Why five? ...or 4, or 6, or 8...

D

Doc

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So in reading the unmarked tailpiece thread, I got the impression that 5 stringers and 4 stringers are somewhat at odds. It appears to be something akin to the pick/finger or true sound/FX battles.

Why do we 5-stringers play fives? What switched us? What strange allure is there to the opposite sex in players of a fiver? LOL

Personally, I love 5's. I switched because I was in a country band for awhile back in '06 and almost ALL new country requires the llllloooooowwww end. Bought a high-end ($299 - LOL) Rogue to get used to it, then a Schecter Elite NT, now my FNA. My fingers and hands are big, so I actually like them better than 4's all around.

Plus, the brown notes are fun to play at children's parties and nursing homes. OK, that was mean. Sorry.

Sound off, but let's play nice, ummKay?
 
I grew up listening to metal (still do everyday), so as a young kid I thought it was mandatory to have a 5 string, right?
Once I got one, I didn't play the B much at all. I mainly use it for "contrast".
I have been playing 5's for over 10 years and they just feel more comfortable. IMO the 5 string Broadneck bolt on has the best profile ever.
 
From the tail piece thread:

I like 5 strings so i can play between the 5th and 12th fret and be able to hit low notes like f and g and hit notes 2 octaves higher with ease - great for jazz, hiphop and ska but i hardly play any of that any more :(

Some more elaboration:

I've played 5 string on an off and am pretty happy on either a 4 or a 5. The only thing that got me was the narrow string spacing. As my playing advanced more i just found the 5 strings i was playing cramped needing a broad neck model. But falling on hard times means i've had to downgrade to only the essential basses and that for me is 4 string as in my current band i have no need for the 5 string.

Personally though i think you should play what your most comfortable, and what is required by the music. Theres no right or wrong number on strings.
 
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I used to be 5-string centric. Then I bought a Fender Jazz 4-string because I was in the mood for one. Maybe it was the stars aligning or just the band I was in but the 4-string just seemed to work better. It actually felt more flexible to me and the lack of that extra string made me focus more on my playing. I personally think I got better because of one less string. Could be that whole star alignment thing too. For me that low B doesn't get in the way of the occasional slap fest (probably poor technique on my part) and you can always just drop D when the guitarists do. Don't get me wrong, I still love my 5-strings and made the mistake of going only 4-string at one point but I started missing the 5 so I purchased another one, which ended up being two. :D All that aside, I still find myself going back to my Corvette 4-string.
 
To be honest I nevah even tried a fiver or a sixer...
and until I've discovered all da secretz of da 4 string, I think I'll keep it that way...
Besides that, a bass has 4 stringz imho....8:
 
Where did the edit feature go?

At any rate I meant to say "For me that low B sometimes gets in the way"
 
JSmith said:
Where did the edit feature go?

At any rate I meant to say "For me that low B sometimes gets in the way"
Click to expand...

As far as I know ya can only edit yo post within a certain amount of time ...has sumtin to do with an angry ex-member who deleted all his posts before he 'left'.....8:
 
Electric guitar was the first fretted, stringed instrument I learned to play. I played guitar for about 9 years doing mostly rock, metal, punk, hardcore, and post-hardcore music before I got my first bass. I was starting to get more into reggae, ska, afrocuban beats, and hip-hop and thought the bass lines were much more interesting to play than the guitar parts.

When considering basses, I obviously thought about 4 vs 5 vs 6 strings. Over the years of my guitar shredding days, I had the opportunity to grab several bassists' basses during rehearsals and got a feel for the different amount of strings and what the necks feel like. I felt that most 4-string necks felt like a toy to me--very small and easy to play. I found that 5-string necks felt very close to a thicker guitar neck--like an old Gibson. A close friend had (and still has) a 6-string Carvin that I didn't think was too hard to play. However, I have always like the sound and look of Warwick basses and, based on the styles of music I was looking to play on the bass, decided I didn't need the C-string. I wound up getting a slightly used '99 FNA 5-string in 2001 which I quickly fell in love with. And so, my obsession with these great basses began. You can see by my signature that I'm building up a nice collection of 5-stringers.

But heck, if someone likes 4 strings (or 6 or 7 or whatever) more than they like 5 strings, who am I to say they're wrong and I'm right? Although, it is interesting to hear why different players made their choices.
 
da-vonk said:
As far as I know ya can only edit yo post within a certain amount of time ...has sumtin to do with an angry ex-member who deleted all his posts before he 'left'.....8:
Click to expand...
I see. ;) That stinks.

Yeah I see now that my more recent post has an edit button.
 
My first bass was a fiver. I played it for a couple years before it got stolen at a gig. I was very upset, but it turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me. I picked up a four string to replace the fiver and thats when I really starting making progress. Now ten years later, when I play my infinity five, I see things in a completely different perspective, I know how to use the low B as an additional tool. So the lesson learned was: start simple with a four string, then start making your way up the ladder to the eight string.
 
Who cares how many strings has your bass, turn off your computer, pick your axe up, and play :)
 
started on the 4, and to this day it will be my fav over anything! but as needs and times change, sometimes you just have to go with it to fill the shoes that a band may want the sound to ware! LOL
so now I play the 4 when I can but as the sound dictates what is needed I find myself on the 5er 75%-80% of the time. and now that I just got a 6er, that my band doesn't know about. I will enter the realm of extended range and piss off the lead guitarist,,,LOL
but there are limits when it comes to just plain ol "wants" as opposed to needs! they (my band) will not even let my 12 string Hamer bass into the jam room!!!!LMAO
everyone is threatened by that wall of thunder, LOL even my drummer gives me that "are you crazy" look when I plug that monster up!
 
gonzosc1 said:
started on the 4, and to this day it will be my fav over anything! but as needs and times change, sometimes you just have to go with it to fill the shoes that a band may want the sound to ware! LOL
so now I play the 4 when I can but as the sound dictates what is needed I find myself on the 5er 75%-80% of the time. and now that I just got a 6er, that my band doesn't know about. I will enter the realm of extended range and piss off the lead guitarist,,,LOL
but there are limits when it comes to just plain ol "wants" as opposed to needs! they (my band) will not even let my 12 string Hamer bass into the jam room!!!!LMAO
everyone is threatened by that wall of thunder, LOL even my drummer gives me that "are you crazy" look when I plug that monster up!
Click to expand...

I don´t like close minded musicians...:roll:
 
I have always played four strings, 100% of the bass players here all play four strings. Its what a bass is, an extended scale, four stringed instrument derived from the standard guitar ages ago.

However, some of us rely on a secondary feature of this tool we call bass. Think of a hammer. Now, pick one up, and hold it backwards. You are looking at the "cats paw" or "crows foot" (pending your terminology.) This is a secondary tool affixed to a primary tool, for the purpose of two jobs able to be done with a single tool. (Driving and pulling of nails for example.)

Pick up a four string bass, thats your hammer. It gets the job done. Now pretend your tuners are fixed, non-adjustable. How will you play that dub-reggae gig you've been offered? Or join that Metallica cover band you've always wanted to be in?

"Flip the tool over" and I mean add a B string. That's your cats paw. That is your secondary tool, it allows you to do a whole other job now.

The B string is an extension to your primary weapon. Its your M-203, your cat's paw, your clean function on a blender or oven.

This is the approach I've always taken. I play mainly four strings, but if the job calls for a B string, I'm not opposed to busting one out. I'm just as comfortable on a six as I am a four. It all depends on the job.

So there's my cleverly crafted answer. Right tool, right job.

However, I do play four strings primarily. My band plays a lot in D, and I dont really see a call for a B string in our music. The only thing I would use it for would be bass drops/swells coupled with a volume pedal/eq pedal.
 
I find myself very torn between 4 and 5 strings. I love the simplicity of the 4 but I find the narrow string spacing on a 5er more comfortable. Ideally, I would have a 4 stringer with tight spacing and a thicker U profile neck.
 
i remember someone had a three string bass and he said that was all he needed and he could play anything on it,it think it might have been tony levin but i don't remember.
 
Leronious said:
I find myself very torn between 4 and 5 strings. I love the simplicity of the 4 but I find the narrow string spacing on a 5er more comfortable. Ideally, I would have a 4 stringer with tight spacing and a thicker U profile neck.
Click to expand...

Yeah that would be awesome. a 4 string with the string spacing of a 5 string.
 
I more comfortable with thick necked 4 strings and thin necked 5 strings.

Example: My 2007 Rickenbacker 4003 model has a fat neck, but it feels good in my hands and it has an amazing tone. My 1997 Thumb 5er is fast, smooth, and has a killer tone.

I don't have a slap problem between my $$ 5er or my Rick. They are about the same.

I just love both. I've tried some 6er, but I haven't found the one to jump on board.

As for 7, 8, 10, 12, and so on string basses... I haven't had the chance. I played a 12 Waterson Bass unplugged for a minute, but I couldn't play it finger style. It's still not enough to judge it.

Why 5 over 4 (sometimes)? Because of the low B. It gives out a thicker, tougher tone than the E dropped down a half, whole, or more step. Plus, it gives you options of playing an alternate route and getting darker tones over brighter ones. Or as Zender says "Whale Sounds".
 
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