i was doing some research and seeing a lot of professional bassists with 4 string. I would think that a lot of non jazz, non fusion bass players would have 5 strings to get down to that low B.
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What professional bassists only used 4 strings?
- Thread starter jnevi9nr
- Start date
I'd say that 90% of all electric bass guitar players in history (meaning since about 1950) have played 4 strings. that's actually a conservative estimate - 95% or more would be more like it.
A low B is not required in that much music. I've played since 1964 (with a layoff of some years in the middle) and never needed it.
A low B is not required in that much music. I've played since 1964 (with a layoff of some years in the middle) and never needed it.
Jaco only needed four.
You have said that that needs to be said.
But just imagine what he could have done with 6+
Yeah, think how much cooler a Ferrari would be if it only had two more wheels. You could do more with it, right?
NOT.
Lots of professionals use 5 strings these days, but it's still surely a minority. The number is growing though, I imagine.
Almost all of the past and present really big "name" bass players use/used 4 strings.
Almost all of the past and present really big "name" bass players use/used 4 strings.
But just imagine what he could have done with 6+
He drew the line at 5.
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Understand, I'm not criticizing 5's and 6's....they're fine basses for proficient players. I just wanted to point out that most of the players out there, past and present, are happy with 4's.
Now sure how you can say they are "happy with 4's." Have you interviewed them? Done a longitudinal study on bass player equipment migrations?
Most of the guys I see playing around town are on 4s. Most I see playing on tv are playing 4s. I don't know the reason for most of them. A few I've talked to who were on 4s had various comments:
"I also own a 5 but for this gig prefer a 4"
"I don't like/feel comfortable on a 5 or 6"
"This is all I can afford"
"I find a 4 more fun to play"
"Carrots"
Historical comments are difficult because 5-string and beyond basses weren't widely available for a lot of years, nor where they obtainable for many due to price or lack of quality for cheaper ones.
Number of strings doesn't matter...it's almost like color, personal preference.
Most of the guys I see playing around town are on 4s. Most I see playing on tv are playing 4s. I don't know the reason for most of them. A few I've talked to who were on 4s had various comments:
"I also own a 5 but for this gig prefer a 4"
"I don't like/feel comfortable on a 5 or 6"
"This is all I can afford"
"I find a 4 more fun to play"
"Carrots"
Historical comments are difficult because 5-string and beyond basses weren't widely available for a lot of years, nor where they obtainable for many due to price or lack of quality for cheaper ones.
Number of strings doesn't matter...it's almost like color, personal preference.
Almost all professional bassists use 4 strings at some point or another. I think the OP's question was about professionals who ONLY use 4 strings. Fact is, even Jaco was experimenting with 5ers before he died.
Victor Wooten PRIMARILY uses 4 but he does do some 5 string work. Same with Marcus Miller.
Of the bassists I follow, here are 10 that I've known to ONLY use 4 strings:
I'm sure there are others and wouldn't be too surprised if some of the guys I've mentioned above have thumped a B string or two.
Victor Wooten PRIMARILY uses 4 but he does do some 5 string work. Same with Marcus Miller.
Of the bassists I follow, here are 10 that I've known to ONLY use 4 strings:
- Stanley Clarke
- Verdine White
- John Entwistle
- Bootsy Collins
- Bernard Edwards
- James Jamerson (although he tried a 5 and hated it)
- John McVie
- Louis Johnson
- Prince
- Larry Graham
I'm sure there are others and wouldn't be too surprised if some of the guys I've mentioned above have thumped a B string or two.
Perhaps there needs to be a line drawn (not pertaining to fretless 
) on professionals vs. famous professionals. I've known professionals who use whatever they want and some who are extremely traditional. Considering most professionals can play upright and read music, I can't see an extra string or two being that challenging in the grand scheme of things.
) on professionals vs. famous professionals. I've known professionals who use whatever they want and some who are extremely traditional. Considering most professionals can play upright and read music, I can't see an extra string or two being that challenging in the grand scheme of things.ok, how what about some more modern day famous professional folks, i know that the guys from tool, muse, rhcp, and ratm are discussed here a lot. have any of these folks pick up a 5 stringer?
i agree with this statement, and i prefer 4 string basses also, but as the number of big players using 5 & 6 string basses grows, so does the number of records/songs with that low b sound, so i think having a 5 string bass it's becoming a must for a lot of bass players.
so what do you folks with 4 stringers do when you need to play a song with a low B or C. I know a lot of people do drop d?
12 notes.
Obviously low B string allows options, a high C allows options.
Same with altered tuning (Manring, etc).
I sometimes use a bass strung BEAD for certain songs. I might get a 5 in the future if I find one I really like.
I would think 4 string will remain the standard, 5 in second place, and 6 the minority. I love good music played on any of them.
Obviously low B string allows options, a high C allows options.
Same with altered tuning (Manring, etc).
I sometimes use a bass strung BEAD for certain songs. I might get a 5 in the future if I find one I really like.
I would think 4 string will remain the standard, 5 in second place, and 6 the minority. I love good music played on any of them.
Although I mainly play 5 strings, on occasion I make it a point to play a set with just 4 strings. I try to learn songs on the 4 string that I normally play on a 5 string. Sometimes it means moving Eb, low D etc to a higher register and reshaping my bassline just a bit.
There are some songs, however, that just don't sound right to me when I do that, so I just pick up a 5 string. I personally don't bother with tuning BEAD because I have several BEADG tuned basses.
For things that go beyond fret 17-24 on the G string, I wake up the guitarist
