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Tempted to Go Four String Only

#41
Wow! This thread is exactly how I feel too. I learned on a 4, then switched to a 5 , mainly cause it looked cool. Then played a half a dozen different 5'ers for about 20 yrs. Then just 2 monthes ago I bought a P-bass 4 string and fell in love. I was amazed at how well I could play the 4 (smaller neck). It is so quick and easy. I guess all those yrs of playing big wide necks, made this p bass neck feel so wonderful. Anyway, I really didnt need that B string much. Some positive things about a 4 string: A, a set of strings is cheaper:hyper: B, when going thru a PA, I would think an E string would be easier on mains than a B's frequency. C. Its lighter and easier on my shoulder. D, a good drummer can play great on a 4 piece drumset, and so I believe it's not how many strings you have, but what you do with the strings you have.;)
 
#42
I went through an 11-year 6-string period, where I played a 6 more or less equally along with a 4, but nowadays I'm just on 4-strings. It's all that's needed for what I do at the moment.
 
#43
I just always prefered the open 4th string E over the 5th fretted B-string E on my Elrick GS 5 I used to own. After that I almost never needed to go below. I've got enough on my mind trying to stretch into the higher frets on my 4s. Its all 4s for me.
 
#44
I love them both for different things. For retro lines and newer indie stuff, I use the 4.

For R&B and latin, and other genres where I'm doing intricate playing through the chords, it's the 5.

5 has so much more versatility it's ridiculous. 2 octave spread in every hand position... but the 4 seems to get things done also.
 
#45
I played fours exclusively from 1987-2005. Then I switched to fivers.

Now I'm gravitating more towards fours. I'm not finding much I can't do on my fours, and it's easier to play as well. The lighter weight doesn't hurt, either. Four strings is all I really need.

OTOH, I'm still holding on to my Reverend 5-stringers and my Metro 5er. They're great basses, and still a great change of pace. My main bass though, is now a four.
 
#46
I have been looking for a 5 string for years but can't find one that screams "Buy Me!" 5's feel too big for me. I haven't missed it...I de-tune one of my 4's to BEAD and if I need something that low (not very often) I'll grab that bass...
 
#47
+1.

Lately, we've been doing some challenging material, and I find myself thinking a little harder about how to get through the changes than I would with 5 strings.

At the same time, I'd like to TRY on a 5! Maybe I'll have to get one anyway, just for the sake of dispassionate research.:D
 
#48
lpdeluxe said:
+1.

Lately, we've been doing some challenging material, and I find myself thinking a little harder about how to get through the changes than I would with 5 strings.

At the same time, I'd like to TRY on a 5! Maybe I'll have to get one anyway, just for the sake of dispassionate research.:D
Click to expand...

Best reason one could offer to pickup another bass. Always for the sake of science :)
 
#49
I never had a need to go lower than D as I don't play death metal. Plus, weight is of great concern for me and a wider neck with 1 more tuner can only weigh more. Another thing, I play fingerstyle / anchor on the pickup. It would be a long reach to the highest string.
 
#50
While I could see myself getting another 5 I have had no problems moving around on a 4. Interestingly, there are a few songs where there is a low D,C, or Eb and when I play those notes on the E string on my 4 it cuts through really nice and with added punch. The band seems to notice this and likes it. I will still be getting a D-tuner for my basses for those songs that play better in Drop-D but for the most part I can handle most of what I play on a 4.
 
#51
tycobb73 said:
I never had a need to go lower than D as I don't play death metal. Plus, weight is of great concern for me and a wider neck with 1 more tuner can only weigh more. Another thing, I play fingerstyle / anchor on the pickup. It would be a long reach to the highest string.
Click to expand...

I use the humbucker on my ray 5 as an anchor, and it lets me play fast as hell. It's not really a reach, you just have to pivot your hand. I apparently have a pretty good muting technique.. I don't know I never "learned" it but a professor saw me playing and said it's a really good technique.

A misconception about 5's is that they are only for the 5 extra semitones. I do use those low notes every once in a while. They come up a lot in R&B, and they add A LOT to the music. It's a great way to end a song also. But the main benefit of the 5 is the 2 octave spread in any given position. It may not sound like much, but I can do a lot more walking in one position than on a 4.

And don't take me as a 5 only guy, I understand the limitations of both instruments and play both to my advantages. At the end of the day if I could only keep one, it'd be the 5. But luckily I don't have to choose and have both to play when needed.
 
#54
I have a 4 (Fender MIA P) and a 5 (Spector Euro5LX). I switch back and forth between the them, although I play the 5 a bit more. I play a lot of the same music on both and find that it's kind of fun and interesting to adapt the basslines to the one being played at the time.

There is something worth mentioning about setting the tone on a 4 and 5 stringer (with a low B). I can get a meater, deeper sound out of the A-D-G strings on the 4. The reason being that the B gets too muddy / boomy on the 5 if the tone is set for the deeper sounding A-D-G strings. Maybe this is just a matter of needing a better EQ (fully parametric).
 
#58
I think it comes down to personal preference, as well as what you play. Some music lends it self to the extra notes on a 5 or 6er, and as others have pointed out, sometimes it is a lifesaver to be able to keep going up or down in the same fret position - you CAN play it by moving but you lose some fluidity in the lines when you do so - Gary Willis talks about that concept alot.

I started playing on a 6 and have moved to a 5, although I now want a 6 FL with closer spacing for harmonic solo work, finding the 5 more comfortable for grooving. Likely however I will start on an inexpensive FL 4 to learn fretless playing in general (since inexpensive FL 6's of good quality are hard to come by)
 
#59
I think its unfortunate that there is some distinction being made. I always get the distinct impression that guys who play 4s need to apologize for it... or insult 5 string players as if we were not creative enough to play a 4. always turns into a thing where the 4 and 5 string crowds get into some competition...

As if anybody could be right or wrong... its all opinion

Do what you like... we are all bass players... maybe next we can argue about the passive/active thing... afterall a bass player playing active is compensating for his inability and the passive player is clearly not smart enough to figure out the extra knobs
 

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