Why do you play fours?

[Ductapeman]

For decades four-strings were pretty much all we had-- there was that weird Fender five-string with the high C string that no one understood, so no one bought it, especially since it cost more than a new P Bass-- this was back in the days when bass amps were powered by steam-- we had eight-string basses well before a successful five-string. All this is a lead up to this: I love playing my fives, because I love making earthquakes, but I don't feel at all undergunned on a four, and the sonic gap is narrowing fast with octave doublers, midi/FM synthesis and a number of other technologies. And besides, it's easier to cop Larry Graham on a four-string Jazz-- This is why the new Roland pickup is going on the fretless Jazz four instead of one of the fives--

 

[Skerrvydog]

Bass=4 strings.

somebody said that once and i subscribe

 

[LowActionHero]

I only play a 4 string cuz nobody makes a 3....

 

[Samason]

Hi twinjet

because I have one! ('73 Fender Jazz bought in 1985)

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why should I ever stop playing that bass?




okay! this is not that thread but...

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(can' t stop playing this one either ) both are different beasts for different stuff.

greetings

Wise(b)ass

Wisebass can you please tell me what this beautiful 5 string is ? I just must know .i want one

 

[sotua]

Because the bass I like has four strings?

 

[xnewyorka]

A 5 string only adds 5 notes, so unless a song calls for it, I will play 4 first.

Well, technically, it adds 5 _distinct_ notes. But it adds as many notes as you have frets, and therein lies the major benefit: More available notes from a given hand position on the neck.

 

[Calaverasgrande]

Well I started on 4 strings, then I went to 5 strings for a while.
At some point I realized I had passed up just being competent on bass and was oveplaying quite a bit.
The fact that you can hit two whole octaves from a single position doesn't help!
I dug out my old 4 string and two things were immediately evident.
First off I was putting much less though into my playing, as the 4 string felt like and old pair of jeans. It just fit in my hand, and my fingers just arrived where the notes were needed with not effort.
Second was that I could much more easily generate tasteful basslines on a 4.
The 5 string simply compels me to use all the strings, making me sound like a jerk.

There is hope yet. I think at some point I'm going to get together a 5 string and tune it up to a baritone range. Instead of a Low B or C for the bottom string. Possibly start at A above the normal bass guitar E.
Then use it for chordal stuff. I'm thinking a medium scale Japanese Fender 5-er would be great for this. Did they make those?

 

[Dr. Cheese]

I specifically played a P-bass with flats because so many younger players do it, that it made me curious. I also have been playing a four because my teacher uses one, and it is easy to visualize what he is talking about.

Playing a four has been great. It is a reminder that bassists great and not so great covered the bottom with EADG, and sounded good!

Last year was a blast, but I spend a whole lot more quality time on my fives in 2018.

 

[bobba66]

4 is more.

 

[Kukulkan61]

Been playing for like 40 years, always played 4 string but I did play a 5er for a very short stint of my music endeavors maybe 2 years, I went back to 4 and never looked back, Hell im still learning the 4 string, you never stop learning...

 

[Hevy T]

When I learned to play almost 30 years ago there were only 4 strings. The first 5ver I ever seen was a Yamaha in the video for Would I lie to you by the Erythmics. Never got one till recent years, so a 4 just feels so much more natural to me

 

[lowfreqgeek]

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???

A) 5 and 6 strings have been commercially available for 40+ years.
B) 5 string double basses and C-extensions have been around for at least 300 years - possibly more.

 

[Acoustic356]

Well, technically, it adds 5 _distinct_ notes. But it adds as many notes as you have frets, and therein lies the major benefit: More available notes from a given hand position on the neck.

Yes... I addressed that when I said "it forces me to think about note voicing" - When I switched to 4 string it opened up my understanding of the instrument immensely...

It's all personal choice.

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I’ve never felt the need for more than four.

 

[sheltjo6]

Because a standard jazz bass neck fits my hand perfectly. I’ve owned a 5 string bass once, but never really used the B string. So I went back to playing 4 string basses.

 

[Davbassdude]

4's are all I have and want to play. Also, I don't like fat or "chunky" necks.

 

[manfish]

Theres a specific energy to a four string bass. I find it most pleasing sonically and esthetically as well in the tradition of the OG greats. Jamerson, Macca, Bruce, Ox, Larry, etc etc. I also find a 4 stg is more aggressive and tough sounding. I prefer a four string tuned BEAD if I should need the lows. Its also a sub genre thing. Some heavy rock / metal, fusion, prog, R&B seems to suit a 5 or at least is standard issue. If its R&R or funk its a 4 to me. I have a fretless 5 acoustic bass.

 

[reddesert]

Because whenever I play in 3/4 it sounds like a waltz.

Wait, what was the question?

 

[bassbully]

Although I only play my five today I dearly miss my fours and still love them. To me a good P bass with flats is thee bass for me since I’m a simple play the song, outline the chords player.
I do however love the five for it’s range and ease of playing. That E position on the big ol’ B Covers 90% of the songs from that middle E position. For that reason I play a five now.

 

[5StringBlues]

I had a bunch of 4's before I switched to 5 for my main gig.



They are good basses and I like to horde,so...................