Is it "cooler" to play a 4 string bass?

[Korladis]

So I've played 5 strings for years and have about 6 of those basses sitting in my living room right now. But I just bought a nice Fender P bass with flats from the classifieds last night because of what I'm starting to notice.

Over the past few years I've seen a lot of "cool" young bands seem to only have bassists with 4 stringers. I know that "cool" is totally subjective, but they're usually bands that stir up a good bit of publicity in the pop and indie rock worlds.

Bands like...

Vulfpeck with Joe Dart. He always has a variety of basses, but they are only 4 strings:



Michael League of Snarky Puppy is almost always seen with one of his classic P basses:



The band Pomplamoose:



The 1975:



Greta Van Fleet:



Even the brilliant music educator Adam Neely has switched over to a 4 string P bass with flats:



Of course, these are just a handful of modern bands and players. We could make a list miles long of all the bands that have 4 string bassists.

I primarily play 5 strings and my jazz ensembles band leader constantly rags on me for having a 5 string bass. There are of course, lots of cats in Nashville who play 5 and 6 string basses, but the trend seems to be toward playing a 4 string P bass with flats.

A few months ago I even went out and got a Fender American Pro 5 string and put Chromes on it. I love the bass, but I still get strange looks from people. It's hard to believe that in the year 2018 there seems to be a bias against bassists with multiple strings. You saw them everywhere in the 80s and 90s, but nowadays you seem to only see extended range basses in the Jazz/Fusion world, Gospel, and in Metal bands. Hardly ever do you see them on a stage with a band that's considered "modern" and "cool".

So is it just me, or is anyone else noticing a trending bias against extended range basses in favor of the 4 string? Even more interestingly, do you feel that bringing more than 4 strings to an audition might cost you the gig?

Metal is currently trending back towards 4 strings as well, btw. Works for me, as I'm a 4-string guy.

If you're worried about an audition, bring a 5 and a 4, if only just to demonstrate that you have options and are flexible.

Beyond that, though, I wouldn't worry too much about what's cool, as that's ever shifting. As a great band once said, what's hip today might become passe.

 

[somebrains]

Anyone that is negging you about your gear is subconsciously trying to dominate you.
They're weird, they should go hang out in an airport bathroom.

 

[Jrussblues]

No, it’s not necessarily cooler

 

[5thsand4ths]

I have an AAAA 4-string. No need for anything but A strings.

 

[tshapiro]

I play a 4 string because I have back issues and 4 string Jazz Deluxe is very light. But, I think 5 is cooler because those low notes sound so sweet. Songs in the keys D and Eb don’t sound as good on a 4 string. 5 looks cooler too in my opinion.

 

[Korladis]

I think a big part of the "4 string renaissance" is the realization and acceptance that you don't necessarily have to tune them EADG, as well as the easy availability of custom string sets. With alternate tunings like DGCF, BEAD, ADGC, CDGA, etc. 4-string bassists can cover a pitch range more traditionally associated with 5 or 6-string basses.

Yeah. Since some of my basses are tuned BEAD, I have no need for a 5.

 

[bassmanrocke]

From what I've seen, the current hipster trend seems to be vintage(or vintage looking reissue) instruments. Since 5 and 6 string basses really weren't around back in the day I guess I would say your right in saying 4's are "cooler" now.

Of course, most everybody watching who isn't a player could really care less. You are only not cool for playing a 5 in the eyes of meathead musicians who are caught up in the superficial asthetics of your instrument, and aren't really listening with their ears. I say screw them, play what you want. And that's coming from someone who got looked at weirdly in the nineties because I didn't play 5 string basses.

 

[Korladis]

It's sort of odd for me, because the fashion in basses now has kinda come around to my tastes.

 

[JMacBass65]

I was checking out a live video of theirs and the singer was doing that "ma ma ma" thing during an instrumental jam section and whaling (correct spelling?) along with the guitars just like Plant. Extremely lame. That being said, I wish them a long and successful career

Yeah, I feel ya. I'm not really into their whole schtick at all, but with a different singer they may have had a chance with me. He kills it for me though. Doesn't help that the first vid I ever saw of them he did a "ooooohhhhhh........maaaamaaaaa......" thing at the beginning. I nearly smashed my iPad that instant.

Back OT - four strings good, more strings bad.

 

[retslock]

I was checking out a live video of theirs and the singer was doing that "ma ma ma" thing during an instrumental jam section and whaling (correct spelling?) along with the guitars just like Plant. Extremely lame. That being said, I wish them a long and successful career

Unless there is a very large cetaceous mammal involved I think it’s wailing.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I play four in a metal band and love four. Is it cooler? I think so. Do what YOU think is cool though.

 

[InternetAlias]

This reminds me of a funny thing happening in metal.

The hottest thing in metal right now?

A 6 string guitar in standard E followed with a 4 string bass in standard E!

Jesus is it rare nowadays, but if you want to stand out, YOU NEED TO GO STANDARD.

 

[Element Zero]

You get weird looks from people for playing a 5 string? Lol. I usually get the “Dude you play a 5 string!?!?!? Dang that’s nice!!!”

Who cares what other people think? Play what you want. Or don’t, and play what other people play because it’s the new hip thing to do.

 

[Frank77]

Every “The 1975” song I’ve heard sounds like it came straight out of the 80s.

So there.

First I ever heard of them. I thought something interesting / unexpected would happen at some point and that this whole '80s Robert Palmer-like gimmick was ironic...but sadly it didn't, and it isn't.

...Unless this song is to them what the "Easy" cover was to Faith No More, but I definitely don't have the courage to go check out their other tunes now.

 

[Blaze Barlow]

So I've played 5 strings for years and have about 6 of those basses sitting in my living room right now. But I just bought a nice Fender P bass with flats from the classifieds last night because of what I'm starting to notice.

Over the past few years I've seen a lot of "cool" young bands seem to only have bassists with 4 stringers. I know that "cool" is totally subjective, but they're usually bands that stir up a good bit of publicity in the pop and indie rock worlds.

Bands like...

Vulfpeck with Joe Dart. He always has a variety of basses, but they are only 4 strings:



Michael League of Snarky Puppy is almost always seen with one of his classic P basses:



The band Pomplamoose:



The 1975:



Greta Van Fleet:



Even the brilliant music educator Adam Neely has switched over to a 4 string P bass with flats:



Of course, these are just a handful of modern bands and players. We could make a list miles long of all the bands that have 4 string bassists.

I primarily play 5 strings and my jazz ensembles band leader constantly rags on me for having a 5 string bass. There are of course, lots of cats in Nashville who play 5 and 6 string basses, but the trend seems to be toward playing a 4 string P bass with flats.

A few months ago I even went out and got a Fender American Pro 5 string and put Chromes on it. I love the bass, but I still get strange looks from people. It's hard to believe that in the year 2018 there seems to be a bias against bassists with multiple strings. You saw them everywhere in the 80s and 90s, but nowadays you seem to only see extended range basses in the Jazz/Fusion world, Gospel, and in Metal bands. Hardly ever do you see them on a stage with a band that's considered "modern" and "cool".

So is it just me, or is anyone else noticing a trending bias against extended range basses in favor of the 4 string? Even more interestingly, do you feel that bringing more than 4 strings to an audition might cost you the gig?

not really sure what circles you run in..I am based out of nashville too..but on the road a lot..I have rarely ever heard comments about whether a 4 or a 5 stringer makes a difference..most people could care less..I guess its more "musicians" talk than anything else..I only do 4 string because its what I have always done..its what I grew up on..most all the "biggies" were using 4 strings back in the day..so its good enough for me..but the opinion is going to vary just like flavor of ice cream..please yourself and dont worry about everybody else.....and "cool" has nothing to do with it..add a small bass keyboard if you feel the need to stretch..

 

[Dr. Cheese]

So I've played 5 strings for years and have about 6 of those basses sitting in my living room right now. But I just bought a nice Fender P bass with flats from the classifieds last night because of what I'm starting to notice.

Over the past few years I've seen a lot of "cool" young bands seem to only have bassists with 4 stringers. I know that "cool" is totally subjective, but they're usually bands that stir up a good bit of publicity in the pop and indie rock worlds.

Bands like...

Vulfpeck with Joe Dart. He always has a variety of basses, but they are only 4 strings:



Michael League of Snarky Puppy is almost always seen with one of his classic P basses:



The band Pomplamoose:



The 1975:



Greta Van Fleet:



Even the brilliant music educator Adam Neely has switched over to a 4 string P bass with flats:



Of course, these are just a handful of modern bands and players. We could make a list miles long of all the bands that have 4 string bassists.

I primarily play 5 strings and my jazz ensembles band leader constantly rags on me for having a 5 string bass. There are of course, lots of cats in Nashville who play 5 and 6 string basses, but the trend seems to be toward playing a 4 string P bass with flats.

A few months ago I even went out and got a Fender American Pro 5 string and put Chromes on it. I love the bass, but I still get strange looks from people. It's hard to believe that in the year 2018 there seems to be a bias against bassists with multiple strings. You saw them everywhere in the 80s and 90s, but nowadays you seem to only see extended range basses in the Jazz/Fusion world, Gospel, and in Metal bands. Hardly ever do you see them on a stage with a band that's considered "modern" and "cool".

So is it just me, or is anyone else noticing a trending bias against extended range basses in favor of the 4 string? Even more interestingly, do you feel that bringing more than 4 strings to an audition might cost you the gig?

For younger players who don’t remember when fives were new, it is a statement of individuality to go back to a four, especially a passive 20 fret four. I admit playing with flats for a while just to get what the fuss was about, and I enjoyed the switch for a while. I still have a four, but I ditched the flats, and now the great majority of my playing is on my fives. I have been playing fives since 1987, and I will stop when God shuts me down.

 

[2F/2F]

Yes.

Personally, I think 4 strings look cooler.

For better or worse, I associate 5 and 6 string basses with music that I don't like.

As an earlier post asked, when were 4 strings ever out of style or not considered cool?

Exactly.

 

[Korladis]

For younger players who don’t remember when fives were new, it is a statement of individuality to go back to a four, especially a passive 20 fret four. I admit playing with flats for a while just to get what the fuss was about, and I enjoyed the switch for a while. I still have a four, but I ditched the flats, and now the great majority of my playing is on my fives. I have been playing since 1987, and I will stop when God shuts me down.

Indeed. My generation doesn't remember a time before 5s. They've always been around for us. And in some ways I suppose rejecting them is a sort of rejection of 90s and early 00s excess.

 

[phillipkregg]

If you feel you have to check what others are doing/playing to see if you are "cool", the answer is probably not.

I'm not certain that you made it past the title of my post before typing out a response.

It's not that I'm looking around and wondering if I'm cool in comparison to other players. It's that I'm seeing a trend for a certain instrument configuration to be considered cool, and if you don't have that type of instrument, you're not welcomed in certain musical scenes.

I've had opportunities for gigs where I've been asked specifically to bring a 4 string Fender bass. And this seems to be a new phenomenon because I've been playing 5 string basses for over a decade now and that has never happened.

 

[Dave Leighton]

Well all I play is four string. But my cool is based on the facts that my kids love me, my grand kids love me and Geddy Lee...