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G String Rarely Played

Discussion in 'Live Sound [BG]' started by maguire, Jul 12, 2013.

  1. Jul 12, 2013 #1
    maguire

    maguire

    Nov 24, 2010
    New Hope PA
    I find that I rarely use the notes on the G string of my bass. So little in fact that I usually string to BEAD now on a 4 string.

    In my band situation those higher notes always get completely washed out from the 2 guitars in the band. And our sound isn't that heavy.

    I just want to hear other players experience" with this. Who uses the G string notes often in a rock type of situation? Does it require smart EQing? I know a lot of this is dependent on music style so I am risking over-generalizing.

    Thanks for any replies or advice.
     
  2. Jul 12, 2013 #2
    jimfist

    jimfist "Cling tenaciously to my buttocks!" Supporting Member

    Mar 28, 2011
    Boston, MA (USA)
    IMO, if you can't get there with EQ, compression, or changing strings or string gauges, you need to examine the bass itself. I know what you mean, though. I will almost always opt for playing an A or B note on my D string before I will on the G string, unless there is a positional reason due to the phrasing or use of open strings.
     
  3. Jul 12, 2013 #3
    GoatBass

    GoatBass

    Feb 28, 2013
    Madison, WI
    Subscribed. I'm finding myself in a similar situation, albeit playing soul and hip hop. Rather than competing with two guitars, I'm competing with a horn section and samples.

    I switched to a 5-string a couple months ago. Since then, I don't play the G string much at all; I just anchor my left hand higher on the fret board. It's nice to have access to the lower notes without have to move up and down the fret board so much. I contemplated restringing a 4-string BEAD, but my 5-string is so nice I don't think I will.

    I can't offer much with the EQ question. Compression should help. For me, it comes down to wanting to hold down the bottom. I'm not needing or wanting to reach that high. Just my experience. Curious to see what other folks say.
     
  4. Jul 12, 2013 #4
    maguire

    maguire

    Nov 24, 2010
    New Hope PA
    It's also a compositional question. I guess a bass player in a band with more sonic-space would write lines using that G more often.
     
  5. Jul 12, 2013 #5
    Tony In Philly

    Tony In Philly Supporting Member

    Oct 25, 2007
    Filthydelphia, USA
    I think this was the whole reasoning behind Tony Levin's infamous three string bass. He stated that he rarely used the G string.