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Is it "cooler" to play a 4 string bass?
- Thread starter phillipkregg
- Start date
Eh. My guys is that anyone who would give the bass player any attitude about playing any instrument other than a 4-string Fender is ignorant and/or afraid of the unknown. However many times these ignorant, afraid people are also the ones booking you and writing your check for shows...so sometimes so tact is the best thing to pack when working with such people.
To play the devil’s advocate, let’s say that you’re the BL for a blues artist and are in charge of putting together and running the band. If a drummer shows up with a double-bass and rackmounted kit followed by a guitarist with a striped neon orange Jackson and a huge pedalboard, aren’t you going to have a natural reaction after being acclimated to the image of what many (successful) blues artists and bands are typically seen using for gear (even after they audition and you decide that Double-Bass Dave and Jackson Jake are the best blues players you’ve ever heard?).
I know that I’m most comfortable on my boutique 5-string basses and through my pedalboard, but if Lenny Kravitz or Paul McCartney asked me to bring a vintage Fender 4-string and cable (only) to start playing for them you’d better believe that’s what I’d do. My guess is that any “cool” bands whose bassists use a 4-string are either just employing a bassist who chooses to use a 4-string for whatever reason or their management tells them to use a 4-string because it’s more in keeping with the band’s visual aesthetic.
To play the devil’s advocate, let’s say that you’re the BL for a blues artist and are in charge of putting together and running the band. If a drummer shows up with a double-bass and rackmounted kit followed by a guitarist with a striped neon orange Jackson and a huge pedalboard, aren’t you going to have a natural reaction after being acclimated to the image of what many (successful) blues artists and bands are typically seen using for gear (even after they audition and you decide that Double-Bass Dave and Jackson Jake are the best blues players you’ve ever heard?).
I know that I’m most comfortable on my boutique 5-string basses and through my pedalboard, but if Lenny Kravitz or Paul McCartney asked me to bring a vintage Fender 4-string and cable (only) to start playing for them you’d better believe that’s what I’d do. My guess is that any “cool” bands whose bassists use a 4-string are either just employing a bassist who chooses to use a 4-string for whatever reason or their management tells them to use a 4-string because it’s more in keeping with the band’s visual aesthetic.
It’s not the open E that sounds different, it’s the E on the 5th fret of the B string that sounds different - it’s a thicker sound. I use it more than the open E now.
By the way, I own both kinds and neither is cooler than the other. They’re just basses. If someone thinks the number of strings on their bass makes them cool, they’ve got a problem.
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Some of the "coolest" players I know play a 6-string bass(John Myung, Patitucci). But I also know plenty of cool players who play a 4 and 5 string bass. So in the end its kinda pointless to think what is the coolest way.
Even more rare are bands that tune up to F. I only know of one band, Vektor, and they kick ass.
Anyone who thinks psychology isn't a factor when trying to land gigs is fooling themselves.
Unless you like tighter string spacing. I find my self considering a 5 sometimes just because I like the tighter string spacing.
To be fair, those are all good things.
- Jan 26, 2014
- 1,525
- 1,946
- Disclosures
- I teach lessons and perform live music in and around San Diego CA. Sometimes I even make money doing it!
I was watching a Tori Amos concert in Las Vegas around 1996 the other day. The excellent bass player plays a fretless Fender PJ for the intro and first song, then switches to a thunderous 5 string Tobias. It was a delight to see a different bass for once, and it sounded huge. Sometimes I get sick of seeing all those boring P's. Give me some diversity.
The current retro funk movement, led by Vulfpeck and Scary Pockets, of course, play on Fender Strats, Tele's and P's and J's. This is because they wánt that thumpy short sound of the 60's and 70's. And that's ok.
We still have guys like Thundercat.
The current retro funk movement, led by Vulfpeck and Scary Pockets, of course, play on Fender Strats, Tele's and P's and J's. This is because they wánt that thumpy short sound of the 60's and 70's. And that's ok.
We still have guys like Thundercat.
When I show up to a jam with my 4 string 1973 Jazz,
the younger bassplayers say: " Wow! "
The same thing happens when I show up with my fretless 5er!
When I ask them: " You want to play it? "
They say: " Coooooool!!! "
What I learned?
1) I am too old to get a wow
, only my basses will get that. 
2) I am not too old to get a "coooool"
3) Being cool has nothing to do with the number of strings on your bass!
Wise(b)ass
the younger bassplayers say: " Wow! "
The same thing happens when I show up with my fretless 5er!
When I ask them: " You want to play it? "
They say: " Coooooool!!! "
What I learned?
1) I am too old to get a wow
, only my basses will get that. 2) I am not too old to get a "coooool"
3) Being cool has nothing to do with the number of strings on your bass!
Wise(b)ass
4 is plenty for me, I have a detuner and a pitch shifter/octave if I really need to go lower. And a bass tuned BEAD, but I'd miss the G if it was my only bass.
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