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Why all the nice high end basses are 5 strings?

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by modulusbassist, Nov 12, 2001.

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  1. Nov 12, 2001 #1
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    I've been searching all over the internet and most of the nice, high end basses are five strings. The only nice 4 strings that I saw was, Zon Legacy Elite, Ken Lawrence Associate 4(love it but ash body, which I already have in my Elrick), Modulus Quantum 4, Alembic Essence, Ken Smith BSR 4 J. Roscoe LG 3000.

    How come there's no 4 strings Citrons, Hanewinckle, Foderas, Warwick Dolphin 4, Sadowsky 4, Marleux 4, Elrick 4, or Brubaker 4? I am so mad and frustrated!!!!:mad:

    I think I might as well buy a guitar for my next pay check, the McInturff Taurus Standard T!!!!Aaaahg!!!
    http://www.aplusguitars.com/taurus_standard_peacock.htm
     
  2. Nov 12, 2001 #2
    Brendan

    Brendan

    Jun 18, 2000
    Portland, OR
    There's Sadowsky, Brubaker, Hanewinckle, and ect 4s. It's just that more often than not, the people with the money want that extra string. Helps justify the cost, don'tcha know?

    and guitar? You sick bastich. ;)
     
  3. Nov 12, 2001 #3
    Luis Fabara

    Luis Fabara

    Aug 13, 2000
    Ecuador (South America)
    Audio Pro - Ecuador
    No Fodera 4 string? Then what does Victor Wooten play?

    No Warwick Dolphin Pro I and Pro II 4 string?
    Of course there are.. I have played a Pro II 4 string.

    All of those brands make 4 string basses.

    Its a shame not ALL of them make 6 string basses.
     
  4. Nov 12, 2001 #4
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    Guitar, hehehe, yeah, but the in stock models are all 5 strings! I don't need the fifth.:rolleyes:
     
  5. Nov 12, 2001 #5
    Angus

    Angus Supporting Member

    Apr 16, 2000
    Palo Alto, CA
    Man, you sure do buy a lot of stuff!
     
  6. Nov 12, 2001 #6
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    I don't want to wait half a year(or more)for them to make a four string, all the floor models are 5 strings, I know there are 4 strings, and try to find "in stock" Victor Wooten 4 strings, good luck!!!!
     
  7. Nov 12, 2001 #7
    Blackbird

    Blackbird Supporting Member

    Mar 18, 2000
    California
    Here's one at Bass Central. Actually, It's a "Pre-Wooten" Monarch, but it has a Kahler trem, which in my opinion makes it more of a "Victor Wooten" model than his post-fame namesakes.

    http://www.basscentral.com/basscombo/fodera/fodera vw cl pre owned pic 2.jpg

    Price: $3500:)
     
  8. Nov 12, 2001 #8
    chump stain

    chump stain

    Oct 15, 2001
    Ferndale, Michigan USA
    what do you guys think, is the 5 string slowly becoming the standard model bass? kind of seems that way.

    I love playing on the 4, but sometimes its nice to have the extra range of a 5.
     
  9. Nov 12, 2001 #9
    Peter McFerrin

    Peter McFerrin

    Jul 4, 2000
    Valencia, CA 91354
    I think it's because the kind of player who's willing to drop $3000 on a bass that isn't a pre-CBS Fender is probably the kind who's interested in expanding his/her range and role in his/her musical situation, and thus wants a 5+ stringer.

    Not to mention that the ratio of crap to quality is much higher in the realm of mid-priced 5-strings than 4s.
     
  10. Nov 12, 2001 #10
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    Chump Stain, I kind of agree with you, just check the instock inventory of exotic basses, for example, in BassNW, there's more multi strings than 4 strings and even less exotic four strings with rosewood or dark finger board.
     
  11. Nov 12, 2001 #11
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
  12. Nov 12, 2001 #12
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
  13. Nov 12, 2001 #13
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    Is this the most likely candidate? why can't there be more bass like this? exactly the kind I want, with rosewood fingerboard and dot inlays.

    Nice. Are there anymore nice 4 strings out there like this in stock?

    http://www.gguitars.com/1024_1.html:)
     
  14. Nov 12, 2001 #14
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
  15. Nov 12, 2001 #15
    funkycarnivore

    funkycarnivore

    Sep 16, 2000
    California, United States
    Hey modulusbassist,
    I'm pretty familiar with the folks at Brubaker, and from time to time, they have some four strings in their stock, which you can purchase directly from them. They usually offer them at unbelievable prices! Otherwise, you can spec one and it'll take around four months to be completed. Worth the wait and worth the money. As a Modulus lover (I've owned a Q5, Q4, and Gen VJ which is for sale), the Brubakers are one of the few that I like even better.
    fc
     
  16. Nov 12, 2001 #16
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    Thanks FC, yeah I've been saving up so I want to get my ultimate 4 strings and I'm kind of frustrated by the limited choice. There's some laklands but the laklands, although gorgeous, just isn't for me.
     
  17. Nov 12, 2001 #17
    Brad Johnson

    Brad Johnson Inactive

    Mar 8, 2000
    Gaithersburg, Md
    DR Strings
    Time for "The World According to Me" again;)


    Historically, it's been much easier to find a nice 4 than a 5. Getting a low B right was not a given. You could find lots of excellent 4's for $1000 or less. Not true of the 5+ strings. So... the people who sought the nice fives gravitated towards people who figured out how to build them. Look around, there are still a lot of sub par 5 strings out there.

    Then there's the issue of what a high end 4 can't do... it can't play as low and as high as a 5 simultaneously.

    Is 5 the standard? Probably not, but it has been for me for almost 20 years:). There still seems to be a pretty strong aversion to them by many bassists... can't say I really understand it but I understand it;)
     
  18. Nov 12, 2001 #18
    modulusbassist

    modulusbassist

    Aug 19, 2001
    Henderson, Nevada
    Not really looking for anything specific, I always lean towards "darker" sounding bass or ones with tons of mids. I like the Fodera and the Sonus, but still waiting what other options I have.
     
  19. Nov 12, 2001 #19
    Munjibunga

    Munjibunga Retired Member

    May 6, 2000
    San Diego (when not at Groom Lake)
    Independent Contractor to Bass San Diego
    Didn't anyone tell you? Nobody plays four-strings any more. Professional players don't even consider them basses. Get with the program. Get a danged five-string. Your dilemma is its own answer. Why do you think you can't find what you're looking for? There's NO MARKET for them. That's all.
     
  20. Nov 12, 2001 #20
    Brad Johnson

    Brad Johnson Inactive

    Mar 8, 2000
    Gaithersburg, Md
    DR Strings
    I lull 'em into a false sense of security and you get 'em riled up:D
     
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