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

[basicallybass]

You were never a young teenage player that wanted to be just like your idol? Lots of Hofner Beatle bass and Fender Jaco reissues have sold not simply due to their high sticker price. Not to mention the B.C. Rich Warlock craze from my own teenage years.

Congrats on remaining subjective, I was commenting on what I saw several students doing. Making a choice not on need or preference but on what they saw on MTV. If this marketing wasn't effective, manufacturers would not have endorsers or signature models.

I think many of us try what we see others playing before we find our own tone. That said, short of carving your own body and neck, and winding your own pickups, we are all playing someone else's 'sound,' so we should celebrate the unique things we do with that sound.

Here, here! Great point...Mine was in 1980...Permanent Waves. One listen to 'Freewill' and I HAD to have a Black Ric! (Thank God, I waited till the next album - Moving Pictures; and promptly went out to buy a black Fender Jazz!) Ha!

 

[kazuhank]

I'm just glad I never went out to buy that hair crimper I wanted so badly!

 

[basicallybass]

4 string doesn't even feel like bass to me anymore. i haven't played one seriously in 11 years - nothing less than 7. even a 6 sorta looks small to me, lacking in some way. i'll never go back to 4, although i have all my old 4's from back in the day.

I tell ya...I know a lot of cats that can play the crap outta 6+ strings; but its funny they don't seem to get the work that I do on 4 and occaisionally 5 (I keep it in the bag the first set to see if the group/singer is doing a lot of tunes in D or E flat. - if so I might use it for the rest of the night).
I my world (where your not sure who your going to be playing with)...its best to keep it conservative - and that includes the fancy woods and neo shapes. For me, I'm there to support the a-hole who's leading the band - he's the star (if even only in his mind) and he'll call me back if I make him the center of attention. It's a fine line to walk if you want to make this your living. But hey...you can always start your own band...........and good luck with that if that's what you choose.

 

[Blademaster Dez]

I love my 6-string bass. It's awesome and I can't play it enough. However, I have been debating whether to switch my 5-string for a 4 since I prefer a 4-string to slap with (the open E slap is so much more comfortable when it's the topmost string on the bass). Also, bassists like Victor Wooten inspire me to re-evaluate the 4-string since he and others do wonders with 4 strings.

But then I thought about it and decided instead to string my 5-string EADGC as opposed to BEADG. This way not only do I save money (which I have little of at the moment), I also avoid the hassle of selling the old bass/ buying the new bass.

So instead of giving up the 5 for a 4, maybe try stringing it EADGC and see if that works for you. At the very least, it'll save you some dough, and leave you a safety blanket in case you want to go back to a BEADG fiver.

 

[Tom Howland]

I to have had more requests for 4-string tha 6-string buy people who have hired me.
Don't know why?
For Blues gig, some bandleader have said not to bring 6.

 

[Mike Flynn]

I admit I love to slap a lot when I'm dong my own thing - and I love doing it on my NT Thumb, naturally, and since I got the 5 string fretless I'm loving the low notes and the ability one gets to play up two octaves in one position - that's great - I am thinking of getting a 6 string next as I love the higher register for chords - but I still love the serious lows of the B - I doubt I'll ever go beyond a six as I a. can't afford a very expeb=nsice bass like a Conklin/Ken Smith et al and b. **** knows in what context I'd get to use it.

Jaco was a good one for summing this kind of debate up when (I think) he said "four strings are enough" - and there were five and six string basses around in his lifetime.

If you're a good musician/bassist - like Wooten for example - you can get a HUGE amount of music out of a 4 string - I think VW and others like him are great examples of people who don't blame their tools - but take them to the limits of what is humanly possible with a piece of wood with some steel strings slapped on it!

 

[Adam C.T.]

i had a five and went down to a four, looking back i think i did that 'cause i had a crappy five( the neck has got scurvy) someday i'll get a new neck but not before i get a six'er. but for now i lovin the the four (american p).

 

[Kavorka]

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?

You're not alone, dude. For me, I'm not really using my 5th string for much of anything but a thumb rest and I do find I prefer to anchor my thumb when I play. But on a 5, this requires me to stretch to much to reach the 1 and 2 strings (my hand hurts after a while). I've gone back to 4 and don't touch my 5 much.

I did use the 5th string in the higher registers but didn't like how the notes sounded louder on that string. Also, I was recently motivated by a Jeff Berlin article where he said the limitations of the 4-string drive him to find creative solutions. Not that I'll ever have a quarter of his talent or ability, but it was motivational for me.

 

[john turner]

I tell ya...I know a lot of cats that can play the crap outta 6+ strings; but its funny they don't seem to get the work that I do on 4 and occaisionally 5 (I keep it in the bag the first set to see if the group/singer is doing a lot of tunes in D or E flat. - if so I might use it for the rest of the night).
I my world (where your not sure who your going to be playing with)...its best to keep it conservative - and that includes the fancy woods and neo shapes. For me, I'm there to support the a-hole who's leading the band - he's the star (if even only in his mind) and he'll call me back if I make him the center of attention. It's a fine line to walk if you want to make this your living. But hey...you can always start your own band...........and good luck with that if that's what you choose.

well, i play my own music, gig when i like, and have all the money i need, so i think i'm doing fine, thanks (oh, and i don't have a day job either ).

 

[Wolfehollow]

behind every great man is an even better woman! hehe

...especially one that lets you buy all those basses.

 

[basicallybass]

well, i play my own music, gig when i like, and have all the money i need, so i think i'm doing fine, thanks (oh, and i don't have a day job either ).

Sure, great...whatever you say, man.

 

[john turner]

behind every great man is an even better woman! hehe

...especially one that lets you buy all those basses.

heh. "let's me". that's funny - i've had most of them before i even met my wife, the only one she had a say on was the one she bought me. .

 

[john turner]

Sure, great...whatever you say, man.

uh, hmm. ok.

 

[Deleted member 5551]

I think i'm one of the members here who has been playing on the shorter end [about 7years now-past 5 years of serious {on my level} playing]. I picked up a 5 right as i began to play more and learn more [shortly after i became a member here]. So for me at least, i learned most of what i know today while playing a 5. I like having the added range for when i play w/horns and choirs. They like to do things in Eb, D, Db, etc. That's where having the added few lower notes can come in handy and in my mind really fill out the chord.

The other added benefits that i see in playing at least a 5 is: more notes per position, if you want a "tubbier" tone-just play higher up on the neck on the lower strings. I've done that on gigs where if space/time/other requirements permitted-i'd playing an upright and it worked good enough.

I can think of a number of times where the line that i've played simply couldn't be played on a 4 string, unless if the 4 was tuned down to B. Easiest example i can think of is-marching band show from this past year, it had a sorta creepy start so my director had me roll a low B and since that was the V of the chord, it fit theory wise. E.g. that note into the song went V-I [or B to E].

I have played my 4 for certain things where my Ray5 just wouldn't sound quite right. Now for comparison-i'm talknig a maple boarded Ray5 w/rounds [fairly bright ones at that] to a rosewood boarded MIM Jazz 4 w/4 year old flats.

On the building front-i've got 3 five strings in the works with dreams/ideas for either a neck through 5, 6, or 7. I got more ideas than i do money...or tools I don't have a problem playing 4 as i also play upright and think that a 5 string in that format would feel pretty weird at first [especially for Arco] however, i won't get into that discussion though-feel free to read about that on the DB side FAQs/Newbie Questions.

In conclusion, i doubt i will go back to play soley 4 strings.

That's all

edit: I've gotten calls where the person says "be sure to bring the 5" so having people be afraid of it is not an issue.

 

[sdguyman]

I was in the same boat as you my friend. I went from 4 to 6 then to 5 to 4 then settled with 5. 5 has the best of all worlds in my opinion. I went as far as only owning two 5 strings and parted with my 4 and 6 string basses.

It is really up to you on how comfortable you are with just a 4. For me I missed having the low D and C notes from the B string and now i use them as much as I can for any type of song I'm playing.

 

[basicallybass]

well, i play my own music, gig when i like, and have all the money i need, so i think i'm doing fine, thanks (oh, and i don't have a day job either ).

I guess an explanation of my previous posting is in order. I should have put a suitable subtitle to my post. "FOR THOSE WHO MAKE THEIR LIVING PLAYING MUSIC, (OR WOULD LIKE TO)...PLEASE READ - EXCEPT FOR John BECAUSE HE HAS ALL THE MONEY HE NEEDS..."

The point I made in my post was to give notice that the consensus of band 'leaders' out there, want you to support them...not overshadow them (in any way)...and yes, they actually are so shallow as to when you pull out your AAAAAAA burl top 10 string w/ dancing l.e.d.s - they've already made the decision - that will be the last time you reach into your gig bag with them. But John, for you and others so blessed as to 'have all the money you need', that's not a big deal. But a professional; (those who's income relies on getting well paying gigs vs. someone who makes money playing a gig here or there), doesn't have as many opportunities for unfavorable first impressions. Sometimes we have to deal with people we're not too keen on. Or play tunes that might turn our stomachs...or even play a P bass if required, because that's what we do, and because this is the life we've chosen. And we put up with it because we can't see ourselves doing anything but playing.
Now, I have no idea what qualifies anyone as a 'moderator', but I would assume that you or any 'moderator' would or should know that 99% of all 'professional' musicians cannot make the claim:"i play my own music, gig when i like, and have all the money i need, (oh, and i don't have a day job either)" So maybe next time when you read a posting, you could use your honed discretionary moderator skills...and determine if you are qualified as a 'professional musician' to comment with some modicum of authority. Not just take a shot at one that might actually have sound advice.

 

[BOOTZY]

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?

I went back to only playing a 4 few years back. I think it was some "image"-thing that hit me then, having seen all those wonderful Jazzes and Precisions everywhere...But, having played 5`s for 15 years i really missed my 5´s. I still play my 4 when i play with a bluesband, but the rest of the time i only play my 5´s.

My advice:
Keep your 5 and buy a 4. Then you dont have to think about if you want to play 4 or 5, just grab the one that feels right today and go. Even if i play a 5 most of the time i wouldn´t want to not have a 4 around if i feel like playing one.

Good Luck!

 

[john turner]

I guess an explanation of my previous posting is in order. I should have put a suitable subtitle to my post. "FOR THOSE WHO MAKE THEIR LIVING PLAYING MUSIC, (OR WOULD LIKE TO)...PLEASE READ - EXCEPT FOR John BECAUSE HE HAS ALL THE MONEY HE NEEDS..."

The point I made in my post was to give notice that the consensus of band 'leaders' out there, want you to support them...not overshadow them (in any way)...and yes, they actually are so shallow as to when you pull out your AAAAAAA burl top 10 string w/ dancing l.e.d.s - they've already made the decision - that will be the last time you reach into your gig bag with them. But John, for you and others so blessed as to 'have all the money you need', that's not a big deal. But a professional; (those who's income relies on getting well paying gigs vs. someone who makes money playing a gig here or there), doesn't have as many opportunities for unfavorable first impressions. Sometimes we have to deal with people we're not too keen on. Or play tunes that might turn our stomachs...or even play a P bass if required, because that's what we do, and because this is the life we've chosen. And we put up with it because we can't see ourselves doing anything but playing.
Now, I have no idea what qualifies anyone as a 'moderator', but I would assume that you or any 'moderator' would or should know that 99% of all 'professional' musicians cannot make the claim:"i play my own music, gig when i like, and have all the money i need, (oh, and i don't have a day job either)" So maybe next time when you read a posting, you could use your honed discretionary moderator skills...and determine if you are qualified as a 'professional musician' to comment with some modicum of authority. Not just take a shot at one that might actually have sound advice.

heh. must've struck a nerve. lol. jealousy is very unbecoming.

oh, and thanks for the disrespect, i appreciate it. i also appreciate how you've turned this into your own private little crusade - nobody on this thread had any mention of scraping for gigs from ignorant bandleaders until you came along. that argument has been preached long and hard in the past, and it always comes down to the same thing - nobody ever forced you to do it. i have money because i earned it - studio, programming contracts and playing on some indie recordings. i was hired for my instruments and the way i play them - sought out in fact, by name. on those dates i played the instruments i wished to, that i felt fit the client's needs the best, and i was paid for my services. granted i probably don't do them as often as you do, but that's not for their lack of availability.

as far as being a professional musician, i can wager that more people are listening to my music right now - that i wrote and that they paid for - than are listening to yours. care to compare? prove me wrong? i have the cd orders and the reorders from cdman to show for it. oh, wait, you don't play your own music, you are "professional".

lastly, disrespect aside, what makes you qualified to speak for 99% of anyone? heh.

god, fish in a barrel.

 

[McHack]

ROFLMAO, JT you're cracking me up!!!!

BUT, I will add, that Axel Rose, by your def is considered a professional! Some might add, GNR wouldn't have happened w/o him.

Back to my original position, there's room for 4's AND 5's in the same arsenal. You wouldn't use a 10-pound sledge to drive a finishing nail,, would ya?

 

[john turner]

ROFLMAO, JT you're cracking me up!!!!

heh, i hope that's in a good way.

BUT, I will add, that Axel Rose, by your def is considered a professional! Some might add, GNR wouldn't have happened w/o him.

he is a professional. he is paid for his work and he is satisfying his clients' needs. what other qualifications does he need?

Back to my original position, there's room for 4's AND 5's in the same arsenal. You wouldn't use a 10-pound sledge to drive a finishing nail,, would ya?

there's room for whatever someone wants in their arsenal, and i would think of all people this basicallybass individual should know that, considering the dozens of instruments he's claimed to own in the past. if you're going to be hired by folks to play what they want you to play how they want you to play it, then be sure you have the instrument they expect - that's just plain common sense.

thank god that's not the only way to make a living in music.