You had a good a couple of years in the late 70's and an interesting album in '81.
Then run out of ideas? Just lurking online waiting to be mentioned.
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Why play a four string?
- Thread starter joel406
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Then run out of ideas? Just lurking online waiting to be mentioned.
Cause I don't want a wider neck for 5 extra notes.
I'm migrating back to 4's but whatever makes you happy....that's what you should do.
sometimes...when no one is looking...I play synth bass as well.
sometimes...when no one is looking...I play synth bass as well.
A good 4 is a complete instrument with its own feel and tone.
A good 5 is equally a complete instrument with its own feel and tone.
Seen this way you pick the whole bass for the song.
A good 5 is equally a complete instrument with its own feel and tone.
Seen this way you pick the whole bass for the song.
when i got my first 5 string bass, i played it on all my gigs for years. i have many nice four string basses including my old 78 jazzbass, a reissue 62 P bass and an old rickenbacker 4001. i play in two bands one being a classic rock band and I just started playing my 4 strings on those gigs again, and I'm loving it. I play the 5 strings on my other gigs playing mostly newer music. it's nice to play both if you have them. someday you may feel the same but for now enjoy your new 5 string bass!
This post not intended for "hired gun" recording musicians that are obligated to play someone else's composition or get fired.
It always cracks me up when people say they "need" the low B or D or whatever. Just about every song ever written can be played on a kazoo or uke or by a 4th grade class full of recorders. Music is an art to be interpreted by the musician and the listener.
It's just music. Have fun with it. Live audiences will never know if you played the D an octave up. They are too busy singing along and talking with their friends.
It always cracks me up when people say they "need" the low B or D or whatever. Just about every song ever written can be played on a kazoo or uke or by a 4th grade class full of recorders. Music is an art to be interpreted by the musician and the listener.
It's just music. Have fun with it. Live audiences will never know if you played the D an octave up. They are too busy singing along and talking with their friends.
Why play a four? Because threes are not commercially available.
To me there is an inherent sound difference between a well made passive four and a well made passive five. I’m comfortable on either, but have grown to prefer a four.
I have to practice to play a five. I have no time for practice.
We all have our reasons. When I grew up there were only fours. Fives were much later. I had and still have fives, but I’ve always liked the dimensions of the fours, but still wanted the lower register.
So... alternate tuning came into play.
B G D A. Now, that I’m older and have some rather painful arthritis in my hands, it has become even more beneficial for me. Sure, there’s more traveling up and down the fretboard, but that doesn’t bother my hands at all, where the extra width of the five does.
So... alternate tuning came into play.
B G D A. Now, that I’m older and have some rather painful arthritis in my hands, it has become even more beneficial for me. Sure, there’s more traveling up and down the fretboard, but that doesn’t bother my hands at all, where the extra width of the five does.
Right now, on my Modern Country/Rock gig, a 5er is a must. You need those low notes for that stuff. It really depends on the gig. I played a 6er and an upright on the Swing/Jazz/Blues gig that I did for 16 years. The 6er was mostly for the ease of playing in one position and still being able to create interesting walking lines while I sang.
I play mostly 5ers, but different strokes for different folks... and some things don't need a 5.
But variety is the spice of life, and I like spice, so...
I play 'em all!
Well, I don't play a 7 because, well, I can't handle that much neck.
But variety is the spice of life, and I like spice, so...
I play 'em all!
Well, I don't play a 7 because, well, I can't handle that much neck.
I play 4 string because that's one less string to put on the bass. 
Seriously though, I've owned my share of 5 string basses and honestly tried to love it, but given my playing style, the music I listen to, 4 is all I need, 5 is too much, heavier, and I have no need for a wider fretboard. To each their own y'know.
Seriously though, I've owned my share of 5 string basses and honestly tried to love it, but given my playing style, the music I listen to, 4 is all I need, 5 is too much, heavier, and I have no need for a wider fretboard. To each their own y'know.
Seriously? Just play whatever you want or feel you need to play and don’t worry about what anybody else is playing. I never did. And you shouldn’t either. Life is short enough as it is.
