Four No More

daniele

daniele

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Looking at the gallery topic or at almost every signature in the forum it seems that very few people still own 4-strings basses.
Sounds weird, considering that a fifth string in theory should be unusual and hardest to play for the common bassist.
Pure fashion or real need to get lower?

:?
 
i will respecfully disagree...

In the custom shop gallery for instance:
first page: 5x4 string, 3x5 string
second page: 1x12 string, 2x6 string, 4x5 string, 1x 4 strings
Third page: 4x4 strings, 3x5 strings, 1x 6 strings
fourth page: 5x4 strings, 2x5 strings, 1x6 string
fifth page: 3x4 strings, 4x5 string, 1x6 strings...

In short, 4 string basses are still very present...
And I think that in practice too, a lot of people still play 4 string basses...

( Oh, and about the fifth string being unusual and difficult, I'm not sure where you get that impression... maybe 20 years ago, or on an upright bass, but the 5th string is very "normal"...)
 
Uh, no I was talking about the show us your bass topic not the custom shop gallery.
About the normal 5th I personally think it still needs some extra work from the player plus it is not the first intrument you get when you start your lessons.
 
Oh, for what it worths I started playing circa 20 years ago. :wink:
 
I started on four, swore by em, than bought my 5'r wick and never looked back.
 
I started on a 6-string Ibanez BTB and loved it, but never used the high string that much.

I currently have 5 4-string and 1 5-string basses (5 Warwicks, 1 Squire). I like my 5-string $$, but I have found the 4-strings to be my favorite and I use D-Tuners on them for those times when I need to go a little lower.

Honestly, I think there are just as many 5-string fans as there are 4-string because there's such a diverse range of music and playing styles and it's nice to have the right tool to fit the job. Could you imagine if tool companies switched to one wrench size because they perceived that one size had more sales and presence than the others? :shock:
 
Playing a 5 string doesnt always mean you are going lower,in my case I go higher,high C higher. :wink:
 
Started on 4, played my brothers 5, bought my streamer 6 and am currently building myself a 4 =D
 
Most of my basses are fours, but I'm trying to practice on the 5's more. Aside from getting used to the new string spacing I find once you adapt a song it's no harder, and in some cases easier, with the 5. With a few exceptions.
 
I like my 5 but I much prefer 4's for most stuff. But when the harder stuff starts playing the 5 is almost a necessity. :D
 
It's good enough for me

I started on a 4, went to a 5, loved it for what I was doing at the time (playing country music and I liked being able to walk in E at the fifth fret on the B) and I ended up going back to a 4. There was really no learning curve for me- I picked the 5 up and it was like I played it all along. I do not believe the extra string hinders learning the instrument as a beginner. I mean children (including myself) learn to play the saxophone and there are 20+ keys and you have to worry about breath control and the mouthpiece! So, for many, there is a need for the 5. But I really do not have a need for it anymore..Besides, not to sound cliche, all of my heroes played 4's..Butler, Clarke, Simmons, Hamm, Harris, etc..alll played fours and as the old adage goes, if it's good enough for them.....
 
Well, I find 4-stringers easier to play at IF I use the g-string alot. Somehow, my fingers doesn`t always connect that well with it, if I use a 5`er.

With more tendencies and openmindedness towards different tunings, I think 5`ers have just become more common over the last years.
 
Never owned a 5. When I got into bass one of the most influential things I was told was look what guys like Vic and Flea do with a 4. That being said, I also have D-tuners and a 4 string tuned to Drop C...
 
I started on 4 strings and switched pretty spontaneously to a 5er.
Don't even really know why I did so. Also can't say if I really use the 5th string to a proper amount - in order to justify a 5stringer.
Fact is: I like the look of 5 strings - I dig the sound of the low b - and I don't have any problems playing it.
By the way I'm also that lazy, I would hate if I had to d-tune all the time - just would not be able to remember it and my playing would be out of tune, I suppose :D

To put it in a nutshell I think it's maybe really only kind of fashion trend ;D
 
When I started playing every one had a 4string and anything else was rare.When I got my first 5 some of the older local cats said I must be good to play a five,Because what do you need the extra string for.That was a long time ago,now I think 5stringers are becoming the new standard,or at least as popluar as 4's.
 
I started on a 4 stringer, then I bought a 5 string to try out and love it since then. I like still the 4 stringers one but when I really want to go to that low B C and D that the 4 stringers can't go (especially in times of worhip) It really makes sense to have the option of an extra string.

The way I look at it is comfort, options and also accessibility to some notes on the 5th while you are at the 4th string.

My best friend has been on a 4 stringer forever and he is buying a Roscoe or a MM 5. I have let him play my 5s and he always says that he does not know where things are and that he is not accustomed to it...now he's buying a brand new 5. What will happen?

I do not know. Let's see what happens, he might be able to switch or just stick to 4s as other bass playes i know that stuck to the 4s as well.

One thing i do have to give to 4 stringers is string spacing for popping and slapping (unless you have a broad neck) which I am still thnking if I should try or just suck it up and practice more to get it right on a standard 5.
 
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