Why play a four string?

[Miles_ONeal]

I was turned to fiver like five years ago, but I still have a 4 (and short scale even) because it is a SG Bass model that sound is unique and when you need that sound...well, no choice. But to people who need to play lower but love the 4, why not just get a 5 string strings pack and put on just the lower ones?

That’s what I’m doing on my older Bird.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

That was mentioned before, BEAD tuning makes a lot of sense, but you usually have to file the E string nut and bridge saddle to accommodate, so it’s not quite a zero-mod change. You lose some high register, but I’d find it a much easier transition for small/average size hands like mine.

I’m getting a second nut filed so the original can go back on if needed.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

Your hands would have to be extremely tiny to not be able to reach the B string. I have small hands and gigged a 6 string Brubaker for about 6 months with no problem.

Only you know your true limitations but I wouldn't sell yourself short.

Nah. It’s about more than hand size. Finger length, palm width, flexibility, and more. I tried a V for a couple of months. A half hour in, my left hand cramped up. Every time. Didn’t change. Really wanted it to work but it didn’t.

 

[RodRy]

That was mentioned before, BEAD tuning makes a lot of sense, but you usually have to file the E string nut and bridge saddle to accommodate, so it’s not quite a zero-mod change. You lose some high register, but I’d find it a much easier transition for small/average size hands like mine.

As an alternate, tuning DGCF can often be done with fairly standard string gauges, and minimal filing. Not quite as low, but still a nice lower-range extension.

 

[fcleff]

I’m still Jaco.

 

[Miles_ONeal]

I’m still Jaco.

Even Jaco isn’t Jaco these days.

 

[Neko]

I’m getting a second nut filed so the original can go back on if needed.

Smart move!

 

[DSkellington]

I wrestled with the title of this post.

I have been a four string player for a long time (longer than I’m going to tell anyone).

But as music has progressed, last year I found myself in need of the “even” lower register. A lot of music diving down to low D, C and even B.

So after a torrid affair with a cheapo fake Fender fiver I pulled the trigger on a quality fiver.

After a little acclimation I seem to have it well in hand now.

And besides the lower notes I have found the greater freedom of horizontal playing.

I still move up and down the board. You know some old habits will never die.

But I now see no reason to have a four string anymore. I can play everything on the five. Even if I never drop below the E it gives me many choices I didn’t have before. And I find that liberating.

My last four string I had for 7 years. And we had a bond. But when the fiver came into the picture it went into the case and sat for three months.

I don’t think anybody wants to sit a $1600 bass in its case for months let alone years.

I released it about a month ago. While I miss it I have new friends now. And have lost interest in four string entirely.

I understand fivers aren’t for everyone.

Some people have small hands. Same here. I tried them all. Well those I could afford. I’m sure Alembic make a very lovable fiver. But I love my house too.

No one was more surprised as I was that Fender made the five string bass I would love so much.

And after a great while playing only fives I wonder why anyone wouldn’t just play those and let the four just go extinct.

I’m sure the flamers are writhing their hands as they read this.

I think I just heard a MMBWAAAAHAHAHAHA in the distance.

My point is I moved away from fours and I don’t see any reason to ever go back.

So I doubled down.

View attachment 3714769

I hear ya. 5 strings is a bottom line for me now. It open the instrument up in so many ways, and if I go to a 4 string now I just get annoyed with how limited it is. Making the transition is easy as the fingering conventions are the same, but with a lot more position shifts possible. Moving to a six string has been more of a Challenge, and part of me wonders how necessary the higher string is, although it is good for some choral effects. Hard to find decent strings for, though. Grats on coming over to the dark side lol

 

[TrevorG]

Played a five string for the last twenty years but bought a four string a few months ago. Love them both keeping them both. Keeping the Spector five because it says "I'm a bad mo fo". Love the fender four because it says everything else.. Horses for courses.

 

[Tenorguy]

If it’s any consolation, I use a modified cello tuning for my four...
B G D A.

Looking at cello tuning gave me the idea.

That’s very cool. I started playing cello etudes for the vary reason they went down to a lo C. I played them on 5 string now I’m playing them on 4 string and rewriting those measures and passages lower the E. I rewrite a lot of stuff from different instruments for both bass and sax.

 

[Woodchuck]

I've basically been a 5er for the last 20 years or, but my last 2 bass buys were 4 strings. Trust me, it may not be tomorrow, or hell, it may not be for another 5 years or so, but you'll eventually come back to 4 bangers. You won't ditch the 5s, but you will get another 4!

 

[Lagado]

Well it's an even number of strings isn't it, 4. 5 isn't. Not only does playing a 5 throw out your circadian rhythms, it also upsets the passing of Uranus.

 

[Neko]

Well it's an even number of strings isn't it, 4. 5 isn't. Not only does playing a 5 throw out your circadian rhythms, it also upsets the passing of Uranus.

But it can be counteract if you tune in 432hz obviously

 

[Mvilmany]

Because it has more strings than a 3 string.

 

[Stevorebob]

Well it's an even number of strings isn't it, 4. 5 isn't. Not only does playing a 5 throw out your circadian rhythms, it also upsets the passing of Uranus.

It might seem as four are more balanced with the universe, but no, odd numbers provide more balance and stability. Think tripods, five caster office chairs, haikus, and five and seven-note scales. Okay, that may be BS. But having that first-letter-in-the-alphabet note right down the center of the finger-/fretboard facilitates visioning scales and patterns from the inside out rather than top down or bottom up. That’s where you can find some serious zen, my friend.

 

[bearfoot]

 

[fauxtoe]

I've always gone back and forth between the two for as long as I've been playing. I'll play the 4 if I absolutely do not need anything below E, or if the positioning for the song wouldn't have any major benefit of having a B string. I like them both equally and have some killer basses of each. Though, the last few I've purchased have been 4 strings, but that's because I'm satisfied with my 5's.

 

[gigetto]

Thirty years ago i played with a 5 strings. The low was terrible, the strings were expensive.
Now the 5 strings set are not expensive, a mid quality 5 string bass sound well in low....

 

[lancimouspitt]

If i was going to join another cover band i would buy another five but for me it would be for the sake of utility and not real want.

 

[dr Bouz]

I have a similar story. ....... Internally I really don't care about the string count anymore.

+1 here.