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I'm kinda thinking about going back to a 4 string.

E

Eyescream

Feb 4, 2004
1,399
3
46
Knoxville, TN
www.twelve56creative.com
#1
Much as I like the little bit of extra range and couple more note options I have with a five string bass, I'm not sure if I use the B string enough to warrant owning a bass equipped with it. It's fun and all, but i really think I'd be just as happy with a 4 string and one of those D-Tuners from Hipshot. I might try to sell my 5 and get myself into a Corvette 4 string or something.

Anybody else ever gone back down to 4 after having been on a 5 for a while? Anybody ever regretted it?
 
#2
Eyescream said:
Much as I like the little bit of extra range and couple more note options I have with a five string bass, I'm not sure if I use the B string enough to warrant owning a bass equipped with it. It's fun and all, but i really think I'd be just as happy with a 4 string and one of those D-Tuners from Hipshot. I might try to sell my 5 and get myself into a Corvette 4 string or something.

Anybody else ever gone back down to 4 after having been on a 5 for a while? Anybody ever regretted it?
Click to expand...

Hi!

Never experienced this! I'll move to 5 soon...
But some BP near my home told me I'll regret to go 5, They came back to 4 later.....
Some others (less...) told me they play both because they like to have 4 on some songs and 5 on others. This allow them to have a "security string"....

Just to share what they told to me!

Vince
 
#3
Despite my use of extended range basses (5, 6 and 7), I never left the 4. There's something just so "right" about the 4 string bass. I really like it for a lot of music. I also play a 4 string EUB. No rule that says you gotta have one or the other, however. Play whatever you want!
 
#4
I have a 4 string that i am quite proud of (my Godin, mmmm) and a 5 string that plays really nicely and sounds really aggressive (Spector Q5). The Godin is more comfortable for me because ive been playing a 4 string about 4 times longer than ive been on a 5. The 5 string is fun for certain stuff, but i would never only have a 5 string, i would miss the 4. If you have a 4 that you like, a 5 would be ok. If the 5 is your main bass and you dont have a 4 string thats good, meh..
 
#5
VinceLovesF said:
Hi!

Never experienced this! I'll move to 5 soon...
But some BP near my home told me I'll regret to go 5, They came back to 4 later.....
Some others (less...) told me they play both because they like to have 4 on some songs and 5 on others. This allow them to have a "security string"....

Just to share what they told to me!

Vince
Click to expand...

Ever since I got my 5, I've only but barely picked up my 4 string bass, and I don't for a second regret getting it because I really do enjoy playing it. Mostly I'm all about simplicity and the stripping away of things that aren't necessary. I dig having that extra string there just in case I do need it and because it means I don't have to tune and detune strings for different stuff, but in the "music" I write, I rarely - if ever - go that low down. My 4 string Jazz is a turd and is just a place for me to keep my Seymour Duncan Jazz Quarter Pounders out of the way until I find something to do with them, by the way, so that not an option. I'm just not sure if I need a 5, since there are mechanical things out there that make the detuning of the E string for a little bit of useful extra range easy enough that it's definitely an option.
 
#6
i think 4 strings are completely the way to go, however, dont sell your 5, just keep it! having two basses never hurt. i dont know how you'd get the money for a 4 but i wouldnt not sell your 5 string, if its the only one you have
 
#9
You're not alone so don't sweat it....I would consider it a sign of maturity that you're being honest with your needs as a bassist.
Chances are when you do get back to a four, that you'll approach it with renewed enthusiasm and a desire to explore what it has to offer.
Don't get me wrong, Fives have a definite place, but personally I think alot of ppl who are novices are attracted to the looks and they jump too soon and end up actually being in even more of a rut than when they where playing a four. I'm talking basic harmonic knowledge here, not how many notes you have on the bass.
 
#10
I recently bought a Stingray 5. Love my Fender Jazz. Play both but have move to where I play mostly the SR 5 love the sound and don't worry about how much I use the B string.
Remember on a 4 string you aren't using all of them at once. G string used to get little use by me on the 4, as I expanded my playing I use them all now.

I still enjoy playing my 4 but really see no diffence in what I play at a gig using my new 5. IMHO I would get a 4 if the 5 was causing problems other than a string that wasn't getting used all the time.

Rule I have is to try and play what sounds good and feels good so go play a 4 and see how you feel about your 5er.



tk
 
#11
The way I see it, every bass has its use. I'm not a big fan of the B string either. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt. So, when I had my 6-string built, I had it strung EADGCF. So, what do I play these days? I play 6-string in the studio where I monkey with solo bass music. I also play the 6-string out some, but for gigs I still predominantly use my 4-string basses.

On the other hand, I know some people that don't play anything but 5-string basses. Do what you feel you need to do. If 5-string works for you, then play 5. If 4-string works for you, the play 4.

BTW, the big thing I have against the B string is 35" scale. I just find that it feels to long for me and I'm just not comfortable with it. But again, that is my personal choice. I don't expect everyone to feel the same way that I do.
 
#12
i sold my 5........and darned if i don't want another one
but honestly, thats just for extended range on some songs
overall the 4 is the bass 90% of the time
actually i just got an 8-string (the octave kind) and i'm having a blast!!
to me the freaky thing about playing both is having mental erasure moments where you dont know which string is which
i know a lot of cats who play the 5 exclusively who get lost on a 4 just making the adjustment
 
#15
I just got a 5 a little while ago and it's taken me some time to adjust to it. I still don't think I have, fully. The main advantage, as I see it, is that if I need those extra notes I don't have to detune or switch bases. That's about it. I am starting to figure out the extendend range thing and make use of it a bit also.

If you don't play music that requires lower than an E, or D with the detuna thing, then stick with a 4 by all means. I would prefer a 4, but I play a lot of metal and heavy rock and the fact is that many bands these days tune to D, C, or even B. If I played jazz or something I would never even consider a 5, but I know even some jazzers like them. I think the bottom line is just to play what you like and what gets the job done.
 
#18
I've also been thinkin' of trading my 5 banger down to a 4 string. It just doen't feel "right" anymore. Not since I got my G&L. Of course, this might just be the "Oh, gee whiz!" new bass-itis.

Now for the off bit: I'd get a 6+ in a heard beat. I guess to me, a 5er is sorta like doing the extended range thing half-assed.

And, there's nothing like rocking on a 4 string. Something just "works," y'know? And for what my Spector is worth, I could pick up another G&L. Mmmm... P bass done right...
 
#19
I have also, at one time or another, thought of going back to the four string. At the moment I have two fivers that I love and dont plan on getting rid of soon. I think what I will do instead is add a four string to my collection. I think differently on a four string as compared to a five. My creativity and visualization are altered.
 

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