Why do you play fours?

[Slidlow]

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.

Absolutely nothing wrong with only playing a four. I did and still do. I also use 5 string so I can move up the neck for tighter fret spacing for some more complex things I do. I will have a 6 string next for same reason and to get higher register. They all have their place and uses depending on what you wish to do and comfort level.

 

[ONYX]

The bottom line ( ) is that I really have no need for the extra 5 lower notes. My conception of improvising bass lines puts the low E at the very bottom--everything I "hear" works it's way up from there. I'm sure I could change my way of thinking, but after 37 years of playing it my way, I really don't see the point.

 

[Crunch61]

I chose to play 4 as when I was growing up, all the legends I loved played 4, and now I find more strings is just too messy!

 

[TDR1138]

[QUOTE="Wisebass, post: 20846045, member: 302385]

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This one does make me want to play a 5er...

 

[LanEvo]

I've tried four, five, and six strings (haven't gone beyond that). Both fretted and fretless versions of each.

I find myself coming back to plain old 4-string fretted basses. I like the feel and aesthetics. Many basses I love most ('60s P and J basses, for example) don't come in any other configuration anyway.

 

[40Hz]

…is this topic so sensitive that only those who agree can say anything?

Not at all. So by all means put in your tuppence. It provides perspective and prevents tunnel vision.

I think some people here are just a little irritable and touchy because we've got some very vocal 5-string players that tend to show up and troll threads like this one. I’m thinking it’s more you might have erroneously been mistaken for one of them rather than it’s nobody’s interested in your own perspective.

Hang in there. It wouldn’t be TB without somebody taking you head off for something you said with good intentions. Been there myself, so I know.

 

[Selios]

I play a 4 string. It’s allure for me is the same thing many find limiting. I prefer the restriction of four string. It forces me think about what I’m playing - to plan the notes and pattern of notes I’m playing. I play better on a four string because I compose better. There are distinct advantages to a 5 or even 6 string bass, but I’ll stick with the four for now.

“Creativity flourishes within limitations”

I think Neil Peart said that. I agree. One might argue that my 4s tuned BEAD are quite “limited”, but they can do everything I need them to and I compose with them sometimes, so I would just call them “focused”.

 

[JakeyBran]

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.

I don’t really have a desire/need to play lower notes than I already have. Occasionally it’d be nice to hit a low D or a low B but not a necessity. I think I’ll add a 5 string to the stable one day, but Id have to get a heck of a deal on it because I wouldn’t play it as much as my fours.

 

[sharkwagon]

My bad habits only support 4 strings. Even that is a stretch at times

 

[TrevorR]

If I played P&W I’d probably own a 5. All them big pads they use in that music.

I hear that said a lot... been playing P&W music of all forms on a weekly basis for over 30 years. All that time I’ve never come across a song where I thought to myself, “Oh rats. I really need a 5 string for this song.” Never even thought, “Hmmm, a 5 string might be helpful for this song.”

 

[Whil57]

If i wanted to play higher frequencies, i'd play my guitar. Because the viols all have four. Lower notes sound undefined to me.

 

[mikewalker]

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.

I have a 5-string arpeggione (tuned in 4ths) that I have no problem with. I have a six-string bass viola da gamba (tuned in 4ths but with a 3rd in the middle) that I am OK with. But my brand new (soon to be sold!) 5-string electric bass guitar HURTS MY BRAIN. It's just not natural...

 

[dukeorock]

I hear that said a lot... been playing P&W music of all forms on a weekly basis for over 30 years. All that time I’ve never come across a song where I thought to myself, “Oh rats. I really need a 5 string for this song.” Never even thought, “Hmmm, a 5 string might be helpful for this song.”

I played P&W for about a decade. Used a 4. Just some friends seem to find 5’s useful there these days, along with freakishly large pedalboards
Could be fun

 

[Mr.Ace]

I don’t anymore

 

[Coolhandjjl]

Because I only have four fingers.

That’s why guitarists are moody and unstable. They start out everyday feeling outnumbered and feel they have prove something.

 

[Jim C]

I learned on a 4
It gets the job done
Much easier to play
Don't like the low B in a live mix
With a fulltime job, kids, etc. I don't have the time to master it right now

OTOH If I was a pro, I would have to be able to play both without thinking

 

[Flamingo21]

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!!)

I have the same reasons.

 

[dukeorock]

I learned on a 4
It gets the job done
Much easier to play
Don't like the low B in a live mix
With a fulltime job, kids, etc. I don't have the time to master it right now

OTOH If I was a pro, I would have to be able to play both without thinking

Naw! I play bass for a living and don’t own a 5

 

[Runlikegregg]

I've never even tried a 5

 

[SLO Surfer]

I want to know why you play a standard four-string bass

because I'm a bass player.