Why is it that people think a C string can only be used for soloing?
Same for the low B - some folks think the only things its useful for are hitting notes below E.
I get high enough notes on my G.
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I don't think I'll ever be able to play a 4 banger again
- Thread starter capnsandwich
- Start date
I get high enough notes on my G.
I get high enough notes on my G.
I tend to shy away from my C, and sometimes even my G, because of the tinniness compared to the other strings. Hopefully my next set of strings should address this issue.
The first bass I ever bought was a four stringer, but while still within the return window I took it back, got a five string, and that's all I've ever owned since then.
Sometimes I think I should get a four just to have one and to be able to play one comfortably, but I really like having the extra string to help reduce the need to shift position. So for the foreseeable future, I'm a five string guy.
Sometimes I think I should get a four just to have one and to be able to play one comfortably, but I really like having the extra string to help reduce the need to shift position. So for the foreseeable future, I'm a five string guy.
- Feb 27, 2005
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- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
I need at least five anymore. I keep my Steinberger around for recording. It's got the DB bridge, so I can go lower if need be, but it just doesn't feel like enough anymore. It's got too much sentimental value and good, midrangey tone for me to want to get rid of it.
I love my 7, and I still play my fivers sometimes; they just feel good, almost liberating in a way. I can't see myself ever buying a four-banger again, unless I'm specifically told to by someone signing my paycheck. I'm too used to the extra positions, the lower notes, and an ever-present thumbrest anywhere I want it. I love playing in Eb or D without sacricing my low end.
I love my 7, and I still play my fivers sometimes; they just feel good, almost liberating in a way. I can't see myself ever buying a four-banger again, unless I'm specifically told to by someone signing my paycheck. I'm too used to the extra positions, the lower notes, and an ever-present thumbrest anywhere I want it. I love playing in Eb or D without sacricing my low end.
Fours are a lot of fun for slappity slap wanking, but I really prefer a five when I actually want to play music.
You are not alone. I tried to go back to 4 string basses...I couldn't do it. I know it's all the rage, but I really need and use the B string. I wish I could be happy with a passive P bass, but I'm not.
I bought my fist five two years ago, got used to it quickly, and completely understand why some would entirely switch over. If a gig requires it, as one has, I'll use it. I'd have no problem playing a five all the time if it made a difference, as it would have in one band whose songwriter liked writing in E flat. But I mostly play my fours these days, because that's all I need in my classic rock type band, and they're a little more comfortable. Plus, my G&L SB-2 is a four. 
Have two points to the following short story.
A friend of mine sings and plays guitar for his church and occasionally plays a cheap, beat up Peavey Foundation when called for. The last time I was over his house this past weekend, I told him I'd take it home for him and give it an adjustment, new strings, etc. Due to the fact that it barely seemed playable to my hands, and because just maybe I could make life easier for him with a set up.
So, I get it home, clean the freeboard with lemon oil, adjust the truss, the bridge, and turn it into a decent playable instrument actually. I was surprised, so much so, that I jammed with it for about an hour today. Put an active preamp in this thing and youd have a real contender. Anyways
1st point, one made here often by many a TBr: you do not need a thousand dollar instrument to sound good; its truly in your fingers/technique. That said, I will not be giving up my Lakland and Spector bass any time soon, as they make my life and tone easier.
2nd point: after playing this bass for over an hour, I realized I will never go back to a 4 string instrument. My muscle memory is too conditioned to expect the 5, and even if the adjustment werent an issue, I would miss the massive low end afforded by the low B. its too invaluable to give up, and since I can do everything that a 4-string can do and more I gain nothing by doing so.
A friend of mine sings and plays guitar for his church and occasionally plays a cheap, beat up Peavey Foundation when called for. The last time I was over his house this past weekend, I told him I'd take it home for him and give it an adjustment, new strings, etc. Due to the fact that it barely seemed playable to my hands, and because just maybe I could make life easier for him with a set up.
So, I get it home, clean the freeboard with lemon oil, adjust the truss, the bridge, and turn it into a decent playable instrument actually. I was surprised, so much so, that I jammed with it for about an hour today. Put an active preamp in this thing and youd have a real contender. Anyways
1st point, one made here often by many a TBr: you do not need a thousand dollar instrument to sound good; its truly in your fingers/technique. That said, I will not be giving up my Lakland and Spector bass any time soon, as they make my life and tone easier.
2nd point: after playing this bass for over an hour, I realized I will never go back to a 4 string instrument. My muscle memory is too conditioned to expect the 5, and even if the adjustment werent an issue, I would miss the massive low end afforded by the low B. its too invaluable to give up, and since I can do everything that a 4-string can do and more I gain nothing by doing so.
Once, I was in a music store and decided to putz around on a 4 string after playing only my 6'er for 2 or so years, it felt completely alien in every way, very strange.
Why I will always have a 4 string:
IMO the best tones are to be had as far down the neck as possible. ie: Low F sounds better on fret 1 than at fret 6 on the B, so I play it there when playing either a 4 or 5 string. So in effect - I end up playing my 5er like a 4... but the 5 goes lower. Some music eg: old school Motown or Beatles covers - doesn't use anything below the E, so the 5th string literally just ends up being a thumbrest. In this situation - the classic tones from my older 4 string basses (I have a Ric 4001 and a Pre EB Sabre) simply cant be found on a modern 5 string. You can get close, sure, but I dig my ol' classics.
That said... My Streamer 5 is one of the sexiest basses I've ever played.
IMO the best tones are to be had as far down the neck as possible. ie: Low F sounds better on fret 1 than at fret 6 on the B, so I play it there when playing either a 4 or 5 string. So in effect - I end up playing my 5er like a 4... but the 5 goes lower. Some music eg: old school Motown or Beatles covers - doesn't use anything below the E, so the 5th string literally just ends up being a thumbrest. In this situation - the classic tones from my older 4 string basses (I have a Ric 4001 and a Pre EB Sabre) simply cant be found on a modern 5 string. You can get close, sure, but I dig my ol' classics.
That said... My Streamer 5 is one of the sexiest basses I've ever played.
Very good points on both sides guys. I still just can't get into being confined to 4 strings, though. Maybe if I just carried around the Jazz to every gig and church service maybe then but I'd be too afraid that I'd miss out on some quality room rumbling notes that only my B string could do.
I guess I ought to tell you this about 2 of my bands. Both of them are "drop D" type of bands. It does make it a lot easier to play in that tuning with guitarists than switching back and forth between tunings. IDK, to each his own I guess. I love bass and I love being able to have choices on my basses.
I guess I ought to tell you this about 2 of my bands. Both of them are "drop D" type of bands. It does make it a lot easier to play in that tuning with guitarists than switching back and forth between tunings. IDK, to each his own I guess. I love bass and I love being able to have choices on my basses.
While the music my current band plays requires a 5 (wasn't that way until a year or so ago), I've been playing them exclusively for a y lot ofears. I enjoy the extra notes, but I also prefer the heft, look, and feel of them. I feel naked with only 4
I played 5's exclusively for about a year because back in the late eighties everyone believed that modern music was very soon going to demand the 5th string. I never really felt comfortable on it. Most of the time I found anything below the low C# sounded terrible and the basses generally felt unresponsive to me. My perception was that the extra tension from the low b also affected the tension on the other strings making them less responsive too. So I went back to my 4's. I remain committed to 4's. That said, so much of music is subjective and tactile that I recognize the allure of 5s and 6s. I realize many players prefer the playability and feel of the extended basses. Viva 'la difference.
Why is it that people think a C string can only be used for soloing?
Same for the low B - some folks think the only things its useful for are hitting notes below E.
.....because most people who bash 6ers simply don't understand how to tap into the utility of a 5 or 6 string.
My five strings are both very nice instruments - two of my three keepers. But to me they're more "Jack of all trades, master of none" instruments. My fours are more "character instruments". They do one, maybe two things, but they do them very well.
I have been playing my fours almost to the exclusion of the fives for a couple of years now. I can go back and forth, but the fours have been calling. It's easier to find a "character bass" in a four string. I'm planning on looking for a "Beatle bass" clone.
These days the four strings just seem more fun. I've spent a lot of time and bought and sold a lot of five strings and the two I have are staying with me, but I don't miss the low B string all that often.
YMMV.
KO
I have been playing my fours almost to the exclusion of the fives for a couple of years now. I can go back and forth, but the fours have been calling. It's easier to find a "character bass" in a four string. I'm planning on looking for a "Beatle bass" clone.
These days the four strings just seem more fun. I've spent a lot of time and bought and sold a lot of five strings and the two I have are staying with me, but I don't miss the low B string all that often.
YMMV.
KO
I'm just afraid I'll never be able to go back to playing my 4-strings. I don't play anything where I need the five extra notes, but being able to play a vamp in C or G on the 8th fret instead of the 3rd is a real incentive. When I do (and I know I will, eventually) go 5-string there will be no turning back. I switched over from guitar ten years ago and didn't want to mess up my finger-muscle-memory with different string tuning, but now I know the handwriting's on the wall. Not only that, but when a singer can't hit the top notes in a song, and wants to drop it a step or two, it'll be nice to not have to play in some awkward position just to accomodate them. But I haven't been able to do it because I realize I won't ever be able to "go back".
I've never encountered a string where being on the 8th fret sounded as good to me as being on the third.
KO
KO
