How long is the honeymoon?

[Lesfunk]

Hard to say.
I played five strings exclusively for about five or six years and then just went back to playing four strings and have been ever since.
So who knows? I guess that it’s best not to limit your options because things change.

 

[bigdaddybass12]

It depends. Can your 4-string basses be easily replaced? If they are, take the leap anytime you want. You can always go back. If they're vintage or custom instruments that would be hard to replace if you end up missing them, I'd think a little more seriously about hanging on to them.

I made the switch to 5's in 1999 and played them almost exclusively for about 15 years. Then I switched back and expect that I'll stick with 4's from here on out. There aren't any rules. Do what works for you.

Same here, I started playing a 5 in 2000. Sold my 4's, then bought a another 4, sold it, then another, sold it, x3 more times. Still have my nice 5 stringer but cant find a 4 that I like. Current 4 is a Sterling Ray4. Cheap but good.

 

[AlexanderB]

Not much talk about another factor, sound.
To me, there is a differwnce in both envelope and tone balance between 4 and 5 string basses.

 

[pepj]

As soon as the transition was complete, I realised there was no way back and then sold all 4strings.
The only reason I regret selling when I did..even though selling was totally the right thing to do ..is because the 75 Jazz and the 79 MM would be worth 10 times what I sold at.
But.... I have no interest in keeping stuff I dont use, so...???

 

[RVRSCO]

Always have both in the rotation. Sometimes it just feels good to jam on a 4. Then again, sometimes having that low B is where it’s at.

 

[drumvsbass]

I want to play a 5 in the worst way, but refuse to just play the 5 after investing over $6k in 4 strings over the years.

I’ll just keep flipping this once and a while:
View attachment 4749936

I like mine with a double lever. First stop D, second stop B.

 

[singlemalt]

This five string thing is just a fad, it’ll pass.

I went back to fours exclusively. The fives and six are long gone.

All under 8.5 lb, a couple at 7.5.

Don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything.

On the other hand, if I was going to play the six string, all the others had to be put away. Brain rewiring takes time. If it’s going to be five strings, the fours are just going to sit idle.

 

[tbz]

I felt this way 5ish years ago when I got my first 6. Lasted about 2-3 years.

All of the basses I’ve bought in the last 2 years have been 4s.

For a few years the 4s and normal guitars, looked like toys. Now the 6s neck looks weirdly huge, until I start playing.

Luckily I can just pick up either and play without issues.

I’d guess others have a similar stories.

 

[CJC6]

If it’s your dream 5 string, sell the 4 string bass guitar(s) to make it happen.
You’re a 5 string player now, live it up!

Get the bass you want today, worry about the rest later.

You can always string a five string it E-C, if you want the B out of your way, for whatever reason. Six string is where it’s at, it adds the depth lacking on both ends with 4s and 5s.

 

[Pings Bass]

On the one hand, a 5 can do everything a 4 can do.

On the other hand, I never get rid of anything, and there's a beauty in the simplicity of a 4.

One thing I've noticed with my playing in extended range basses is that I play up the neck a lot and use the B string to play in the E-G range a lot. It's a very comfortable position to play in. Going back to a 4 makes me play more in the lower positions.

It makes me a better player to switch back and forth, in other words.

 

[RJC1811]

Hahahaha, you're asking TalkBass how long to wait to buy your dream bass? I haven't read all the comments but was there even one "don't be hasty, think this through" reply? I have owned my 5er for many years now, maybe 10? but for some reason (I'm lazy) I haven't sold my 4's. I should do that now!

 

[Cave Puppy]

I like going from 4 to 5 to 4 to Baritone to 6 (guitar) to 8 (mandolin) back to 4 then 5 -- it's fun!

 

[Alivefor5]

I play 4s, 5s, and 6s in different projects. They are all tools and I pick the appropriate one for the job at hand.

Keep your 4s, down the road you’ll need them.

 

[MrLenny1]

I’ll stir the pot.lol
I only have 5 strings and lately I want a 4. I say keep ‘‘em a little longer, time will tell.

 

[mrcbass]

For me, switching back and forth was trouble. I'm exclusively a 5 stringer and have been since the fiver took. I use the B string so much, that I have a hard time playing a 4 stringer at all. My answer to you is now.

 

[Artman]

Les

26624131[/URL], member: 237952"]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.

Less weight, a more slender neck, some models even have wider string spacing than their otherwise identical five string counterparts, a bass that some particular band leaders or producers will request that you play on stage or in studio.
That said. I used to own a five and a pair of fours, I presently own three four strings and no fivers, but will likely replace one with another fiver before too long.

 

[juancaminos]

I had a real nice Tobias 5 string that was a breeze to play so I thought that was it for me. Boy am I glad I didn't sell my 4 strings. When I retired and cut the heard the 5 string went bye bye.

 

[Hop Jam]

I recently bought a five string bass after playing four strings for over 25 years. I was a bit nervous about being able to integrate the B string into my playing. Thanks to some great advice from my fellow Talkbassers I set about learning. I’m using the five string almost exclusively now. It’s not just the “four extra low notes”, it’s the 15ish extra notes on the B string that it affords me. After many years of being a four string player I think that I have become a five string player. How long should I give this before selling my four string basses and buying my dream fiver?
Cheers J.S.

Mike Gordon of Phish says he plays 5s primarily because of the additional notes he can get in a given hand position. I’m sure many others (including TBers) have made the same observation.

Keep your favorite 4 for a while?

 

[Gizmot]

I can only speak for myself, but like you, I've gotten comfortable with playing my 5s and now I don't even play my 4s anymore!

Nonetheless - - I agree with everyone else who said not to sell your 4s - - unless you're using the sale to help finance another upgrade.

Remember - - he who dies with the most toys wins!

 

[fauxtoe]

It's always the right tool for the job type of situation for me. Be it hand position or for the extended range. I have three 5's and all the rest are 4's. I'm more than comfortable switching back and forth without having to retrain my brain and sometimes I don't always want to play on a wider neck just because a 5 is always a 4.