Five- or Six-String Players: How much would you miss your low B, really?

[Seashore]

The main band I play bass for is tuned low so I use the low string all the time. My main recording project is usually tuned low so I use it all the time for that too. Every band I've played bass in that tuned up to E standard... I still used it all the time. I got a six string to make my life easier with the high parts, and I love it, but if I had to go back to five or four, the low string would be the last to go.

 

[Josh Pelican]

No. I would just setup a 4-string for BEAD!

 

[joel406]

Switched to 5 from 4.

Not going back

 

[Ric Vice]

If you're doing pit work on shows they started writing parts that utilize the B String quite some time ago. If I play hymns in church, having the Low B is very nice because I can read along with the piano accompaniment and just

get the low D's, C's, and B's on the fifth string. Just my take of course.

 

[Dr. Keebs]

I have one four. I would greatly miss the B string on the rest. For country, jazz, funk, rock, metal. In fact, I also miss the C and F strings of a 7, but it may be a while before I get another.

 

[Jefenator]

For modern R&B and pop I would miss the low B a lot.
For vintage rock and country, I already use a 4-string.

 

[chris_b]

I mainly play six string basses now, but I find myself almost never using the low B or high C strings.

You're clearly playing the wrong bass.

I play every one of my 5 strings in most songs. If I had fewer strings I would not be a happy bass player.

I don't understand why the number of strings on my bass is of concern to other players.

 

[darwin-bass]

I switched to 5. But found that mostly I needed the low D. And half the time the D an octave up sounded better so I began using the low B as a thumb rest.

Oh, and it hurt my L hand to play the wider neck, so I'm back to 4 stringers only.

 

[getBAK]

Let's put it this way: In the last 12 months, I've sold two damned-good basses because they were 4-strings and never got played.
It's not about the low notes, it's about being able to play across the neck. The G at 8th Fret of the Low-B string is a godsend

 

[Mudfuzz]

I would miss my b string more than i would any of your lives...

 

[Whale guy]

4 strings really hold you back when playing from piano scores. Also, I play on a large band as well (when not in pandemic) and would seriously miss my B string. I dont use it on every song, and can work around not having it, but when I need it, theres nothing like it.

 

[QweziRider]

how often do you use your low B strings? Would you miss them if you were forced to play four string basses? What genre do you mostly play?

I use it all the time. Mostly not for the lower five notes.
Yes, I would miss it. My handful of four stringers are tuned BEAD.
I play mostly whatever I'm hired to play. Country, rock, blues, classical (yes, a five string Eminence there)

 

[luciens]

I was a full time 6 string player for some years, but have gone back to 4 for physical reasons (can't manhandle the huge necks anymore). I do think I could handle a 5 or a 6 string on a part-time basis if it had a suitably thin neck, but I don't want to spend money yet on a part-time instrument.

But I'll say that I have "adapted" to the loss of range having to go back to a 4. I don't go up and down quite like I used to, and concentrate more on just playing better. And becoming a better FL player with my intonation while shifting more.

I still have plenty to do without the B and high C, or at least I try to find more stuff to do.

If I were gigging, though, I'd probably keep a beater 5 string fretted bass sitting around just in case.

L

 

[bbh]

I play a lot of notes on the b string and they aren’t just low notes. I’ll often use it to get more girth in my sounds. Just another tool. I could do without but I’ve been on a 5 so long, it’s a part of me.

 

[motornap]

When I got back into playing bass regularly again about 2 years ago, the only bass I had was an Ibanez GSR206 (I mean, who wouldn't grab a 6-string bass from a pawn shop for $50 if they didn't already have one).

I play (mostly) heavy music, so I found places to use the B a lot. I used the C for certain melodic fills or passages too. But ultimately when I found my P Bass, I realized I don't need them. They can be nice to have, but when the time comes for me to hit my non-existent B or C, I can just make another note choice or go up/down an octave. I've never been at a jam session and thought to myself "man, I wish I brought the 6-string,".

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I'm with Burning Skies on this . I would and do miss the B string on a bass , I've been playing them so long it's ingrained in the way I play . I too play across the fretboard and don't use the open low E except for a different tone sometimes . I had a 4 string last year and it was fun but I found it harder to play than my 5 strings .

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

Why limit yourself to one or the other ? You should have both if need be.
I have a 2 good 5 strings and 2 good 4 strings. I play whatever fits the scenario. It’s my choice . And it’s nice to have options .

 

[Brother Goose]

I have two 5 strings and a Sixer.

My only interest in a four string would be for periodic specific music like Motown covers on a p with flats or crazy thunder-thumbs music man slappin'.

 

[Lardass5000]

The low B string is the most important string on a bass. The emphasis is on bass.

I remember before there were 5 string basses and all I could think about was *** aren't theses basses tuned lower?!

After all, they are BASSES... aren't they?

If I had a one-string bass... it would be the B string.

 

[RBrownBass]

We have a winner!!

lol. have you?

I would miss my B terribly.