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Who has gone from more than 4 string back to only 4 strings

SteveC

SteveC

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2004
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#1
I know, but there was a 4 to 6 thread so I thought I'd try this. I have been playing a 5 string for a long time. There were a couple short stints with 4 but basically, for 10-12 years I have been a 5 string guy. I play at church and am going to start with a cover band again next month. I like some music (smooth jazz) that makes use of low B (and high C) once in a while but that's mostly playing along at home. We do transpose stuff at church and the 5 is nice for that sometimes. I use the B but could probably get by if I didn't have it. I almost always play with a keyboard player so the "octave down, last note of the song" thing is covered.

Every so often I think about "simplifying" things or making myself take a different approach to shake things up a bit. Going to a 4 string would make me "rethink" how I approach tunes, and even redo how I play some tunes. I have been playing a lot of tunes the same way for a long time. Joining the old cover band has me thinking that I'd like to change it up this time around.

I know it's a personal and situational thing, but I'm wondering how much players who have made the switch really miss their "extra" strings and options, or if it has opened up other doors for them.
 
#4
lz4005 said:
There's no reason you have to play only one number of strings.

I play 2, 4, 5, 6 or 8 as appropriate for the gig. It's no big deal.
Click to expand...

I agree. But I have a self-imposed limit of one bass. I just wonder how much I'd really miss my B string and how much is what I've talked myself into. I'm get at playing mind games with myself.
 
#5
After years of playing a standard 5 string and a EADGC tuned 5, I switched over to a 4 string a few years ago and never looked back. Sometimes I still pick up the EADGC from and feel like I might be missing the C but when I return to my 4 I find that I really don't need it. Honestly, I think downsizing may have helped me creatively as well, it forced me to think vertically along the neck instead of always in the box. All that said, I agree with lz4005, there's no real reason to switch or limit yourself. I only switched because the 4 string's tone just blew me away.
 
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#6
I played 4 strings for about 35 years then got the urge to try 5 and was hooked. Played them exclusively for about 10 years in rock bands then changed to a 60s band and soon realised that I wasn't using anything below bottom E.

I switched to a violin bass (for the image) about 2 years ago and mostly loved it but GAS struck recently and bought a G&L SB-2 a few days ago so the violin bass is relegated to my spare now.

Still love my L-2500 (and own a SR5 that I like) and play them at home but they don't see any gigs these days.
 
#7
Dietz said:
I went from 5 back to 4. I thought I would miss it, so threw a hipshot on one. I hardly ever need it! :). I'll get a fiver again at some point, but life's just fine in the land of fours.
Click to expand...
Same here. I have drop D pegs on all my E strings though. I only have one song I had to play "up" though. A Stevie Ray Vaughn 1-4-5 song tuned down in Dflat on the record. I end up playing it on the A string for the D flat and walk from there. In the 60+ songs we play that is the only one I missed my low B string on, but it's not a big deal
 
#10
Oh, Steve.

Thou loves thine Roscoe 5-string. If you're limiting yourself to one bass, and you have a bass that you love, seriously think about leaving this alone. (You'll want another Roscoe 5 again before you know it.)

I hear you on trying stuff out, thinking differently about the instrument, etc. But you've done this ride before... Loved being back to a 4-string for awhile, and then gone back to 5-string, and then 4-string, and then 5-string. Based on your history, you will go to a 4-string, love it for a while, and then want a 5er again. That's fine, too, as a path; then, just accept it and enjoy the ride.

SteveC said:
I'm good at playing mind games with myself.
Click to expand...

True dat.
 
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#11
Sweet Willie said:
Thou loves thine Roscoe 5-string. If you're limiting yourself to one bass, and you have a bass that you love, seriously think about leaving this alone.
Click to expand...
This^

If your dead set on a four, why not grab a Sire for cheap and keep the Roscoe too so you don't make a decision you'll end up regretting later.
 
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#12
Papa Walsh said:
This^

If your dead set on a four, why not grab a Sire for cheap and keep the Roscoe too so you don't make a decision you'll end up regretting later.
Click to expand...

I have thought about that, but I tried to go the "cheap bass" route before and I just don't like them. Call me spoiled - and I am - but a cheap four won't please me. :cool:

If I decide to try a four, I'll probably have to just suck it up and get a decent one.
 
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#15
SteveC said:
I know, but there was a 4 to 6 thread so I thought I'd try this. I have been playing a 5 string for a long time. There were a couple short stints with 4 but basically, for 10-12 years I have been a 5 string guy. I play at church and am going to start with a cover band again next month. I like some music (smooth jazz) that makes use of low B (and high C) once in a while but that's mostly playing along at home. We do transpose stuff at church and the 5 is nice for that sometimes. I use the B but could probably get by if I didn't have it. I almost always play with a keyboard player so the "octave down, last note of the song" thing is covered.

Every so often I think about "simplifying" things or making myself take a different approach to shake things up a bit. Going to a 4 string would make me "rethink" how I approach tunes, and even redo how I play some tunes. I have been playing a lot of tunes the same way for a long time. Joining the old cover band has me thinking that I'd like to change it up this time around.

I know it's a personal and situational thing, but I'm wondering how much players who have made the switch really miss their "extra" strings and options, or if it has opened up other doors for them.
Click to expand...
I went from 4 to 5 to 7 to 5 to 4 and back to 5 over the last 20+ years. I prefer 5s because of the size of my hands really not much else to it. I even recently wrote a song on 4 string and then recorded it on a 5. To me being more limited can push me in different directions creatively which can be cool but I always come back to 5 string because it's just the most comfortable for me. I would expect someone with smaller hands could prefer 4 string for the very same reason.
 
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#16
lz4005 said:
That's the problem then.
Click to expand...

True. I could probably have two - wife is supportive and all - but I don't like switch mid set or mid gig and I like to just keep it simple. If I had a 4 and a 5, I don't know that I'd be able to pick. I'd take the 5 so I'd have all my options and the 4 would probably sit. If I only have the 4, it gets played and I rethink my playing and save some dough.
 
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#17
SteveC said:
True. I could probably have two - wife is supportive and all - but I don't like switch mid set or mid gig and I like to just keep it simple. If I had a 4 and a 5, I don't know that I'd be able to pick. I'd take the 5 so I'd have all my options and the 4 would probably sit. If I only have the 4, it gets played and I rethink my playing and save some dough.
Click to expand...

If you are a gigging bass player it is unprofessional not to have a backup bass.

There is no reason to "pick". Just play whichever is appropriate for the gig. Bring the other one in case the first one has a problem.
 
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