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Famous players that only use four string?
- Thread starter earlofmar11
- Start date
Interesting info about Stanley's new bass. Thanks.
Here is a better clip for hearing the instrument:
He gets it out front of the mix at about 4:24 to the out.
Very nice sounding. Looks to me like he is still getting comfortable with it. I hope he sticks it out, because that bass seems to fit him really well and sounds glorious.
The link you sent describes the instrument as selling for under $10k; which though beyond the budget of many of us, is something like 2x below what I would have expected. Anyhow, nice instrument for Stanley.
Some random thoughts prompted by this discussion...
1. I guess for people playing covers it's indeed a question of using the tool the songs call for. The players I was mentioning in the OP are all playing their own music. So if you're doing originals, you can write your bass lines to fit within the constraints of your chosen instrument.
2. Thinking of Mike Rutherford for example, in Genesis they often used the Moog Taurus bass pedals for the really low notes.
3. Some people ask why restrict yourself? I find restriction often forces you to be more creative. Like poets choosing to work within the strict rules of a sonnet for example. Or in my other favourite hobby, photography, I often leave the zoom lens at home and go out with just one single prime lens. Forces you to look at things with more attention to create a good picture. Restriction increases focus.
4. And finally, yesterday I stumbled on a deal for a Cort Arona 5 that was too good to let go, so I gave in and I've now a 5 string bass on the way from Germany. Meaning I'll be able to find out for myself in a few days
1. I guess for people playing covers it's indeed a question of using the tool the songs call for. The players I was mentioning in the OP are all playing their own music. So if you're doing originals, you can write your bass lines to fit within the constraints of your chosen instrument.
2. Thinking of Mike Rutherford for example, in Genesis they often used the Moog Taurus bass pedals for the really low notes.
3. Some people ask why restrict yourself? I find restriction often forces you to be more creative. Like poets choosing to work within the strict rules of a sonnet for example. Or in my other favourite hobby, photography, I often leave the zoom lens at home and go out with just one single prime lens. Forces you to look at things with more attention to create a good picture. Restriction increases focus.
4. And finally, yesterday I stumbled on a deal for a Cort Arona 5 that was too good to let go, so I gave in and I've now a 5 string bass on the way from Germany. Meaning I'll be able to find out for myself in a few days
Most everything I do (since I'm old as the Acropolis), is easily covered or innovated with four. If it don't swing boogie or get funky I ain't your bass player. That having been said, I have fun with quality fivers given I have the amps/cabs to get it done. I would say listen to Otiel Burbridge over his career. Great work with Aquarium rescue unit and the Allman brothers, playing more, then 4. With Trucks Tedeschi it seems like only a Fender 4. He could play a 2 string and make it happen. Then look at the last 5-10 years of Joe Bonamassa. A few players, but the 5 is prominent. Is Joe just letting his bass players have fun or does he like a fiver shakin the arena or Royal Albert Hall? fun stuff.
If you exclude "church/praise music, lady gaga new junk, some new country, jam bands, and heavy de-tuned metal" just about every famous bassist is almost exclusively on a 4-string. As for Geddy playing a 5-string, for what-like one-song? (before he dropped it and went right back to Fender 4-strings)
How about Paul Simonon, Geddy, Steve Harris, Jamerson, Jaco, McCartney (98% of the time), Ian Hill, Cliff Burton and jsut about everyone else who is famous for playing bass, with the exceptions I noted)
How about Paul Simonon, Geddy, Steve Harris, Jamerson, Jaco, McCartney (98% of the time), Ian Hill, Cliff Burton and jsut about everyone else who is famous for playing bass, with the exceptions I noted)
I like what Jimmy said.
4 string here... Tuning DGCF works me. And just to make sure I'm not missing anything, I have a Hipshot detuner set to CGCF gives options that I practice but never really use. Another idea: an octave effect seems capable of anything else that is lower or just simply better suited to more of an effect like sound.
But really, if you're feeling a 5'er, definitely go get one and see how it goes for you.
4 string here... Tuning DGCF works me. And just to make sure I'm not missing anything, I have a Hipshot detuner set to CGCF gives options that I practice but never really use. Another idea: an octave effect seems capable of anything else that is lower or just simply better suited to more of an effect like sound.
But really, if you're feeling a 5'er, definitely go get one and see how it goes for you.
Most of the dudes we consider a big deal in rock play 4 bangers. My opinion from reading/listening is that they are set in theIir ways and comfortable with the parameters/limitations. The old shoes you don't want to get rid of....Look for some.video of Billy Sheehan explaining why he doesn't use a 5.....
Fwiw now...I play a 5. I think it is more flexible. You have more fingerings and more notes available to you. I take lessons and am a bit influenced by my instructor in that regard. I enjoy the 5.
Fwiw now...I play a 5. I think it is more flexible. You have more fingerings and more notes available to you. I take lessons and am a bit influenced by my instructor in that regard. I enjoy the 5.
I don't argue that point. I have a five and the "B" string is a beautiful thing to have.
The point I was trying to make is that, as a player, if you can't get the job done on a four string, having more strings is not going to help you.
However, I have done many gigs and recordings playing a four string detuned to as low as "C", and gotten a great sound....
In Led Zeppelin, yes. He does play 5 and 8 string bass on the album 'The Sporting Life' (With Diamanda Galas), and 10 and 12 string basses on 'Zooma' (a solo album).
4. And finally, yesterday I stumbled on a deal for a Cort Arona 5 that was too good to let go, so I gave in and I've now a 5 string bass on the way from Germany. Meaning I'll be able to find out for myself in a few days
Well, my Cort Arona 5 arrived today. Played it briefly for 45 minutes. I don't know yet what I have to think. It will take some getting used to, but maybe less than I feared. To be continued
To me its like getting out of my Mazda (5 speed manual) and driving my dads neon (4 speed auto) funny the 5 speed is not the fiver in this case. I'm used too driving the manual and I play my 4 string precision 98% of the time. The 2% of the time that I play a fiver is if I want to cover some linkin park. Which is a general craving due to them being my favorite band. Its just an adjustment. Already been said but most famous bass players play a 4 string generally don't play new wave, new metal, newer country.
In new Salsa/Timba music it seems that the 5 string with round wounds is becoming the new standard.
I find that when I record a 5 string bass is a little more difficult to keep from making undesired clicking and clanking sounds. Of course I'm just an OK bass player who doesn't get to record a whole lot. Somebody like Adam Nitti or Lincloln Goines or Richard Bona may not have any problems there....
I find that when I record a 5 string bass is a little more difficult to keep from making undesired clicking and clanking sounds. Of course I'm just an OK bass player who doesn't get to record a whole lot. Somebody like Adam Nitti or Lincloln Goines or Richard Bona may not have any problems there....
