4 string or 5+ and why?

[lamerjay]

4 string or 5+ and why?

Just curious what wveryone plays and why. I am currently a 4 stringer, I like the spacing and feel of 4 strings. I am in the market for another and wanted some opinions on what you play and why as far as how many strings...

 

[Bill]

I'm a 4-string player. I had a 5-string for a while & loved it, but I learned that I'm a 4-string type of guy. I just feel 100% comfortable on 4-strings, and I feel like I can play on autopilot & not have to concentrate on what I'm doing.

 

[slucas]

Unless you can only afford to keep one bass I think the answer is a simple both.
I get enjoyment from both so why not experience both I think. Certainly 5 can be more challenging at times but hitting the B string especially on the Bongo can really shake things up and can get bandmates to look across the stage and smile and I am thinking, Yeah baby. It's all good

 

[MingusBASS]

For the most part, I play 5 strings. For me, it's all about options. Will I use the B string on every song? No, but when I want to add that extra "color" that slams the listener in the gut, I'm glad I have it. Another big reason I enjoy using 5s is the extra playing positions that can sometimes make a song easier to play/read. I find that I can play a little "faster" on a 4 string, thanks to the smaller neck, but it's not a big deal in the long run.

 

[Dr Stankface]

Personally, I just don't function very well on a 4 banger. Had 2 StingRay 4s and neither of them really clicked with me. The ability to add extra booty to a song and overall comfort of the 5 string spacing is what turned me into a 5er guy.

 

[Moondog]

Only 4's for me from now on . .

 

[maddog]

I'm still deciding. I've tried a 5er for awhile now and can't get comfortable. Gonna go back to a 4banger for a while.

 

[Aragorn35016]

IM a both kind of guy though primarily now a 5 stringer. I like the 5 string because of the ease of transposing to flat keys. I hate tuning a half step down and now that I have a 5 stringer, I dont have to.

 

[midopa]

Fives are great for that those really low rumbling notes that loosen people's bowels, but they're a bit cumbersome for me. Fours for me as well.

 

[bovinehost]

I like 'em both.

Just depends on my mood.

 

[Mobay45]

I will play a 4 string if I have to, but I really prefer a 5. I like the freedom the B string gives me to practice more economy of motion when I'm playing.

I also like to thump that open B at the end of a few songs and rattle the windows!

 

[maddog]

I like the freedom the B string gives me to practice more economy of motion when I'm playing.

So true Larry. I've found my shoulder doesn't like my hand in first position and the 5er helps with that. But I just can't seem to hanker to the neck.

 

[Mobay45]

So true Larry. I've found my shoulder doesn't like my hand in first position and the 5er helps with that. But I just can't seem to hanker to the neck.

It is a lot more comfortable to me to play further up the neck and a 5 gives you that opportunity throughout a gig. I'm sure that a lot of the cover tunes that I'm playing were originally played in a different position on a 4 string.

 

[syciprider]

I have the four for all around playing and the fiver for songs that call for the lower notes or for songs that dwell too long in the lower frets (gives me cramps). F'rinstance I use my SR5 to play "Money" so I can stay above the 5th fret

 

[phatduckk]

4 baby 4...

cuz, well cuz ive always played a 4. I think a 5 would be fun but ive never really wanted to the extra flavor/color that the 5 brings to the table.

 

[82Daion]

I've liked the 5's I've played (actually, it was a Blue Pearl Bongo 5 that led me to buy mine ), and the options added by the low B are nice, but I've found that the neck just gets in the way on most 5's I've played. That said, I could probably get used to it if I had one to get used to.

 

[AnthonyD]

Always 4...

I will admit I haven't spent much (any?) time with a 5 stringer, but I am so sensitive to the feel of the neck. The few times I've picked up a 5 just to noodle it feels too wide and the string spacing is too close.

Just me...

 

[Apothem]

I think that if you slap a lot you should stick to 4. Go for 5 if you need boomier lows or play more jazzy scales.

 

[Figjam]

I'm a 4-string player. I had a 5-string for a while & loved it, but I learned that I'm a 4-string type of guy. I just feel 100% comfortable on 4-strings, and I feel like I can play on autopilot & not have to concentrate on what I'm doing.

Thats how I am. I have a 4 and a 5er that are both great, but I gravitate to the 4 because I am more comfortable on it, and I like the way it sounds a bit better.

 

[Randracula]

I played only 5's for about four years(I had played 4's for almost 10 years before that though) until last year when I bought another 4 string. Since then I slowly moved into playing almost nothing but 4's.If something calls for it I will use my SR5 but 90% of the time I only need 4 strings so why complicate things?