Who's gone from 5 to 4 strings? Are you OK? Will I get over not having a B string?

[bigntasty]

I started playing passive 4-stringers in the '70s, and in '96 took the plunge into a passive 5-string, then into a couple of active 5-stringers - which I've played until last fall. I sold those and am now buying a Fender Reggie Hamilton Jazz, which has 4 strings, a Drop-D Hipshot tuner and active / passive switch. I think the drop-D will keep me happy on most of the low stuff, and I really like then Fender passive sound.

 

[GerManson]

The BEAD thing isn't really for me. I need/want/use my G string.

Is it big deal if you don't play the lower notes when you cover tunes? To me, there are a couple that really need the low notes.

need/want/use/wear ?

 

[Steve Bennett]

I play both 4s and 5s, depending on the situation. For a classic rock gig, a 4 usually does the job. For contemporary Christian, I love my 5. I have a 4 with a D-Tuner, and while it's useful, it's not a substitute for a 5-string. It's great for an open D, but for a tune in Eb it's useless for me.

As far as the 5 hurting your hand, it's probably a technique issue. I think I'd pursue that possibility before I gave up on 5s.

 

[Gintaras]

I did but not getting rid of my 5 string. I find it much more comfortable to play thou I have long fingers and can easily play a 5. I do plan on starting to play a 5 string fretless which will be tuned EADGC and will have a 16mm spacing.

I also find that I can do anything that i need with the 4. In the last year I have seen Marcus Miller, Stu Hamm, Jeff Berlin, Billy Sheehan and tomorrow night Victor Wooten for the 2nd time. They all play 4 strings!!!!!

 

[megadan]

I used to play a 6-string, but I realized that it was largely unnecessary. As well, there were a far larger base of nice 4-strings available to me, so when I saved up my money to buy a high quality bass, I got a 4 string (Musicman Stingray). There's nothing I can't do it with it that I would need to do, so that's what the way it'll stay for a while

You will get over not having a B string once you realize that you have every note possible in the first few frets 2 strings of your choice. When you're playing with a band, you can hit a D on the A string and it's plenty low, especially since it's evenly matched with the guitar octave to octave with all your other notes.

 

[LowBSix]

I jump around from 4 to 6 string and use a Hipshot Drop-D tuner
You've got to think to get used to it...

I've found many singers prefer the 4 due to the octave easier for them to hear...

 

[synterx]

I stick with a 5 purely because I am ready for any song anytime. With two guitarists and me, we decided to keep songs moving, less downtime, that we try to keep guitar changes to a minimum. We even arrange our sets so that there is a minimum of switching. If you play cover songs, a 5 is necessary, unless you want to "cheat" on the low D or B or something. Personally I can't stand it when a bass player doesn't use the low note because he has a 4 string. For me, one 5 string and a backup 5 is all I need. I can play 4 hours straight with no changes.

 

[gjbassist]

I went from four to five then back to four. I found my left hand getting tired easier at gigs due to the wider neck. I miss the B string on a couple of songs but for the most part for my style of music it was just a luxury not a necessity.

 

[HaVIC5]

Yeah, I'd just do the hipshot Detuner. They're great - the only note you don't really have easy access to is the B, and that note really isn't used often unless you're doing the metal thing.

 

[LowBSix]

I do prefer the LowB;

however, I saw Chicago and The Doobie Brothers last summer and both Jason Scheff and Skylark used 4 strings, never dropping below a low 'E'!!!

I love playing bass! Choose what fits and make it work...

Mingus, Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, McCartney, Bruce, Stanley, Jaco all played 4 strings and have done rather well...

 

[Sparkdog]

I played 4 strings for an awful long time before I ever picked up a 5, and I probably never would have picked up a 5 if it weren't for reading Talkbass

And there are definitely times I wish I had never done it! The reason is that once you've worked with a fiver and seen how easily you can transpose patterns into different keys, drop down for a low D or C in those keys, and just absolutely drop the bigass B bomb for effect, it's hard to give it up.

But I will never be as comfortable and confident on a 5 as I am on a 4. If I'm playing something with complex fingering or lots of string skipping I have to do that on a 4. The 4 is just home for me.

I keep a 4 and a 5 on stage now, and we arrange our set to keep changes to a minimum for both the guitarist and myself, but I would still prefer to just play one instrument all night. If I had never tried the fiver that's exactly what I would be doing, because I wouldn't know what I was missing.

This probably sounds pretty mental, and I guess it is. I like the fiver and the versatility it brings, but it certainly complicated my life as a bass player.

 

[Gawd]

I play a 6 string these days and I just can't go back to 4. Every time I pick up my 4 string it just feels small and awkward. I don't see the point in going back to 4 anyways, with a 6 I'm ready for anything.

 

[synterx]

I do prefer the LowB;

however, I saw Chicago and The Doobie Brothers last summer and both Jason Scheff and Skylark used 4 strings, never dropping below a low 'E'!!!

I love playing bass! Choose what fits and make it work...

Mingus, Jamerson, Chuck Rainey, McCartney, Bruce, Stanley, Jaco all played 4 strings and have done rather well...

They also probably have a half-dozen 4-strings tuned to various open strings, D, Db, or whatever. Unless of course all their songs are at 440. Many bands of the 70's and 80's just stuck with regular tunings, so it would be possible.

For years I played my 4 strings, and only when absolutely necessary would play the 5, then switch back. But then I also never got very proficient in the 5, and it was always a problem. So, a few years ago I just said screw it, I'll play only the 5 until it becomes the new norm. It worked. I will never be as comfortable as I am on a 4, but I find it easier to get used to the 5, then dabble in the 4 for fun than the other way around.

 

[JimmyM]

I think every working bassist who does pick-up work should own a 5. A lot of my practice routine centers on 5'ers. But the only way in hell I'll play one on a gig is when someone says, "We have some songs that need a 5-string. Please bring one." I gave up playing 5's onstage 3 years after getting one, and I don't miss it even a little bit.

 

[LowBSix]

I used my 4 string this weekend and loved it...

My 6 string is my main bass, but there are times....

IMHO & IMHE...

What do I know????

 

[bassbully]

Nope! dont miss 5's at all ..see ya! Glad they are gone.

 

[synterx]

I bet there are few people who wouldn't love to stick with 4 strings. But again, unless you are in an original band and have all songs in standard tunings, you have 2 choices. Have several 4 strings to bring, each in unique tunings, have a 5 string, or tune your 4 strings down manually per song as needed. That's it.

Cover bands need more than 4 strings in 440. So I am simply saying to the original poster that sticking with a 5 for live use has advantages.

I see these threads about 4 vs. 5 strings, and almost never does anyone mention the tunings they need to handle.

 

[euronymous]

You will miss the B string. You will drunk dial it after one too many.
You'll tell your friends all about the Low B's attributes & they will tell you
Snap out of it", You'll want to but won't see the point.
You'll drown your sorrows & flirt with Ms. D'addario, Ms. DR even that Hartke set but
They will only remind you of what you lost.......

Thats pretty hardcore

I just sold my 5-string to get a cab, and hate not having it. The string distance is the main thing for me, and being able to be versatile and more creative was great. I play a lot of metal, so I need the B, but I have used in in jazz and sessions for rap too. The only downside I can think of is strings are $5 more expensive... I have small hands so the close spacing keeps me going past the second song in a set. I have been playing my T-bird until I can affored and 5, and its getting on my nerves.

 

[Mikio]

I get you, I've been a 5 string player for like 4 years, but now I bought this Fender Jazz bass that's only 4 strings, I had been longing for a good 4 strings bass, so now 5 strings is only for when I actually need them... I think I feel better with 4

 

[LowBSix]

I bet there are few people who wouldn't love to stick with 4 strings. But again, unless you are in an original band and have all songs in standard tunings, you have 2 choices. Have several 4 strings to bring, each in unique tunings, have a 5 string, or tune your 4 strings down manually per song as needed. That's it.

Cover bands need more than 4 strings in 440. So I am simply saying to the original poster that sticking with a 5 for live use has advantages.

I see these threads about 4 vs. 5 strings, and almost never does anyone mention the tunings they need to handle.

IMHE: Other bassplayers are gonna be the main people to care about whether we are playing the lower notes on a LowB string... We the obsessed ones and most don't even notice the bass unless it isn't there; then they comment that something is missing, but they don't know what it is.... IMHO, it is a mattere of personal taste and if the producer requests it in the studio...

Just play and enjoy what you're playing!!!