Going from 4string toooo...

[Matty Koff]

So, I'm coming on year two of owning a decent bass, playing regularly. I will eventually get an itch to get another bass.. no idea when..but it will come and I like to research my options.

I've joined a band I love being in and think will be together for a long time, and we even have slight hopes of making a professional run at it. When I used to play guitar, I was chasing extra strings. I owned a couple 7 strings, and was looking at 8 string guitars like "ooh yummy." Turns out that was just my inner bassist saying "hey you just want fatter strings." I've been content with my 4 string, unlike my guitar where I wanted extra low end. I find myself learning and improving on it every time I play..

That being said.. I DO want a 5 eventually of comparable quality to my sr500, or a 6, although the size of a 6 string fret board is kind of scary to me right now just thinking of the workout my hand will get. That being said.. I feel like if I do that, it may entirely replace my current sr500pb that I absolutely love.

Now, Steve Bailey comes to mind at the moment with his 6 string fretless.. and I have this thought that if I get a 4 string fretless, I can actually work both into my routine for different sounds all together once I practiced enough with it.

Then again.. I could just get a 5 string fretless right?

So I know the ultimate answer is.. get a 4 string fretless, a 5 string, and a 5 string fretless... and I wish I could! lol..

But if you were debating this and could only buy ONE of these options already owning a 4 stringbass you love and use regularly what would you go for? No need for specific makes or models.. and we all know I'm going to end up making my own decision.. but I'd love to hear thoughts.

 

[Jim Carr]

IMHO, a 5-string fretless is a lovely thing (I have one) but aside from one band I work with, it does not get much band leader love.

Also, though I have played upright since 1967 and fretless since 1976, a fretted bass still takes less dogged mental concentration, freeing you to sing better, focus on chart reading, or whatever. Moreover, a fretted bass gives a steeper attack to each note, and has a different more static tonal quality—which is often what people are seeking, regardless of genre.

Therefore, my advice is to get as good a fretted 5-string as you can afford before getting a fretless or six-string anything. All IMHO, YMMV, etc.

 

[orangejulius3]

I have two 4 string basses and a 6 string.
I love my 6 string but wish I would gotten a 5er. My left hand really takes a beating when I get crazy with fingering. It's a real stretch.

I thought about selling the 6er to get a nice 5er, but my Wife won't let me. I bought that bass brand new at the time we are dating so it has more value for both of us. Eventually I will buy a 5 string bass of my liking.

Oh, the reason for my jump into a 6 was the fact I was playing with a metal band at the time and needed the C string for better attack and more brittle sounds. I don't need that C string anymore.

A picture to show you the massive neck

 

[Matty Koff]

I have two 4 string basses and a 6 string.
I love my 6 string but wish I would gotten a 5er. My left hand really takes a beating when I get crazy with fingering. It's a real stretch.

I thought about selling the 6er to get a nice 5er, but my Wife won't let me. I bought that bass brand new at the time we are dating so it has more value for both of us. Eventually I will buy a 5 string bass of my liking.

A picture to show you the massive neck

She might got a fat neck but she's still pretty sexy. Yeah.. I think that'd be a bit much for me honestly, even if i like the extended range that C string offers.. can at least go up on the G string on a 5, can't go lower than an E on a 4. Thanks for the responses guys, and the photo.

 

[PortlandBass77]

How about a 3 string? Decreasing the amount of strings obviously worked the first time, so why fix something that isn't broken

 

[Matty Koff]

How about a 3 string? Decreasing the amount of strings obviously worked the first time, so why fix something that isn't broken

Newp.. no no. 4 was backwards enough to send me back in the right direction I would definitely miss any one of my 4 strings, I'm just thinking I shouldn't be selfish and keep them from meeting new friends.

 

[hrodbert696]

What I don't see in your post is what you want the new bass FOR. What will you be playing on it? Is there music you want to do that will be better with fretless tone? Music that calls for the lower notes that you need a B string for? I'm not a big believer in getting a new bass just to get a new bass. I mean, I get it, it's tempting, but in the sober light of day it's better only to get an instrument because you have a function for it, especially if funds are limited.

 

[Matty Koff]

What I don't see in your post is what you want the new bass FOR. What will you be playing on it? Is there music you want to do that will be better with fretless tone? Music that calls for the lower notes that you need a B string for? I'm not a big believer in getting a new bass just to get a new bass. I mean, I get it, it's tempting, but in the sober light of day it's better only to get an instrument because you have a function for it, especially if funds are limited.

My band does originals and ive always been interested in a fiver. Would just be another tool to create music with. The fretless is a totally new thought and im curious to see how well i could adjust to one. as mentioned not buying a new bass in the immediate future. Im just dreaming as of now

 

[hrodbert696]

My band does originals and ive always been interested in a fiver. Would just be another tool to create music with. The fretless is a totally new thought and im curious to see how well i could adjust to one. as mentioned not buying a new bass in the immediate future. Im just dreaming as of now

In that case, go for the fretless 5er. Why not?

 

[WaldoNova]

I would get a nice 5 string fretted bass. I would even think about getting a very similar or same as the 4 string that I love. If you really like the 5 string then you could sell the 4 string or if you don't sell the 5 string. Then you get your fretless.

 

[D. Gallis]

Ibanez makes a 6 string that is EADGDG, the second DG is fretless... or maybe not, can't remember how it's tuned lmao - though you said you'd like to go lower

 

[Matty Koff]

I would get a nice 5 string fretted bass. I would even think about getting a very similar or same as the 4 string that I love. If you really like the 5 string then you could sell the 4 string or if you don't sell the 5 string. Then you get your fretless.

Yeah I've been eyeballing the 5 string model of my bass... and it's a pretty lil' thing. The only thing that has it being a question of a future purchase in my mind is the fact that it's a 34" scale, and I think I'd prefer at least 35" for that low B, not that I'm even sure how much difference that will make.

Ibanez makes a 6 string that is EADGDG, the second DG is fretless... or maybe not, can't remember how it's tuned lmao - though you said you'd like to go lower

Yeah I'm more interested in the capability of the low B string than just an extra string in general, but that bass is freaking amazing. And a great display of why fretless options can sound so amazing. Lol I might have to look into one of these after I play around with some fivers. Though it will be awhile before I can afford either.

*edit* I just saw a picture of this bass at musicians friends..none in stock but I think that has to be one of the most beautiful bass guitars I've ever seen that wasn't a custom.

 

[Bim1959]

I've been playing quite a few different basses - 6 string Warwick Corvette Std (baseball bat like neck), Ibanez SR406 (I pulled the frets on it and made it fretless - not as wide or thick as the Warwick), 5 string Peavey Foundation (very light and easy to play), 12 string Hamer Chapparral and a 4 string Hamer SFB. The fretless is fun and of course lined making it easy to play opposed to an unlined.

If it's the lower notes you need you could always do a dUg Pinnick and tune to BEAD. Of course you'll miss the G, but it's a tradeoff.

I have a friend that has a SR405 that the build is really good and plays nice.....

 

[Matty Koff]

I've been playing quite a few different basses - 6 string Warwick Corvette Std (baseball bat like neck), Ibanez SR406 (I pulled the frets on it and made it fretless - not as wide or thick as the Warwick), 5 string Peavey Foundation (very light and easy to play), 12 string Hamer Chapparral and a 4 string Hamer SFB. The fretless is fun and of course lined making it easy to play opposed to an unlined.

If it's the lower notes you need you could always do a dUg Pinnick and tune to BEAD. Of course you'll miss the G, but it's a tradeoff.

I have a friend that has a SR405 that the build is really good and plays nice.....

Yeah not too fond of the idea of gaining a low B at the expense of losing open strings I already have. That would make my octave pedals not very fun at all IMO. I mean I do fine without the low B to be honest, but it's an extended range unachievable without altering your tuning/intonation. I mean.. I could actually see the benefit of the C string on a 6, it's just that I generally don't play passed the 17th fret or more on my G string as is.. so it's not necessary to get a 6 imo. Might be a little easier to play in the higher register of the fretboard, even if all the low B would gain is 6 notes lower, the extra string higher on the fret board means more room for riffing through modes without switching hand position, which the high string added by a 6 does as well, but this is all it does imo.

I guess the way I look at it is that a 5 string is an extension from what I already have available, as opposed to simply looking for a lower tuning. It gives me almost as much flexibility as a 6 without the super fat neck lol. I think I should see how I feel playing one before I really consider fretless options I guess.

 

[Matty Koff]

Ibanez makes a 6 string that is EADGDG, the second DG is fretless... or maybe not, can't remember how it's tuned lmao - though you said you'd like to go lower

Lol man, so apparently this is like the only bass of it's kind in existance? I mean, it seems like it was a signature model, as in there is more than one and all but.. I'm honestly a bit taken aback by this thing. You just blew my mind man. Even while I admit this conception is nothing I could have ever dreamed myself, I'm finding it hard to believe that the design didn't catch on. Two completely different tonalities off of one bass without flipping a switch or turning a knob, or even altering your playing style aside from there being no frets on the first two strings?

It's like.. I've been telling myself if my band ends up making real $$$ I'm going to have a Skjold built... but now I my eyes are dreaming over this madness that is fretted/fretless hybrid. I can kind of see how it hasn't caught on...but being in a 3 piece band.. that thing looks amazing to me. I might have to find one of these Ashula bass guitars if nothing else just to play around with.

 

[Matty Koff]

So, found a GAS station, saw a dark stained BTB Terra Firma 5'er that's really causing me to have trouble being faithful to my 4 banger. It's clouding my thoughts.