I am more a four string bass player but I also need my five string for some gigs. It makes the positioning much simpler and less cumbersome and precise on many occasions.
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I think I've decided I'm more of a 4-string guy...
- Thread starter Menorahman
- Start date
Well -
It is a fact that the full bass range goes to at least a low C. That's what it is.
So a 4-string that goes to E is lacking in this regard.
This limitation , I believe is the result of engineering challenges, which persist to this day. It's never been easy to get a good low C, whether by wind or string. Amplification is another ball of wax.
The 4-string bass design is the most efficient, overall, for most musical situations, but there's no need to feel defensive about the instrument's shortcomings.
It is a fact that the full bass range goes to at least a low C. That's what it is.
So a 4-string that goes to E is lacking in this regard.
This limitation , I believe is the result of engineering challenges, which persist to this day. It's never been easy to get a good low C, whether by wind or string. Amplification is another ball of wax.
The 4-string bass design is the most efficient, overall, for most musical situations, but there's no need to feel defensive about the instrument's shortcomings.
Are you aware that Stanley is now gigging a 5 with the high C? Which actually makes sense for him because his thing used to require switching between regular and tenor tuned instruments.
Another way to look at it is that the 5's, 6's, and 7's etc have 4 strings. Right?
Note to everyone taking sides on this: let's be nice to each other; we're all bass players. As I said earlier, the right bass for you depends on your gig. I happen to be using my 4's right now, because that's what my gigs call for. And I think that situation is more generally the case for the current music scene where I am vs 10 or 20 years ago. And, that could all change in the next 10 years. No doubt.
You gotta admit...this looks surreal, doesn't it?
Next thing you know, cats and dogs will be living together!
Not gonna lie, if I came into a lot of money, I'd order one or two Alembics with that wood/pickup combo in a Rogue body.
im a 4'er about to be a 5'er in a few weeks(also NG-2)... just because i want to try different boundaries and don't like to tune down my 4..
also i think it depends on which music you areplaying... some need 5 some need 4.. (chuggs need 1)
slappers usually is 4.... shredders (progressive) exceeds 4...
probably im going back to 4 since the thunderbird is my first love.
I'm not usually a fan of 5 either, (famous and iconic bass players are playing 4!!!!)..
And with 5'er, usually you play higher straps, errrrr.. high straps aint cool for a rockband in general.
also i think it depends on which music you areplaying... some need 5 some need 4.. (chuggs need 1)
slappers usually is 4.... shredders (progressive) exceeds 4...
probably im going back to 4 since the thunderbird is my first love.
I'm not usually a fan of 5 either, (famous and iconic bass players are playing 4!!!!)..
And with 5'er, usually you play higher straps, errrrr.. high straps aint cool for a rockband in general.
Food for thought, you don't have to stick with a single number of strings. You can play 4 and switch to 5 (or more). I have a 7 string and still grab a 4 string from time to time.
I have to agree. I went through a phase when I wanted one. Then I restrung a 4 string BEAD, which was kind of cool. Like other posters I've opted for a hipshot to quickly tune down in drop D. As my focus is on original music, I don't need to sound like anyone else
. When I master four strings, I'll move to the five! 
. When I master four strings, I'll move to the five! 
I dunno, 3-strings are cool and all, but at the end of the day they are kinda pointless for most music. Despite every brand saying their D string is the best ever, most just don't sound very good. The only high D'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 A. 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 3-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the D two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 3 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.
- heavier
- 35'' scale usually
- more muting required
- more expensive to buy and maintain
I just find it funny when people say they need a 3-string for a certain situation, and then they hit the D two or three times. Sure there ARE times when a 3 is useful, but if it isn't using fanned frets it will likely be suboptimal, especially for recording.
The difference between a 4 with a hip shot and a 5 is B/C/C#. And playing live with a 4, it can tuned down to a C# without flapping like a wet noodle (Paramore's Real World for example) and the fingering is easy once you figure out a position that works for you. So for all practical purposes there are two notes - low C/B - that you're missing with a 4. And that can be important depending on who's paying you / how much you're getting paid. If they really want a 5, that can be pulled off no problem. What I have found is that (like we all know) since most people hear with their eyes, they look for the bass player because he/she's the one with 4 strings. I like being easily identified on stage as a bass player because, well, I'm a bass player. Shallow, maybe. Satisfying, absolutely. Besides, I'm a musician and I get easily confused after the number 4 anyway : )
So you all like or dislike 4's, 5's, 6's, whatever. Just like in scores of previous threads......what a surprise. Congratulations, glad you are happy playing whatever you play. That's supposed to influence what I like how, exactly????? LOL
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None of the above. I simply don't like the way they feel, the way they sound, or the way they look. Moreover, I have no use for a fifth string, but I'm perfectly happy if you do, so don't talk down to people who don't agree with you.
I think it sounds that way because the fundamental is more prominent with the upright, and the lower harmonics are usually more prominent on BG, sometimes because it's hard to reproduce the fundamental and 1st harmonic thru most amps and cabs equally.
4 string in my opinion is the only way. Bass was invented as a 4 string. I tried 5 string and just really thought it was pointless, especially when your using e a d g string all the time and using the b string as a thumb rest. Then one day at GC a funk playing black dude showed me a funk pop and slap riff and he told me to use the 6 string.it was a cool experience but when I want 6 strings I'll just play my guitar.everything that needs to be done can be done on a 4 string
Correct- if the amp and cab cannot reproduce the notes the instrument sends them, don't think the bass is the problem.
If you aren't talking trash about 5 strings then my comments aren't addressed to you.
