Tonight was my first gig...

[oli@bass]

...which I have played entirely on my new black sparkle SR 4... After about seven years of playing five stringers exclusively!!!

Only had used it once before for the encores, but tonight I found enough courage to play the whole set on it. About half of the songs I haven't rehearsed with the band, just practiced the last two days, and rearranged some of the basslines that were heavily relying on the B string. Naturally, I had to think hard every now and then, even sucked a couple of times. But generally.... IT WAS GREAT!

It felt so much more at home than the five stringers. The playing needed less effort, and it was more like "shooting from the hips". I had to look much less on the fretboard and was generally more able to enjoy the mood, the audience, the music, and the very cute sound engineeress .

Talking of sound: Just unf******belivable! I guess the amp -- there was an elderly SVT-II with classic 8x10 refrigerator/cab on stage -- helped on that, but the bass itself was surely the best sounding of all the four bands. I got compliments for the sound from the band mates and from a professional bass player in the audience, telling me he was jealous of my bass sound...


I'm so happy with my decision to finally come back to playing with balls... meaning, start playing a StingRay!

 

[martin shane]

very cool man, very cool...enjoy the ray !!

 

[DaphneBlue]

Just goes to show you that sometimes a 5-er is just too much. For lots of stuff, like Classic Rock, a 4 string is sufficient. You can rock just as hard with four strings as you can with 5.

 

[bassmancb]

Glad to hear you had a good time. That's what it's all about!!!!

 

[oli@bass]

very cool man, very cool...enjoy the ray !!

Thanks, Martin, I do! (and still have that itching every time I see your fabulous honeyburst, which so much reminds me of the Sterling silly me traded when I decided to go down the five string road)

Just goes to show you that sometimes a 5-er is just too much. For lots of stuff, like Classic Rock, a 4 string is sufficient. You can rock just as hard with four strings as you can with 5.

IMO, you can even rock harder on four strings than on five.... one string less to worry about . And not just in classic rock. There's so many bass players covering so many styles who stick on playing four string basses. There's something special (and also comforting ) with the kind of limitations you get on just four strings. Helps to follow the KISS principle on the bass.

 

[Big Poppa]

I am too old for 5 strings

 

[bovinehost]

I am too old for 5 strings

Those of us who've seen you nicely handle the SIX string Silo are now gently tossing the BS flag.

But on the four-five issue, I think it also depends quite a bit on your comfort level. I've been playing fivers almost exclusively for 15 years. (As I always say, you'd think I'd be better at this by now.)

I still love my four bangers, but fivers have come to feel like home - but it does take a long, long time to overwrite the Four String Imprint that's been there for decades.

Jack

 

[Psycho Ward]

I like having both, but I play Sterlings the most.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Maybe if was playing metal or country I'd need a fiver, but for the stuf I play a four banger is all I need. With flats I can get enough thump from a B note without needing a special string for it.

 

[mynan]

Maybe if was playing metal or country I'd need a fiver, but for the stuf I play a four banger is all I need. With flats I can get enough thump from a B note without needing a special string for it.

I loved the 5er from the first time I played one, but only for the low E-flat and D. I've tried to go lower than that, but it seems to just get lost in the mix.

 

[Big Poppa]

I try to avoid e flat

 

[adouglas]

Helps to follow the KISS principle on the bass.

What's that...wear ridiculous clothing and grease paint, rock and roll all night and party ev-er-y day?

 

[oli@bass]

I try to avoid e flat

LOL!!!

What's that...wear ridiculous clothing and grease paint, rock and roll all night and party ev-er-y day?

Ezaktly. More beer at parties also helps to Keep It Simple & Stupid.

 

[Abiatha]

Good move! Glad you could adapt.
I have used 5s exclusively for years now, but I am shopping for a 4.
I lost my bass just before a gig, and had to borrow a 4.
I STANK OUT LOUD ON ICE!!
I was so dependent on using the B in higher positions that I couldn't find open position notes! My knowledge is obviously lacking.
Your post has sealed my decision..but I need to get $$ together, and decide of maybe, just maybe...UNLINED FRETLESS?!?!
(Might as well just jump in the deep end and get to WORK!)

 

[oli@bass]

Well, if I had been in your situation, it would have been the same for me: Total desaster. I practiced our songs at home especially those where the bass line was making heavy use of the notes on the H string. The main problem was to rewrite those lines that were going lower than E to provide a similar feel, and to memorize them...

But in general, the four strings feel just more like home to me.

Good look with finding a great EBMM 4 stringer!