4 string or 5+ and why?

[tkarter]

I only play 5 stringers. I seldom use a note below the E on the B string. It offers me more comfort in playing as I have crapel tunnel. I can play the 5 all night without problems.

I can still manage to play the 5er just like a 4 string if I want to.

tk

 

[lonote049]

I have 4-4's and 1-5'er. Every 5 years or so, I buy a 5'er and think, "I just KNOW I'll able to play it this time." Finally, I'm picking it up...I think. I'm happy with my SUB5; I love the neck and the sound. That helps a lot. I picked up the 5'er for added booty thump and economy of motion.

 

[strummer]

I play 5 strings because I can get to all the notes I need without tuning the bass funny, and I can lso get away with way fewer position shifts.

Also, Sterling says all real med play 4-bangers

 

[Aussie Mark]

I'm an old dog. 4's here.

 

[Precarius]

I've got three 4-strings, but one bass is strung B-E-A-D

 

[tiffles]

BOTH. cause im cool.

 

[tkarter]

I will add my upright is a 4 stringer. It is an old bass.


When you go racing you want all the cylinders ya can get.


tk

 

[WesC]

I always played 4-string and had lusted after a 5-string for a looooong time. Now that I have one I hardly ever play my 4-strings.... unless I need to slap. That is something I have yet to really get used to on my SR5 with the tighter string spacing.

However, I'm not the greatest bassist so I know its my crappy technique and not the bass. I will learn.

And I gotta say, the 5-string is everything I dreamed it would be, and more!

 

[dlb1001]

Can't remember why I bought a 5 string but I learn to adapt my technique. However, since I got my 4 string Sterling, it is the first one I pick up. But, after trying a 5 string Bongo at a local GC, I was tempted to run back home and trade in my Warwick for it since it played so sweet!
But, the PO wants to go to Hawaii so I guess I can't...

 

[bonzo]

I'm an old 4 banger dog although I can understand the economy of motion on a 5. I had SR5 for awhile and just didn't care for the string spacing and since I got my Sterling it's become my go to bass

 

[Jason Hebert]

I play both. Mainly 5's, because I can transpose without tuning down. I prefer the simplicity of the 4, and the smaller neck, but I find a lot of use for the 5 in church.

 

[tkarter]

It really does't matter to me what anyone plays if they are putting the the bottom down.

What do you think? That is what is the answer to the question IMHo

tk

 

[artisan]

after playing 4 string for 25 years i bought a 5 string bass & sold my fender jizz convinced the extra string wouldn't be a problem.
silly me- i tried for 6 months solid & couldn't get to grips with the bloody thing so i traded it for a 4 string (sorry it was a warwick) & it felt sooooo good to be back.
in fact a bit like pulling on your favourite Y fronts aaahhh thats better.
so only 4's for me from now on

 

[cdb]

I played 4 stringers for 20 years. I bought a 5 stringer 5 years ago and never looked back... I feel very comfortable on the 5... I love the subharmonics on the b string and the fact that I can play in less positions if I choose to. I have to think hard when I play a 4, using open strings, which position, etc. I hate thinking.

 

[Ole Man Blues]

I dig the 4 banger, old school, I guess. I was brought up on it.

That's the uh huh uh huh I like it, uh huh uh huh..................

OMB

 

[agplate]

I like the fiver-- the B string makes an excellent thumb-rest while I play the other Four!

 

[tkarter]

IMHO learning is a life long experience. You can't play a 5 string you need to study.

That said yeah a lot of great bass lines have been played on a 4 string and if that is where you are then it is good too.

Music is about creation IMHO. It will never end when it comes down to that just because there are aso many combintions of 3.

How many songs are in the key of E and only use three chords? Or G? or Bb?

Open minds make good music. Closed minds just suck.

IMHO once again.

tk