I apologize too haha. My 'humor' often lands me in hot water. Mainly because I give zero F's
Why shouldn't you get fired up and passionate about the gear of yore that still sounds and looks entirely relevant today? I sure do!
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Is it "cooler" to play a 4 string bass?
- Thread starter phillipkregg
- Start date
I apologize too haha. My 'humor' often lands me in hot water. Mainly because I give zero F's
Why shouldn't you get fired up and passionate about the gear of yore that still sounds and looks entirely relevant today? I sure do!
No. What's cool these days is to have a laptop on stage running a sequenced bass line consisting mostly of root notes played in the same rhythm as half the other instruments on the sequence.
...this is way, way, WAY too close to the mark
I have three basses: a P, a J, and a Ric.
All three are four stringers, and all three are tuned EADG.
Am I cool? I have no idea!
But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once!
All three are four stringers, and all three are tuned EADG.
Am I cool? I have no idea!
But I did stay at a Holiday Inn Express once!
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That's funny. I never realized particular basses could be in style until I read this.
I must really be uncool and proud of it...I use a 6-string when playing out on electric and I could give a rat's ass what anyone thinks of it...in fact, my 6-string is usually a topic for conversation...
A 6-string electric bass (BEADGC) is very efficient for me, especially for playing in higher register. It allows me to more easily complete musical thoughts. A 4-string can do it but with more work IMHO.
If you prefer a 4 or 5 string bass all the more power to you...but cool or not who cares...get a life (all due respect intended)…
What we should be worried about as musicians is improving technique, tone, and general musicianship...after all, ultimately what we do when we play out is making enjoyment for our audience...worry about making that better and you will be cool...I feel far cooler when the audience likes a performance I have had a share in making happen...
A 6-string electric bass (BEADGC) is very efficient for me, especially for playing in higher register. It allows me to more easily complete musical thoughts. A 4-string can do it but with more work IMHO.
If you prefer a 4 or 5 string bass all the more power to you...but cool or not who cares...get a life (all due respect intended)…
What we should be worried about as musicians is improving technique, tone, and general musicianship...after all, ultimately what we do when we play out is making enjoyment for our audience...worry about making that better and you will be cool...I feel far cooler when the audience likes a performance I have had a share in making happen...
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I have three basses: a P, a J, and a Ric.
All three are four stringers, and all three are tuned EADG.
Am I cool? I have no idea!
But I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once!
Does the Holiday Inn djent?
People have mistaken me for a guitar player when I play a 5 string, never when I have played a four. So....
- The 1975s & greta van fleet
- modern
pick one
5 strings are plenty cool, but most bands who are trying to snag the feel, sound, and look of the 60s-80s aren't going to use them.
They actually don't when the strap button is mounted on the neck heel. Well, at least mine doesn't.
The best one to get right now is the Epiphone Vintage Pro.
I am bald, overweight and turning 65.
No amount of strings is going to make me cool.
For the record, I started on four strings and that is where I will stay.
Out of curiosity, I have picked up five and six string basses in stores and they just seem totally foreign and very awkward to me.
Glen
No amount of strings is going to make me cool.
For the record, I started on four strings and that is where I will stay.
Out of curiosity, I have picked up five and six string basses in stores and they just seem totally foreign and very awkward to me.
Glen
It is 100% cooler. That may or may not matter to you. In any case, party on!
wmhill
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- Aug 20, 2012
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That means I started cool and am still cool after all these years! Win!!
I have owned many 5 strings over the years, and have one in my stable right now that mostly stays in the case. I don’t play it unless it is absolutely required for a gig. It has nothing to do with how cool it is, it has everything to do with the fact that I much, much, MUCH prefer to play a 4 string.
- Dec 28, 2009
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I have played 4 string basses exclusively for 30 plus years, up until this last year. I then added 5 strings to my collection. I am a 4 string player at heart but with some of the newer stuff that I am learning, it is in drop C tuning and trying to play that on a standard 4 string without seriously modding the bridge and nut would be almost impossible. The stuff I played in the 90’s was down tuned a whole step and then I played standard tuning at church. I could go back and forth down tuning one whole step with no problems but drop C is a little to much so I added 5 string basses to do that.
I’m in my 40s and a lawyer for my day job, so cool is way, way behind me (if it ever was me). I’ve been a 5 string player, rock music pretty much only, for 20+ years. I do performances and occasional session work with 20-somethings. They do seem surprised by my 5 strings at first, but usually end up loving the low end power that B string can bring (which I’m always careful not to overdo).
