For those who play 4-stringers only

[jumblemind]

I'm still learning the first 4 strings... going on 25 years...

^^^this

Once I master the 4, then maybe I'll consider 5.

 

[Russell L]

I don't need a fiver. Actually, I think a five-string plays too low. I don't like the sound.

 

[JYBass]

If Victor Wooten doesn't need more then 4 strings, do any of us? I mean, I have a 5 string Michael Kelly Dragonfly but when I play it, I don't play the 5th string. Stick with 4, because you don't need more.

 

[madrob]

Play what you like!

I started with 4 then went to a 5 fretless and played that most of the time for a few years. I've been playing mainly 4 for a few years now but my next purchase will be a fretted 5er. Gotta keep things interesting.

BTW, it also really depends on what you are playing. Doing classic cover songs doesn't really require a 5er but lots of modern covers can use it and for you can fit it in with many original acts although I rarely see indie bands using 5ers.

Just play what makes you happy!

 

[madrob]

If Victor Wooten doesn't need more then 4 strings, do any of us? I mean, I have a 5 string Michael Kelly Dragonfly but when I play it, I don't play the 5th string. Stick with 4, because you don't need more.

I've seen Victor play a 5er many times back in the Flecktones days.

 

[fclefgeoff]

I'm still learning the first 4 strings... going on 25 years...

This. Over 22 years for me.

 

[eukatheude]

If Victor Wooten doesn't need more then 4 strings, do any of us? I mean, I have a 5 string Michael Kelly Dragonfly but when I play it, I don't play the 5th string. Stick with 4, because you don't need more.

 

[BassyBill]

When 5 string basses first came to my attention, they had an extra high string. Then when a lot of records with synth bass were hits in the 80s, 5 string basses with the low B started to appear. Even today, they're still much more common in the US than they are here - I rarely see them, in stores or in use.

I'm still a four string fan at heart. The simplicity of the bass (in terms of design, not what you can do with it) is beautiful to me. I own a 5 string (had it maybe three or four years), but I can't remember the last time I picked it up. My main fretted bass has a detuner on it, though, and I find it handy to drop down as far as D on occasion. I've not bothered with getting one for the fretless yet, but it may be on the cards at some point in the future.

 

[sammyp]

here's the reasons i only played 5er for 3-4 months;

1. Too much wood for my small hands

2. Too much wood for only 5 extra low notes two of which i can get with drop D.

3. Too many players i admire play 4 string only.

4. Want to play bass like a bass player but view the neck thru my guitar playing eyes.


the reason i tried a 5er was simple gear lust and curiosity!

 

[steelbed45]

I have, in the last two years, switched to 32" scale basses, but if Warwick does indeed come through with their 5 string medium scale Corvette, I'll be picking one of those up next year, (debut is supposed to be Winter Namm.)

 

[two fingers]

If you are more comfortable with 4 strings, keep them and try some alternate tunings on the other two: for example, Drop D on one of them and why not a Drop C on the other?

A BEAD 4 is also an option.

 

[Jeff Bonny]

I've always been most comfortable with the limitations of a 4 string. 5 and 6 strings have always makes me feel like I need to do something on the B or C strings that I rarely actually hear in my mind's ear. I never felt those extra notes contributed much to my ideas or musicality...playing that low B is usually about as comfortable as wearing the ugly sweater my aunt gave me for christmas and playing the high C feels like going to the mall in a speedo.

Lately I do use the Kubicki low D extension quite a bit but often only to climb or slur into the E rather than to play the Eb or D below.

 

[TheInsane]

For me, who plays in a death metal band, the 5 strings might not be essential but it makes playing a whole lot easier and it sounds better in comparison to detune a 4 stringer. However there is probably only one or two songs that actually require me to have the 5 strings. Therefore I could get by by detuning a 4 stringer to C standard (which is the tuning we use for everything except a song or two) but the 5 string option is more comfortable and also requires less left hand movement.

 

[JAUQO III-X]

I had Hipshot make me a double D tuner system that allows me to drop my two lower stringer lower at the same time with the flip of one lever.



I drop my E and A string down to C# and F#













Hipshot endorser.

 

[Itzayana]

for the first 20 years or so that I played bass they didn't even make a five string bass.
old habits are hard to break.
also I have never felt like I needed more than 4 strings to get the point across.

 

[Drewski9]

Overcoming limitations is the beginning of creativity.

 

[edisonsexybeast]

5 strings is kinda unnecessary for me, that low b in a band mix just makes everything else sound muddy. But my bass teacher shows me you can play some lines differently without having to move up and down the neck too much

 

[eukatheude]

playing that low B is usually about as comfortable as wearing the ugly sweater my aunt gave me for christmas and playing the high C feels like going to the mall in a speedo.

Haha, that's a nice analogy. Don't agree one bit, but it's still funny.

 

[gene beauchamp]

My biggest thing besides string spacing is I really like to dig in on the E string. It being second in line affects that for me.

 

[omnimutant]

A BEAD 4 is also an option.

That's what I do. I'd like a 5 but my hands and fingers are tiny. It's also why I prefer Ibby's cause they generally have thin necks. (and a good bass for the $)