Real men play four strings...

[bassmonkeee]

So how did you like the single H Bongo? Did you miss the extra (I didn't say superfluous, that would be argumentative) string(s)?

The single H was awesome. Sounded great, felt great, etc. I had meant to compare the single H to the HHp over the course of the evening, but I couldn't seem to put the H down for the comparison....

Oh, and, some might say the use of the word "extra" is argumentative. I prefer to use the word "additional."

Being primarily a 5 string player, thre were a couple of times when I went for the A string thinking it was the E string, but we just called that jazz, and moved on.....

 

[tkarter]

I had to try. I will continue to try.

tk

 

[Dr Stankface]

I agree with what BP said. At home, the B string doesn't get much action but at the gig, i'll use it to accent a certain part of the song or something. Just to make the stage rumble for a bit.

 

[cdb]

For me the best usage of the B is for the root note in a line in the key of D, or E.

I very rarely hit an open B. At least not on purpose.

 

[high mileage]

I joined my current band planning on playing only 4-string, mainly my SR4 that I've had for a long time. I was doing some work on it and didn't have it ready by our next practice so I brought a 5 and used the low B in a couple of spots. The other guys thought it was great so I was stuck with 5's again in this band...

One of my favorite parts of our gigs is the last few songs where I don't need a 5 so I can pull out the 'ol SR4. Read a Stanley Clarke interview one time where he said that he hadn't figured out everything you could do with a 4 yet!

 

[Steve Dude Barr]

Enjoy your bass douchebag...I licked her first...sluuuurp!!

 

[Smellybum]

You've just confirmed everything I ever thought about bass players!

 

[bassmonkeee]

Enjoy your bass douchebag...I licked her first...sluuuurp!!

Oh, I enjoy it.

 

[Gary Raymond]

I like 5 stringers, if for nothing else, the B string makes for a nice thumb rest.

 

[IkaruShizzlemah]

Enjoy your bass douchebag...I licked her first...sluuuurp!!

Damn. I love my bass, but I never "LOVED" my bass.

I hope it was consensual.

Ikaru

 

[Mr Light]

The True Bass

Hey people,

I am glad that most of you are keeping your loyalties with the four-string. My opinion tends to fall along the lines of BP and Stanky in that a fiver is good for an addition splash of color every now and then and for rumble effect (definitely), but other than that, no thank you. But it mainly boils down to the musical taste of the player.

When you think about all of the known bass players, most of them play a four-string almost exclusively (i.e. Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, etc.). I remember when I saw Marcus Miller last year, he touched his Fodera Fretless five-string for about two minutes! The Marcus Miller Signature five-string setup on stage was basically a stage prop. By the way, the low Bs on those things are a joke! (I'm speaking as a previous owner of one).

Anyhow, as one who started on bass as a classical upright bass player, the four string bass is the true bass. For me, the only reason why I own a fiver is in case I luck out and get a pop gig out here in LA that requires that sonic flexibility. Since this is the age of synth bass as well, you never know when---as a working bassist---you might be asked to double a synth bass part, etc. Otherwise, the bass stays in its case. Even when I do take it out to use, I hardly play the low B anyway. So unless someone asks me specifically to bring along the fiver, the four-string is the first one I grab every time!

 

[Musicman Nut]

O LEt me tell you my real feelings regarding 5 strings. I think that they are really good and can be fabulous. My problem comes when the player falls in love with the low b and uses it like a guitar player used a flanger in the 70's. I thnk that when a balanced approach to the 5 string is used it is really effective. I cant tell you how many bars/clubs I have left because of the five stringer homesteading on the low b...I might as well make him or her a one string

Alright Big Poppa, well said, I feel exactly the same, When used in the right context it's wonderful but too many people use it as an effect and it sounds horrible.

 

[roballanson]

Yeah its funny. I have been taking a break from my band and they have a stand in who is a 5string user. Never uses a four string and she spent most of her time using the B and the tunes just did not sound right. Too wooly and no definition.
Now I do use a 5 but never really use the B, in fact have been thinking of restringing e to c....
Bought the SR4 honeyburst and its like going home.....

First rehersal since the birth of my daughter is next tuesday.....sooo looking forward to it. There is only so much playing to the Ipod you can do.

 

[adouglas]

BP said it so well and you reinforced it...

That's a classic example of the bass player serving his/her own ear instead of serving the music. It's all about the song. You do whatever makes the song sound good. The same applies to EQ...so many bass players pay attention only to themselves and completely ignore how the whole band sounds. (I think it's because stage mixes suck so bad...we all play in this little bubble and can't really hear anyone else that well.)

That just seems wrong to me. Whenever we set up I always walk as far away from the band as I can to see what the overall mix sounds like and I adjust accordingly. How it sounds to ME on stage is irrelevant. It's how it sounds to the audience that counts.

The same goes for arranging. When learning a new song I'll try out different basslines and will use whatever sounds best. If that means playing a low D, fine. If it sounds better with the higher D, then that's the way to go.

I do use the notes below low E from time to time, but not that often. I don't think I ever use the open low B at all...but I'm a confirmed 5 stringer because it lets me play farther up the neck.

The B string is merely another tool, and you should always use the right tool for the job. Just because you CAN play a low C doesn't mean you should!

Real men may play 4 strings, but it takes intelligence, restraint and a sense of taste to own a 5 string and use it properly!

 

[Bill]

If I used a 5-string with my current band, that open B would be killer on the very last note of "Hard to Handle" by the Black Crowes!

 

[artisan]

5 stringers are fine but who really needs a 6 or 7 string bass--posers only methinks.

 

[Mobay45]

If I used a 5-string with my current band, that open B would be killer on the very last note of "Hard to Handle" by the Black Crowes!

And at the end of "Jumpin' Jack Flash".

I use it in both places and it kills.

 

[muggsy]

5 stringers are fine but who really needs a 6 or 7 string bass--posers only methinks.

Generalizations are stupid. I have enough trouble with four strings that I have no desire to play a five, but I've seen and heard many players do amazing things with all those additional (is that better, Jason?) strings. My former teacher played six string fretted and seven string fretless Curbows in a flamenco band, and he was incredible. Plus, since BP has informed us that a six-string Bongo is on the horizon, I'm guessing the demand is there and he'll sell a few. Whatever works for you is cool, but dissing somebody else's choice of instrument (based on brand, number of strings, etc) is not.

 

[artisan]

.
please don't take my comment seriously bud-i aint dissin' nowt or no-one.

 

[bassmonkeee]

Generalizations are stupid. I have enough trouble with four strings that I have no desire to play a five, but I've seen and heard many players do amazing things with all those additional (is that better, Jason?) strings. My former teacher played six string fretted and seven string fretless Curbows in a flamenco band, and he was incredible. Plus, since BP has informed us that a six-string Bongo is on the horizon, I'm guessing the demand is there and he'll sell a few. Whatever works for you is cool, but dissing somebody else's choice of instrument (based on brand, number of strings, etc) is not.

Well said.

I, for one, am waiting patiently for a 6 string Bongo.