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

#63
Luke19Boarder said:
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.

:smug:
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Just wanted to say Happy Birthday Luke! Hope you're having a good one. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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#64
I just like the folks that agree, "Yeah! I play 4-string too!" Then write they use BEAD tuning, which, of course, one argument against the 5-string bass is a B-string. Apparently, a B-string on a 4-string bass cannot be floppy.

Personally, I'd like to be a 4-string guy, but I'm also a too-lazy-to-fix-my-4-string guy. So I use the 5-string, which I use like a 4-string with a long-thumb rest. Sometimes play the B-string just to remind everyone I can. Never thought of it as floppy though. Thankful for not having that problem. I think I might take offense if someone told me my string was floppy though.

I also play my 6-string like a 5-string with an extra high string that gets in a way until it's finally useful for chords. It's also fretless, so it tests out my band's pitch-training as in, "Hey, you're out of tune... again."

I'm glad people found their way when it comes to playing bass and string count. If you're happy, I'm happy.
 
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#65
I'm pretty sure the original upright bass's made in Italy had three springs. I personally wish I could go back in time and reprimand the upstarts that added the fourth string. And don't even get me started on the person that invented the electric bass. It's all so gimmicky
 
#66
Lee Moses said:
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.
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One more time-The bands that typically use drop tuning usually are heavier music and it is not just about having the low C# or C or D-
their riffs make heavy use of that lowest open string; often pedalling off it while playing other notes very fast.

5-string players can not play the riffs correctly while fretting those low notes. For instance Slither-I never heard anyone play it correctly on a 5-string.
 
#69
obimark said:
One more time-The bands that typically use drop tuning usually are heavier music and it is not just about having the low C# or C or D-
their riffs make heavy use of that lowest open string; often pedalling off it while playing other notes very fast.

5-string players can not play the riffs correctly while fretting those low notes. For instance Slither-I never heard anyone play it correctly on a 5-string.
Click to expand...
Slither IS very difficult to execute correctly on the 5. But, not impossible. The thing is: why fight it?
 
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#70
I'm pretty sure the e string on my upright is an octave lower than the E string on my electric bass. Kind of silly when I hear a bass player saying a note is too low. Sounds like something a guitar player would say.
 
#72
Every player must decide this question for themselves.

I'm still trying to sort it out for myself. Seriously. I played 5's and 6's right away when they became available on many gigs for 15 years or so. For some reason, I bypassed the HipShot as being a cheap solution. Five or six years ago I started working on the HipShot on the 4 (a late learner), and have became very attached to what it does. Now I am maintaining proficiency on both the B string on the 5 and on the E/HipShot on the 4; but, I have to tell you that the HipShot pretty much gives me 99.99% of what I need to play. So, more and more, I am having second thoughts about the utility of the 5. I will always keep my 6 because it simply opens up other things when I play it.

Part of my issue is the style of music that I am playing. 15 years ago I was fronting a semi Letterman Band knock-off jazzing up pop tunes and mixing in fusion and Real Book standards. These days, I am finding more need for players in pop cover bands. And, MOST covers simply don't need notes below low D. Which, I know someone will point out that Will Lee mainly uses the 4/HipShot; but, we weren't trying to copy their stuff back then.

So, really to me it's about what you are playing. A good 4/HipShot for me fits in better for standard pop cover work.
 
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#75
Never owned a five string. Tried them at the music stores. Pretty cool. I don't think it would have been much of an issue to adjust to. I never really found a need for it. I did however own a Chapman NS stick which is an eight string. Hardly used the low B. Cool instrument but not for me. Just can't find a reason to own one. If you someone can however find it useful then by all means they should and rock that puppy!
 
#76
i started on a 5-string, but 4-strings have become home for me, too.

btw, 5-strings are definitely not always heavier or longer in scale. there's an ibanez mikro 5 string (28.5" scale) and an ESP LTD under-29" scale 5 string, as well. i'm sure there are others, but haven't really looked very hard.
 
#80
I've been playing an Ibanez GBW 35 for 6+ years now. It's a 32" (IIRC) and has always had a tight and durable low B string. I've almost used it more than I use my high g string. It has fit with every style I've played. From Metal to Jazz and Gospel and funk. It's never gotten in the way due to a tighter spacing and overall thin neck. I would gladly recommend 5 to anyone. More than five and you can make your decision as you go. Personally, I love ERB's too. So take what I say with whatever grain of salt you want.
 
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