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Why do you play fours?

#201
Gravedigger Dav said:
This is the post the OP said this thread is not about. I'm sure if you look around, there is a thread for people who like 5s.
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And this is the OP's post asking 5-ers not to chime in explaining why they play 5s.

"There is a thread posing the question of why you play more than four - this is not that thread.

I want to know why you play a standard four-string bass. That's it"

Everyone knows Ric5 hates 4-strings - maybe we could have it as a sticky on the top of the basses page so we don't have to read it again for the umpteenth time....
 
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#202
mongo2 said:
I hardly use the G string. I'm not a much of a fan of it. I could probably get away with just the E/A/D strings.
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You should give BEAD tuning a try! :)

Gravedigger Dav said:
We actually agree to a degree.
You really over reacted. All I said was, the OP asked a question about 4 strings and why you play them. Your response had nothing to do with that, rather it was "I play 5s so I'm cooler than all of you'. Responding to a thread with a response that has nothing to do with and, in fact, is contrary to the original post is Trolling.
Say what you want. I'll say what I want.
If my posts are intimidating, then you are awfully fragile. I never meant to intimidate anyone.
If you want others to benefit from your experience, that is great, but do it in the right thread.
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You're derailing the thread with your negativity, brother. At this point, you should just take it to PM or just ignore. We all have the right to discuss our opinions whether you agree with them or not.
 
#205
el_Bajo_Verde said:
You're derailing the thread with your negativity, brother. At this point, you should just take it to PM or just ignore. We all have the right to discuss our opinions whether you agree with them or not.
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I humbly suggest that it was Ric5 who derailed this thread by stating his dislike of 4-strings, when the OP clearly asked "Why do you play fours?".
This is not the first time he's introduced unnecessary drama into a peaceful discussion.
Either way, I'm done with started out as an interesting discussion but soon devolved into yet another drama thread.... :rollno:
 
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#206
superdick2112 said:
I humbly suggest that it was Ric5 who derailed this thread by stating his dislike of 4-strings, when the OP clearly asked "Why do you play fours?".
This is not the first time he's introduced unnecessary drama into a peaceful discussion.
Either way, I'm done with started out as an interesting discussion but soon devolved into yet another drama thread.... :rollno:
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/that part of the thread. @superdick2112 with the mic drop.
 
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#207
Four feels like home, and when I used to sight read I could only do it on a four.

I learned on four strings, switched part-time to 6 for a while, and I have always had the ability to get my hands on a five anytime I wanted one.

I might buy a five string. I have nothing against them anymore, but when I was a teenager I couldn't stand the thought of an odd number of strings just like @Gorn . I also had access to a house five string. Therefore I got a six instead. After spending some time with 6 strings years ago, I started to see the appeal of the fiver.

When I learned fretless it was easier on me than trying to wrestle with that odd number of strings. Nowadays I think it would be easier.

No matter what, I will always likely enjoy my fours the best.
 
#211
my vintage L2000 sounds so warm with finger style, flat wounds, and bridge foam that i just use that when i need a super deep tone, i've tried to play 5 strings a few times, but i've never needed one for the projects i'm in and now that i'm in my 40s it seems unlikely i'll be rocking a 5 unless i win one or somebody gives me one
 
#212
Played a fiver for a while then sat in on a borrowed four string and totally flubbed it. Back then fivers were just beginning to become mainstream and playing hardcore classic country got me a lot of stinkeye from the mossbacks and even cost me a couple jobs so i traded my beautiful all white Peavey Dyna five for a four string Fender and never looked back. A few years ago i started getting calls from people wanting to hire me for modern country bands and the first thing thay wanted to know was if i had a fiver. I went out and got a nice US made Peavey Cirrus fiver and started working on transitioning back. After a few months of it sitting more than it got played i decidedbeing an old dog was not so bad and traded it for a really nice active deluxe four string J bass.
 
#213
twinjet said:
The idea for this thread was spurred by curiosity. There are so many options to choose from these days. There is a thread posing the question of why you play more than four - this is not that thread.

I want to know why you play a standard four-string bass. That's it!

My reasons:
*It's comfortable.
*I enjoy the "classic" aesthetic of a four-string, Leo Fender-designed electric bass.
*Less is more (subjective!!)

Let's hear it.
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Biggiest reason? O.C.D. doesn't allow me to play a 5 string. No joke...the asymmetry there really gnaws at me, but I've been eyeing them up as it would be nice to get some of those lower notes. (maybe the doctor can increase my meds to allow me to play a 5 string without triggering my OCD!)

As for six string, I've thought about it and have tried them in stores. I find the string spacing to be too close for comfort, and in general the fretboards a little too wide for my hands.

Lastly, there is a lot you can do on a four string and I haven't gotten to all of it yet.
 
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#214
I haven't played a 4 strings for the past 11 years. But I ordered a EBMM that should come one day or another.

It was just to play something different and because I've never been a good slapper so who knows. I prefer to play with 6 strings.
 
#216
Jay2U said:
It's comfourtable. One of my fourstringers is tuned BEAD, so if I need low, I've got it. I seldomly use the tiny G-string (on the bass that is). A three string bass would do as well.
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Zactly what I've done and feel about playing the G. You get a stronger tone if you just go up the neck on the D string. I have a Peavey Millenium 4 tuned BEAD, bought a 5 string set and never used the G.
 
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#217
I play 4’s and 5’s, but I find the E string sounds different on a 4, as opposed to a 5 string bass. It sounds more open to me. Less focused. Maybe the wider neck and different tension across the neck account for this perception I have? That said, I also like the sound of an E string on a 5 for my percieved sense that it sounds more focused, when Im looking for that.
 

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