … sorta halfway between EADG and BEAD ...

 

[GroovyBassist]

Four string basses do not become obsolete.
My opinion goes as follows:
4 Strings = Sufficient
5 Strings = Better (more options)
6 or more = Too many strings (unless your talking about double or triple strings)

 

[Ric5]

Four string basses do not become obsolete.
My opinion goes as follows:
4 Strings = Sufficient
5 Strings = Better (more options)
6 or more = Too many strings (unless your talking about double or triple strings)

You hit on what is my problem …

I really want to get a 6 string bass, but I am afraid that when I do 15 of my 5 string basses will become obsolete in my brain to me and then I will only want to play 6 string basses

 

[Double E]

You hit on what is my problem …

I really want to get a 6 string bass, but I am afraid that when I do 15 of my 5 string basses will become obsolete in my brain to me and then I will only want to play 6 string basses

Go for it! I, for one, want to see a 4 to 6 string Ric conversion... can I get an "amen"?

 

[mapleglo]

I think the new 5 string Ric is a better candidate for a 6 string conversion.

 

[rtav]

4s and 5s became obsolete years ago when I switched to 6s.

 

[Ric5]

Go for it! I, for one, want to see a 4 to 6 string Ric conversion... can I get an "amen"?

it has already been done … I don't think a bass like this could be played fingerstyle ...

 

[Duncantein]

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!

Like most bass players, I started out on a 4 string and within a year or two I switched to a 5. Played the 5 for years and then one day I picked up a 4 and forgot how great and articulate a 4 string is compared to the 5's I owned. Since then I've purchased about four more 4 string basses and been playing 4's ever since. I pick up a 5 every now and then but it's my 5's that are catching dust. 4 string bass was the original bass. You will find most of today's bands you see on TV on American Idol, The Voice or most live bands, the bass player is usually playing a 4 string P bass. For some reason I find I get more clarity and articulation from my 4 string basses than I do my 5's. Just my opinion. To each his own.

 

[nilorius]

I also started with 4 string bass and played quite for long time, but then i followed up that there are free time and fingers to update the sound and then i checked 5 string. From that moment i play only 5 strings, but have one 4 string too.

 

[vindibona1]

Like most bass players, I started out on a 4 string and within a year or two I switched to a 5. Played the 5 for years and then one day I picked up a 4 and forgot how great and articulate a 4 string is compared to the 5's I owned. Since then I've purchased about four more 4 string basses and been playing 4's ever since. I pick up a 5 every now and then but it's my 5's that are catching dust. 4 string bass was the original bass. You will find most of today's bands you see on TV on American Idol, The Voice or most live bands, the bass player is usually playing a 4 string P bass. For some reason I find I get more clarity and articulation from my 4 string basses than I do my 5's. Just my opinion. To each his own.

I think I noted earlier that after playing 5's almost exclusively for several months my 4 just felt weird. I too wondered if it was my 4 was obsolete. In the last few weeks I've been playing my 4 more, but it was just a matter of a few practice sessions before it felt normal again, but because I'm adapted to 5's and once again practiced with my 4 I can switch back and forth. I've not been practicing on my 6 and it is now feeling a bit odd again. Interestingly, I can play the stuff I've practiced on my 6, but when I have to read something down, I can't just go do it on my 6 while I can on my 5 and once again on my 4.

A note to those trying to transition from 4 to 5... When I started on 5's I tried to think of it as a 4 string with an extra low string attached. I fumbled for a long time. I eventually got it through repetition, but after getting used to the 5 my brain started approaching string placement differently. What I find helpful from a feel standpoint is if I think a 5 string instrument (rather than 4+1) with the A string situated in the center. In other words, if I want to find the C near the nut its the third fret in the center of the fingerboard rather than the 3rd string- even though logically it is the same thing. I wonder if I would have adapted faster had I abandoned the notion of the 4 and 5 being mostly similar and thought of the 5 as a different entity entirely?

 

[taosword]

My 5 string is the newer model of the bass whammy. It does a great job and I do not use it for that very often. Its detune feature works well. I use it for octave up leads and chorus type effects mostly. I prefer 4 stings for comfort and ease of playing.

 

[LoveThatBass]

For those who want to continue playing a 4 string bass you might try a DGCF tuning … sorta halfway between EADG and BEAD ...

Exactly! I have one of my two 4 string Jazz Basses tuned to DGCF. I does things I was previously only able to do on a 5 string. I still have 2 5r's and a 4 string P bass that are tuned normal for each one. After playing a 5 for a while when I go back to the 4 it seems like a speedster. Only certain 5 string basses feel good to me, my ESP LTD E-5, Peavey Millinium and some Ibanez basses due to my small hands. I tried Fender 5's but the neck feels like a baseball bat (No ill will intended-just doesn't fit me)