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

[dvh]

I've yet to find a reason to own a 5 string.

Part of the reason is I also started playing upright as well (4 string). That has been, and will be, far more valuable and useful to me than acquiring a 5 banger. YMMV

 

[JAGGL3S]

It All Comes Down To Opinion In The End.

 

[countrybass007]

Ask Flea!

 

[spade2you]

Ask Flea!

He has used 5 strings in the past as well.

 

[ehque]

Of course anything you can do with a 4 you can do with a 5.

Like I always say -- every 5-string comes with a built-in 4 string.

I used to think this way but now realise that many techniques are progressively more difficult to pull off the more strings you have, until a certain string count makes them almost impossible. Slapping and popping comes to mind.

 

[BuffaloBass]

No. But I keep my first gig bass, a Peavey T40 around for posterities sake.

 

[Greevus]

Tried selling out to the 5er. Can't do it. I did make 90% of my basses BEAD though.
I began doing vocals in my band, and the muscle memory from playing 20 years of 4 strings is hard to escape. I like the extra space and ease of playing and ease of thinking.
I always used my G string as a guide to where I am on the neck and the 5 always tricks
my mind into thinking I need to jump down a string. I love my 5 string. I love my 19 4's better.

 

[SteveC]

I used to think this way but now realise that many techniques are progressively more difficult to pull off the more strings you have, until a certain string count makes them almost impossible. Slapping and popping comes to mind.

I have no problem slapping and popping on a 5.