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

[69Jazz]

I played only 4s for years. About 15 years ago, I got the bug for 5 and a Modulus at the same time. I found nice one on the bay and snagged it. I played that thing for 2 years or so pretty much exclusively. In that time, I never felt as comfortable as I did on the jazzer. After my pre amp battery died during soundcheck one gig, I busted out the backup, the 1969 Jazz. From the first note, I was like "hello old friend. What the hell have I been doing?" I have never gone back to a 5. I still have the jazz, I have long since traded the Modulus.

 

[armybass]

I played a 6 string for years in the 90's and early 2000's then settled mostly on 5's for years after that. Now I am firmly back into only 4's..... and passive ones with flat wounds at that.

 

[HalW]

I play a six string primarily. I like the versatility but I like the speed of a four string neck occasionally. I keep my four strings tuned down to BEAD

 

[ba55i5t]

Some have mentioned already, but the key here is that contained on the 5 string bass is the 4 string bass. Use the B string as a thumb rest if needed.

Depending on the drop-d tune, I actually prefer playing the D third fret vs detuning the 4 string.

IMHO YMMV just go and have fun!

Edit: I'll also mention I went from 4 to 6 to 4. I have a 5er but its a project bass. My main is a 4

 

[Sweet Willie]

Nonsense! I've been reading TB a long time and I've learned quite a few things. One of them is that there are many professionals who never have had a bass fail and think bringing a back up is a waste of time... <snip> ...If you can't trust TB to know that a single 4 string bass without straplocks is all you "need" then who can you trust? I hear that it's just like "going home"... or in my case back to high school when a single 4 string bass without straplocks was all I could afford.

Ha! It's funny -- when I only had one bass was the only time in my life when I actually broke a string while performing...twice! (Once in high school, once in college.) Once I had two basses, I never had that happen again. Ever. Even on that same original bass on which I broke strings previously. So, apparently when I have a backup, I don't need it. When I don't have a backup, I do. Ah, life...

Keep lovin' that Roscoe, Steve!

 

[fingerguy]

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.

I hear what you are saying but I also notice many of the famous bass players only play 4. IMHO that says something.

 

[davidjbass]

I am making the transition back to 4 string after playing 5's for the past 20 years. Now that I have quit the cover band scene and focusing on originals I find that I don't need a 5. I am keeping one 5 string to have just in case I need it. But I am finding that I am really digging playing a 4 again. Especially when it comes to funk which is what my original band is doing. But when it comes down to it apples verses oranges play what you like and love.

 

[bazzanderson]

I played 4s from 1989 until about 2000-2001. Switched to 5ers exclusively for about 8 years or so and loved it but went back to 4s with the last 3 bands I've played with. I love 5ers but a 4 does everything I need in my current situation. I don't own a 5er anymore but will again. As much as I liked playing a 5er I honestly can't say I missed anything when I went back to a 4. I remember (early 2000s) seeing a lot of 5ers on stage but not so much anymore.

 

[stoddart]

Started on 4s, but I played 5s and 6s for a long time. One of my favorite basses was a Heartfield 6, the neck-thru model. She was a sweet instrument. Now I still own a 5, but play exclusively 4-strings. I also use a Hipshot Xtender.

 

[kkaarrll]

started on 5, tried 4, tried 4 BEAD, feels weird

 

[JimmyM]

I'm looking at going this route as well. Do you use a 5 string set and throw out the G? What gauges are you using and do the strings get floppy?

Nope, I use a standard 4-string set and drop the pitch with an EHX Pitch Fork.

 

[Sixgunn]

Not me. Taking my B string would be like taking a kidney

 

[AngelCrusher]

Me. I will always have a 5 because it's a must in my area of work, but I love 4's.

I also had a 6 and am glad I scratched that itch. For me there is nothing more satisfying than playing jazz/fusion solos on a 4 string Pbass. Probably because so many think you need high end boutiques to do so, when it's really more about your hands, talent and work ethic.

 

[SteveC]

As you like Roscoes, Roscoe is planning on adding a "traditional" jazz bass to their lineup. My understanding is that it should be available early next year.

I wasn't sure if that information was "out there" yet, but Gard did message me about a "Roscoe Jazz" bass coming soon.

I think I'll always own a 4 string passive, 5 string active, and a fretless at a minimum because I never know what gig will come knocking on my door.

I got rid go my fretless a while ago as I just didn't use it - even for "jazz" gigs. I think a passive 4, active 5 and fretless is a great arsenal though.

I've always felt that a 5-string bass can do everything a 4-string can do...

You will miss the B-string.

If you want to "rethink" how you approach tunes, or simplify things, you don't need to switch to a 4-string to do that. You can do that on your 5-string, too.

The best way to challenge yourself and change things up is to listen to new and unfamiliar genres of music. You'll discover new approaches to the bass.

Great advice.

Why don't you buy your 4 and keep the Roscoe temporarily. If you find yourself not using the 5, and have genuinely lost interest in it, sell it. Otherwise, change the rule.

If I could find a "good" four at a decent price this would be an option.

For me there is nothing more satisfying than playing jazz/fusion solos on a 4 string Pbass. Probably because so many think you need high end boutiques to do so, when it's really more about your hands, talent and work ethic.

True, many people solo just fine on a 4 (or 5) but I also love the playing of some jazz/fusion guys who use a 6. That added range and ease of playing around the 12-17 fret without being so cramped up at the 24th all the time is appealing as well. That's why I haven't completely eliminated my old 6 string that's for sale.

I'm not sure that I would be happy with a four (I could make it work and live with it) and while I pine for my old six (and it's for sale) I'v also not made full use of that either. I'm probably realizing that a 5 is a great compromise for me, I feel comfortable on it, it plays itself, and sounds and looks amazing.

 

[DWBass]

Went to 5's in 1991. Started getting back into my 4's around 2004. I still play both but prefer playing the 4.

 

[micahwc]

I've always loved 5 strings, but as I get older I want less weight wherever possible and the wider neck is starting to bother my arthritic hands more so than my four strings. Since the lowest I ever play on a 5 is low D, I've got a 4 string tuned to D standard. I think for me a hipshot D-tuner would be the best solution.

You figure a 24 fret 34" scale bass has a fretboard that's 25 inches long, you have an extra 1/2"x30"x1" worth of wood hanging on the side that adds probably a pound or two of weight.

 

[Robroy]

I started playing in 1998. My first bass was a fiver. I now have six bases. Two fivers, a sixer and the rest four. I've gone to just the fours for a while, then go back to the five and so on. I find that I really prefer to stick with one or the other overall, and in the last year decided that if I'm going with one it will be a fiver.

Fact is, even if I never go below E I still find that I can use the five more effectively because I never need to go to open strings (I'm not a fan of open strings). And it's amazing how much I use the low D when it is there for me.

Also, I joined a southern Gospel band about 2 years ago and just used their bass, a Made in America Fender Jazz. four string. It worked just fine. But about 4 months ago I started bringing my own Yamaha BBN5 with 18 volt Bartollinis. Not only did the songs become just easier to play, but I was able to add a lot more "tasteful" fills than I could with the four. I'm just a lot more creative with a five.

 

[MojaveVox]

The first bass i had was a 5 string, it's what i learned on and needless to say adjusting to a 4 was a tad bit of a learning curve. In the end i think it helped me by giving my hands greater dexterity and a tolerance for thicker necks. That being said i've since used 4 stringers exclusively, and i have no intention of getting an extended range bass any time soon.

 

[Eilif]

I was a 5-er guy for almost a decade but when I joined a country band I just had no use for it. My classic-style 4's got all my playtime and when I left that band I never got back into 5's. I down-stringed my Fretless option from 5er to a 4 string last year and as soon as my last fretted 5er gets back from the shop, I'll sell it too. I just don't find that much use for it and a 1.75" 4 string neck just fits perfectly in my hands.

One thing I am strongly considering is at some point making my best bass (a 35" Carlo) a BEAD, as I do like the sound of a B string but that's a good ways off. I need to enjoy it stock for a while first and as I keep asking myself. "When was the last time you missed the B string while playing?"

 

[Gyver]

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.

Played a 5-string exclusively from 1990 to 2010. Since 2010 have only played 4-strings and do not miss the 5-string one bit.