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Experiences switching "back" to a 4-string after playing 5?

#41
Mike M. said:
As of the present time, playing at church is also my only gig where I use my SR505. I love it, it works great and the sound man loves it as well! That low B comes in very handy, especially if we end up playing songs in a key that's different from the original. (That happens a lot.) I make a point of not over using the low B and try to treat it as if it was an effect. If it's used at the right times it can add so much to the moment.

But for my own practicing at home it's pretty much on my 4 strings. I can't get enough of my 2009 AM STD Jazz bass. Also have an MIJ Classic 70's P bass as well.
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That's why I keep the 5 (we change keys a lot at church as well) even though I think I want to try and simplify/retool with a passive four. If I could sell, it would take care of some debt, and I could still afford a "decent" passive 4 string. I am spoiled by the great Roscoe B string. If I'm not playing a Roscoe, I won't be playing a 5 string.
 
#42
SteveC said:
That's why I keep the 5 (we change keys a lot at church as well) even though I think I want to try and simplify/retool with a passive four. If I could sell, it would take care of some debt, and I could still afford a "decent" passive 4 string. I am spoiled by the great Roscoe B string. If I'm not playing a Roscoe, I won't be playing a 5 string.
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Steve, I admit that if I had my way I'd be playing a 4 string more often than not. I mean, no one at church has ever said "you will use a 5 string" and one of the other bass players at church uses nothing but a 4 string. Yeah, the low B comes in handy and it's nice to have for those moments.....but the 4 strings are old friends, ya know?

I've never had the chance to try out a Roscoe. Fact is, I don't think I've ever seen one in person. But I'm at the point in life (I'm 61) where I'm very happy with what gear I have.
 
#43
Mike M. said:
I've never had the chance to try out a Roscoe. Fact is, I don't think I've ever seen one in person. But I'm at the point in life (I'm 61) where I'm very happy with what gear I have.
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I've tried literally almost every bass.
There is nothing like a Roscoe.
I wish I could be happy with my gear. Everything I've had has been fantastic. I just keep second guessing myself.
 
#45
Yep, I had the revelation recently that I wanted to stick with 4 for my MAIN playing approach. Having a 4-string fretless with flats and a 5-string ATK, I decided to get a 4-stringer to use roundwounds on, learn slap with, and generally make my all-purpose axe. After spending a lot of time on the fiver, it's been an adjustment, but I'm enjoying it even more. It's definitely my way forward.
 
#46
About 15 years ago, I decided to play only 5 string and only 35". I did that for a solid 5 years... but I missed playing 4 string. So I picked up a nice 4 (34") which promptly screwed up my intonation on my 35" fretless! So I went back to 34", kept playing 5's but missed the "slap-ability" of a 4. So back to 4's I went.
I recently have been re-focusing on 5's since I got a 5 that is very slap-able.
I found that changing from 5 to 4 to be *zero* problem, but getting used to playing 5 takes a bit of time - I keep thinking my bottom string is an E, rather than a B. But I've done this before - I know I'll get used to it.
 
#47
While a fretless 5 is my primary instrument, i play both 4s and 5s interchangeably, with no issues switching off between them, but then my plucking hand's orientation is from the G string, NOT from the E or B.
Until i figured that out, it was a chore going back and forth.
 
#52
I learn't to play on a Yamaha TRB5. Picked up my first decent 4 string about 2 years after i started playing well.
I've swapped between the two types numerous times but always seem to favour the 4 string and the main reason for that is playability. I find myself struggling to play lines on a 5 that i usually nail on a 4 due to the wider fretboard and thicker neck. Still love that low B though...
 
#55
mattyb5000 said:
A few months ago I picked up a Fender American Vintage 1962 Jazz Bass reissue, spur-of-the-moment after trying it out and instantly falling in love with the tone. I've been playing 5-string exclusively for the past 3 years, after having been a 4 string player for nearly 20 years before that. Since I bought that bass, I've continued playing 5-string with my band but when I practice at home, it's all on my Fender 62 reissue. That tone makes me feel like a kid on Christmas morning. I love my 5-string Spector and will always own it, but I find that going back to a 4-string after playing 5 for several years has vastly improved my skills, and I play a 4 string much differently than before. The neck feels faster, and my fingers seem to fly in a way they didn't before I began playing 5 sting. I'm probably going to start incorporating the 4-string into our live set because I love the sound so much.

That was all a long-winded intro to say: anybody else have similar experiences switching back to a 4-string after playing on a 5 for a while? Please share!
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I'm curious what you are playing through with your band?
 
#57
Gizmot said:
I understand and respect everyone who plays a 5 - but with a 5 you only get 5 more notes. I also agree with others and would trade the G string for a low B any day.
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It's really not so much about the 5 lower semitones, though they help when you want that effect. To me it is more about having a greater range in any position. Also, my latest fling, a wonderful fretted 5-string 35" scale Valenti modern with Sadowsky electronics is a killer slap and reggae machine.
 
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#59
I set up my Roscoe to sound "P-ish" at a gig last night and it worked really well. I used my B string a little much last night but could have gotten away without it. Mostly appropriate use but some was just because I had it.

Still unsure about a switch.
 
#60
My main issue is when I've been playing my 5er and then I try to play the same song on my 4 string. I just go right to the A string and am like Woops!!! But once I've started, it's like riding a bike.
 

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