- Aug 5, 2005
- 7,243
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- Endorsing Artist: J.C. Basses
I wouldn't do it unless I tuned my bass F#, B, E, A.
Too many low notes for a 4-string to handle.
Too many low notes for a 4-string to handle.
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Gospel on a 4 string
- Thread starter Ron G
- Start date
F#?!?!?!?!?!?!?! LOL!
You get rid of the high G and you can kiss the high end spank that gospel requires bye bye
You get rid of the high G and you can kiss the high end spank that gospel requires bye bye
I support any bass player's right to use as many strings as they feel they need to express their creativity in any genre of music they choose. I've played ' real gospel ', as well as CCM just fine with my four stringers, as I choose to only play four stringers, but I can understand why a lot of current gospel players have moved to five strings and beyond. You need to find what works for you, and a four string can be just fine.
5 Strings are really nice, they just open up your options, and makes some bass lines easier by having that b on top, but if you got a 4 you love, just make sure you have the right rig. for example I just got a swr mo' bass head and my 4 sounds incredible in it, even in standard tuning.
I love my Foundation w/Super Ferrites for Gospel. It gets a great Jazz Bass tone. I am also getting a handle on my D-tuner after many previous attempts to work one on other basses. If I get the technology. I will set up link of me playing Fred Hammond's "Let the Praise Begin," to see how it works when playing a song.
Some people "hear" in the low-low range better, they're better able to recognize pitch. It can also be developed and improved over time. I can remember a time that if I was playing a low C, I couldn't really hear what note I was playing unless there was other instruments playing along with me, or I hit a higher octave, or had some other type of pitch reference in a higher octave.
In the same way, some basses don't produce low notes very well, they can be indistinct and/or seem out of balance/character with the rest of the bass. I sat in on someones Stringray 5'er the other night. Terrific bass, but the B string just wasn't "there", I've played other MM basses that were just fine, but this one wasn't. It was lacking enough that it would probably discourage me from playing my parts down low on the B string if I was stuck playing that bass the B string would become a positioning tool and "special effect" type of thing. Sad(to me).
IMO, tuning down a half or whole step gives you a bit more string action that can help define the uber-low notes. Depending on what kind of Gospel you're playing tuning down a half step can also give more open string opportunities as well.
Also, learning to EQ for a 5'er is a factor.... i.e., a boost at 40hz behaves much differently when you're actual playing a pitch who's fundamental is lower than that.
I certainly am not trying to pass judgment on ANYBODIES opinions here, I just feel that these are factors that can sometimes come into play for some people while their opinions are being formed.
I'm talking about modern gospel like Hezekiah Walker, Kirk Franklin, Marvin Sapp, etc. I also play the contemporary Christian material at a white church, also using a 4 string, but I much prefer playing at the (mostly) black church.
When we play a song like "I Need You to Survive" by Hezekiah, we start in Db which I play on the A string and then for the next chord change (Db/F) I move down to the E string and then walk up from there. My parts don't sound exactly likely the recording, but I like them better this way.
John
I don't play Gospel but I did play in a blues band with a female singer whose favorite key was E Flat. I only play 4 stringers. I have a G&L L-1000 which has a single coil bass boost setting known as OMG! With flatwounds and the OMG there were no problems playing in D and E flat, even with 3 guitarists.
I never play at church without a low B or a low A, but lots of people do it and sound just fine. Play what feels right to you, i guess.
CrashClint
I Play Bass therefore I Am
Honestly my Roscoe has the best sounding "B" string I have ever heard, that said, I hardly ever use it unless the worship leader ask me to go to a low "D". I have been playing for 34 years and for the first 28 years it was all done on a 4 string Fender Jazz. A 4 string takes a little more work but it will do the job just fine.
If money is a concern, get a D-tuner, they are nice but you have to think more about hand position while you are playing. because of the whole step down. I played a Schecter 5 the other day that sounded pretty good and it was really inexpensive.
If money is a concern, get a D-tuner, they are nice but you have to think more about hand position while you are playing. because of the whole step down. I played a Schecter 5 the other day that sounded pretty good and it was really inexpensive.
money is not the issue, what I have notice since I started playing bass that it is some what hard on the body (hands, wrist, elbow and shoulder). My body told me light strings 40-100 and I listen.
Órale!
For me, I feel the most confortable using my SR5 for CCM style music, since most of the "Charasmatic" style tune's we do seem to require one
For me, I feel the most confortable using my SR5 for CCM style music, since most of the "Charasmatic" style tune's we do seem to require one
Added a link to this thread here - http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showpost.php?p=8468503&postcount=561
I played a 4 stringer in standard tuning all my life before playing any Gospel. I had already switched over to a 5er back in '97-'98. I have ALWAYS played standard tuning. Reason being: All of the bands I have played with only use standard tuning. But personally, I love the Eb tuning in a Gospel setting. (There ain't nothing I wouldn't do to tune down half a step anyway.) 
That being said, playing a 4 or 5 stringer suits me either way in a Gospel setting. It really depends on how comfortable you are on your instrument. That's just how I feel. Knowing HOW to play a particular style or song makes YOU fit much better, but it doesn't compensate for how comfortable you are.
4 Strings have been around a lot longer than any other bass, so getting just about any bass to accommodate a style is attainable nowadays. All of this IMHO.
Be well and have a safe 2010! May all of your musical dreams come true!
R...
That being said, playing a 4 or 5 stringer suits me either way in a Gospel setting. It really depends on how comfortable you are on your instrument. That's just how I feel. Knowing HOW to play a particular style or song makes YOU fit much better, but it doesn't compensate for how comfortable you are.
4 Strings have been around a lot longer than any other bass, so getting just about any bass to accommodate a style is attainable nowadays. All of this IMHO.
Be well and have a safe 2010! May all of your musical dreams come true!
R...
Totally possible.
Your organist should be working the pedals, so that should cover the serious lows.
Unless this is CCM, in which case the crazy-lows aren't necessary anyway.
Your organist should be working the pedals, so that should cover the serious lows.
Unless this is CCM, in which case the crazy-lows aren't necessary anyway.
I dunno. I think a 5 is probably the right tool for the job. That being said, a 4 would do just fine. I've seen a dude play the sickest gospel ever on a 4. can't remember his name, but it was seriously legit. It was an old Jazz if my memory serves me well.
