Does Fieldy (KoЯn) use all 5 strings?

[Graya]

As many know, Fieldy uses a 5 string bass for songs in studio and live (when he was still active with them). However, from what I can tell he never/very rarely actually uses the most tenor string.
I am looking to move from guitar to bass, and was hoping to be able to play KoЯn songs, and I am not sure if getting a 5 string is necessary.
Thanks in advance

 

[FugaziBomb]

As many know, Fieldy uses a 5 string bass for songs in studio and live (when he was still active with them). However, from what I can tell he never/very rarely actually uses the most tenor string.
I am looking to move from guitar to bass, and was hoping to be able to play KoЯn songs, and I am not sure if getting a 5 string is necessary.
Thanks in advance

From what I can tell, he barely uses the frets...

 

[smogg]

imo considering they tune down a whole step it would be much more convenient to use a 5er. But you could modify the nut of a 4 string to set it up as B-E-A-D and then tune down.

 

[Ritter667]

The trick is to boost the high and lows to maximum, and cut all the mids to minimum, then tune down the strings until the point that they are so loose that they rest on the frets.

It should sound like a wet fart with clacks no matter what you play, or you are doing it wrong.

 

[BismarckHerring]

If you get a four string, you’ll have to file the nut make the thicker strings fit. There are people who do that, but it’s probably easier to just get a five string. If it’s the width of the fretboard that bothers you, get a Soundgear. These have very narrow fretboards for five string basses. And it’s what Fieldy plays (or played - I don’t what he’s doing these days).

 

[MCS4]

You might just want to look up tabs or notation for your favorite Korn songs and see if any of them seem to require the highest string. Obviously there is also the question of whether you prefer to have a five string versus a four string that is detuned to match the lower four strings of Fieldy's in terms of other stuff you might want to do with that bass. Both approaches are certainly fine though.

 

[Dave TB Killer]

I think he only uses one string at a time.

 

[Lenny JG]

If you get a four string, you’ll have to file the nut make the thicker strings fit. There are people who do that, but it’s probably easier to just get a five string. If it’s the width of the fretboard that bothers you, get a Soundgear. These have very narrow fretboards for five string basses. And it’s what Fieldy plays (or played - I don’t what he’s doing these days).

If you have a 4 string, it's easier to modify it then to buy a whole other bass. Modding a 4 to take BEAD takes like 15 minutes, don't insinuate that it's not worth it. Lol

 

[Lammchop93]

yes you need the low B string for Korn.

 

[Lenny JG]

I played a 4 string in A standard (the low 4 strings on a 5 string, tuned down 1 step) for years. You can too. If Korn is all you wanna learn rn, I def would if I were you. No use adding extra strings yet.

 

[Killing Floor]

Some of the import model 4 strings have D and B notes if that's your concern.

 

[RGerhart]

Necessary to buy a 5? No. But does it look cooler? Yes, definitely.

 

[BismarckHerring]

If you have a 4 string, it's easier to modify it then to buy a whole other bass. Modding a 4 to take BEAD takes like 15 minutes, don't insinuate that it's not worth it. Lol

If the OP already has a bass, and is comfortable with modding it, sure. But we don’t know that.

Note that I wrote: ‘if you get a four string’..

Lol.

 

[Lenny JG]

If the OP already has a bass, and is comfortable with modding it, sure. But we don’t know that.

Note that I wrote: ‘if you get a four string’..

Lol.

Fair nuff; I'd say also it's a preference thing though. I didn't need a higher string back in the day when i used a 5, so I got a 4 again, filed the nut, gave it a quick setup, and was happy for a few years.
Always gotta remind myself that subjectivity and objectivity are what makes life fun; just a flavor of the spice called 'variety'

 

[P_Basser]

Man, the Fieldy hate always makes me sad... Plenty of times on their records he is playing bass in a more traditional fashion. Usually still tons of sub, but the clack isn't always present, and he isn't always slapping.

My inner twelve year old has such a soft spot for Korn. And regardless of how you feel about the band/Fieldy's playing/etc., I still have yet to hear a group with a sound even close to them. From the bass sounds, guitar sounds, vocal stylings, etc. truly one of a kind, and Fieldy's playing (love it or hate it) is a piece of that puzzle.

 

[FugaziBomb]

and Fieldy's playing (love it or hate it) is a piece of that puzzle.

It's a piece of something

 

[Pirate Captain]

"use?" sure..."play?" debatable

 

[WorbyBass]

Tony Levin used a 3 string bass for his drum stick finger attachments... could probably use that. Although it would cost WAY more than a standard 4 string as it was all custom. Then there are also some 2 string basses out there. I believe they just use half a P pickup.

Seriously though - Go 4 string BEAD tuning, 35" scale if you can get one cheap. It will help with your B and drop A stuff. MANY metal guys are going 4 string BEAD now.

 

[Mastiff_5]

Fieldy was a progenitor whether folks like it or not. The new metal phenomenon was a huge wave in rock and roll writ large. Unlike claypool and flea who arrived in the generation immediately before, or Gould the generation immediately before that, for popular metal, Fieldy introduced a ‘new’ sound. As a live AV cat, I was able to hang with him a bit backstage, and he was imminently personable as well.
As to the OP’s request, I propose you buy a 200 series Ibanez 5 with the CAP pickups. Cheap, incredibly versatile, active, and a platform that will deliver what most people will recognize wholly as a Fieldy sound.

 

[P_Basser]

Honestly outright hating on any artist bothers me... But especially so when the artist is less conventional. As musicians, we all (should) know how hard it is to do this professionally. The "easiest" route putting yourself as a conventional player in a "pop" setting is supremely competitive and nearly impossible to do at a high level.

Now let's do it using sounds and techniques that were never really used before, with no proven track record of being of interest to anyone but the artist making the art. Takes some serious guts, almost bordering on stupidity, to go all in on something like that.