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why go back?

#8
If I want to be as authentic as possible to the music that is going to be played, I'll play four string if it's called for. I do 6-8 dates a month outside of my normal Church stuff, and the four will generally come out once or twice, even if only for a few tunes.

It's not an art crime to do otherwise, but I like to play Motown, Beatles stuff, or any sort of oldies on a four string. For me, it's too easy to play stylistically inappropriate notes on the B string simply because it's there and available.
 
#9
It took me years to migrate to a 5...I didn't think my small hands could make it happen, but they did. I still probably use my 4s more, but switching back and forth was much easier than this old fart (hope that's not a forbidden word, lol!) had imagined.

Kim
 
#10
My two main basses (well, the only ones, but main sounds better) are an Ibanez SR506 and Peavey T-40. Both have totally different sounds. If I could merge the T-40 sound with my 6-strings, well, string number and feel, I'd have one intense piece of bass to work with.

I like the T-40's tone for playing jazz, blues, and classic rock kinda stuff, as well as playing pickstyle. The SR506 is all about a more hi-fi sound, especially good when I'm playing prog metal, or slapping & tapping.
 
#14
Why go back? Why stop something in the first place. I know dudes that only play stuff with 6 or more strings and I know guys who won't touch anything that isn't a four string. Who's wrong? I'd think both.

Personally, I play fretted or fretless 4-5 string basses. I have a 4 on the way, a 6 on order, and in the works with a 7.

There is much to be had in the world of bass. Grab it, whatever it is.
 
#15
Fishbrain said:
iv made the change from 4 to 5 string a few years back an iv never looked back or even considered buying a four string. why do any of you go back? or from a six to the five? if you really needed that 6th or 7th string how can you be satisfied on anything less?
Click to expand...

Seems to me that the music itself would dictate the bass (and number of strings) you'd need.

Someone earlier mentioned oldies and Motown stuff. If you're playing period music, an appropriate period bass like a P Bass or J Bass will sound more appropriate in that setting. If you're playing music that calls for lower notes than a four, or if you'd like to play lower or higher notes without shifting as much, then a 5, 6, or even 7 might be what you'd need. Same thing if you hear something in your head that cannot be as easily played on a 4.

If I had to own just one bass, it would be a fiver. Maybe even a sixer. But so long as I can own more than one, I'll always have a 4 around.
 
#16
spade2you said:
Why go back? Why stop something in the first place. I know dudes that only play stuff with 6 or more strings and I know guys who won't touch anything that isn't a four string. Who's wrong? I'd think both.

Personally, I play fretted or fretless 4-5 string basses. I have a 4 on the way, a 6 on order, and in the works with a 7.

There is much to be had in the world of bass. Grab it, whatever it is.
Click to expand...

+ 1
 
#20
20db pad said:
It's not an art crime to do otherwise, but I like to play Motown, Beatles stuff, or any sort of oldies on a four string. For me, it's too easy to play stylistically inappropriate notes on the B string simply because it's there and available.
Click to expand...

+1 Great point. I'm currently awaiting a six-string, but I do plan to use my four string for some gigs for the same reasons, though the 2 octaves without shifting hands for the jazz combo is going to be very enjoyable :)
 

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