Why do YOU play more than four?

[Munjibunga]

Mine go to five.

 

[Kwesi]

I'd like to add to my previous answer that is fun to watch people try and count the number of strings and then ask me after clearly counting for 10-odd minutes "Wow! Is that a six string bass?!" at which point the bass doubles as a bludgeoning weapon.

 

[DaneB]

I'd like to add to my previous answer that is fun to watch people try and count the number of strings and then ask me after clearly counting for 10-odd minutes "Wow! Is that a six string bass?!" at which point the bass doubles as a bludgeoning weapon.

Hehe, that would be cool.

 

[capnsandwich]

you're kidding, right? doesn't matter where you are, if you're auditioning, you're asking to be a part of someone else's gig. therefore, you provide what they want, or they're not gonna want you. that's not that hard, is it? i mean, that's the way it is for any job, isn't it?

i've gotten a decade and a half of insults, derision and snide comments questioning my manhood, my motivations, my musicality and my sanity FROM OTHER BASSISTS about my bass choices. no other instrumentalists have been nearly so threatened by my instrument choice than other bass players.

you should see the hateful crap i've had to put up with in emails and even other websites - bunny bass had a whole page dedicated to insulting me and my basses.

i've heard a bunch of "pros" completely dis my instrument choice - stood right next to jeff berlin as he totally slagged everything from the wood to the construction to the appearance and purpose of one of my basses at a namm show, apparently without him realizing the instrument's owner was standing on one side of him, and the instrument's builder was on the other.

one of the prime reasons i became so involved at talkbass back in 2000 when i first became a mod was because of that crap, in fact. it was no different here, back then, and folks really went out of their way to insult erb players. i put a quick halt to it here - see rules regarding erb players stickied at the top of the forum . i've tried to be involved at other forums too, since then, and spread the good word.

but it's been an uphill battle at a lot of places.

Why are so many bassists so insecure in their musicianship to the point where they start putting down someone else's instrument because it has more strings than they would like on their bass? To me that's just insecurity seeping from their pores. I've never had the opportunity to play anything over a 6 string but if the opportunity arose then I'd be the first one to try it. We bassists can be so closed minded.

 

[Darkstrike]

Why are so many bassists so insecure in their musicianship to the point where they start putting down someone else's instrument because it has more strings than they would like on their bass? To me that's just insecurity seeping from their pores. I've never had the opportunity to play anything over a 6 string but if the opportunity arose then I'd be the first one to try it. We bassists can be so closed minded.

Yeah, thats the whole brotherhood between bassists in full effect.:scowl:


God how did the five string ever get popular in the first place, I mean, it wasn't a four string Jazz, why would anyone want anthing else.

 

[NickyBass]

i've tried to be involved at other forums too, since then, and spread the good word.

but it's been an uphill battle at a lot of places.

You know, that is one of the prime reasons that I get involved in all the new threads that pop up. I don't necissarily---or particularly--care what someone thinks about my bass choice. I'll play what I want. However, I think the voice of the 'boutique' or 'erb' community needs to be heard. Otherwise, it's just a bunch of guys on some diatribe about things that they know not.

Rarely do I see someone change their mind. After all, if someone continully insults others on the net about such trivialities as bass choice, then there is little hope. Though, every once in a while, someone starts to realize that there is merit in these things.

I'm big on supporting people regardless of instrument choices. It seems irrelavent to attack someone else. There are so many little tiffs, and, in the end, it's so meaningless. However, like I said, if we don't get involved, then people might start believing the crap that gets said.

It's odd, too, because I'm not really on the fringe as far as what I play. I like it simple. I play my old P bass as much as my newer boutiques. I'm right down the middle---I can go either way. My 6er is even passive with alder body and rosewood board. However, John, I think it's great to see guys really pushing the boundries of bass construction.

People have all sorts of cliches. "If you can't play it on 4..." "Jaco only needed 4" ..."I'd rather hear someone killing it on a cheap bass." At the end of the day, I just want to make good, honest music with good, honest people.

Thirsty---Hulk-a-mania---that's histerical.

 

[René_Julien]

I play more than 4 strings...

because the other strings are on different basses.

I tried 5-string and 6-string, nothing wrong with those basses but not my cup of tea.

I'm comfortable with 4 strings, drop D tuning and 24 frets.
(slightly off topic: some bassists also frown upon 24 frets instead of traditional 20)


If I desire more strings in the future I'd go directly to an at least 7-string.
I think those basses look so badass.

 

[alexei]

there are 4 strings basses too?? no kiddin...

 

[Mark Perry]

but the were for jaco. 4 strings - they were enough for jaco. FOR JACO! I SAID!!! they were enough FOR JACO!!!

four strings! enough for jaco!!

 

[Mark Perry]

I'd rather expand my bass collection with basses which do comepletely different things. At the moment it consists of my first bass (a cheap four string), an Ibanez BTB 5 and a double bass. The idea of a 5 string ABG tuned EADGC is an appealing one at the moment. Sometime in the distant future i may even get a 6 string, if i had the money.

Their all tools at the end of the day. To each their own.

 

[spade2you]

Why are so many bassists so insecure in their musicianship to the point where they start putting down someone else's instrument because it has more strings than they would like on their bass? To me that's just insecurity seeping from their pores. I've never had the opportunity to play anything over a 6 string but if the opportunity arose then I'd be the first one to try it. We bassists can be so closed minded.

I think a lot of it is the current musical climate. Part of it is the post-Nirvana minimalism, but I think rock band culture prefers that everyone is "equal". Essentially the bar is set at mid level gear and mastery of intermediate technique. In many ways, it seems that being below the bar is much safer and acceptable than going above and beyond. .....hence I can't even beg for an audition these days.

 

[Hawkeye]

I have two fivers and three four strings. When playing fretless in my jazz standards quintet, I really only need the four string.

When playing gospel and contemporary worship music at church, the five string is great because of all the Eb tunes that seem to be a staple of more traditional church music. That being said, I played a four string @ church last weekend because I didn't need any five string notes with the songs we did.

When I sing, I like a four. When I use a pick, I prefer a four. When "slapping" (if you can call what I do slapping) I also prefer a four string as well.

When playing slower, ballad-type songs, I tend to use more notes and the fiver seems essential to me for expanding the possibilities for expression. Funny enough, I've been to a couple of auditions in the past year and I took my fiver both times because some people seem to be impressed with the five string compared to a "simple" four-string. If a song requires detuning, I'd MUCH rather just use the notes on a B-string rather than detune my E-string.

I can't get caught up in the four vs. five vs. six "debate". This sounds a lot like a discussion for guitards who get locked in to their paradigms like Gibson vs. Fender, Taylor vs. Martin, 6L6 vs. EL34, Marshall vs. Fender (amps).

We're lucky that we can do things in a lot of different ways. There's room for a lot of diversity with the bass instrument.

Why anyone would bother wasting a minute of their time trying to devalue some else's instrument choice because it was different from their own pet philosophy is beyond me.

 

[NickyBass]

I think a lot of it is the current musical climate.

Yeah. But, you know, trends will come and go, but an accomplished musician is always going to find work.

My thinking is that I have to learn bass---whether it's a four string, fretless, upright, 6 string, tenor---I have to be well versed in, not only the language of the music, but in the execution of technique on all instruments. Most of the high profile gigs that I am working towards (though I have a long long way to go...A long way.) require a 5er at the least. Now, I could go along with conventional thinking and try to be the purest (read stubborn) traditionalist---but that is going to be counter productive. (Did I mention that I have a long way to go?)

Here's the thing---people rag on EVERYONE. There isn't a top bassist who isn't open to scrutiny. It amazes me how many people get all over Wooten's case. What nerve!!

What I'm saying is---no matter what you do, someone is going to find fault in it------so you might as well please yourself.

 

[Ric5]

i've gotten a decade and a half of insults, derision and snide comments questioning my manhood, my motivations, my musicality and my sanity FROM OTHER BASSISTS about my bass choices. no other instrumentalists have been nearly so threatened by my instrument choice than other bass players.

you should see the hateful crap i've had to put up with in emails and even other websites - bunny bass had a whole page dedicated to insulting me and my basses.

Yep ... for some people their bass choice becomes a "cult" ... I was on another forum and the hate that was directed at me was incredible ...

I posted:

-5 string basses are better than 4 string basses
-newer basses are better than old vintage basses
-active basses are better than passive

and this one really got them hateful:

-my Frankensteined jazz bass is better than my Rickenbacker

some people get really upset when others make a choice they don't like.

 

[Rickett Customs]

-my Frankensteined jazz bass is better than my Rickenbacker

As would be expected on a Ric forum though, it's like saying "windows is better" on a MAC or Linux forum

That would remind me of the movie police academy, whenever sgt Harris went through the wrong door in an alley and ended up in the Blue oyster, dancin' with them bikers

 

[82Daion]

Bah, try living in a predominantly indie/Americana town. With each bass I order, I brake more and more rules. Every time I crack open a theory book, I edge further and further from actually getting an audition.

I'm in the same situation location-wise, and I can't wait to see how my Smith 5'er will go over.

Fortunately, I play in a band that's receptive to such things.

(Also, thanks for the laughs, JT. This thread made my morning a little brighter.)

 

[GregC]

So let me get this straight....Bear with me, I'm a little slow on the uptake here. I've learned a thing or two on TB. Since my time here I learned that, in order to be a respected bassist, one must:

-Buy the cheapest gear money can buy. The more expensive the bass, the worse the player.

-Not learn theory. It stifles creativity.

-Only play instruments that someone else has played. If Jaco wouldn't touch it, neither should I.

-Don't work on technique. This instantly turns one into a robot with no feel, who can only play fast.

-Don't embrace new technology. And if you are proven wrong in a blind test, bring up the fact that it wasn't accurate becasue the eq curves were slightly askew.


Hmmm. Interesting.

I've read all that here, too, for sure. But it's also very clear that a huge number of players here (maybe half?) play 5 or more, use active basses, regularly buy higher-end basses, etc.

I've also read posts that preach just the opposite of the things you list. Hey, I understand the defensiveness of some of the ERB guys here. But TB has its share of snobbery and ignorance on both ends of the spectrum.

 

[Rickett Customs]

I've read all that here, too, for sure. But it's also very clear that a huge number of players here (maybe half?) play 5 or more, use active basses, regularly buy higher-end basses, etc.

I've also read posts that preach just the opposite of the things you list. Hey, I understand the defensiveness of some of the ERB guys here. But TB has its share of snobbery and ignorance on both ends of the spectrum.

Let's even it out then (Other side of the spectrum):

[Bizarro Nicky]So let me get this crooked....Bear with me, I'm a little fast on the outtake here. I've learned a thing or not much on TB. Since my time there I learned that, in order to be a disrespected bassist, one must:

-Buy the best gear money can buy. The more cheaper the bass, the better the player.

-Learn theory. It encourages creativity.

-Don't play instruments that someone else has played. If Jaco wouldn't touch it, you should.

-Work on technique. This instantly turns one into a human with plenty of feel, who can play slow and fast.

-Embrace new technology. And if you are proven right in a blind test, bring up the fact that it was accurate because the eq curves were just right.[/Bizarro Nicky]

 

[NickyBass]

But TB has its share of snobbery and ignorance on both ends of the spectrum.

For sure.

But I hate that there are two ends of the spectrum, you know. Like I said earlier, I play old P basses and new multi-string boutiques. I love them all.

 

[NickyBass]

[Opposite Nicky]

That's Bizarro Nicky