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The struggle is real..4 strings or 5?

#101
faulknersj said:
My G&L JB5 weighs 8lbs (Emptess). I love the neck profile but she doesn’t set up quite as buttery as I like..it’s not a bad see up...but not as perfect as my other bssses.

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That’s a nice looking bass. So what’s the deal then is it a hand issue? Because if you’re hands are getting tired on the 5 maybe it’s a force thing. My hands used to get tired playing long gigs. Gary Willis had a lesson I came across on YouTube about not pressing too hard with the fretting hand. Was something I worked on for a while, took me a little time to find right amount of pressure especially at gigs where I was excited. I noticed I was able to play much longer without it bothering my hands.
 
#102
Nephilymbass said:
That’s a nice looking bass. So what’s the deal then is it a hand issue? Because if you’re hands are getting tired on the 5 maybe it’s a force thing. My hands used to get tired playing long gigs. Gary Willis had a lesson I came across on YouTube about not pressing too hard with the fretting hand. Was something I worked on for a while, took me a little time to find right amount of pressure especially at gigs where I was excited. I noticed I was able to play much longer without it bothering my hands.
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I feel my technique is pretty sound (right hand is better than the left hand), but maybe that is part of it. Could also be 1000’s of gigs wear and tear over the last 25 years. Go to 2:25.

 
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#103
faulknersj said:
I feel my technique is pretty sound (right hand is better than the left hand), but maybe that is part of it. Could also be 1000’s of gigs wear and tear over the last 25 years. Go to 2:25.

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Hard to tell if it’s a technique issue from that video. Its damn near impossible to get the bass in a position where both wrists are straight and your not palming the neck when playing sitting down. Could be though. Might be a medical thing also. If you notice your fingers going numb on long gigs that could be a sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. I don’t think In your case it’s a hand size thing. Some people just have small hands and are more comfortable with 4 strings. But the palming the neck thing can make a neck feel much more massive than if you have your hand more infront if the neck with just your thumb behind it. Fretting wise I had no problems reaching the low b on 7 string and I don’t have Sasquatch hands or Anything
 
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#105
You shouldn't have to choose whether to play a 4 string or 5 string bass based on stuff like the width of the neck or the size of your hands. If you want to play either your technique should enable you to just pick up the bass that sounds best.

If you play long gigs and your hands suffer in any way you should be critically reappraising your technique, your note/pattern choices and the set up of your bass.

When I see videos of guys showing off their playing skills they invariably look like they've anchored their thumbs and are stretching to reach the notes rather than moving their hands. For instance, anyone playing a 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 pattern at speed and spreading their reach over 3 frets, in my opinion, could be doing it better.

IMO you can play any size bass with any size hands if you get your technique right. Of course everyone will have preferences but use the wrong technique and your flexibility, and probably comfort, will reduce significantly.
 
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#106
KJL said:
John Paul Jones only needed 4 strings...
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Juan Manuel Fangio only needed 4 gears. What's you're point
 
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#107
faulknersj said:
OP here...just a quick note...I assumed that my post would imply that I DO play both 4’s and 5’s...hence the struggle (context clues). I play both and am comfortable on both...but I’m envious of dudes who only play one or the other and don’t think about it. The gigs I play tend to be 4 hours long...and I feel more fatigued on a 5er. But I love both! At the moment, I just decide on the day of the gig and adjust my playing according to which one I selected. For example...I play modern stuff totally different on a 5 vs. a 4. Fine China (Eb) is a great example, or Finesse (Fm...but you can get that low C# & C) on a 5er). My favorite gigs are the all old school funk gigs...and I’ll usually play a 4 on those. In my ordinal band I’m back on a 5. I’m just kind of jealous of dudes who don’t have this struggle..and just play one or the other. Here are some of my weapons of choice:

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Nice basses...
 
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#109
What worked for me was playing the five string exclusively for 1 year and focusing on utilizing the E, F, F#, & G on the 5th-8th fret of the B string. That helped me develop a new approach and opened up new fretboard strategies that are not available on a four string. Not that the licks can't be played on a four, just that it's easier when you don't have to move about the neck as much.
 
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#110
GroovyBassist said:
What worked for me was playing the five string exclusively for 1 year and focusing on utilizing the E, F, F#, & G on the 5th-8th fret of the B string. That helped me develop a new approach and opened up new fretboard strategies that are not available on a four string. Not that the licks can't be played on a four, just that it's easier when you don't have to move about the neck as much.
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Agreed about being able to approach patterns differently by starting on the B String...that is what I love about a 5 string...especially Eb -> the low B!
 
#112
faulknersj said:
OP here...just a quick note...I assumed that my post would imply that I DO play both 4’s and 5’s...hence the struggle (context clues). I play both and am comfortable on both...but I’m envious of dudes who only play one or the other and don’t think about it. The gigs I play tend to be 4 hours long...and I feel more fatigued on a 5er. But I love both! At the moment, I just decide on the day of the gig and adjust my playing according to which one I selected. For example...I play modern stuff totally different on a 5 vs. a 4. Fine China (Eb) is a great example, or Finesse (Fm...but you can get that low C# & C) on a 5er). My favorite gigs are the all old school funk gigs...and I’ll usually play a 4 on those. In my ordinal band I’m back on a 5. I’m just kind of jealous of dudes who don’t have this struggle..and just play one or the other.
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My $0.019: Be comfortable in your own skin. Time spent reflecting on other players is wasted, unless there is some specific technical thing to be acquired. Learn more songs. Look for different kinds of gigs.

Regarding fatigue on cover gigs with a 5; IME, the main difference is that at least a bit more subconscious effort is required with the 5 to keep the B string quiet. Which sounds rather petty, but, it adds up through 3 or 4 sets.

Like you, I gig both. But, in my case, I only take the 5 if the tunes absolutely need it. Which isn’t very often; since the HipShot gets most of the lower needs. Or, if I change my mind. You never know.
 
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#113
Oh, BTW, between those two pickups, agree with you that the Nordy’s sound stellar when you are playing alone. But, the stockers sound more cutting in a mix. Another pickup set you might consider trying is the Seymour Duncan SJB2. Not nearly as beautifully made as the Nordy’s, but better cut. FWIW.
 
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#114
bucephylus said:
Oh, BTW, between those two pickups, agree with you that the Nordy’s sound stellar when you are playing alone. But, the stockers sound more cutting in a mix. Another pickup set you might consider trying is the Seymour Duncan SJB2. Not nearly as beautifully made as the Nordy’s, but better cut. FWIW.
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I’d like to try the Duncan’s...more mid range punch?
 
#117
faulknersj said:
My G&L JB5 weighs 8lbs (Emptess). I love the neck profile but she doesn’t set up quite as buttery as I like..it’s not a bad see up...but not as perfect as some of my other bssses.
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That's a bummer to hear. Have you tried other G&Ls and is it similar? I've got three G&Ls and I'm hooked on the weight of the empress body. I've been gassing for a JB5. Any 5ers you have that play smoother and are similar weight (which one?)? Does that playing issues add to your fatigue on the G&L compared to other 5ers?
 
#118
GroovyBaby said:
That's a bummer to hear. Have you tried other G&Ls and is it similar? I've got three G&Ls and I'm hooked on the weight of the empress body. I've been gassing for a JB5. Any 5ers you have that play smoother and are similar weight (which one?)? Does that playing issues add to your fatigue on the G&L compared to other 5ers?
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By no means does it play ‘bad’...but I can’t get the action ultra low without buzz on the B String. I LOVE the neck profile and the weight and the time. It plays really good...but not what is ‘perfect’ for me.
 
#119
faulknersj said:
By no means does it play ‘bad’...but I can’t get the action ultra low without buzz on the B String. I LOVE the neck profile and the weight and the time. It plays really good...but not what is ‘perfect’ for me.
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You should find something more perfect and sell the pretty baby blue JB5 to me. I'm just trying to help you out here...;)
 

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