To 4 string or 5, that is the question.

[Robscott]

I am starting to play with a dance band. 80s dance Rock/Disco/Current Top 40 etc. I am using a 4 string P and some of the new tunes have really deep hip hop kind of bass. I just ordered an octave pedal but do you guys think I should consider just going 5 string? I’ve played both but have struggled on 5 string basses cuz I just don’t like the feel so I’ve always stuck to 4 strings 90% of the time.

And I guess my other question is what would be a good 5 string for this kind of band? Think Tainted Love meets KC and the Sunshine Band meets Usher.

James

I've just gone fiver for the same reason. There's some great dance grooves that just work better on a five string and it gives you more options for playing different keys to suit your singer. BTW I went fretless at the same time. I think you will get used to the neck pretty quick if you watch your left hand technique - get that thumb round the back of the neck and make sure you have your instrument at the right height and angle (lots of threads about this). My advice, go for it, you will surprise yourself!

 

[nilorius]

You should better think of j-bass style, because the music, you are playing, needs more low middles, what about 4 or 5, it's just that 5 gives you some more low notes. About brand Fender would be ok, but that you should choose your self.

 

[eJake]

Playing a 5 string is like driving a standard. It takes some getting used to but once you get some repetition in, you don't have to think about it.

 

[Sam Dingle]

5 string bass is the way to go.

 

[MrLenny1]

Get a 5 string low B. Lakland MIK play nice for the money.
4's are passe. lol
I got my first 5 in 1991, now a 4 does not feel right.

 

[Daniel Piper]

For that style of music I would be running a 5 AND an octave pedal.

The octave pedal (preferably an analog synthy one) would cover the grimy tones some songs require.


I've played 5s for the past decade - but still cant slap as well on a 5 as I can on a 4 for some reason.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

I'm on the some boat! I love 4 strings, but to me certain songs are much more fun to play on a 5 string. Superstition, I wish, Rock with you, I wanna dance with somebody, Bruno mars songs. Some songs are more negotiable than others. To be honest my band members could care less what bass I bring, ultimately it's my choice. Life is short so play whatever makes the gig more fun!
If you are going the 5 string route and don't want to spend a lot check out these basses:
Sire ($600), Bass Mods ($1000), Xotic Vintage ($1500), Sadowsky Metro Express ($2000).

+1 on the Sire as a good choice for a 5 reasonably priced but is very good quality.

 

[MaxSpinrun]

Take a spare or beater bass and convert it to BEAD tuning.
A Squier P would be a great choice.
The 4 string feel remains, but you get those lower notes.
Takes a little time to get used to it, but not as long as getting used to a wider 5 string neck.

A friend gave me a water damaged Dean bass, and after I fixed the bowed neck and electronics, I was looking for a job for it.
BEAD was the perfect answer.
I'd had an Ibanez Roadstar II fiver back in the 1980s (first 5 my friends had ever seen) and never got along with it, but playing a BEAD bass is natural and fun for me.

One way to deal with need for lower tuning I needed was the use of Digitech bass Whammy pedal. Can detune done a 2nd to D, or a 4th to B. Tracks reasonably well also. For live works fine, especially if the need for lower tuning is not great. I have on of the older original Bass Whammy pedals. Another option.

 

[Nephilymbass]

I am starting to play with a dance band. 80s dance Rock/Disco/Current Top 40 etc. I am using a 4 string P and some of the new tunes have really deep hip hop kind of bass. I just ordered an octave pedal but do you guys think I should consider just going 5 string? I’ve played both but have struggled on 5 string basses cuz I just don’t like the feel so I’ve always stuck to 4 strings 90% of the time.

And I guess my other question is what would be a good 5 string for this kind of band? Think Tainted Love meets KC and the Sunshine Band meets Usher.

James

I primarily play 5 string but for more electronic/dance type music stuff I recommend using an octave or sub pedal like the meatbox or density hulk

 

[CapnSev]

I went back to a 4 several years ago, and honestly, I’m still kind of missing the 5. There’s a huge convenience advantage to the 5. There are a couple downsides too, but they can be worked around.

OP, it sounds like you’d be a good fit for a 5-string P. That was my favorite 5er for sure.

 

[Ric5]

A 5 can do everything that the 4 does and without detuning it has extra low notes

 

[James Lugo]

Ok guys so I spent the afternoon going through all the tunes on the show list and I can do them all on the 4 string P. The few that are deeper definitely sound like an octave pedal on the record. Uptown Funk needs a drop D for the walk ups. Other than that all the other new song can be done on 4 string with the octave pedal and a little finagling.
New tunes:
Cupit Shuffle
Sugar
Uptown Funk
Right Round
Party Rock
Yeah!
Happy

Purple Rain is a little tricky, I think I'm gonna stay in standard but drop the low string a half step to Eb for all the big opens.

 

[Anders Barfod]

If you want to stay on a 4, DGCF tuning is a possibilty.. Use a set of 50-110 hexcore rounds and probably pushing back the saddle bridge and a minor adjustment to the trussrod and you good to go.
Anything lower than that low D tends to get lost in a live mix.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

Uptown Funk was the worst song I've learned on bass in years. That sub bass syth vocal part I tried to emulate in low C (we transposed if I recall).
Eventually since we have no keyboards we threw it away and moved on to Get Lucky.

 

[somebrains]

Jazz 5 for your generic covers everything that's not "classic music" unless you wanna go to a 6 and be all latin jazz.

 

[MordBass]

FWIW The Ibanez Soundgear line offers a great B string at a great pricepoint with a neck that makes the transition a breeze.

 

[RBrownBass]

Get a 5 and play it. Once you get used to the 5th string, you won't need to use a four. But you still can if you want.

Guys, this isn't political science.

 

[adk teleman]

If you want to stay on a 4, DGCF tuning is a possibilty.. Use a set of 50-110 hexcore rounds and probably pushing back the saddle bridge and a minor adjustment to the trussrod and you good to go.
Anything lower than that low D tends to get lost in a live mix.

All my basses are tuned this way. I hate 5s because I have had nerve damage to my left hand so no more 5s for me. Plus for what I do I never have to go lower than D.

 

[LowActionHero]

Same boat, I used to want a 5er, then changed my mind. I have one bass tuned BEAD, but my main bass has a detuner for DROP D, I use an octave pedal if I need to go lower.

 

[James Lugo]

Same boat, I used to want a 5er, then changed my mind. I have one bass tuned BEAD, but my main bass has a detuner for DROP D, I use an octave pedal if I need to go lower.

That’s what I am gonna do. I really wanna focus on my playing and keep this simple.