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How long is the honeymoon?
- Thread starter el jeffe bass
- Start date
Dump the 4s and never look back. I dumped all of mine years ago and play all 5s and a couple of 6s.
Just don’t get it. Why the either/or?
I own 4’s, 5’s (b,e,a,d,g & e,a,d,g,c), 8’s (dbl crs), 10 (dbl crs), 12 (tpl crs). Not to mention fretless & differing scales.
It’s not as if you took a marriage vow with your bass in a monogamous bass society. This is supposed to be fun and bass polygamy is where it’s at. You’re only depriving yourself as there are no Bass marriage vow rules and regulations that I am aware of.
F…, er, uh, play ‘em all! Have fun!
YMMV
Of course if you’re into ‘self-bass deprivation’ then do your thing.
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I’m an exclusively four string player. Just haven’t needed 5er. But to go with your analogy, a pickup and a sports car each offer something the other does not have. What does a 4 string offer that a 5 string doesn’t? Just curious.
Keep them. I'm a five-string player 99% of the time, but have multiple four-stringers because:
1) they are fun to play
2) remind me of when I first learned to play bass (nostalgic)
3) certain songs/bands are better suited to 4-string (I play in a number of tribute bands: TOOL, STP, Weezer, No Doubt)
4) you might regret it
Just save up the money for your dream 5-string, and keep the 4s.
1) they are fun to play
2) remind me of when I first learned to play bass (nostalgic)
3) certain songs/bands are better suited to 4-string (I play in a number of tribute bands: TOOL, STP, Weezer, No Doubt)
4) you might regret it
Just save up the money for your dream 5-string, and keep the 4s.
The simplicity of only 4 strings
This, for sure. Putting "limitations" on yourself brings out different creative options.
I would say that's when the honeymoon is over.
I would encourage you to keep it. I have 2 fours in my arsenal. I have one that’s outfitted with a detuner for the occasional song in drop D. The other four is a 70s Jazz that I use for funk.
I’m not gonna lie, as much as I love my 5s & 6s, there are some songs where I feel the extra string(s) is (are) somewhat of an obstacle so it’s nice to be able to pull out a four.
Cave Puppy
"Humph Bo, he's wond!" - John Lennon
I'm still getting my head around my one and only 5 string I built back in 2000. I am trying to use it exclusively in a certain project that tunes down half a step in general and drop D on a few tunes. I am getting more used to it.
That said it is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT these days to replace what you got rid of when you thought you didn't need it or want it.
That said it is MUCH MORE DIFFICULT these days to replace what you got rid of when you thought you didn't need it or want it.
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Keep the four my dude.
I got caught up in the five string thing at the end of the 80s, after learning on a four, and played it almost exclusively for fifteen years. Picked up a four again, and holy crap, it was like I had superhero powers. That B string was holding me back. So you never know.
Also hang on to the four for different strings and tunings and what not.
I kept my five but I only grab it when I'm asked to play something lower than E, which is rare anymore.
I got caught up in the five string thing at the end of the 80s, after learning on a four, and played it almost exclusively for fifteen years. Picked up a four again, and holy crap, it was like I had superhero powers. That B string was holding me back. So you never know.
Also hang on to the four for different strings and tunings and what not.
I kept my five but I only grab it when I'm asked to play something lower than E, which is rare anymore.
Obviously, do not take her statement as your only input. A wife might be in need of no additional girl friends (for herself), but her man might find it good for him.
(I will show myself out.)
I've been through this same thought process over the years and you're basically saying:
I got this new thing and I like it a lot. So I'm going to sell all my old things that I like, plus sell this new thing that I like, and buy another version of the new thing that I hopefully like even more.
This doesn't make sense. You're chasing a higher version of the high you feel with your new 5. And you're trying to assign some singular identity to yourself as a player - why?
Honeymoon should be at least several months of playing and comparing your new and old instruments in jams, rehearsals, gigs, and recordings. All the settings in which you play bass. Honestly the 5 you have may be your dream 5 if it's inspiring you like this. Do some upgrades if you like to make it "yours". Sell one 4 if you need to help cover costs of your new 5. Don't sell your new 5, and keep at least 4.
My two cents.
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Once I realized that fives were about so much more than just four more notes, and that I could play almost exclusively at or above the fifth fret, I (almost) never picked up a four again. But I kept them. Not sure why!
Oh, and every five has a four already built-in!
Oh, and every five has a four already built-in!
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I played six string bass exclusively for years, then switched to five, now I almost exclusively play fours. Going in the other direction 
I think because I play guitar as well, including 8 string, 7 and 6, it just got too baffling jumping around from instrument to instrument with different layouts. It's fine for me when doing home studio stuff, but now that I'm playing again, with the need to have 60+ songs on tap in a cover band situation, I am trying to limit my possible confusion by limiting myself to one familiar 4-string layout.
Others say they can jump between all the different string layouts without any trouble or confusion, and I believe them, but I can't do that without occasionally tripping up.
That's a long winded way of saying don't ditch all of your fours
I think because I play guitar as well, including 8 string, 7 and 6, it just got too baffling jumping around from instrument to instrument with different layouts. It's fine for me when doing home studio stuff, but now that I'm playing again, with the need to have 60+ songs on tap in a cover band situation, I am trying to limit my possible confusion by limiting myself to one familiar 4-string layout.
Others say they can jump between all the different string layouts without any trouble or confusion, and I believe them, but I can't do that without occasionally tripping up.
That's a long winded way of saying don't ditch all of your fours
I would keep at least one 4 string, switching back and forth is fun for me.
Sold my 4's years ago and can't see going back.. I vote to let them go and get your dream 5.
3 things:
1. Keep the 4. I played 5 for years, I started playing at a more acoustic dive and a 5 was a little overkill. So I bought a couple of 4's for this ongoing gig. It was mainly an excuse to buy a couple of 4's. I still have my 5, practice on it some. Trick is to don't think about the note, but more of a pattern, example: 1,4,5,1,6. opposed to G, C, D, G, A. You will have no issue switching back & forth.
2. Sell me all your 4 stringers at super crazy low price to get them off your hands.
3. Remember, if you sell the 4's, you will have a hard time convincing your wife you need to buy another 4.
1. Keep the 4. I played 5 for years, I started playing at a more acoustic dive and a 5 was a little overkill. So I bought a couple of 4's for this ongoing gig. It was mainly an excuse to buy a couple of 4's. I still have my 5, practice on it some. Trick is to don't think about the note, but more of a pattern, example: 1,4,5,1,6. opposed to G, C, D, G, A. You will have no issue switching back & forth.
2. Sell me all your 4 stringers at super crazy low price to get them off your hands.
3. Remember, if you sell the 4's, you will have a hard time convincing your wife you need to buy another 4.
