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

[LanEvo]

I play four-strings and I’m very cool.

That’s just one data point, but I think you’re onto something.

 

[phillipkregg]

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...

If you have grandkids that love Geddy Lee, you've already won at life!

 

[MYLOWFREQ]

I play 4 string basses, and I'm cool. So yes

 

[phillipkregg]

When were 4 strings out of fashion ?

When did anybody ever say they were?

 

[Korladis]

When were 4 strings out of fashion ?

The late 90s.

 

[phillipkregg]

Less has always been more

Unless we're talking about paychecks

 

[AaronVonRock]

Is the coolness of a 4 string negated at all if it is worn really high? Like above-your-belly-button high where your right arm looks like a T-Rex.

 

[phillipkregg]

My 4 is tuned BEAD, so now what?

At least now you don't have to worry about anyone snapping your g string.

 

[Korladis]

Is the coolness of a 4 string negated at all if it is worn really high? Like above-your-belly-button high where your right arm looks like a T-Rex.

Almost.

 

[bluesblaster]

I think its getting back to bass ics , sorry, had to do it

 

[phillipkregg]

Is the coolness of a 4 string negated at all if it is worn really high? Like above-your-belly-button high where your right arm looks like a T-Rex.

Not if you're Timmy C

 

[fourstringburn]

The only reasoning I read on an older thread for using a 5 string that I can completely agree with is if your a finger player, the B string does provide a good anchor for your thumb for playing a lot of E string notes.

The spacing however on a 5 string is just something I can't get used to. Also many people seem to agree an open E on a 5 string sounds a bit different than on a 4. Maybe it's psycho-acoustic?

I agree what others are implying here, do what you feel is best and not what fashion or trends dictate.

 

[Thumpin6string]

All of those "youngsters" just don't know any better. If you want to be cool, play a 6 string.

 

[JeffSoapBar]

You technique and passion determines if you are cool.

 

[Dave Leighton]

If you have grandkids that love Geddy Lee, you've already won at life!

Well, I would love to say that my grandkids loved Geddy... But one of my sons and 2 of my granddaughters were just watching the Rush documentary Beyond the Lighted Stage.

I have had the pleasure of playing with all of my sons though all of which have an extreme respect for Geddy, Alex and Neil.

 

[Stranger Danger]

Yes. Other than the jam band genre and players like Dave Schools, Mike Gordon and Phil Lesh all the cool guys play fours. :0)

 

[mbasile]

I don't know about those other bands (can't watch the videos because I'm at work) but Greta Van Fleet is trying to be like Led Zeppelin so it wouldn't make sense for their bassist to play something with more than four strings.

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

They’re a great Zep cover band. That being said, they’ll probably be dethroning Kings of Leon soon for that band that isn’t great but isn’t bad, that you really hate, but aren’t sure why.

 

[JimmyM]

If by "cooler" you mean "more fun for me," then yes, it's cooler. YMMV.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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?

I played a 4 for like 10 years or more. Got a 5, and straight closeted my 4. Now, I got a new 4, and haven't touched my 5 in a couple months...at all. It just sounds better, and plays so much nicer. I love the feel of the fat neck and wide string spacing. I don't see myself playing 5s anymore. But, I still have it just in case I feel the need to drop it like it's hot.

 

[bassmusic17]

Yes.