Has anyone here abandoned their 5 string basses totally for 4 strings?

[smeet]

I only play 5-strings, and have for the past 10 years or so. Nothing against 4-strings, and if I found one I loved, I'd play it. I don't play the B string all the time, but I like to have it there when I want it.

One thing that helps is getting a really good 5-string (usually that means NOT a Fender, although that's arguable). Another is getting a cabinet that can really reproduce the low frequencies. Traditional bass cabinets were not really designed to reproduce notes below an E, so it's no surprise that those low notes tend to sound different than the normal range of a 4-string.

 

[ToneMonkey]

Dood, I thought it was really clever.

Some folks need to chill.

DOUBLE SPACINGS?!?! Dear god, I am so, so sorry. There's nothing worse than offending spacing standards.

And you can figure out what key Steve Harris writes in? (Even though they aren't "progressions." ) Wow. I only hope that I may learn more from you in the future.

 

[portlandguy]

Yes, I had a 5 string Fender American deluxe p bass 2002 model, great bass and sold it to a fellow TBer. I have a Fender 4 string Am Std Jazz fretless and love it. Never really used the B string and I have kinda small hands.

 

[Wallace320]

Hi everybody:
for many years I played mostly 5 string basses, then I discovered the Hipshot bass extender and... the rest is history

Cheers,
Wallace

 

[SantiagoGT15]

I started on 4, moved onto 6, then went back to 4, never even played a 5 string

 

[chadhargis]

I have big hands, and never found a four sting bass I felt comfortable playing. My first bass was a five string, and I always felt confined by a four string.

I went the other direction. I sold all my four string basses and have nothing but five strings now. You can do everything with a five string you can do with a four string, but it doesn't work the other way.

I even tried going up to a 6 string, but muting was a challenge, and the neck was getting a big on the big side. Fives feel "just right" to me.

 

[carl h.]

I haven't abandoned my 4 string basses, I've actively replaced them with 5 stringers of equal or better quality.

It's not about the extra few notes on the bottom, it's about extra options all up and down the fretboard that aren't available on a 4 string. I may not use the low notes on every song, but I use that 5th string on all of them.

 

[mongo2]

About 20 years ago I bought a 5 string to have in case anyone ever asked me to play one. Nobody ever asked so I've stuck with 4s but I still have the 5...just in case.

 

[mikewnaylor]

I recently acquired a 5-string and had only played 4's up until about 5 months ago. Since I've got the extra real estate, I'm loving it. I have smaller hands so being able to use the 5th string for runs/jumps makes it much easier on me.

The only downside to having the low B is if you're playing through a sound system that isn't up to the task, or has a sound guy who doesn't know how to EQ/mix properly, the lower notes can sound trashy and really foul up a good bass groove... Not that this has ever happened or anything....

 

[Nedmundo]

Changing tastes and requirements are okay. I would retain one good five string just in case something comes up that needs it... A Musical, contemporary country, gospel, and anything else where a five string is standard.

That's largely why I keep my Jazz V. I don't need it in my original rock band, but when I got a call for a rock musical a couple of years ago, it was essential. As long as I'm an active player, I'll keep it around. In fact, I'm now upgrading it with Barden pickups and Plek fret leveling.

 

[coronado3]

I went back to 4s but keep one inexpensive 5er around just in case! It's an SX Jazz and it really plays better than the Fender jazz 5s Ive had including some american deluxe models. I jsut can't justify having an expensive/valuable 5 or fretless in my stable...

 

[eb3mike]

Bought an inexpensive 5r (late 70's Bradley) about a year ago and actually liked it after I got use to the B string... love the neck. Restrung the 69 eb3 and played it for awhile and recently picked up a 62 reisue jazz that gets more play. Keep the Bradley for a backup and an occasional tune requiring the low b. I am preferring 4 string currently.

 

[kingsx925]

I only have one 4 string left, a p-bass. I would much rather have a 5 string bass, even if I never use the B string. The B string is a tricky thing... Some guys play it WAY too much and others use it for fretting notes at a different location/position. I know only a handful of players who can sneak in those really low notes and make it sound so musical and have a huge impact on the song. Church music and Country a 5 string is a must.... Jazz to a certain extent. All other music.... Most of the all time greatest songs were written on 4 string bass... Motown and Jamerson... The high water mark of recorded music ever!!

 

[Mike M.]

I didn't get a 5 string bass until December of 2009. My only gig then and now is at church and I found I really liked having that low B at my fingertips when the situation called for it.

But lately.....even though I've been playing for a long time I realized just how much I don't know. I mean, I'm a decent player and all that, but I thought it was long overdue that I get back to basics and really start studying in a way that I really haven't before. And that includes getting back to a 4 string. Bought my first P bass about two months ago and found it's giving me a whole new perspective on things. I still have my 5 string, always will and I do use it when the situation calls for it. But these days it's pretty much a 4 string for me.

 

[darkstorm]

Yes. Didnt find the low B that useful. When wanting below std low E my synths work better then any bass Ive ever heard. Tuning eadgb or eadgc for fiver is nice if your not a guitar player. But being guitar player to it just made more sense to use guitar instead of bass tuned like guitars lower five.

 

[Ric5]

Has anyone here abandoned their 5 string basses totally for 4 strings?

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Nope ... I did the opposite ... I sold off some very collectable 60s and 70s 4 string Rickenbackers simply because I don't play 4 string basses ...

But if I did play 4 string basses they would be tuned DGCF.

 

[sevdog]

I am basically a 4 string player. Never would really use that low B. I have a 5er with a high C. I only play finger style and some picking. I don't ever slap (unless I want to annoy my bandmates).

I like the tight string spacing on some 5ers and it's also comfortable to play finger style with my right hand fingering landing on that B string even if I'm not playing it.

So my judgement is "Meh, 6 o' 1, half dozen of the other." Just depends on what I'm doing and how I'm feeling that day.

 

[MrLenny1]

Nope! I have 4 five string basses, low B's & 1 hi C.
I have one 4 string and feel odd playing it.

 

[wideload]

I doubt I would abandon my 5. I play with an ear toward 4 string, with the extra lows used for emphasis mainly, and convenience less often. It took a year when i first got a 5 to really get used to the extra string - and I'm too dumb to go back to a 4 and have to rethink which note I'm on! Muting the B is no problem - ALL the strings resonate unless you control them, and one more is no big deal. I guess I'd rather ignore my low B than want it, and not have it.

 

[Harpo61]

I played a Stingray5 for a few years and then went back to a 4 because I just was not using the B string enough . But I am glad I am glad I played a 5 for a while I think it made me have more discipline as a player.