Do you pretty much HAVE to play 5-string now a-days?

[Goofball Jones]

I've seen other forums, I've seen the polls to where 4-string basically beats out 5-string in preference polls. But it seems that EVERYWHERE I read or look, everyone is playing a 5-string.

Is it pretty much a for-gone conclusion now that if you want to get any gig you need a 5-stringer?

I'm about to make my big bass purchase (which I've been saving up for a year for) and now when it gets down to "go time", I start to second-guess myself.

Not to mention the unholy Bongo now invading my thoughts. I've been saving for a year to get a HS or HH Stingray, but I hear the call of the Bongo....though my wife says there's no way she's letting that thing in the house.

Bah, no matter WHAT I get, I'll always think I made a mistake.

Anyway, if you were starting over today, would you just go naturally to 5 stringers instead of 4? Just you're opinion.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I tried playing one for a few months but it felt so unorthodox and foreign "to me" that I went back to the ole 4 Banger and I was fine. It looks cool and is more versatile, but if like me ya gotta fight it, it's not for you.

Give it a try and see if it is your cup of tea my friend........it's the only way to find out.

I'll bet a 5 string Bongo is easier to play than the 5 string Jazz bass I tried to learn on..........

Ole Man (Bongo) Blues

 

[mynan]

IMHO a 4 is much easier to play than a 5 and therefore easier to be comfortable with, but after years of playing a 4 and being frustrated with those moments when a low E-flat or D would have sounded so much better, I switched and haven't looked back. I'm now an official low-D addict.

 

[Caca de Kick]

In the 90's I was Mr 6 stringer, then when I realized it was more of a novelty and the high string was never being used, around '99 I went to mostly 5's, mainly because guitarist were using alot of 7 string ones at the time.
But then I realized I was always much happier on a 4, and the sound and expression a 4 gave me. So for years now I've been playing 98% 4 string.

So get what you really want.

 

[mrpackerguy]

We usually play 3 sets. I like playing the 5 banger for at least one of those sets. Do you HAVE to play a 5 string nowadays? I would say no. I still see plenty of pros playing 4 bangers.

 

[armybass]

From 94 to about 2001 I played only 6 string basses. From 2001 I played "mainly" 5 string basses. Today, I only use 4 string basses. I play in a minimum of four different groups a month, different styles and bass tones. I don't need a 5 string. But I like em.

 

[andynpeters]

From 94 to about 2001 I played only 6 string basses. From 2001 I played "mainly" 5 string basses. Today, I only use 4 string basses. I play in a minimum of four different groups a month, different styles and bass tones. I don't need a 5 string. But I like em.

6,5,4........I was reading an old UK "Guitarist" mag interview with Tony Levin who had a 3-string EBMM bass.
Is that where you're headed next??

4 strings is difficult enough for me.

 

[Strangeglow]

I've been going the opposite direction, having jumped from 4 to 6 strings. It all depends on the style of music and the setting. I'm looking at doing more improv/creative music stuff. The extra strings are handy. If I were playing society stuff, 4 would likely be enough.

 

[Alvabass]

It depends on the music genre. I say this because in modern Dominican Merengue a 5-string bass is a must. You can play old merengue tunes with a 4-string, but from '95 (IIRC) bassists and arrangers made those low notes a key component of the style (so don't waste your time trying to audition for a modern Merengue band with a 4-string). Not that they should be played all the time, of course, but they definitely must be there. You can check an example here (a live recording of a very famous Dominican band with singer Sergio Vargas as frontman).

 

[Aussie Mark]

so don't waste your time trying to audition for a modern Merengue band with a 4-string

Shoot, I guess I'll have to go and cancel those three Merengue band auditions I had lined up for this week.

 

[Alvabass]

Shoot, I guess I'll have to go and cancel those three Merengue band auditions I had lined up for this week.

What artists are you going to cover? It's OK if you're going to do old-school Merengue. Or are you playing originals?

 

[Goofball Jones]

What artists are you going to cover? It's OK if you're going to do old-school Merengue. Or are you playing originals?

I think he was joking...

 

[Alvabass]

I think he was joking...

Yeah, just in case.

 

[Baird]

I use a 5 string now almost exclusively as drop D tuning really confused and frustrated me and one of the bands I play with does 5 or 6 songs with drop D.

It took me almost a year to get completely comfortable with a 5er but I love it now. I am actually recording tomorrow with a 5er for the first time with my funky band. The Geddy looks sad sitting all alone in its dark case.

 

[Big Poppa]

as it should.

 

[timmy5strings]

It depends on what you are playing. Most of the new alternative and metal has the low B chunking along and you need it, even if you are playing soul or rhythm and blues, it has it. I use it for low B, D or even on the 5th fret for E. I have become comfortable using it for more than a thumbrest.

 

[adouglas]

Something to think about....

A 5 lets you transpose songs WAY more easily. This is important as singers age and can't hit the high notes any more. Or if they can't hit the high notes in the first place.

 

[EBMM7181]

Real men play 4 string basses....

 

[adouglas]

Sure they do.

 

[Bill]

I think I'll always be a 4-string guy. I had an SR5 about a year ago, but I ended up foolishly getting rid of it. I missed it, so now I have another SR5 to go along with my SR4. I've gigged with my current SR5 a bunch and I'm probably 95% comfortable on it, but I still prefer a 4-banger. I'll always have an SR4 and an SR5 from now on.