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Just get both.
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The struggle is real..4 strings or 5?
- Thread starter faulknersj
- Start date
Just get both.
The struggle is real. I play a 5-er in the industrial project i'm in now as it is really necessary, (Down-tuned guitars and keyboards/atmospheric tracks like to step all over my space) but I'm really at home on a standard tuned 4 and the music style is different than what I'm used to-I feel that I struggle to improvise as I normally would. The low B sounds great on my SR though and its nice to have more at my fingertips.
I chose a 5 stringer when I need it. 4 strings when I can afford it. I have big hands too.
keep in mind; there are electric bass guitars, and then there are extended range instruments. need to decide on who you wan to be as a player 
I much prefer 4 strings but the modern country gig I’m in calls for a 5 string. I sometimes do the show on a 4 string anyway and no one says anything. I like practicing noodly fusion/jazz garbage on a 5 string.
4-string tuned BEAD. Get a 24-fret and you have the range of a traditional 20-fret P-bass
No.
Why struggle? Play what your music needs and what you prefer. If you need both, get both.
Be happy making music with either of them.
I have one 4, which is a P/J with Chromes and is a role player for me. I can get through a gig with it without issue, but I do have to rethink a few parts that go lower than E.
My 5s feel like normal to me.
My 5s feel like normal to me.
For years, I doubled on upright and six string electric. Always thought of them as two completely different instruments. Now, just playing electric, I prefer a 5. I can play a four just fine but, I miss that fifth fret E and the notes below. Pedaling that low D, and the like, in a big house is just so bad ass.
I found this in a lakland. Best neck I've ever had my hands on. Unfortunately, I hate the sound of the low B string anywhere above first position.
If I ever get to join a wedding or dance band, I may be in a bit of a pickle.
Have you spent much time playing five string? Imo there’s a lot of people who never really give 5 strings an honest shot. I got comfortable with 5s really quickly. But over the years I’ve also owned 4, 6 and 7 string basses and for the main player at least I always keep coming back to 5 strings because that’s what’s most comfortable for me so if you’ve been playing 5s for years and still feel more comfortable with 4 strings then I suggest getting yourself a couple 4 strings and just tune them however you need for whatever music you play. Nothing wrong with bead tuned 4 strings.
I have both. If your just starting stick with 4. For a 5 with a narrow neck try a Spector. Why? I had a Spector 6 for a while and I could not believe how narrow and easier it was to play. used Spector legend 5 runs about 400 to 600..
This worked for me with fretless. I packed every thing else away, only played the fretless for two years. I tried this with the 5 string...still distracting to me. Maybe it's the instrument itself. Perhaps I should trade the Tobias for a Jazz 5
I started on 4's and played them for years, moved to 6 strings for a while, and found I didn't really use it to full potential. I went back to 4 strings for a long time, but now I play 5 strings. I like the feel of a five string neck more than I enjoy the extended range.
Sort of.... I feel like a 4 is perfectly comfy...... so its either that or a 6er for me. Once the budget allows, i want a 7 or 8 string but yea, I feel like its either comfort or range.
That's a logical approach for a working bassist, IMO...
That's how it worked out for me - I just use what the job calls for these days, and have for years...
Same here, except people have noticed when I used a 4 string on modern country, unfortunately... Before that, it was modern rock that got me into playing 5ers - and trying that without the low notes would've definitely been noticeable...
Just do it.
A 5 is a 4 with a great thumb rest.
A 4 is so passe.lol
Fits my new country gig to a T.
All my basses are 5's.
A 5 is a 4 with a great thumb rest.
A 4 is so passe.lol
Fits my new country gig to a T.
All my basses are 5's.
I currently have 5ers by EBMM, USA Peavey, Schecter, and a Spector Legend 5 Custom - and the Spector has the chunkiest neck of the bunch, FWIW - the US Peavey Foundation 5 is the easiest playing, followed very closely by the EBMM Sterling 5 HS...
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