I just bought a used Lakland 44-02 on the TB Classifieds. I've been playing a 4 string for a little while now and I really like it. I don't miss the B much at all. I have played around with DADG tuning for a couple tunes and it works well. I think the low D on my de-tuned E string sounds better than a D on a B string. Maybe I'm hearing things.
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Four bangers on the decline?
- Thread starter Kwesi
- Start date
nostatic said:
I can understand this--I have similar mixed feelings sometimes between a four and six, though oddly, the six won out for 'pocket' playing for me because the feel of the neck just felt more 'at home'
somebody said "I haven't done everything I could do with 4 strings. After I have that accomplished, I might add an extra string." Dont remember his name but he is a big deal and has accomplished more than alot of people.
Honestly, that idea sounds kinda silly. I'm sure he didn't mean it this way but the wording make's it sound like there 4 strings have some sort of limit on personal expression. 5 string basses aren't necessarily a step up from 4s in terms of what you can do just a different way of doing things. You could combine the talent of a number of fantastic bass players and still there will be someone out there doing something TOTALLY different. Play what you want to play and leave it at that.
That said, this thread was not meant to be about what people play, what they like to play or what they think about x number of strings on a bass I just wanted to see if people were seeing more basses with more than 4 strings nowadays.
Did he do absolutely everything possible with three strings before playing a four stringer?
.
I can't speak for others, but my next electric bass will be a fiver. No doubt about it. I like the added thickness/width to the neck...I think it increases the sustain. Having the low notes to use sparingly is awesome, versus not having the option at all without detuning. Pretty sure it is the new standard. I believe one day, 4 strings will be only for traditionalists and vintage enthusiasts.
Having said that, 3 out of 4 of my electric basses are 4 strings, and two of them are flat wound strung p-basses....so no, I am not coming from a biased viewpoint about this subject.
set 3 by Lucas Vigor on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
Having said that, 3 out of 4 of my electric basses are 4 strings, and two of them are flat wound strung p-basses....so no, I am not coming from a biased viewpoint about this subject.
set 3 by Lucas Vigor on SoundCloud - Create, record and share your sounds for free
Depends on where you live. In Nashville, the default is a 5 string, but here in Austin, TX... the 4 is definitely the standard.
Not sure you need a 5 to play "real" country music.
a P bass w/ flats should suffice
Just my humble opinion.
a P bass w/ flats should suffice
Just my humble opinion.
I see lots of 5 string players in the local clubs/bars that I hang out in. Seems like in many cases the B string is just used as a thumb rest while playing the other 4 strings. Wondering if the expense, neck width and extra weight of shouldering a 5 string all night long is worth it. Some genres of music require it such as modern country but I get the impression that the attraction to 5 strings has more of a "snob appeal" element to it more than a musical need. Sort of like "hey I'm an awesome bass player because I own a 5 string."
That being said I still plan on picking up a 5 string in the near future and regularly jam on 5 strings in the local GC. Nice luxury to have but musically I can probably live without one.
That being said I still plan on picking up a 5 string in the near future and regularly jam on 5 strings in the local GC. Nice luxury to have but musically I can probably live without one.
4-string is more prevalent in the bands I have seen around here (most rock cover and some original rock bands).
I play 5-string exclusively and can't see that changing any time in the near future. I don't like the feel of the strings when they're tuned down, I like to have the extra low notes as well as the added flexibility of catching stuff in 5th position on the B-string and it serves as a great thumb rest. And plus, I like those low notes!
I play 5-string exclusively and can't see that changing any time in the near future. I don't like the feel of the strings when they're tuned down, I like to have the extra low notes as well as the added flexibility of catching stuff in 5th position on the B-string and it serves as a great thumb rest. And plus, I like those low notes!
Not around the "neck of the woods" I play in...
My best friend runs the local music shop.
Last time I looked he had 20 to 25 basses hanging on his wall.
One was a frettless 4.
One was a fiver, (and a cheap one too.)
The rest are fretted active and passive 4's.
Says he not gonna stock what he can't sell...
