How often do you need more then 4 strings?

[Slevage]

Just curious for those that have 5, 6 ,7 string basses how often do you actually need the extra notes that a 4 string cannot do?
I do own one five string but play it like a 4 string probably 98% of the time when I use that bass. I guess I could have probably lived without one but have it "Just in case I need it"

All my basses are E~C. I love being able to play up to Eb (two lines above the staff) without shifting.

 

[factory presets]

I play piano/ keyboards as well, and it just struck me: I've never heard a guy that plays mostly 61- or 76-key synths turn around and ask a piano guy 'do I really need 88 keys? I never play way down there or way up there'.

Ha ha. Been learning piano lately. And just felt the need for an 88. Fair doos it's mainly about the action. But those wide open spaces on the ends do feel kind of reassuring. Even asked the question on the Keyboard Forums.

And there the analogy breaks down. Played for decades on 4 strings. No trouble for me to find an appropriate note out of 3 octaves. Course I do like those low notes. It is bass after all. BEAD works fine for most situations. Cept for slapping. Something spesh about a pop on the g string I don't like to be without.

Apart from that, 4 is fine.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I need more than four strings every time I pickup one of these.


Because I want to play regular basslines in the low register.

But I also want to play chords in the "ionosphere"

 

[MrAB4003]

I don't have a NEED for a fifth string, so my answer is never. I tune my 4 string basses to D Standard (DGCF) so I can have access to the low D and Eb. I don't really need any notes lower than D1.

However, there are times that I WANT a higher 5th string (tuned to A#) for chords and economy of motion.

Update - There are also times that I WANT a lower 5th string (tuned to A0) for economy of motion, the lower notes, and thicker versions of notes that would normally be played on the D1 or G1 strings.

The muting on 6 string bass is too hard for me to deal with. So I would need to get 2 different 5 strings to have the lower and higher tunings. 5 strings is my limit!

 

[LowEndOperative]

As often as I want to need them.

 

[ryco]

Not too often, but glad to have those extra low notes.
They kinda pump ya in the chest. And more convenient than tuning down the E and then having to tune it back up; which isn't that big of a deal either. Just have one fretted five out of my 6 basses. Also have a tic tac 6 = EADGBE.

 

[retslock]

Just curious for those that have 5, 6 ,7 string basses how often do you actually need the extra notes that a 4 string cannot do?
I do own one five string but play it like a 4 string probably 98% of the time when I use that bass. I guess I could have probably lived without one but have it "Just in case I need it"

All my four main basses have 5 strings. The extra notes are not the only reason I like them. I have better facility across the neck so less movement along the neck works for me. I use the fifth fret low E way more than I use the open E string and playing with horns in Eb is no problem. Playing an A chord allows a really nice drop down and walk up from low C# and the low D gets used a lot. We play one song where I pedal on the low C. It just wouldn't have the same power an octave higher. I use the lower notes as grace notes quite a lot too on say, an F#, G or G# chord. From F to A above the fifth fret on the B string also get used a lot. In that area I move across the neck with access to more notes so you see, the five extra low notes are only part of what makes the fifth string so useful to me.

 

[Slevage]

Just curious for those that have 5, 6 ,7 string basses how often do you actually need the extra notes that a 4 string cannot do?
I do own one five string but play it like a 4 string probably 98% of the time when I use that bass. I guess I could have probably lived without one but have it "Just in case I need it"

All my basses ( BG,EUB, DB) are 5er's with a high C. Not necessarily for range , but for ease of play- less position shifts.
I do have fun with the upper register from time to time because it's fun.

 

[motoman]

I only own a 5 so that tells you

 

[SteveC]

Less and less

I am a 5 string player. Have been for years and years. That said, there are maybe 4 songs on our list that "need" a B string for lower notes, and a handful that use a low D. I have a 4 string P and a 4 string J and I have used them before for a set or two if it works out that I don't need the low notes. I will say a couple songs seem to feel better on a 4 string. I have thought about swapping basses mid gig or mid set, but then I get lazy. With my 5 and the 1/2 step drop on my Stomp, I'm ready for anything.

I do use my P and J for a couple side projects. Jazz gigs get the P with flats. Also use it for some singer/songwriter stuff. I'm doing another side project that's the Weezer "Blue" album front to back where the J tuned Eb works great.

It's nice having options, but when push comes to shove, I grab the 5.

I'm gonna change my response a bit from 6 months ago. I rarely grab my 5 any more. Today at church we had a song I would usually bring my 5 for. Today, I just used drop D for that song. At church, the keyboard guy plays the low stuff if he thinks it's missing. I don't really miss it any more. My cover band plays a coupe where I need to use a 5, but otherwise I play my 4's. Tastes change I guess. I used to grab a 5 and played a 4 for a change. Now it's the other way around.

I'm not gonna sell my 5's right away. I could easily go back. But right now, 4 string passive basses, painted, no fancy wood top and electronics is where I'm at.

 

[TheMartianBassist]

I own 5 basses.
4 of them are 5'ers and the last one is a 6er.
I use the B string all the time… not at all just for the occasional low D or Eb.

Can't even remember the last time I owned a 4 string.

 

[hrodbert696]

On a cover band gig, maybe 10-15% of the songs need a note lower than an E. I think there's also one where I could play on a 4 but like to play middle of the neck and use the B string instead. The thing is, though, that we keep the dance floor full by moving briskly from song to song with minimal breaks, so there's not much of a chance to switch basses other than set breaks. Those 10-15% of songs are scattered through sets 2 and 3 for reasons of genre and tempos. So I play a 4 for set one and then just use the 5 all through the rest of the show, just to avoid dead air.

 

[pepj]

This would only be an issue if you didnt know why you have the number of strings you do.

If you know how to use them..you will, as per what you hear and your applied taste.

File this along with the
'why do I need a 5st' threads.
If you don't know, then why get one?

 

[Les Fret]

Just curious for those that have 5, 6 ,7 string basses how often do you actually need the extra notes that a 4 string cannot do?
I do own one five string but play it like a 4 string probably 98% of the time when I use that bass. I guess I could have probably lived without one but have it "Just in case I need it"

That's a hard question to answer. It totally depends on the player and the music you play. If you play in musical orchestra or show band you will need that B string. If you play modern Gospel or are pro session player you will probably need the B string. If you play certain modern metal or djent you will need that B string. If you are a fusion player or a solo bass player you might need the high C string. If you only play blues or country or classic rock are Jaco or Geddy you only need 4 strings.

If you play your own original music you decide for yourself what you need.

 

[bholder]

Wrong way of thinking about it, I generally only need one or two strings at any given moment (playing or 2 notes usually). It's about which notes I need when. When I play a 5er, I use notes on both the B and G strings quite a bit. Just how I like to play, why restrict my range?

 

[cfortner]

Just curious for those that have 5, 6 ,7 string basses how often do you actually need the extra notes that a 4 string cannot do?
I do own one five string but play it like a 4 string probably 98% of the time when I use that bass. I guess I could have probably lived without one but have it "Just in case I need it"

Every single day I play. I so often substitute the deep E from the E string to the 5th on the B string and are playing in higher scales with the B string very often.

 

[wazzel2]

Surprisingly often these days. My cover band covers a few songs that are written for a 5. A bunch of others we drop to Eb to suite our singer. I tried a drop pedal, but the digital artifacts bothered me. Since I own both 4's and 5's I just bring both now. About 1/4 of our songs I need the lower range, but I play about 1/2 on the 5 just to minimize swapping.

 

[tvbop]

Well looks like Im the party of one...as usual. Never owned a five string, I totally dont like them, and never been 'looked at' for turning up with the ole P bass. Maybe its the Cellist in me (I play)...but in my tiny world a four string P bass played 'properly' (light touch, flats, Ampeg) gives me all the booty I'll ever need.