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

[Mr.Ace]

Never thought I would get one. Can't believe I waited so long

 

[radioface]

If you like playing a 4 string bass, there is no need to seek our approval.

 

[Lee Moses]

Only on TalkBass would people argue that something larger weighs less than something smaller.

I'm not sure if you're having trouble with reading comprehension or intentionally misrepresenting what spade2you said. He never hinted that 5-, 6-, and 7-string basses are inherently lighter than 4's. But if one desires, one can find ERB's at manageable weights.

 

[DavC]

i understand ... i resigned to be a 5ver player ... Warmoth deluxe 5 necks ... musically speaking , i don't find much use for the low B , so mine are tuned with the high C string instead ..! it's fun for melodic stuff or chords ... started on 4 strg in 1974 .... switched to 5 in the early 90's ... had 4 /5/6 strings since ... now it will be mostly 5vers ..! unless i'd need a cheap 4 strg to give lessons ..!??!

and being a keyboard player , i have access to all the low notes i'd need ..! and maybe a d-tuner ..??!?

 

[Menorahman]

I've never tried a V with a high C, but I think I would like it. Is it possible to simply restring a bass this way? Assuming it gets set up properly of course.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

I mean, if you dig 5's that's great, but the laws of physics and frequency responses aren't subjective. There's a reason a lot of mix engineers are against too much playing on the low B.

Well now, that's a whole different topic - tasteful note choice and discretion should certainly be employed with any bassline, but I hardly think that anyone should ditch their preferred instrument because a lot of engineers don't like to deal with the mishmush of a constant B-string farts.

And I really don't even have a horse in this race, I play my 4-string, 5-string, and bass VI about equally (and I am my own mix engineer, so I guess I end up arguing with myself about what to choose ).

 

[D_Bag]

That seems backward. If your band is drop tuning, you don't have to tune down if you have a B string. You already have all those notes. But when your lowest string is an E, you lose them.

I like to be in the same tuning as the guitars.

 

[Menorahman]

I mean, a bad recording is going to sound bad regardless. Like with a low B, Just because your preferred bass has a preamp doesn't mean you should use it when recording in the studio. If that's the sound you want, then sure, but in both cases I feel the bassist would be overruled in order to get a better sound. I would tend to trust the mix engineer.

 

[Mr.Ace]

At the end of the day it's our job in most cases to lay down the foundation of the song being played. As long as that foundation is strong I don't think it matters how many strings you have on your bass.

 

[Malak the Mad]

Oh snap - shots fired!

I'm so blessed to have a comedy expert grace us with such an insightful post. Thank you so much!

No, I wasn't trying to do a bit (though it did get more likes than your unnecessarily condescending post, so *insert annoying tongue-sticking-out-smiley*). I used the OP's same wording to point out that the ideal number of strings is pretty darn subjective, and you can make a parallel argument for/against any number of strings. To say that most B strings "just don't sound good" or are essentially "a gimmick," is silly. This type of thread has been done to death ... use however many strings you want, but you aren't going to logic your way into convincing anyone else that a certain number is better.

Okay, Luke, I'll accede to the "condescending" point. That was a bit snippy of me. I'll apologize for the tone. But the overarching point of doing a copy/paste/replace without following up with a denouement or coda makes the effort come across as more of a "neener-neener!". If you had punctuated it with your "subjective" statement, it would've carried your intent out in the open, with no room for misunderstanding.

(Pardon my regurgitating my old English teacher's lessons, but at least you get to take home the gist without suffering under her withering glare and eviscerating vocal-stylings! She could teach a Sith Lord a thing or two about "Fear being one's ally"! )

 

[Luke19Boarder]

Okay, Luke, I'll accede to the "condescending" point. That was a bit snippy of me. I'll apologize for the tone. But the overarching point of doing a copy/paste/replace without following up with a denouement or coda makes the effort come across as more of a "neener-neener!". If you had punctuated it with your "subjective" statement, it would've carried your intent out in the open, with no room for misunderstanding.

(Pardon my regurgitating my old English teacher's lessons, but at least you get to take home the gist without suffering under her withering glare and eviscerating vocal-stylings! She could teach a Sith Lord a thing or two about "Fear being one's ally"! )

Fair enough ... we all know how easy it is to misconstrue meaning/intent/tone on the internet. Hopefully nothing I've said in this thread has been taken too seriously ... it's Friday (and my birthday, so you have to let me win all the arguments at least until tomorrow), so let's all put on our happy faces.

 

[KevInDaBassment]

I have a 5'er for the sole purpose of having it covered, but I actually like my 5 string bass. It's an Ibanez CTB5 that I put EMG JX's and a BQC preamp in. The feel of the bass is amazing and the tone with the new electronics is to die for. Sometimes it's fun just to play it for no reason, even if I don't use the low b it's a comfy and great sounding bass.

 

[Mastermold]

I like a low B string all the way up and down the neck, not just the lowest 5 notes.

 

[Malak the Mad]

…and since I'm being all "linguistic" and "loquacious" an' stuff.

@Stardust Productions Although I expected some to get defensive, I think dropping the "gimmick" term may have cheesed a few people off. For some, I'm sure it's a necessary tool to get what they want, while for others, it's could just be pure-preference.

One thing I've learned over the past four years here on TalkBass; certain words are either misused by the poster, or used with disregard of the backhanded slap they represent…"gimmick" and "hype" are some of the big ones.

EDIT: I am sooooo not saying either was your intent, but how I can see it might tweak a few noses here.

Fair enough ... we all know how easy it is to misconstrue meaning/intent/tone on the internet. Hopefully nothing I've said in this thread has been taken too seriously ... it's Friday (and my birthday, so you have to let me win all the arguments at least until tomorrow), so let's all put on our happy faces.

Well then, Happy Birthday, Luke! You win at EVERYTHING-FOREVER!! (expires 12am tomorrow, batteries not included, some assembly required, not valid in certain states, individual buyer's mileage may vary, equal opportunity employer, se habla español)

 

[jjmuckluckjr]

Getting a 5 stringer totally changed my perception of the bass guitar. That being said; going back to a 4 banger isn't just easier, it's going home. So never look at changing string number set up as an up/ down proposition. It's lateral move on the same instrument. Discussions like these are an exercise in futility. Your audience rarely has a discerning enough ear to tell the difference. It boils down to comfort and playability. All else is folly.

 

[the yeti]

i've been playing 4 string lately. not sure why really. whatever works in the moment i guess.

 

[Mr.Ace]

Also going to music stores and playing cheap Imports with bad set ups through some random combo amp is not a good representation of what a 5 string bass is all about.
Just saying.

 

[Menorahman]

…and since I'm being all "linguistic" and "loquacious" an' stuff.

@Stardust Productions Although I expected some to get defensive, I think dropping the "gimmick" term may have cheesed a few people off. For some, I'm sure it's a necessary tool to get what they want, while for others, it's could just be pure-preference.

One thing I've learned over the past four years here on TalkBass; certain words are either misused by the poster, or used with disregard of the backhanded slap they represent…"gimmick" and "hype" are some of the big ones.

Well, I do think the 5-string is pretty gimmicky most of the time. It doesn't help that the majority of boutique builds (which are somewhat gimmicky too) seem to be active V's. Preamps are the worst offender imo, but that's another matter.

 

[Phalex]

I may actually prefer the feel of a 4 string, but I do a lot of gigs that may play the same song in a bunch of different keys. One keyboard player really likes Eb. That's why my five gets the lions share of the work.

 

[spade2you]

Well, I do think the 5-string is pretty gimmicky most of the time. It doesn't help that the majority of boutique builds (which are somewhat gimmicky too) seem to be active V's. Preamps are the worst offender imo, but that's another matter.

You should start a thread about that. ...er wait, you already did.

How about how fretless basses are show offs that are trying too hard?