Cool! Any idea what the difference might be? I find the 19mm spacing on some 5s fatigues my hands
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The struggle is real..4 strings or 5?
- Thread starter faulknersj
- Start date
fwiw I would probably only play 5 (and maybe 6 - I'm doing that experiment again) if I didn't have a pair of 4-string basses that are so good I don't care how many strings they have. If I've got a tune in Eb, then I play up an octave. Which actually is where most of the seminal parts from the 60s/70s were anyway.
At this point I just treat them as different instruments for different gigs and different approaches to playing whatever works for the song. For instance part of what drove me getting another 6 was an upcoming soundtrack project where I think I'll need the extended range since everything will be done with just bass and drums. But I have no interest in using that bass on a Steely Jam gig as my 4-string is the right bass for me there. I will use it this sunday on a Brazilian music hit, as the B and C can be of some use.
Life is an experiment...
At this point I just treat them as different instruments for different gigs and different approaches to playing whatever works for the song. For instance part of what drove me getting another 6 was an upcoming soundtrack project where I think I'll need the extended range since everything will be done with just bass and drums. But I have no interest in using that bass on a Steely Jam gig as my 4-string is the right bass for me there. I will use it this sunday on a Brazilian music hit, as the B and C can be of some use.
Life is an experiment...
Just the neck profile and set up! It is magic! Here’s a clip of my buddy playing her:
Disclaimer: I’m definitely a beginner and will never play professionally.
I played four strings only for about 3.5 years and then sold everything and didn’t have a bass in the house.
About six months ago I purchased a 5er-my “if I could only have one/desert island bass” and it’s the only bass in the house. I want to have either one bass and be a “student of one instrument” or have a maximum of two basses.
I want to go at least a year with only a 5 string in the house, but have thought about getting a four string of the exact same model
1. to make me a better player by having to learn to switch between four and five strings
And/or
2. Because if I ever go to a jam and get handed a four string (which is more likely than someone having a five) I don’t want to be caught off guard.
There’s a question in there somewhere. I’m asking and not offering advice as you all have much more experience than I do.
I played four strings only for about 3.5 years and then sold everything and didn’t have a bass in the house.
About six months ago I purchased a 5er-my “if I could only have one/desert island bass” and it’s the only bass in the house. I want to have either one bass and be a “student of one instrument” or have a maximum of two basses.
I want to go at least a year with only a 5 string in the house, but have thought about getting a four string of the exact same model
1. to make me a better player by having to learn to switch between four and five strings
And/or
2. Because if I ever go to a jam and get handed a four string (which is more likely than someone having a five) I don’t want to be caught off guard.
There’s a question in there somewhere. I’m asking and not offering advice as you all have much more experience than I do.
Beautiful!! I almost went for that color /neck combo on my Elite V.
Decided to go with the Champaign gold at the last minute.
I agree. These Elite Jazz V’s are great basses. Most comfy 5 string I’ve ever played . I like the passive and active tones as well.
I dig the Chapagne/Maple/Black Blocks too! They are amazing! Mine was in passive mode in the video a couple posts up from here. ^
I only have two 4s.. one is my first real bass.. a 77 Jazz which weighs in at 11lbs and there is not enough nostalgia in the world to get me to play it other than to noodle around in the house and the other is an ABG .. all my other basses are 5s. When I started playing again after a 15+ year layoff.. I played my old Jazz for about the first year.. then I got my first 5 that I liked.. (I tried a Jackson 5er and hated it.. ) an Ibanez SR505 .. and I ave not looked back.. For me 5s are base bass.. You have some real beauties to choose from though..
Thank you sir and yes...my buddy can play! That is from an open jam at a cool little bar called Chars in central Phoenix. Don’t sleep on Ohoenix...we’ve got some tremendous players in this town!
Disclaimer: I’m definitely a beginner and will never play professionally.
I played four strings only for about 3.5 years and then sold everything and didn’t have a bass in the house.
About six months ago I purchased a 5er-my “if I could only have one/desert island bass” and it’s the only bass in the house. I want to have either one bass and be a “student of one instrument” or have a maximum of two basses.
I want to go at least a year with only a 5 string in the house, but have thought about getting a four string of the exact same model
1. to make me a better player by having to learn to switch between four and five strings
And/or
2. Because if I ever go to a jam and get handed a four string (which is more likely than someone having a five) I don’t want to be caught off guard.
There’s a question in there somewhere. I’m asking and not offering advice as you all have much more experience than I do.
I have found 4-string to be child's play after owning a 5-string all this time. I'm strictly a 5-string player but if someone hands me a 4-string, I have no problem getting around on it.
I don't struggle whatsoever. I play 4 unless someone requests a 5. Happened once in the last 10 years.
Yep -- this really makes all the difference! The Xtender came installed on my G&L when I found it. Initially, I saw it as a downgrade. All stock or bust, right? Then I actually tried it. I had to have it.
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I have a 6 string with full 19mm spacing and it is 36 scale and a 2 5's one is tuned E to C, I have a 4 in cello tuning (5ths). Maybe I am abnormal but I can play all without thinking or taking a long time to re-adjust. I also play guitar and alto, tenor and soprano saxophones and I do not have a problem transposing from Eb to Bb to concert notations as well. However I am lazy writing things in bass clef. Not that I write that much anymore and usually it is just to communicate some parts
Maybe it's my ability to sleep anywhere that has made me tolerant and adjustable. I really do not get the issues that people tell about radius, fret size, string spacing. low and lower action, thin and thick necks and neck profiles and neck joints. I do think the 6 string bass is my limit. If I have to downsize, I would like my upright and Fender Precision or my 6 string.
Maybe it's my ability to sleep anywhere that has made me tolerant and adjustable. I really do not get the issues that people tell about radius, fret size, string spacing. low and lower action, thin and thick necks and neck profiles and neck joints. I do think the 6 string bass is my limit. If I have to downsize, I would like my upright and Fender Precision or my 6 string.
After bouncing around with owning a 4 and 5, or just a 5, I settled on two fives....
