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I don't think I'll ever be able to play a 4 banger again

#61
smogg said:
You bring up some valid points. I can think of a few instances where drop-d on a 4 string is the way to go. If I were ever to get back into a project that needed that, I would definitely consider putting a 4 string back in the stable. But for now if I really needed the D in the open slot I would just tune my E string down to D and my B string to A.

It really does come down to the right tool for the project(s) and 99% of the time I can cover it with a single 5er.

As always; IME, IMO, & YMMV :D
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I think this is the way I think about it as well. I've just had so many gigs where the 5 is what I need. Shoot, even a 6'er is getting more and more useful with some of the stuff I've been doing lately but I could always go back to the 5'er without worry.

Phalex said:
:eyebrow:

I switched back years ago. Therefore the above argument is invalid!!
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It took me a second but I finally got it.:D

Sorry. I'm tired.:help:
 
#63
dudes! i am always looking for my low 5 when i am on the 4 banger. i just love playing C & having that low G right next to it. i think it makes walking so much easier on me.

but i also want to keep the 4 string around. i still can't believe all the guys saying they have to have a 4 string bassist. they look at my MTD like it is from uranus. also i get tons of flak from having a mark bass rig too.
 
#67
I have been playing 4 strings only since I sold my Ibanez 5 string years ago. I just got an SR5 4 days ago. I have never found 4 strings to be a detriment but they definitely feel odd to play already.
 
#68
I first switched from 4 to 5 in the early '90s and only played the 5 for a number of years then went back to playing a 4 when I joined a blues band. I recently started playing my 5'er again and even after this short time playing a 4 banger feels strange now, things just aren't where they're supposed to be sometimes when I reach for a note, my 5 has a 35" scale which doesn't help the transition to 4, so I have this awareness thing when I play one whereas I can be in auto pilot on the 5. I have too many nice 4 stringers though so they do get used mostly on recording projects these days.
 
#69
With my Hipshot detuner I'm good to go to that D when needed. I've even taken it down to C for one tune. 5 strings would be handy but I'm too lazy to relearn all those fingerings.

I tried a friend's 6 at a blues jam one evening. It felt like I holding onto a book shelf. No thanks!
 
#70
I love my 5-string Stingray!

One thing that I like about 5-strings as opposed to 4 is where I like to anchor my right hand thumb. Most of the time, I anchor it on the 5th string, then away from/closer to the bridge for what tone I want. When you give me a 4 my thumb is always wanting that extra string to anchor on, lol.

Call it a crutch...I use the B regularly so I think it's more than warranted ;)
 
#71
Bongolation said:
It took me a minute to see your point, but the way I play bass and the way I believe a bass should be played to fill the traditional bass/contrabass tonal spectrum in ensemble music, the B string's ability to go below low E would be its only justification for me -- and I haven't found it to be useful after all. :hmm:
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Do you have to sightread charts? The B string gives me another place to play low notes without having to shift hand position. I also can use the B string for ghost notes down a 4th. Those fit fine within the "traditional" tonal spectrum. Just gives you more options and makes playing charts a little easier.
 
#72
nostatic said:
The B string gives me another place to play low notes without having to shift hand position.
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No, I understand what you meant; what I meant was that I always transpose fingering to play the lines in the lowest possible register. I thought that having the B would be a big help. It hasn't on the bass I got, at least not with roundwounds. The fundamental needs to be much stronger.
 
#73
After I picked up a 6 and figured out that it allowed me to play more efficiently, I sold off all of my 4-strings. I may pick up a P-Bass again at some point, but given how much easier it is to do reading gigs with the 6, I can't see any reason why I'd stop using it as my main axe.
 
#75
Didn't Manhattan Project have a low C note in the beginning? Maybe it was a synth. :)

Personally Dream Theater is what got me into low B. Once I heard Caught In A Web and The Mirror/Lie, my fate was sealed.
 
#76
SpectorDetector said:
I so far haven't seen any music I like to play that requires a 5 string. And of course the usual: Jaco, Flea, Stanley Clark, Sting, Geddy Lee, etc... only need 4 strings, must be good enough for me!

I have been thinking of building a Carvin SB5000 though!
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jaco5.jpg

Who could that be?:hiding:
 
#78
I have two 6 strings, one 5 strings and one 4 strings. It's been 11 years since I started on a 4 strings then in one year I got my 5 strings it was my only bass until 4 years ago when I bought both 6 strings.

4 years latter I'm not so sure about the 6 strings even if I'm a jazz fusion/funk/metal players ... ( I solo a lot ) well, I more at home on a 5 strings or even a 4. I found myself more creative on 4 strings, instead of playing low note, I play chords or tapping stuff... etc...
 
#79
I currently only own two 5's (fretted and fretless). I like them not only for the added notes but the added positions. I love playing in F starting on the B string. I'm thinking of getting a 4 but I'll probably get another 5 and string it EADGC or maybe I'll just get a 6! 5ver for life!
 

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