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Is there really a NEED to own a four string bass?

Kwesi

Kwesi

Sep 19, 2007
8,150
161
35
USA; Mitchellville, Maryland
#1
I played 4 and 6 strings for a couple of years and after a while felt that I didn't effectively utilize the range that 6ers would give but I'd find myself missing the B string when I went down to my 4. As a compromise, at least until I think I can really put a 6er to work, I've gone strictly 5 string basses. There wasn't much of adjustment at all for me and I feel just as comfortable on them as I did on any other bass that I've owned. I've found that a huge advantage of 5ers is that because of the lack of a high-C, it's much easier to do complex slap, pop, double thumbing grooves and do them cleanly (think Wooten's "You can't hold no groove"), though I'm sure it could be done with practice. The thing is, while those kinds of things are just as easy to do on a 4 I now have a B string to thump on when I want to. I really feel like picking up a 5 has only taken a 4 string, given me more notes and voices, and subtracted nothing.

I'm not saying that 4s are no good by any means but as a comfortable 5 string player is there any real need to own one? Does anyone else feel this way about 4s? Just looking for for some opinions and good discussion :)
 
#9
Of course anything you can do with a 4 you can do with a 5. It comes own to needs and preferences. I used to play a 5, now I play a 4 with a d-tuner. I found that MOST of my playing could be done on a 4. The few times I want/need a D or Eb I can get with the d-tuner. I think the E string sounds different on a 4. I like the slimmer neck for my small hands.

For a while all I had was a 5 and I didn't really feel the NEED for a 4 string. I do feel a litle need to have a 5 laying around - just in case - for contemporary jazz and church.

I like my 4 string, I play it 99% of the time. I take out my 5 once in a while to stay familiar with it. If my 5 sounded as good as my 4, it MIGHT be a different story but I don't think so at this time.

Long story short - I could be comfortable and make either one work as my only bass.
 
#10
If you feel comfortable on a 4, then you likely need to own one.

I have played 5 for the past 10 years. I get lost when I pick up a 4 string bass. Oddly enough I am fine when I pick up a 6-string guitar - I suppose it is enough of a different cognitive leap that I don't get confused. But with bass I key off the bottom string, and now I assume that is a B. So all my positions relate from that.
 
#12
Porsche vs Mercedes.

Sure, there ride is a little rough in the Porsche, and you don't have things like 4 wheel drive or a lot of cargo room, but nothing handles quite like it.

On the other hand, you have all sorts of extras and amenities in a Mercedes and some excellent engines available. So what if it doesn't quite turn on a dime, you gain a lot of other niceties.

Sounds like you're a Merc man. I like how Porsche's handle though. :)
 
#13
Different strokes, I guess.

I have played bass since I was in the 8th grade, I'm 52 now. I have been playing a 5 almost exclusively since 95 or 96 and now a 6 for about a year. I have recently recommitted to playing fours for gigs. I'm relearning the four to make me work harder. The extended range of the others makes it easy on me. I don't think of using alternate fingerings or certain modes because I don't have to. The four has recharged my thinking and I'm digging it. Plus it make switching styles easier, IME and IMHO.

I have lots of uses for the four string, but I'll still keep the others around.

I never stop learning and that's a great thing...
 
#14
For most playing styles probably not. But if you are doing a lot of crazy solo bass work, having the B string just makes more work when you have to constantly focus on keeping it and your open E muted.
 
#15
Depends on what you want to accomplish. I play 5'ers pretty much exclusively but I have been in many situations where having a P-Bass available was quite an asset and I'll always keep it because sometimes nothing works quite as well as an old P.
 
#16
Kwesi? How's it going man? No, there is no NEED to own a 4 banger, but it can never hurt. I got hired by a local artist to do a couple relatively cool high profile gigs (930 club, Wolftrap) and I was playing a Fender 4 banger at the time. Their music called for it and so did the image. Just know that if or when you become a hired gun for an original artist, you will probably be need to fit into a mold if you do any live stuff with them. I have found this to be the case in several situations. Being able to adapt and be versatile is key to getting hired and staying hired.

Just a thought. Me personally, I prefer to do most of my stuff on a 5'er, but I love nothing more than ripping off some funk on a jazz style 4 banger.
 
#17
I get what you are saying. After a few years of playing fives, I finally parted with all of my four string basses. The only four string that I own is my DB. That's not discounting the value of a four. I have brought a few in here and there over the past few years, but they never last very long. I just never play them. So, I send them off to someone who will.

I have played rock type gigs in more recent years where I honestly NEVER touched the B string the whole time, but I have become so accustomed to the feel of a five, that I prefer them. These days, I actually feel uncomfortable on a four string EBG.

I can not think of a single thing I could do on four that I can not do on a five string. So, IMO, there is no reason that you should feel like you have to keep a four string around just because.
 
#18
Let me add something real quick.

If you want to be a hired gun for stuff, having a well rounded arsenal will NOT hurt you. That means 4's, 5's fretless.... dare I say upright? Me, I like to get hired for studio work or a couple gigs here and there. I try to keep... or have access to a variety of instruments to fit that artists needs. Oh yeah, and I have a lot of different clothes for certain gigs too.
 
#19
Honestly, I've been playing for 25 years and still haven't found a need for a 5 string. Then again, I have occasionally been accused of being a bit old fashioned. I prefer the term "classic"- as in 99% of all the classic bass lines that a good bass player should know were created on a 4 string bass. No judgement, just saying.
 

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