Just a simple poll, I'm sure it's been done before so think of this as an update for the middle of 2007. How many strings do you prefer to use...as in a "if I can only have one bass" type thingy.
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How many strings?
- Thread starter Goofball Jones
- Start date
Gonna have to go with 4 string. Its got everything I need, nothin more nothin less than what I use in all my music.
ElDunco
has an addiction.
So far the most comfortable basses I've played have all been 4 stringers. I'd like to pick up a 5 later on, probably a lakland, since if you're doing any type of regular work it can't hurt to have one. I did end up playing a used Carvin 6 string at GC one day, had a smply amazing neck that was ridiculously easy to play. Wish I remembered which model it was for sure.
If one bass and only one it would likely be a 4 for the simple pleasure of playing them.
If one bass and only one it would likely be a 4 for the simple pleasure of playing them.
I used to use a 5 string for all rock gigs and a 4 for all funk.
Since I picked up a Lakland 55-02 recently, the Lakland is all I am using as the string spacing allows me to slap easily.
Since I picked up a Lakland 55-02 recently, the Lakland is all I am using as the string spacing allows me to slap easily.
Once I got my first 5 string, I fell in love with just the right amount of extra range I wanted. Six is something I will try in the future, but worry about the neck width, and 4 would feel like a backstep to me at this point. I have 3 5's now, and just let go of my last 4 string last year to get the third 5, so I guess I'm hooked. 
I have a 5 string but very rarely use it. Its there if a gig crops that requires a 5er, the majority of the time I play 4 string though.
Jase
Jase
I own a 4,5 and 6 string bass so its hard for me to decide. But I voted 5 because its in the middle.
Six strings. No more, no less. I have no reason to use bass, which have less than six strings. Even so, that I also play guitar, I really don't want to limit myself as a bass player by thinking "it is only a bass, it isn't meant for solo playing" or "you can't do anything creative with bass".
Of course there are bass players who do miracles with four strings but if you can expand your sound by adding strings, why not?
Of course there are bass players who do miracles with four strings but if you can expand your sound by adding strings, why not?
I started off on a 4 string, then got a 5 string which i used pretty exclusivly for a couple years, then i moved onto a 6 string for quite a while. And the back to a 4.
The 4 string is where the magic is at.
And your only missing 5 semitones higher (compared to a bass with equal number of frets) and 5 semitones lower (but you can easily drop D making it only missing 2 notes lower), no real loss IMO
The 4 string is where the magic is at.
And your only missing 5 semitones higher (compared to a bass with equal number of frets) and 5 semitones lower (but you can easily drop D making it only missing 2 notes lower), no real loss IMO
knarleybass
Commercial User
I got my first five ten years ago and the only reson I got it was because the band I played in demanded that I have the low notes, I was tuning my 4 string basses BEAD and I didn't care for that, I missed the G string (no pun intended). Now I am very used to it, it's jsut enough range for me, and I do like those low notes.
6 strings is all I've played for the last year and a half and it's not going to change anytime soon. 
Started on a 4 string normal EADG. Got a new 4 string, kept new one in EADG and the older in CGCF, DADG, or BEAD. Then got a 6 string BEADGC.
Currently have the first one in fretless BEAD (The neck is so warped standard tuning is way too tight, gotta get a new neck) and the 6 string which I'm in the process of selling (hopefully) in order to buy a 5 string BEADG. Planning on making the 4 string strung up DGCF (.060-.018 strings, for soloing/melodic stuff).
I like all of 'em.
Heck, I even like basses with more than 6 strings.
Currently have the first one in fretless BEAD (The neck is so warped standard tuning is way too tight, gotta get a new neck) and the 6 string which I'm in the process of selling (hopefully) in order to buy a 5 string BEADG. Planning on making the 4 string strung up DGCF (.060-.018 strings, for soloing/melodic stuff).
I like all of 'em.
Heck, I even like basses with more than 6 strings.
For me, it's 4. I have a 6, but I feel more at home on a 4. Really don't need more than that, especially if you have a HipShot XTender key.
Ok, if 4 is the winner and most everyone with some exceptions is saying 4...then why do I see just about EVERYONE playing a 5 stringer? Can't hardly open a magazine without seeing a pro with a 5 stringer, or the people's pictures here. Look at the Lakland Owners Group and a vast majority it seems (I haven't officially counted so of course I could be totally wrong) are 5 stringers.
Just seems weird.
Just seems weird.
I own all 3 and I play my 6 string mostly.
But If I had to choose just one type of bass, it would be 5 strings.
I can't live without my B string.
But If I had to choose just one type of bass, it would be 5 strings.
I can't live without my B string.
I love 6 strings. Once I have a fretted and fretless 6, my only use for my 4 will be for slapping, just because of the string spacing.
To be honest, after playing a 6 for a while, I can really see myself using an 8 string... but that way lies madness. I'll probably get one someday just to fool around on (and crush everything in my path with a thunderous low G), but even then for a compromise between range and playability over a long set I'd keep the 6 as my main axe.
To be honest, after playing a 6 for a while, I can really see myself using an 8 string... but that way lies madness. I'll probably get one someday just to fool around on (and crush everything in my path with a thunderous low G), but even then for a compromise between range and playability over a long set I'd keep the 6 as my main axe.
I know a really super bass player, who has played on 4 strings all his life. He owns about a dozen of them. He also owns a 6-string, but finds he never uses the extra strings. Why not? Well, because when he learned bass, those strings weren't there. He hasn't learned much for a while. Why should he? He's good at what he does, which is all he plays anyway.
Kind of like a washtub bass player explaining that "he's never needed to play more than one note at a time in the past, so why have more than one string?" But of course he "never needed" those extra strings - he never had them.
Imagine, from the inverse perspective, if he'd developed a style that makes heavy use of 2-octave arpeggios, and then *lost* a couple of strings. Ever wanted four hands? Imagine growing up with them, then losing two. You'd be crippled.
Four strings make some styles of play (like slapping) easier, while six strings are best for other styles. If I had to choose one, I'd choose six strings, because this means I ALSO have a 4 and a 5, already built in.
Kind of like a washtub bass player explaining that "he's never needed to play more than one note at a time in the past, so why have more than one string?" But of course he "never needed" those extra strings - he never had them.
Imagine, from the inverse perspective, if he'd developed a style that makes heavy use of 2-octave arpeggios, and then *lost* a couple of strings. Ever wanted four hands? Imagine growing up with them, then losing two. You'd be crippled.
Four strings make some styles of play (like slapping) easier, while six strings are best for other styles. If I had to choose one, I'd choose six strings, because this means I ALSO have a 4 and a 5, already built in.
