• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Tempted to Go Four String Only

#61
Nice collage!

I played 5 string for about a year after joining a band where the previous player used one on the studio recordings. I enjoyed it for a while and suddenly realized I was trying to play like someone else and had to have my own sound, which was as a four string player. I'm still challenged occasionally when we do old material and i might dust off that Godin 5 string but I really like the simplicity and tradition of four strings.

OctoberMooN said:
Link RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink Removed
Link RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink Removed
Link RemovedLink RemovedLink RemovedLink Removed
Link RemovedLink RemovedLink Removed

Imagine that.


;)
Click to expand...
 
#63
I haven't owned a four-string in well over twenty years but every time I pick one up it feels hopelessly restrictive, incomplete, and archaic. I would never give up the smoothness, flow, and spontaneity of having a full two octaves under my fingers at all times, to say nothing of the chordal possibilities and "extra" range.

Giving up my B-string (and C-string for that matter) would be kind of like giving up a finger on my left hand; I'd still be able to play, more or less, but why cripple yourself with needless limitations?

The EBG has finally evolved from Neanderthal to Homo Sapiens. Now it's up to us as players to catch up. ;)
 
#64
That's pretty much it. Seven string g**tar is a different beast from a six string, because it can be tuned with a fifth interval between the two bottom strings or with a fourth, which greatly changes the chord shapes.

A five string bass with the ordinary B on the low string, simply extends the range, maintaining the same fingering patterns as the four. In fact that, to me, was the appeal of the five.

The distinction, then, isn't in concept, but comes out in sonic differences -- because no five sounds just like a four.

If I had a five that sounded [exactly] like my P, I'd probably use it all the time.
 
#65
As the original poster, I want to make it clear that I have nothing against 5 or 6 string players. Heck, I like folks who play 7+ strings too!:bassist: I was simply talking about how I have been feeling. I am still considering going all four string all the time. We'll see what happens.:)
 
#67
Just a little anecdotal story that actually happened to me this week:
I had just purchased a gorgeous Fender P 5-stringer with a natural ash body and maple fretboard, and I was feeling pretty good about myself, although I had to go into debt to get it. Now, I'm a solid player (no bragging intended), but my band was rehearsing with a fill-in player for an upcoming gig that I have to miss. He had a pieced-together, pawn-shop special 4-stringer that he bought for $150.00, and he absolutely KILLED on it. I would've been insanely jealous of his skills if I hadn't been so engrossed by his sounds. Anyway, my point is that I couldn't help feeling a little foolish standing there with my (relatively) high-end axe (which happened to have 5 strings), as this guy ripped away on his 4.:rolleyes:
 
#69
Hawkguy said:
Just a little anecdotal story that actually happened to me this week:
I had just purchased a gorgeous Fender P 5-stringer with a natural ash body and maple fretboard, and I was feeling pretty good about myself, although I had to go into debt to get it. Now, I'm a solid player (no bragging intended), but my band was rehearsing with a fill-in player for an upcoming gig that I have to miss. He had a pieced-together, pawn-shop special 4-stringer that he bought for $150.00, and he absolutely KILLED on it. I would've been insanely jealous of his skills if I hadn't been so engrossed by his sounds. Anyway, my point is that I couldn't help feeling a little foolish standing there with my (relatively) high-end axe (which happened to have 5 strings), as this guy ripped away on his 4.:rolleyes:
Click to expand...

I know how you feel, but you were in awe of his skill, not his bass.
 
#72
In reply to Debased, who said:

"I haven't owned a four-string in well over twenty years but every time I pick one up it feels hopelessly restrictive, incomplete, and archaic. I would never give up the smoothness, flow, and spontaneity of having a full two octaves under my fingers at all times, to say nothing of the chordal possibilities and "extra" range.

Giving up my B-string (and C-string for that matter) would be kind of like giving up a finger on my left hand; I'd still be able to play, more or less, but why cripple yourself with needless limitations?

The EBG has finally evolved from Neanderthal to Homo Sapiens. Now it's up to us as players to catch up."


I agree, conceptually. That said, to me, any bass with more strings than 5, or even a 5 with a high C string, the strings north of the G don't SOUND like a bass any longer. Scale lenth, mayhaps. I dunno. All I know is that to me, the C/F/Bb, whatever strings of ERBs always have so much of a different tembre (sp??) that they sound disconnected from the G and below.

To cheese: I can see your point, sometimes a four can be more comfy to play. That said, I am so at home on a fiver any more that I feel naked on a four.

Lee
 
#73
Right now, I'm perfectly content on my 4 string. Recently I picked up my five and tried reworking a bunch of my basslines to take advantage of the lower range, wanting to beef up those pesky B, C and D chords to create fuller sounding lines. And it certainly worked, but not in the way I thought it would. It wasn't those "below E" notes that really filled out the lines, it was all of the thirds, fifths, flatted sevenths, etc that went with that note that carried the line. My realization was that most of those notes were played on the E string, not the B and that I could develop much the same lines by playing below the root on a 4 string. Sometimes those lower root notes sounded great - however they mostly sounded out of place (granted I play a lot of classic rock, though).The exercise helped me think about my playing in a new way. I guess a relatively simple "light bulb" moment, but I'm pretty content now with the "limited" range of the four string...
 
#76
Dr Cheese, I'm a bit late on your topic, but I'll say I also happened to feel the same some time ago. Unfortunately, each time the low B demon called me and at some point I felt missing that extra string.

I currently play only on a 5 string, but I also miss the 4er vibe. I guess having 4 and 5 is better than choosing between them.

Just my two cents.
 
#78
I played fives exclusively from 1992 until this year when a certain black ASAT made me start looking at fours again. Now I own as many fours as fives, and play both fours and fives at every gig. Some tunes IMO still benefit from a five, but the fours are getting way more gig time these days. I'm really liking the way those G&L #8 necks feel in my hands. I'm also having absolutely no problem going back and forth now like I did when I started playing fives.
 
#79
I you can't handle 4 ... don't ask for more.
And lets face it, most of us Five string players use the B string for a thumb rest anyway.

:hiding:

But seriously ...
I have 1 Four String bass (Fender P), 2 Fivers and 1 Six String.
Not one is superior to the other. Its all about the player and how you use the options available.

To the OP: I understand what you're going through. To move to 4 stings after playing on a 5 is a liberating experience as opposed to move from a 5 to a 6. Where the latter is about adding a string that you're learning to get used to, the former is about using less than before. Undoubtedly, you will be forced to be a little creative to make up for the lack of options and that creative process is what you're finding exciting.

:smug:
 
#80
Although I am certain that I will always go back to five strings, I am stilling feeling four strings. I had a wonderful rehearsal last night, and my Millennium four sounded so good! I think I had developed some bad habits playing a five, always going for that B string. Playing a four has really made learn to use the D and G strings more effectively on bass lines again.:)
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back