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Does it almost feel weird to see 4 stringers anymore?

#21
DeanT said:
No. I find anything with more than 4 strings unusual.
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+1

I've been playing for 28 years and can count on one hand the times I've wished I had could get lower than a low (dropped) D on my 4. And there have been exactly zero times I've wished I could go higher than I can get on my P-Bass. Also, I have short fingers so any 5-string with equivalent string spacing to a 4-string P-Bass (which I insist on), has a neck that is too wide for me.

Around here, at least, it seems you can always tell when a former 4-string player just got a 5-string cause they're hammering that low string non-stop.
 
#23
especially if they're in a band situation playing meat&potatoes basslines.
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I really like that phrase, meat&potatoes basslines. Yes, for these lines 4 strings is plenty. These lines evolved, of course, because 4 strings was all the originators had to work with. If Leo had decided a "bass guitar" was a 6-string guitar tuned down one octave (and scaled up in length), then "meat&potatoes basslines" would be MUCH more expansive and adventurous. But Leo decided to electrify (and put frets on) an upright bass, rather than bassify an electric guitar, and popular music as we know it was set on a course it's still following.
 
#24
I will play a 5' bass when I will be able to play everything that can be played on a four strings ( still a long way to go ! ) Does a double bass , a violin have 5 strings ? NO !!! This is just a stupid trend , according to me , and nobody really hears those deep low notes in the audience . 5 strings is a snobbish practice to me ...
 
#26
Flintc said:
I know an excellent bassist who's been playing for decades, owns 18 basses, and has one 6-string. He's never actually played the C string at a gig, and doesn't really understand why anyone would want one. He doesn't even use the G string much anyway. And for those whose understanding of bass matches his, extra strings only get in the way and add confusion.
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That's why I build twos and threes~! :D
 
#27
:cool:
I think the question maybe weird?

As a giging bassist.
I have played, 4,5, 6, basses live.

Over the last two years, I've seen more 5-string players live.
A few 6 string and up.
But, 4-strings out-number the others 3 to 1.

I don't think 4-string is going anywhere?
 
#28
To the poster who said p-style necks are most comfy to him, I can relate. I used to only play shortscales (or medium scales) due to my very small hands but I found that a thick neck helps my hands not "cramp" so much: my Ampeg's neck is very thin with huge string spacing so it played fast but my thumb would start to cramp up midway in a 3 hours gig. Not fun.

Since everyone's physiology is different, it's natural for some people to like thin and wide better than thick and narrow (or thick and wide in the case of a p).
 
#29
im talking more by "looks" 4's just look so small now to me


btw

I play 4 as my main, 5 as a back up, and have owned several 6 string basses, and still love them, they just dont work well with what im playing at the moment.

im not saying 4s are going away, 4s are better or what not.
 

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