4 or 5 string mostly?

[nurnay]

I have 2 5ers now, but I really would like to get a 4 for certain songs where I need to slap (I'm not very good at it and end up hitting the B like crazy). Still, the 5 is the ultimate for me, gives me all the options I need. As someone else said, I'm in a band with two female singers, and we do so many covers that aren't in the original key, it makes it so much easier to have that B string!

 

[MattOfSweden]

Nowadays it's around 2/3 fourstring + 1/3 fivestring, so fours got my vote.
Btw, I would much rather go for a fivestring than detune a four.

 

[DTG]

Mind you I did say I played 5 only but really I could take four of them off and still get through my gigs :-0

 

[jlepre]

5 string ONLY. I started on 4 string back when I was 13, but have been strictly a 5 player since 1997. If you play 5, I don't understand why you would have a 4 string in your arsenal. Maybe for sentimental reasons?

 

[JayDawg]

I like both but only own 1 5 string bass and unfortunately, I suck at playing it because I have not adjusted to the low B yet. I keep playing everything one string off.

 

[syciprider]

It depends on what's on the setlist.

If it is heavy on pocket playing or Ds and Ebs then I'll use a 5er. If I need to be the 2nd guitar or if there's some slapping then I'll use the 4.

 

[Basswave]

Nowadays it's around 2/3 fourstring + 1/3 fivestring, so fours got my vote.
Btw, I would much rather go for a fivestring than detune a four.

Interesting...My percentage is the reverse about 2/3 5-strings and 1/3 4-strings.

The main reason is just because I have more 5s and for no other.

The majority of the material I play I do not need the 5 string (say 90% of the time) however if needed.
Its nice to have but its just a nice to zip around on a 4. (I love both...)

I'm with you Matt...I do not like the timber of the instrument detuned. I will always play a 5 instead of detuning.

 

[jlepre]

I don't understand when you say that you don't NEED the 5 string for the majority of your material. Just because I have those notes BELOW E, doesn't mean I need to play them on every song. I utilize the extra B string for the flexibility of keeping my hand position and walking down using the low B string to minimize moving my hand position on the neck.

 

[Basswave]

I don't understand when you say that you don't NEED the 5 string for the majority of your material. Just because I have those notes BELOW E, doesn't mean I need to play them on every song. I utilize the extra B string for the flexibility of keeping my hand position and walking down using the low B string to minimize moving my hand position on the neck.

Granted there are particular situations where right hand positioning can take advance of B string...Agreed

I was not directly my post to you or anybody else for that matter,
I was just speaking about my own situations.

 

[jlepre]

You meant LEFT hand right?

 

[lowliferumble]

Straight 4 bangers for the punkrock stuff, fivers for anything else. So what should I vote for?

My answer to the poll would be:
Yes!

That says it all!!!! My vote would also be yes! Played 5vers for along time, then bought a SR4 , now I got a Sterling 4H as well plus a bunch of non-EBMMs of both . I seem to gravitate towards the 4s , I even got a couple strung and tuned BEAD, I guess I am still voting ......YES!

 

[Basswave]

You meant LEFT hand right?

My bad...correct...That one I will claim.

 

[syciprider]

I don't understand when you say that you don't NEED the 5 string for the majority of your material. Just because I have those notes BELOW E, doesn't mean I need to play them on every song. I utilize the extra B string for the flexibility of keeping my hand position and walking down using the low B string to minimize moving my hand position on the neck.

To me it makes perfect sense not to pack 20% more bass if he only needs it 10% of the time.

 

[CElton]

My preference is for the 5. If the gig demands a 4, then they get it. If they pay me enough, I'll play as many or as few as they want.

 

[projectapollo]

Surprisingly split vote at the moment. I would have guessed going in more 5-ers. Let's keep the poll going.

 

[jlepre]

To me it makes perfect sense not to pack 20% more bass if he only needs it 10% of the time.

That was my point exactly, but it seems that most of you are not getting it. If you need a 5 string part of the time, why not just play it ALL of the time?

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I would say I play 95% 5-string. If I could only have one bass, it would be a five (luckily, I have more than one!)

 

[Movielife]

straight 4 bangers for the punkrock stuff, fivers for anything else. So what should i vote for?

My answer to the poll would be:
Yes!

yes!!!!

 

[Movielife]

To answer those who dont understand why people use a 4 and a 5....well, its for variety.

If you play energetic punk or chaotic slap, it FEELS better on a 4. Fact. Well for me. Plus, it sounds different.

I love EBMM 5ers though! Really getting into play 5 string basses.

Think of them as totally different types of instrument.

 

[syciprider]

That was my point exactly, but it seems that most of you are not getting it. If you need a 5 string part of the time, why not just play it ALL of the time?

Since we're talking EBs here and their biggest selling 5er is the SR5 then part of the answer might be the weight and size.