How long is the honeymoon?

[KenD]

You will hear lots of different opinions on this. In my case, once that low B string was fully integrated into my playing I found it difficult to to back to a four string. I was automatically/unconsciously reaching for a note that wasn't there and it felt a bit like stepping off a curb that I didn't see coming up.

 

[el jeffe bass]

Thank you all for the well reasoned comments. I will probably keep my 4 string basses for the time being. I’m not particularly sentimental but my American P-bass accompanied me to hundreds of gigs, I can’t see parting with it yet. I did not mention it in my original post but I have substantial spasticity in my shoulders and am enjoying the lower notes being at higher positions on the B string, if that makes sense. The ergonomics of the fiver agree with me regarding reaching notes that are difficult on the four string. The bass that I bought is a Yamaha BB435, my “dream” bass is the BBP35 but it’s absolutely not necessary. I think that at this time I will probably just stick with the BB435 for a while. I’m not going to spend a lot of money on a ego purchase, I’m retired and my wife works much too hard for me to waste money on unnecessary things. Thanks again for helping me work this out. If, after a while I find that I’m still only using the five string look for an epic NBD post from me.

 

[Geri O]

Thank you all for the well reasoned comments. I will probably keep my 4 string basses for the time being. I’m not particularly sentimental but my American P-bass accompanied me to hundreds of gigs, I can’t see parting with it yet. I did not mention it in my original post but I have substantial spasticity in my shoulders and am enjoying the lower notes being at higher positions on the B string, if that makes sense. The ergonomics of the fiver agree with me regarding reaching notes that are difficult on the four string. The bass that I bought is a Yamaha BB435, my “dream” bass is the BBP35 but it’s absolutely not necessary. I think that at this time I will probably just stick with the BB435 for a while. I’m not going to spend a lot of money on a ego purchase, I’m retired and my wife works much too hard for me to waste money on unnecessary things. Thanks again for helping me work this out. If, after a while I find that I’m still only using the five string look for an epic NBD post from me.

You sound like a smart man, no doubt. Kudos to you for taking your wife into consideration on your planning process.

I’ll be looking for that NBD post!…

 

[logdrum]

Keep one of the 4. If you can. But buy the dream bass.

 

[el jeffe bass]

Keep one of the 4. If you can. But buy the dream bass.

I do believe that we’ve traded messages in the past. I think that we both live in the wonderful village of Corrales N.M.

 

[logdrum]

I do believe that we’ve traded messages in the past. I think that we both live in the wonderful village of Corrales N.M.

My friend Kristy Hinds has an EP launch at the Corrales Bistro. I am supposed to play in Santa Fe but if that cancels I'll be there. I played with her when in a duo last year. We should hang out.

 

[timmus]

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?

This is why I play 5s 90% of the time, plus there’s just notes you don’t have access to on a four banger.

 

[basslicks]

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

A fad that has been going on for multiple decades? 5-string basses only add, they don't subtract. Based on what sells at my shop I'd say that 4-strings are becoming the passing fad

 

[Aloe]

well, if you have too many 4-stringers, thin the heard and leave a couple of best basses

I went five some years ago. then four again. then both four and five. I do sometimes regret one four I traded for a fiver at the first step

so my advice is: don't sell all your fours at this point, keep the favourite or two. just in case in several years you'll rediscover you sometimes like your basses in four string. or won't, only time will tell. if you won't be back to fours in like five years, you can thin the heard even more

all the best on this trip

 

[odubya]

Keep the 4 and string it B-E-A-D.