What professional bassists only used 4 strings?

[12stringbassist]

Entwistle had a fair number of 5 string basses in his collection, but only used 4's on stage.

 

[dakpluto]

IIRC, you can add Geddy Lee to that list.

He did technically have 10 strings at some points

 

[colcifer]

The Jaco 5 string pic is cool. Back when he was still down in Florida, he had an acoustic 5'er built but I can't remember who made it.

 

[zogarsag]

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:

• 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.

What about GEDDY LEE --the best of the bunch and you KNOW it....

 

[GregC]

What about GEDDY LEE --the best of the bunch and you KNOW it....

Welcome to TalkBass! You may find that occasionally, many posters do not agree with your personal opinions. Do not be alarmed, this is a normal occurrence for everyone here.

Also, Geddy was mentioned in post 18.

 

[plangentmusic]

The Jaco 5 string pic is cool. Back when he was still down in Florida, he had an acoustic 5'er built but I can't remember who made it.

For Jaco's style, I can see him not being attracted to playing that low, especially since the bass doesn't respond as well in that register.

 

[jnevi9nr]

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.

thanks for the suggestion. i guess i can try that out. anything i should know before i drop tune all my strings?

 

[dumb genius]

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

That is wrong for Larry Graham, in his lesson video he presented 2 of his basses: a 4 and a 5 string bass (Moon Bass JB5 - 5 String Larry Graham Model).
Dont know for the others...

 

[dreizehnbass]

justin chancellor - band: tool
4 string drop d tuning (wal bass)

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justin_Chancellor

 

[lowphatbass]

For Jaco's style, I can see him not being attracted to playing that low, especially since the bass doesn't respond as well in that register.

Huh??

 

[acebase62]

thanks for the suggestion. i guess i can try that out. anything i should know before i drop tune all my strings?

I bought a set of D'Addario EXL170-5 strings, and had the nut slightly refiled for the larger strings. Installed the BEAD strings and re-set intonation/truss rod. Works fine for me when I use it. My bass has a Warmoth jazz bass neck.

 

[acebase62]

The Jaco 5 string pic is cool. Back when he was still down in Florida, he had an acoustic 5'er built but I can't remember who made it.

I think I read the acoustic had a high C, but I may be mistaken.

 

[MyWifeBoris]

John Entwistle used four stringers for every song he ever did except "Trick of the Light" by The Who which I believe he used an eight string with. I might be wrong though.

He rarely, if ever, used anything more than four.

 

[malthumb]

That is wrong for Larry Graham, in his lesson video he presented 2 of his basses: a 4 and a 5 string bass (Moon Bass JB5 - 5 String Larry Graham Model).
Dont know for the others...

Thanks for the update. Just did a quick flash through Sly / GCS / Prince recordings that I have and they were all 4 strings. Funny thing is, I think I have that instructional video!!! I wouldn't be surprised if Louis Johnson has some 5 string stuff out there, too, but I don't own and haven't heard any.

As for Geddy Lee....ok. In all seriousness, I don't own or actively listen to anything that I can identify with him. Don't like or dislike him....he's just not relevant to my listening library. Flame on.

 

[malthumb]

John Entwistle used four stringers for every song he ever did except "Trick of the Light" by The Who which I believe he used an eight string with. I might be wrong though.

He rarely, if ever, used anything more than four.

Wasn't John's 8-string a 4 string with each string double-octaved? So really it plays more like a 4 string, as opposed to having additional range and note selection like a 5 or 6 string? I think John McVie had a similar 8-string set up. Also, would Greg Lake make the 4 string only / 8 string group too?

 

[dakpluto]

Wasn't John's 8-string a 4 string with each string double-octaved? So really it plays more like a 4 string, as opposed to having additional range and note selection like a 5 or 6 string? I think John McVie had a similar 8-string set up. Also, would Greg Lake make the 4 string only / 8 string group too?

Most of the time when somebody mentions an 8-12 string the "coarsed" part is assumed. (the doubled strings) If uncoarsed (non-doubled, 8-12 normal strings) they will usually specify.

Unless it's an odd-number, like a 7, 9, 11, 13, etc string, as that couldn't be doubled.

 

[Meddle]

John Entwistle used four stringers for every song he ever did except "Trick of the Light" by The Who which I believe he used an eight string with. I might be wrong though.

He rarely, if ever, used anything more than four.

I've seen footage of The Who (post Moon with Kenny instead) practicing Sister Disco and Who are You and I think he uses an 8 string on that (it might have been a Ric).

Chris Squire came to my mind.

 

[Brad Johnson]

For Jaco's style, I can see him not being attracted to playing that low, especially since the bass doesn't respond as well in that register.

Get a good one and it responds fine. Very well in fact. Some ridiculously so.

The five Jamerson tried probably did suck... most did back then ( I remember my first retail five, an Aria that looked pretty good). But now he could get one with the same string spacing as his Fender, jack the strings up and wail.

 

[Brad Johnson]

thanks for the suggestion. i guess i can try that out. anything i should know before i drop tune all my strings?

Drop tuning probably won't work taking standard gauge EADG down to BEAD. And if you change gauges that drastically, you might have an issue with the nut. Of course you might not.

Good luck. Last time I did that was over twenty years ago with a Kramer Duke headless bass. I used the regular gauge strings and I could easily bend my "B" string up a fourth. I loved it for all of it's sloppiness.

 

[Staccato]

It's difficult to say what a poll of professional's main axe would show...

IMHO, an overwhelming majority of pros strap on a four for most of their rehearsals & gigs.

Weird sighting this weekend:
There was an eight string bass at GC this weekend (FS: used LTD). It had four groups of two strings with even spacing between each pair of strings.