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Why do you play fours?

#244
I play 4 because I think there is a good tonal balance between all strings. I also play 5, 6 and I even have played 7 string basses. About 7 years ago when I started playing in Orchestras I started to become more aware of the range of the bass. Very rarely we go into cello territory. It's funny how sometimes we play solos higher than the actual bass range. And I see people trying to play chords and stuff, and a lot of this stuff falls out of the bass range. I think it's cool to play a bass solo using those low notes that only our instrument can play! I also prefer using a D -tuner whenever I can instead of having a B string. My reasoning is because i think lower notes sound better with a greater string length, and of course on the 5th string we play lower notes with a shorter string length...
With all of that in mind i still play 5 and 6 string basses occasionally because music is awesome and there are no rules!!! If it feels right, do it!!!
 
#246
I play 4,5 and 6 and I like them all,
But I will tell you why I LOVE playing a four string.

1. It feels great, no restricting C string getting in the way...i can get aggressive on the bass easily! Great for percussive playing, double thumbing, popping with no restrictions or flapping B string!
2. Some gigs require a classic looking 4...if you bring a 5 or 6 people look at you funny! :P
3. It is the original format for the electric bass, and I respect that!

I will always carry a four string in my arsenal, and I often select the four string for my duo gigs where i play really percussive stuff.

Love 'em :D
 
#247
I think we all have our predispositions on the instrument, here are mine (not having played a 5 string, so maybe not a complete set of thoughts): 4 string is about a 400 year tradition, so (insert wry comment), I do Drop D and that's well enough, bass cabinets for the most part don't provide a level response for that B, I like what I have with 4 strings, and if i looking to extend register, I would go higher, and also use more of the neck, so get off my lawn ;-)
 
#253
Never really cared for 5string+, I try them out whenever I'm at a instrument store just to mess around but I'll never buy one. 4 strings work perfect for my playing style and the music that I want to play. My old guitarist kept bugging me to get one and every-time he'd suggest it I was more adamant to refuse.
 
#256
I find it more comfortable to play a narrow spaced 5 or especially a 6, because the strings are closer together and I have more note range under my fingers. Plucking the strings so far apart feels like work. Playing a 4 isn't as comfortable to me, it's a bit like driving a tractor.

So why do I play a 4? Why did I buy the Kramer P bass last summer? And why do I still pick it up regularly? Because there was a lot of great music recorded on essentially that same kind of bass. A lot of music I enjoy. Playing it on the type of instrument used originally helps put me in the right mindset. I find myself playing differently (than a 5+) because I have to, and a different sound comes from doing that. As soon as I had new strings and it tuned, first song I played I did differently than I would have on a 5, even a song that didn't use B string.
 
#257
Partly because it's what I'm used to, but also because I don't like the sound of the lower string. I don't even like tuning down to D. There's nothing I want to play that's any lower than EADG standard. I'd tune down a half step if I was in a band that wanted to do that, but that's about it. I've heard a lot of bands that make it sound great, I just have no interest in doing it myself.
 
#258
i just like 'em. i can wham on the low string, whether it's E or drop D, without worrying about a string below it, the neck is thinner, and it just feels right. i played a loaner 5 as my only bass for a couple years, extra long scale, and i couldn't reach around the base of the neck, but i didn't mind. i just prefer a 4.
 
#260
gsgbass said:
I've been playing fours for 50 years now. I'm very comfortable with the size of most of the four string fretboards. Everything I want, or need in playing a bass, can be accomplished with a four. That's about it for me.
Click to expand...
Yeah, me too. I am not really sure when builders started doing 5 & 6 string basses, but they didn't build them 50 years ago when I started playing and I never felt the need or desire to buy one.
Makes me wonder how all those orchestral players manage to get by without 5 string cello and double bass???
 
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