Why play a four string?

[chadds]

Yes, seriously. Maybe I wasn’t clear. The selection of extended-range basses is less than that for 4-string basses. Fender’s offerings demonstrate this well.

It would only matter if I had to buy them all just for me. Seems there are enough made everyday.

 

[Diminishedfilth]

I really don’t have anything new to add, but I’m just a big fan of the original Fender bass platforms, and never really got into their 5-string offerings. I have had a couple mid-budget 5-strings before. They played great, and I got some good use out of them. They both sounded great for recording, but ironically, it was that sterile, soapbar, active electronics sound that I just didn’t vibe with.
All that said, I’ve finally came around on Fender’s 5-string Jazz. When the right one comes along (4+1 head) hoping I’ll have the means to grab it.

 

[Mugre]

Mark Sandman only needed two strings.

 

[Pimpernel Smith]

Then shalt thou count to three, no more, no less. Three shall be the number thou shalt count, and the number of the counting shall be three. Four shalt thou not count, neither count thou two, excepting that thou then proceed to three. Five is right out.

 

[joel406]

I really don’t have anything new to add, but I’m just a big fan of the original Fender bass platforms, and never really got into their 5-string offerings. I have had a couple mid-budget 5-strings before. They played great, and I got some good use out of them. They both sounded great for recording, but ironically, it was that sterile, soapbar, active electronics sound that I just didn’t vibe with.
All that said, I’ve finally came around on Fender’s 5-string Jazz. When the right one comes along (4+1 head) hoping I’ll have the means to grab it.

There ya go. My Fender American Pro V’s.

All passive.

 

[GretschWretch]

Does he see dead people? Because I do. They don't know they're dead, because they are dead.

Are the dead grateful that you can see them?

 

[Altitude]

I have an occasional gig with a "party rock" cover band. The music is pretty mindless actually. Same set, same order every show.

5 string basses feel like home to me, but at one point I realized that "Uptown Funk" was the only song in four sets of book with this band where I played any notes on the B, unless I went out of my way to ride the low B in the final verse of "Working For The Weekend," went down instead of up for the 3rd in "Let's Get It On," or something else that wasn't really necessary.

So I started taking my 4-string P to those gigs. And stated liking playing it. It's an easy instrument to play; easier than playing a 5-string all night just to keep the B muted 99.5% of the time.

Summary - that is a gig where the 4 makes the most sense, so I take the 4 to that gig.

 

[Altitude]

Wow this is one of most reiterated sentences on talkbass.

First none of you are Jaco.
Even he tried out a five, the extremely poorly designed Fender Bass V.
Had he still been alive he would most likely included extended range instruments as they improved.
His son plays a six, and you don't hear him say "dad only needed four".

I assume fcleff was being ironic. This is a trope on Talkbass but at this point I feel people say it merely to perpetuate the trope and not because they believe it. Clearly, Jaco was an innovative and charismatic player who would do anything he needed to in order to differentiate himself and his playing.

Erwin "Cannonball" Baker never needed power steering, but he died in 1960 before it was widely used. It would have made him a better driver had he lived to experience it.

 

[Nebula24]

4 fingers....4 strings...?
Hehe.
Just used to it. Like short scales and skinny necks. My hands arent going to be comfy with 5.

I do miss out of basses being so picky.

 

[Cave Puppy]

Thinking out loud doesn't interest me in the least other than the fact that the title of this post was almost trollish. How wonderful for you.

 

[joel406]

Thinking out loud doesn't interest me in the least other than the fact that the title of this post was almost trollish. How wonderful for you.

And how do you determine a post is a “troll” posting?

Aren’t all postings troll post?

Aren’t troll postings designed to elicit a reaction from people that read them?

Then I guess every posting is a troll post!

 

[el_Bajo_Verde]

5-string is the modern standard.

 

[Wesley R]

Why play a four string?
1. 'Cuzz I wanna
2. That's what the wife bought for me
3. If music were my major source of income maybe then I would play a five
4. Playing a five did not give me a better high on stage than four

 

[SteveHeissner]

Picking your bass is like picking a spouse. Ya gotta do what works for you.

 

[fcleff]

Mark Sandman only needed 2

Random hillbillies only need one.

 

[Kriegs]

 

[Stevorebob]

I see your point, and that's probably true for basses in Fender's price range. But when I look at the higher-end builders (e.g. MTD, Sadowsky, Fodera, AC), it seems like there are far fewer 4's available than there are 5's & 6's. (Sadowsky seems to offer more 4's than, say, MTD or Fodera, but that's probably true of many builders that have based their product on the Fender designs. There's always a market for straight up Jazz and P basses.)

Yes, I’ve no problem finding 5-strings to love. But there isn’t much in the way of hollow bodies or acoustics, or unique instruments like Danos, Sereks, Oranges, etc., and colors!

 

[Stevorebob]

It would only matter if I had to buy them all just for me. Seems there are enough made everyday.

I’m speaking of variety of designs and colors. There is plenty of what there is. It’s what doesn’t exist that’s missing.

 

[dangevans]

 

[The Deep]