Hello all, the question i have today is: I have been playing since i was 11. I am now 13. I have had an Austin bass, which i do not particuarly favor, which came with a cheapy amp. I saved and bought a Fender Bassman 250/210 last year. Now, after mowing lawns I am close to my goal of a new bass. The question i have is, should i get a fancy new 4 string first and keep the old cheapy or perhaps sell ti or should i get a 5? I'm as comfortable on a 4 as I'm am on a 5, albeit i don't own one. I have no particular need for the low notes but they could be uses plus the different positions in could take. Perhaps i could buy a new 4, then a new 5. Hmm? Thoughts? Suggestions?
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New 4-String or first 5-String?
- Thread starter rapturebass
- Start date
+1 on working for the money to buy your own bass. I did the same as you except I baled hay as a young 14 yr old. Was so proud when I was able to buy my very first Winchester 12 gauge.
I'm thinking the decision is yours alone on the 4 or 5 string. You did make good points on both. My biggest question is what type of music do you prefer to play? That would be the deciding factor for me.
I'm thinking the decision is yours alone on the 4 or 5 string. You did make good points on both. My biggest question is what type of music do you prefer to play? That would be the deciding factor for me.
Right now im really into "indie" stuff, like The Airborne Toxic Event, Silversun Pickups, No Age, Sunny Day Real Estate, that kinda stuff, though i did like and still ocassionally sometimes listen to metal of all types, mostly like metalcore what have you, like The Word Alive.
Rapture,
Wow this is really going to date me but I haven't the foggiest clue about any of the bands you listed! I haven't heard of any of them!My 16 yr old son on the other hand may have!
Of all the bands you listed,what type of bass is played by the bassist? Maybe try a few of those basses at a local music store that the guys in each band use? Not that you wanna copy them but maybe it will help you decide. Best of luck and when you do get a bass post pics!!! Everyone loves NBD threads.
Wow this is really going to date me but I haven't the foggiest clue about any of the bands you listed! I haven't heard of any of them!My 16 yr old son on the other hand may have!
Of all the bands you listed,what type of bass is played by the bassist? Maybe try a few of those basses at a local music store that the guys in each band use? Not that you wanna copy them but maybe it will help you decide. Best of luck and when you do get a bass post pics!!! Everyone loves NBD threads.
No Age doesn't even have a bassist...
Anyway, save up and buy a new 5 string. That way you'll still have a 4 string as a backup. Also, what's your budget.
Anyway, save up and buy a new 5 string. That way you'll still have a 4 string as a backup. Also, what's your budget.
Nice to see someone earning their gear - makes it so worth it when you get it in your hands. +1 to you!
All the stuff you mention (and even most metal) you could easily get away with on 4 strings and a Hipshot bass extender (for drop D tuning on a 4 string), I am in that area, I can get by on 4 easily, but the 5-string offers possibilties and that bit of extended range so I have a 5-string. I opted to go for the 5'er and haven't regretted it. But I will say, I would keep a 4-string bass in the stable - there is something about having the 4-string that is a lot of fun, IMO.
BIG +1 on Sunny Day Real Estate (not enough people know who that is), great s***!! Silver Sun P'ups are cool as well.
All the stuff you mention (and even most metal) you could easily get away with on 4 strings and a Hipshot bass extender (for drop D tuning on a 4 string), I am in that area, I can get by on 4 easily, but the 5-string offers possibilties and that bit of extended range so I have a 5-string. I opted to go for the 5'er and haven't regretted it. But I will say, I would keep a 4-string bass in the stable - there is something about having the 4-string that is a lot of fun, IMO.
BIG +1 on Sunny Day Real Estate (not enough people know who that is), great s***!! Silver Sun P'ups are cool as well.
Hopefully we can avoid another flame war with this thread....
I don't think any of us can tell you what would be best for your musical interests. You have to decide that for yourself. First, consider whether or not you need another string. If so, get a 5. If not, keep the option open for both.
I would suggest trying out different basses and getting whichever one sounds the best for your style, regardless of the number of strings. I bought my first real 5-string because, when I played it, I fell in love with the sound, the looks, and the playability. I wasn't even thinking about making the switch, and now that 5 is my main bass. That's the kind of instrument you want to get; don't get too hung up on how many strings it has and instead go for one that speaks to you as an artist.
(Note: avoid basses that speak in Pig Latin; they're jerks)
I don't think any of us can tell you what would be best for your musical interests. You have to decide that for yourself. First, consider whether or not you need another string. If so, get a 5. If not, keep the option open for both.
I would suggest trying out different basses and getting whichever one sounds the best for your style, regardless of the number of strings. I bought my first real 5-string because, when I played it, I fell in love with the sound, the looks, and the playability. I wasn't even thinking about making the switch, and now that 5 is my main bass. That's the kind of instrument you want to get; don't get too hung up on how many strings it has and instead go for one that speaks to you as an artist.
(Note: avoid basses that speak in Pig Latin; they're jerks)
^ lol kay. i know what you mean, dont think about the fact that its a 5, think about the fact that its awesome. But what if the bass comes in 4 and 5???
and lkngro, just cause No Age doesn't have a bassist doesn't mean i can't like them! They record bass in studio im pretty sure
Oh, and my budget is anywhere from 700 dollars to possibly like 1500 for Musicman, I'm not putting a cap on how much I'll save, right now i have about $ 600 but i can save more, I've already outlined how much I'll get this summer.
and lkngro, just cause No Age doesn't have a bassist doesn't mean i can't like them! They record bass in studio im pretty sure
Oh, and my budget is anywhere from 700 dollars to possibly like 1500 for Musicman, I'm not putting a cap on how much I'll save, right now i have about $ 600 but i can save more, I've already outlined how much I'll get this summer.
Even if the same bass comes in 4 and 5, if you have the option to play both; one will likely feel better in your hands. as others have said i'd just buy which bass feels the best, and look at the number of strings after.
Spend the money on a gym membership as I'm sure your legs are weakened from two years of laying.
Get a five and learn to play it before you get too old and don't care to learn it or adapt. Certainly glad that's what I did. Don't get me wrong, 4's have their place but get the 5.
When you get your money together, go to the best stocked store nearby, and play everything that interests you, and then pick what you like best, whether it's a 4 or 5.
If you really don't have a preference as to how many strings you get, just choose the best feeling and sounding bass you can afford.
You have to live with that choice for a while, so just attempt to be impartial about all the basses you can try, and get what feels and sounds the best to you.
Also, maybe try to test them all with your own amp, or at least one very similar to it.
I can't say for sure, but if you're serious about going home with a new bass, the store shouldn't mind you bringing your own amp to try them through.
If you really don't have a preference as to how many strings you get, just choose the best feeling and sounding bass you can afford.
You have to live with that choice for a while, so just attempt to be impartial about all the basses you can try, and get what feels and sounds the best to you.
Also, maybe try to test them all with your own amp, or at least one very similar to it.
I can't say for sure, but if you're serious about going home with a new bass, the store shouldn't mind you bringing your own amp to try them through.
Huh, didn't think about that; my bass didn't come in 4-string versions. In that case, get a 5, just 'cause more options = more versatility. IMO, of course.
Yeah whenever im n a music store i walk right pass the Ampegs, Gallien Kruegers, and SWRs and go straight to a Fender combo, granted, the Fender Rumble series (which is what they usually will have at music stores) isn't as good as the Fender Bassman 250/210, but it gets a closer sound then if i tested through an Ampeg.
sry doublepost but also, How would a 5 affect slapping? i just started learning slap in my lessons around 2 weeks ago.
I'm new to slapping myself but it can be done. Just take a look on You Tube. There are some MONSTER players there slapping with ease on 5 and 6 string basses. Sure, there's a lot of guys who don't make much sense, but there's a few who in my opinion are brilliant.
Just a point of interest in the situation where the bass you're interested in is available in both 4 and 5. The same bass may feel like a different bass. Sometimes string spacing varies from a 4 to a 5.
If you go with a Music Man, buy used definitely. In fact, I would buy used no matter what you buy. You save so much money because value on instruments depreciates very quickly. I bought my Music Man Stingray 4H for 800 bucks, and it was in almost pristine condition. Other than one little paint chip on the upper horn.
If you do buy used though, be smart. I bought a MIM Jazz Bass for 200 bucks, to upgrade from my squier. I spent so much time trying to adjust that bass so that it played well, and put some new electronics into it, as well as a new bridge (the original was rusted to hell). A few months later the neck was extremely bowed forward. You get what you pay for.
