I think I've decided I'm more of a 4-string guy...

[Garret Graves]

More often than not I only need the top 2 and sometimes 3 strings to do what is needed.

I play one note, and tell them thats all they need. They listen.

 

[4stringfarley]

I play one note, and tell them thats all they need. They listen.

I go by the ass shaking on the floor no more.

 

[mattygbass]

Ive learned the same thing. BUT....everytime i realize it I sell my fiver, and then miss having one.viscous cycle!!! i think I found my keeper, it a deluxe dimension 5H, I've had Laklands that IMO have the best b string, but I also learned Im a 34" scale guy they're 35" I can adapt but Im kinda anal about setups and and string spacing as you can probably tell by my post.

I dunno, 5-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their B string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only low B's I like are on my Dingwall NG2 and, to a lesser extent, my Ibanez SR 5205 Prestige. Really the Dingwall is the only one that sounds like it truly belongs. Even then, you get 5 extra notes that are kind of a gimmick for most music and the rest of the string will still sound better played on the low E. Then there are all the drawbacks...

- heavier
- 35'' scale usually
- more muting required
- more expensive to buy and maintain

I just find it funny when people say they need a 5-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the B two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 5 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.

 

[descendent22]

"Most music?"

I would say that it depends highly on the genre(s) that you play, and - most important - your particular role in the act that your playing with and the requirements expected of you

I agree with you, unless if your doing like 100% jazz I think a 5 and 6 string is pointless. You want 6 strings play a guitar. 4 string in my opinion is the ONLY way but that's just an opinion, a preference, and whatever

 

[Rib 13]

I agree with you, unless if your doing like 100% jazz I think a 5 and 6 string is pointless. You want 6 strings play a guitar. 4 string in my opinion is the ONLY way but that's just an opinion, a preference, and whatever

When I get hired to play Country Music - particularly Modern Country - I have incredible need for 5-string , particular when guitar players are in Slack D tuning (examples "Copperhead Road" or "Shameless" just to name two.....) and/or songs are segued in the set that bounce all over the place.....put on any Country Music station and listen for thirty minutes and you'll hear a bunch of songs that use notes below "E"

Can all this be done on 4s in different tunings? Of course -- but I play bass for a living and I subscribe to the "work smarter. not harder" mantra

 

[Sufenta]

I bought a 5er when I joined an established band who's guitarist/songwriter/singer played a 7-string (low B) guitar. The way a lot of the basslines were written would have made playing them on anything but a 5 very difficult. So I'm a 4 stringer that faked it on a 5 for a bit, but a 5 in the hands of the right player can add a unique, powerful dimension to the low end.

 

[Mr.Ace]

I really like all the ERB work on
erykah badu's albums. Very tasteful. I don't know about comparing a 6 string bass to a guitar. The job as a bassist remains the same.

 

[Doner Designs]

Four is plenty for me too, but I dropped the G instead of the B and have never missed the G string. In fact I try to mostly play on the B and E.