Why do you play fours?

[groovaholic]

It's my lack of mental flexibility; I played 5-string (Dingwalls!) exclusively for over 12 years.

Then my daughter started playing. Whenever I'd pick up my P-Bass to show her something, it just felt like "home".

So I horse-traded for a 4-string Dingwall and have been happy ever since...

 

[JRA]

*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.

sounds good to me...couldn't have said it better!

 

[eureka kid]

I had a very old and wise Bass Player tell me once "If you need more than 4 strings, well, maybe you shouldn't be playing the Bass"

 

[Relsom]

... takes more brain power to deal with.

That's my reason right there.
My Kubickis avoid all the rest of that nonsense.

 

[Felken]

I could never work with an odd number of strings. The mental construct that comes up in my head is for two strings and two strings. I couldn't explain it any better if it wasn't 5AM. I kinda get a blue print in my head when I'm playing of where the strings are. It's gotta be two strings and two strings. Having one in the middle confuses me. I've never tried but I think I'd have an easier time with a six string.

Opposite to me. I orient myself around a middle string, so in the case of a 5er, A string.

However, since I've started learning classical pieces, I've been craving that high C string.

 

[kartiste]

What a day for this thread to show up. After figuring out exactly what I needed in a new four-string and getting down to hunting for the deal, I flipped and decided I needed a five after all. Today is Day 1 in learning to play it. Weight is fine (same as my '64 P), B-string tone is fine, cab is good for it, neck is great, but it's unexpectedly a train wreck getting my right hand to find the same strings my left hand is fretting. This is auto-pilot on a four. Well, it's only Day 1. May return to the four-string camp - don't know yet.

 

[the_Ryan]

Tradition View attachment 2877625

The bass in that picture is almost certainly a 3 string, which would've been tuned ADG or GDG.

 

[mongo2]

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.

 

[jazzyvee]

Sentimentality mainly, but some tracks just feel right playing them on a 4 if they were recorded that way.

 

[Member8675309]

The bass in that picture is almost certainly a 3 string, which would've been tuned ADG or GDG.

Yeah, I did that on purpose. Wanted to see who would notice.

 

[sambass]

I play both 4 and 5. There are a couple of reasons why I reach for the 4 instead of the 5. I am not sure if these are all in my head or not though. I find slapping on the 4 to be easier, especially doing Larry Graham style slapping. Typically on the 5 I am not slapping those extra 5 low notes, so the B string is usually just in the way of my thumb, whereas on the 4 I can really let loose. I tend to play more busy/aggressively on the 4 than the 5 too.
I reach for the 5 if I need to reach those lower notes, or if I am not slapping so much and/or want to play less busy/aggressive. Thinking about it I think the reason for playing busier on the 4 vs. the 5 has to do with the notes/scales/arpeggios etc. under my fretting hand. There are more options with the 5 - so mentally I have more decisions to make - do I want to play the G on the 3rd fret of the E or the 8th fret of the B? If I choose the 8th fret of the B I can go two full octaves while only moving my hand 2 positions, all of those notes are available. If I choose the 3rd fret of the E I now have a lower 5th (D on the B string) or a lower major 3rd (open B) available. Having more options = more time spent making a decision/more decisions to be made. On the 4 string if I want to hit a low G it's only available in one spot on the fretboard, no need to think - just play. To tie back to the OP - "Less is more"

Or it's all in my head.

 

[interp]

I mostly play a four string in my mind, even when the bass I'm playing happens to have an additional string hanging below the E.

 

[Doctor Intrepid]

I like the look, sound and feel of it. It's all good!

 

[Member8675309]

What are the freakin’ odds that the upright bass picture I chose to help communicate my desire to play a traditional four string just happens to be a three string? The h€llol.

 

[SaucyJackBass]

Because they don't make a "3" I like.....

 

[waveman]

Four stringers are more comfortable to play. I don't like how the neck feels with 6'rs even though I would like one to play. A Fiver just make me want Sixer.

 

[BobKos]

I have bought several fivers over the years. Every time I have told myself i will become proficient at more than 4 strings. Each time they sat except one. I had an Alembic Epic 5 that I strung EADGC. That bass was good for me because the lower 4 strings emulated a 4 string. Rarely played the Hi-C, so I ended up selling it.

My De-tuner gets me as close to B as I need to, so I play my 4's.

 

[Rip Van Dan]

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've played a 4-string bass since the first POC Japanese bass I bought in 1965. In 1966 I got rid of that and bought a 1965 Fender Jazz. It was stolen in 1976. I play my current ~1982 Fender Jazz (MIA) because it feels just like my 1965, but has more sustain - took me almost 10-years to find a Jazz with that same feel on the neck. I love that bass and it will have to be pried from my cold, dead hands to get it away from me.

I also have a 5-string because I need it for some songs, but my 4-string Jazz just feels like home!

 

[klejst]

My first bass was a four and just always stuck with them so you could say I am just used to them I guess.

 

[Basshappi]

Because I have done so for 40 years.
For me, playing four-string is like being able to walk through the house in complete darkness and not worrying about tripping over any of the furniture.
5+ strings is like someone left a chair in the wrong place.