The struggle is real..4 strings or 5?

[CapnSev]

Preach it dude. I go back and forth constantly in my mind! I love the 4 because it’s classic, and universally accepted everywhere. Ergonomics and geometry don’t vary much from 4-string to 4-string.

On the other hand; the 5er is so much more comfortable, convenient, and makes so much sense. Sometimes they can put other musicians off, and specs on different makers’ 5’s are all over the map.

 

[chadhargis]

My first bass was a 5 string and 4 bangers always feel like a kids bass to me. I love those big wide necks. That's the reason I started on a 5 string. Some told me "Pick an instrument that feels good in your hands" and that's exactly what I did.

I'm having a 5 string made for me and I'm going with 19mm spacing and a 1 7/8" nut. Gimmie some room baby! Ahhhhhh.

 

[bholder]

Practice on both until it doesn't matter much which is in your hands at the moment, learn to get the job done with the tool in hand.

 

[lexefx]

I have a 4 with a hipshot d-tuner. That D and E flat cover alot. Makes my 4 alot more versatile. That being said, my main is a five. How is that for no help?

 

[lexefx]

My first bass was a 5 string ..
I'm having a 5 string made for me and I'm going with 19mm spacing and a 1 7/8" nut. Gimmie some room baby! Ahhhhhh.

Same for me. You will enjoy the new set up. I love mine.

 

[FunkySpoo]

i am truly struggling with this right now. My musical mind loves playing 5’ers, but my hands always ask for an old school 4 banger. Anyone else struggle with this?

Nope.

 

[mrcbass]

Want the 5er to feel like a toy?

Play on a 6 string for awhile. When I started playing 5s, I did find the 4 stringer to feel "easier". Now that I'm exploring a 6er, my 5ers feel like toys....

 

[Nedmundo]

I wouldn't call the four v. five issue a struggle, because for the most part I've switched back and forth with no issues. If I've needed or preferred a five for a particular gig, I've used one, but otherwise I've generally stuck with fours as my "default" basses.

But my G&L M-2500 has made this more complicated, because I sometimes prefer it for reasons other than its B string. Sonically, it's both monstrous and versatile, and I love the neck and narrow string spacing. It's impeccably built and, surprisingly, it's no heavier than my fours. It's just a fantastic instrument overall. As a result, I love playing it, even if I rarely venture onto the B string.

 

[Jrussblues]

I like 5’s cause I don’t have to shift positions as much. There are drawbacks to that though as a lot of the 4 banger guys look cooler moving up and down the fretboard. They also tend to develop a different feel and approach. I think the only correct answer is to play what you are most happy playing. A large quantity of bass lines can probably be reproduced on 1 or 2 strings if you wanted so anything more than that is lagniappe.

 

[FunkySpoo]

I like 5’s cause I don’t have to shift positions as much. There are drawbacks to that though as a lot of the 4 banger guys look cooler moving up and down the fretboard. They also tend to develop a different feel and approach. I think the only correct answer is to play what you are most happy playing. A large quantity of bass lines can probably be reproduced on 1 or 2 strings if you wanted so anything more than that is lagniappe.

You're assuming people in the audience notice the bass player. Some do I'm sure but.....

 

[Jrussblues]

You're assuming people in the audience notice the bass player. Some do I'm sure but.....

Lol

 

[Neil Pye]

No struggle. Don't like 5s, never found one I enjoyed playing, so I play 4s. No need for anything else

 

[Kragnorak]

i am truly struggling with this right now. My musical mind loves playing 5’ers, but my hands always ask for an old school 4 banger. Anyone else struggle with this?

No, this does not sound like a big struggle to me. Musical mind > comfort (within reason) . For example, if the music calls for upright bass, I'll play it even though it is a painful instrument to play and transport compared to electric.

Recommendation: try some different models of basses with a variety of string spacings. I have one 6-string that is way easier to play and easier on my hands than most of my 5-strings.

 

[Aceonbass]

I wouldn't call mine a struggle but I prefer playing a 4 string whenever I have a lot of vocals to do. It's just less distracting if I play a four string.

This is exactly my position on 5vers as well, but I really needed the B string for the music I like to play, so I strung my main players BEAD. Unlike drop tuning to D, this requires almost no thought when playing, and is much easier on my left hand because I have a mild to really annoying case of carpal tunnel syndrome.

 

[MoeTown1986]

I love me a good 4 string. But, aside from 1.75" nut P basses, I find the necks to be too small. A 5 string just feels super comfy to me. Like it was made for my hands.

 

[CharlieMac]

Practice on both until it doesn't matter much which is in your hands at the moment, learn to get the job done with the tool in hand.

This is what I did. I love both.

 

[TheLowDown33]

I have a 4 with a hipshot d-tuner. That D and E flat cover alot. Makes my 4 alot more versatile. That being said, my main is a five. How is that for no help?

This is me as well. The problem with a D tuner is you need to mentally flip back and forth between tunings, which is fine but can be difficult for a while and especially live. Plus, with a 5, you can grab those low notes quickly and don't have to do anything crazy to get them. I'm in the camp of a 5 string has a 4 built in. If you spend enough time on a 5, the playability differences minimize and the choice becomes a bit easier

 

[Joedog]

I seem to remember a similar thread............or 50? LOL

I have 2 fivers and a four. Love them all.

 

[overit]

Be in a few bands where a 4 is the call and a 5 for others. You’ll play both enough that there is no struggle. After 6 months of exclusively having 5s and getting used to them with no 4s in possession, I felt comfortable enough to go back and add a 4 for 90s tribute and for easier time with vocals with original rock. It’s worked out great and the 5s I play with the dance band.

2 fretted 5s, a fretted 4 and soon a fretless 4.

 

[Twocan]

I struggled with the feel of a 5 string, owning and selling many, until I found the right combination of string spacing, nut width and neck thickness for me. I did not find what I was looking for in many of the major brands.