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Why do need more than 4 strings?

#42
I spent the better part of 25 years playing 4-strings. I play a lot of meat-and-potatoes types of gigs. IMO/IME a 4 string can cover any of the gigs that I play.

But now that I'm confortable playing a 5-string, I don't think I'll ever go back to playing a 4-string exclusively. Having a B-string helps me to play more in position, which in turn helps me to concentrate more on my singing.

I still take a 4-string along to all of my gigs. -Usually my P-Bass strung with flatwounds.

When I play in a trio format I find that the 6-string bass opens up a lot of chordal and two handed (ala Roscoe Beck) concepts that help fill in the sound.
 
#44
I found out, by playing a 6-stringer for a while now, that I use the high C alot more than the low B. I like the chording possibilities the high C offers. More root-oriented, rhythmical stuff going on on the B (in my playing). But that's just my preference. :)

(though I think someone said similar stuff earlier on this thread)
 
#45
why do you need more than 4 strings? ya know, thats a good question. it's sort of like asking why you need more than 2 dollars ? or why does a car need to go more than 35mph? or why does my grandma smell funny? :) why is there air? howcome a fish cant climb mt winatumbo? why cant i play like stanley, or jaco?....i got the same bass....... in tne imortal words of richard prior..GET EM OFF ME...somebody? By the way, why doesn't my spell check work? :(
 
#47
i like a few extra strings just in case i need a place to put a drink. it's also cool to freak out people in the audience by making them think you're playing a weird banjo.

seriously, i started playing 5 string because there were some songs that needed the low Eb. and i'm too lazy to tune down.
 
#49
Lowner said:
i was going to buy this 6 string that was in my price range but i decided to sleep on it. Now I wake up with this question on my mind. Is it the novelty of the basses with more than 4 srtings or is there something musically that makes basses with more strings better than the old 4 string or so popular right now?
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They have a wider range.
So form a musical standpoint what is the use of more than 4 strings.
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You can play those extra notes.
It seems that a 4 string has served me well and I dont really see a need for more strings especially when i am not in a band and I dont see myself using the extra strings that often since most bass music was done with the 4 string in the first place.
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Then don't buy one with more strings.
Tell me why do you need more than 4 strings?
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I don't need them, I just like them.
I have to be missing something.
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No you're not. It's horses for courses.
 
#50
man and i thought this topic was done so many times that nobody would be interested in talking about it and there is always the search function thingy to find things

i guess i was wrong and this has turned out to be quite a conversation

wow

i like both 4 and 5 string but i'm thinking in becoming an erb player so i can tap and do chords and stuff :hyper:
 
#51
Look at the best bassplayer in the world Billy Sheehan, he uses a 4-string bass and plays awsome bassolos like tapping, "sweepicking" (in fingerstyle :P ofcourse) So i don't think you need more then 4-strings.
Maybe 5 if you wan't a low B. or you can get a 4-string bass, that you can lower the E string easy to a Low B. Look at the Billy Sheehan signature attitude II, and you now what i mean.


4-string rocks!
 
#54
asking why you need more than 4 is like asking why you need a bass player ...


why? you still ask ... because in the right hands the estra string(s) provide the opportunity to enhance the listener's music experience ... and in the wrong hands it makes you want to play an accordian

but then if you're asking why you obviously don't get it :help: - so spare us the latest soundbites from your accordian trio, OK?

:hiding:

all the best,

R
 
#55
Skepp said:
Look at the best bassplayer in the world Billy Sheehan, he uses a 4-string bass and plays awsome bassolos like tapping, "sweepicking" (in fingerstyle :P ofcourse) So i don't think you need more then 4-strings.
Maybe 5 if you wan't a low B. or you can get a 4-string bass, that you can lower the E string easy to a Low B. Look at the Billy Sheehan signature attitude II, and you now what i mean.


4-string rocks!
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You've got me convinced. I'll begin chopping the extra strings off my bass, right away!
 

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