Why play a four string?

[pcake]

my first bass was a long-term loan from a band mate. it was an extra long scale 5er, and other than the bass i played the night before (the first bass i ever played and a 4 banger), it was my only bass experience for more than a year. so i never thought about it.

but then i bought my first bass, a 4 string, and there was just something about it. i loved playing it right away.

also i often prefer to go up the next rather than across, so there's that. to make it work, i played with 3 bands in 3 different tunings for a while, then ending up playing drop D with everyone, and that sometimes took a little playing around with positionings.

i've owned a couple 5 strings in the last few years, but found i wasn't really interested. next time, before i get another 5 string - which i probably will - i plan to have a list of songs in advance that would be easier or more possible on a 5 string.

 

[bluesblaster]

So I picked up a 5 awhile back and its fun to have some big low notes to play but it doesnt really matter, I play the same material one week on 5 and the next on a 4, I have no problem adapting to either.

These posts that claim they couldnt possibly go back to a 4 string make me laugh, your just not willing to even try, so whatever floats yer boat I guess

 

[WillyW]

Because they don’t make 3 stringers

 

[newwavefrank]

I played 4 string from 1979 til 2013 when I got a five string stingray. by the end of that year i was exclusively 5. Until two months ago. I play in an 80's tribute band and found a good deal on a Steinberger Xl, so I tried going back to 4. When Im doing all 80's i can get by with the 4. My keyboard player helps me out by playing the low c# on Pour Some Sugar On Me, and I tune down for Fat Bottom Girls (which works better than playing it on 5 anyway) Now Im kind of switching back and forth...We will see where I end up

 

[JKos]

Simple. I find certain 4-string necks very comfortable. I have not found a 5-string neck that feels completely comfortable to me.

- John

 

[Gilmourisgod]

I don't like the floppiness of most B strings, though I know with careful string selection, you can get even tension across the strings, still, I've yet to play a fiver that feels right. I have small/average hand size, most 5's feel really chunky and awkward in my hands. Closest thing to Right was an Ibanez SR505, super thin neck with tight string spacing, I think I could get on with that. If I ever really feel the need for a 5, I'll probably get one of those, or just string an existing bass BEAD, seems like a decent compromise that would be less of an adjustment.

 

[msb]

Yup , bought a fiver just to get used to the B . Never play it . I like four string basses , that's what I play .

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Simple. I find certain 4-string necks very comfortable. I have not found a 5-string neck that feels completely comfortable to me.

- John

Have you tried an Ibanez 5? Actually pretty nice, if there is a slimmer 5 neck out there, I haven't seen it.

 

[joel406]

Simple. I find certain 4-string necks very comfortable. I have not found a 5-string neck that feels completely comfortable to me.

- John

I had the same problem. Even Sadowsky necks felt to wide.

But the current line of all passive MIA Fenders are very good. Not to wide. Not to thick.

American pro line is a dream. I did try an Ibanez fretless five I liked. But I don’t need a fretless just now.

 

[Kirk Bryant]

The greatest challenge for 5-string players is the limited number of basses in the marketplace. Other than that, for me — and YMMV — there’s nothing a 4 can do that a 5 can’t. Well, except get a gig with Lenny Kravitz.

all due respect, There is a veritable plethora of five strings and six strings available From dozens of manufactures, if not hundreds if you add in small builders. There is absolutely positively no shortage whatsoever.

 

[FloydianAnimal]

My argument for a four vs. five is it depends if you need the higher range or not. For downtuned rock and metal, most of what I play in bands, a 4 string tuned BEAD works fine as I don’t need the higher notes. That said, I enjoy 5ers and still have two I plan on keeping. YMMV and all that.

 

[LadyLoveStingRay5]

My main player is a Fender Elite Jazz V. Great bass. I need that low B for key changes and songs in flat keys . Modern Urban Gospel/ Praise Worship is my main music style . But that bass covers every other style that I need it to.

When I want that Motown classic thump funk, it’s my Squier CV 60’s Pbass with TI flats .

I like having both . They both require a different feel and approach to get the best sound of each.

I really see them as very different instruments and I need and enjoy both for what they offer.

Different colors in the crayon box so to speak.

 

[jharms80439]

I went back to a four, but changed my tuning to CGDA. My BG was a 5 string for 15 years, but I was primarily a DB guy and I have to admit I never felt at home on 5 strings. Now everything I got is four strings.

Me too. I’ve formerly owned way too many 6 strings and even a few 7s. Funny, but I couldn’t ever get comfy on a 5.

Now I’m all in with 5th tuning (CGDA), and only play 4 stringers.

But, does doing 4 stringers 5x count?

 

[Rib 13]

I play both......I can get around easy enough on both....slap bass is the main reason why i play both: I can slap on a 5 just fine but, on a 4 String, its like a hot knife slicing through buttah.........Ive heard other players say this so I know Im not alone

 

[4stringsjack]

I know what happened in the future.

No you didn't.

 

[bassicmike]

It's what I've always played.

 

[Gaolee]

I didn't read the thread. I don't play a fiver. What did I miss?

 

[FunkHead]

First of all: If you can get by with only four strings then I am envious because it's much easier.

I pretty much have to play 5 strings due to my set-list. Many of the songs (1/2?) could be played on a 4 string but the others force me to play a 5'er.

Secondly: I really love my Warwick $$5 even though it's a beast to play. So I play this bass almost exclusively even though I have much easier playing 5 String basses. One example is my Mayones Slogan MBC5 Gothic. The Slogan is so ergonomic it's not even funny. It pretty much plays itself. Which is basically how I feel about Ric 4003's

In summary: Play whatever you want and I'll keep wrestling with my beast because I love it and my band really digs it!

 

[juancaminos]

I thought I wanted a variety of all useful (popular) things bass so I moved from a Telecaster Bass to a Jazz. Then to a Music Man. Then I installed a J East J-Retro on my Jazz to make it sound more like the MM. Then I went to a fretless Hamer for a few years. Then, once again back to the Jazz. 40 years later I had to have a P bass because...well everyone says you do. So I built a fretless PJ. Right now I'm trying to get used to that but the Jazz is sitting there staring (glaring) at me. So I just bought a Jazz body that will be turned into a retro looking fretless Jazz (yeah I'm back into fretless mode). It never ends. Oh and the Toby 5 string has been calling to me as well, it doesn't help that it is a great feeling and sounding bass. Who knows maybe I'll do the 5 string thing for a while again but at my age it's more confusing than useful.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

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.

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Yup, that's exactly how I felt when I bought my first fiver. 6 years later, I bought a new 4. I sold the five, and will never buy another one. That string really just gets in the way. It also widens the neck, and shrinks the string spacing. Playing a four tuned to B is far better for me. In every way. Although, I've only tuned past D once in the last 4 years.