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i just can't play a damn 4-string...

#82
Joe Nerve said:
Got a gig I couldn't turn down a few years back that called for a 5. I committed to it and put away all my fours. Played 5 exclusively for a couple of years. I got used to it. Never thought I would, but it became second nature. When I went back to fours I then adjusted almost immediately, and since then I haven't had any problem going back and forth.

I think it just takes motivation and a solid commitment to get over the hump. If the need or motivation aren't there, then it might not even be worth the effort. Especiall going 5 to 4 as there's a lot less chance of needing one less string, than of needing the extra low notes.
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+1
True. I think the same thing helped me. I played nothing but a 5 for over a year. The switch to a 6 string was easy after that. Now I got a 4 string fretless a week ago that I thought would mess me up but it was like second nature.
 
#85
There is something "comforting" about a 4 string. I love my 5 and don't know that I would give it up - even if I don't really need it, but I have a friend who would sell me back the Geddy Lee I sold him this summer...and it's been tempting.
 
#90
I played my new 4 string last night - NXT EUB. I don't care what anyone says, there's just something about playing an upright for jazz that lends a certain authenticity to the sound of the ensemble. I know there are some other basses that get the sound - some of them really well - but there's something to be said about the physicality of playing an upright and the character it ads.
 
#93
Actually went pretty well. It was a quadruple whammy - new amp and new bass, along with a new vocalist and half a dozen new songs in the sets. I was planning on being judicious in the use of the p-bass, but after two of our 5 vocalists canceled at the last minute and a whirlwind set change, I actually opened the night on the p-bass. We added new soul/rockish stuff (Will It Go Round In Circles, Use My Imagination, It's Not Unusual, etc) and I picked the p-bass for most of that. And in fact, I ended up playing the p-bass at least as much as the Roscoe - probably broke down to 40% roscoe fretless, 40% p-bass, 20% rob allen.

I only got messed up a few times (Bb instead of Eb, etc) but no drama. I have to say that the Streamliner was made for a P-bass. One reason I played it so much was that the S900/Berg/P-bass combo was damn near perfect. Cutting up the recording now to see if that's actually the way it sounds after the fact :p

11feb11-1.jpg
 
#96
VroomVroom said:
You look good with that thing, man!
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+1

Just goes to show you that Vanilla Ice Cream tastes pretty darn good once in a while ;)

I saw one of the Carpenter's producers say that Karen Carpenter's voice was often called "vanilla", but nobody stops to think how exquisite vanilla is.

Anxious for those clips Todd. :hyper:

:D

God Bless, Ray
 
#97
Sounds cool Mr. Nostatic. I have recently been fixing up my 4 string Musicman. New Slinky strings just arrived today as a matter of fact; also ordered a tuning machine from AJ @ Ernie Ball- that will be here next week then to my repair guy to get the ultimate set up. There is something nice and simple about a 4 string, makes me play less in the groove (which my guitarist will like). Good luck with your new gear- it's nice that guys like you, Jerry, Joe, Greg and myself are helping end the recession by purchasing gear!
 
#98
This was the first song of the night. A few gaffes here and there but whaddya want for cheap? The one thing I notice is that I probably tended to play less notes on the 4, which is almost always a good thing. May have been my lack of comfort, but I think that with a 5 you've got those extra notes in any given position, so dammit, I'm gonna use them

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#100
nostatic said:
The one thing I notice is that I probably tended to play less notes on the 4, which is almost always a good thing. May have been my lack of comfort, but I think that with a 5 you've got those extra notes in any given position, so dammit, I'm gonna use them.
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I found that last night (or any night when I try a 4 string) with the EUB as well. I tend to play more "appropriately?" when on an upright or 4 string - at least in a jazz setting. With my fretted 5, I tend to overplay a little - especially solos. I liked it, as did the rest of the band I'm guessing.

I suppose I should be able to play with the same "appropriateness" regardless of the bass, but some instruments do seem to lend themselves to a different style of play.

I was playing some 4's at the store today (through a Shuttle 9.0 and Uber Quad...nice) and in the end I had a 5 in my hands again. I think I'm just destined to play a 5...even though I know I could "get used to" whatever bass I had in my hands.
 

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