4 strings vs 5 strings

[OldManMusic]

I guess I'm a real man who likes it both ways - 4 bangers and 5ers, that is. I have them both and use them in their own places and spaces. 4 bangers make me feel raw and powerful. My 5ers make me play more artistically and think harder. That's about the best I can describe it.

 

[shakinbacon]

5 string

But if Musicman made a 6 string with a low F# I'd move to that

It irks me at times that a keyboard can go lower than me

 

[Aussie Mark]

I've read a gazillion posts on various forums saying how absolutely essential a 5 stringer is for playing metal and country. Consequently that means I can continue to live happily ever after with my 4 stringers until they put me in a box on a conveyor belt that runs into a big incinerator, crush my chargrilled bones and put me in a vase.

 

[keko]

My vote for 5 strings too, after 1 year of only 5 stringer use, I'm sure now that I can play everything like on 4 banger + low B bonus!

One more thing (I wrote before), 5 bangers have better sound because of construction matter anyway! (longer pickups/wider magnetic field, more massive neck wood/better sustain/tone...etc.)

Maybe only for fretless basses it's more natural to use 4 strings, but haven't tried 5 string fretless yet, so...???

 

[boyet]

If I'll be forced to vote it'll be for the 5'er. Some arrangements that I play usually goes beyond the low E string. It actually depends on what I'll be playing but I have to say that 5'er is much better in a lot of circumstances.

 

[Movielife]

i guess i'm a real man who likes it both ways - 4 bangers and 5ers, that is. I have them both and use them in their own places and spaces. 4 bangers make me feel raw and powerful. My 5ers make me play more artistically and think harder. That's about the best i can describe it.

+1

 

[strummer]

if Musicman made a 6 string with a low F# I'd move to that

It's called the Bongo 6, don't tell me you didn't know that

 

[Manfloozy]

Maybe only for fretless basses it's more natural to use 4 strings, but haven't tried 5 string fretless yet, so...???

I actually prefer the low B on my fretlesses more. The action is tasty low with no noise even with that massive cable of a 5th string. It is extremely natural... at least for me.

 

[keko]

I actually prefer the low B on my fretlesses more. The action is tasty low with no noise even with that massive cable of a 5th string. It is extremely natural... at least for me.

I must trust You , once when I try one fertless 5-er, I'll be back to discuss about!

 

[oli@bass]

Paul McCartney. John Entwistle. Geezer Butler. Pino Palladino. Cliff Williams. Bernard Edwards. Chris Squire. John Wetton. Rudy Sarzo. Paul Denman. Steve Harris. Bootsy Collins. Billy Sheehan. Nick Beggs. Lenny Kravitz. Jack Bruce. Larry Graham. Jaco Pastorius. Flea. Dave Meros. T M Stevens. Jeff Berlin. Doug Pinnick. Guy Pratt. Tim Commerford. Adam Clayton. Geddy Lee. Lemmy Kilmister. John Paul Jones. Me'Shell Ndegeocello. Cliff Burton. Tony Kanal. Edwin Colin. Sheryl Crow. Dougie Thomson. Neil Murray.

They, among thousands of other great players, happily shell out killer bass lines on four strings. So there's no real need to have more.

In my book, Tony Levin is the exception that proves the rule. And he's the main reason why I also own a five string bass. A StingRay 5 to be exact.

 

[sitonmybass]

Sore subject!

The 4-string versus 5-string debate is a sore subject with me. My reasons:


They should be considered different instruments!

A 5-string should not be considered a 4-string with an extra string nor should a 4-string be considered a 5-string with a string missing.

The "use the B-string as a thumb anchor" approach can lead to a habitual bad habit and prevents proper learning.

Learning 5-string bass properly requires the mind-set of learning a new instrument.

I see no reason in owning both 4-string and 5-string basses except for possibly sentimental reasons or for a vintage look.

Listing numerous well-known and well-respected bassists who played 4-string exclusively only says that 4 strings were enough for them and the music they were making.

Today's music almost requires notes lower than a low E.

However, I do not judge any player by how many strings he has on his bass! I merely question the debate.


Apologies if this ruffles any feathers.

 

[ivbenaplayin]

The 4-string versus 5-string debate is a sore subject with me. My reasons:


They should be considered different instruments!

A 5-string should not be considered a 4-string with an extra string nor should a 4-string be considered a 5-string with a string missing.

The "use the B-string as a thumb anchor" approach can lead to a habitual bad habit and prevents proper learning.

Learning 5-string bass properly requires the mind-set of learning a new instrument.

I see no reason in owning both 4-string and 5-string basses except for possibly sentimental reasons or for a vintage look.

Listing numerous well-known and well-respected bassists who played 4-string exclusively only says that 4 strings were enough for them and the music they were making.

Today's music almost requires notes lower than a low E.

However, I do not judge any player by how many strings he has on his bass! I merely question the debate.


Apologies if this ruffles any feathers.

Good point Nick... I own both 4 & 5 stringed basses from various manufacturers, I play in a 5 piece cover band and also a 3 piece blues trio. I pretty much play 5 strings exclusively with the cover band since MOST of the songs we cover REQUIRE 5 strings, and I play my 4 bangers with the blues trio, simply due to the different music selection... neither is better or worse than the other, just DIFFERENT, which suits me since I get to buy more basses, which is totally cool

 

[Aussie Mark]

Today's music almost requires notes lower than a low E.

I've never managed to understand that argument. To my ears a B is a B, C is a C etc. I play with flats, and the "low" B on my 4 string basses is huge and thumps as it is. I really can't see what advantage having a low B would bring to anything other than cookie monster vocal death metal screamo or if I were playing the show that Lou Reed and Lori Anderson are touring at the moment ("Music for Dogs").

Can you elaborate on why a low B is "required" in a non-metal playing rock band?

 

[shakinbacon]

It's called the Bongo 6, don't tell me you didn't know that

I did... but just like putting a low B on a stingray 4 isn't the same (imho) as the low B on a stingray 5, I would want Musicman to optimize their instrument for the low F# before I'd even bother

This is all conjecture on my part and I could be wrong

 

[shakinbacon]

The 4-string versus 5-string debate is a sore subject with me. My reasons:


They should be considered different instruments!

A 5-string should not be considered a 4-string with an extra string nor should a 4-string be considered a 5-string with a string missing.

The "use the B-string as a thumb anchor" approach can lead to a habitual bad habit and prevents proper learning.

Learning 5-string bass properly requires the mind-set of learning a new instrument.

I see no reason in owning both 4-string and 5-string basses except for possibly sentimental reasons or for a vintage look.

Listing numerous well-known and well-respected bassists who played 4-string exclusively only says that 4 strings were enough for them and the music they were making.

Today's music almost requires notes lower than a low E.

However, I do not judge any player by how many strings he has on his bass! I merely question the debate.


Apologies if this ruffles any feathers.

I agree with most of what sitonmybass is saying.

However, I play upright bass as well and a low B just doesn't seem all that important in that setting (at least for the jazz stuff I do). However, that is another instrument altogether. Given a choice, I'll admit it would be nice if it had a low B though

 

[sitonmybass]

To my ears a B is a B, C is a C etc.

Can you elaborate on why a low B is "required" in a non-metal playing rock band?

Someone who hires a bass player (especially for a cover situation) may "require" the same exact octave of certain notes in order to be true to the original recording. This could happen in any genre where these lower notes are on the original recordings.

Sometimes for originals, the songwriter may also want notes that extend below low E.

This is all that I do for a living; I like to keep my employers happy.

 

[Aussie Mark]

Someone who hires a bass player (especially for a cover situation) may "require" the same exact octave of certain notes in order to be true to the original recording. This could happen in any genre where these lower notes are on the original recordings.

Sometimes for originals, the songwriter may also want notes that extend below low E.

This is all that I do for a living; I like to keep my employers happy.

I see you've used the words "may" and "could". I've been playing in cover bands, tribute shows and with original artists for more than 30 years, and none of the band leaders, songwriters or musical directors have said "you must play a 5 string on this song" or "that B you just played needs to be an octave lower". But maybe I've just been lucky or got away with it?

 

[MK Bass Weed]

Hmmm...what's the debate...? Most of the songs 'covered' in my band are from before the time the 5 string (electric with low b) was 'invented'...

4 String is still here and doesn't seem to be checking out soon...Have 7 of those

5 Strings are very cool..I have 3 of those...Use it 90% of the time live...and yes it IS a different instrument when you're playing songs written for an extended range bass or doing a keyboard part. After that, you're covering 4 string parts. Not rocket science here...5 string contrabasses have been around loooong before the electric versions..

Everyone just get a 6 String BASS and settle down.

 

[boyet]

I see you've used the words "may" and "could". I've been playing in cover bands, tribute shows and with original artists for more than 30 years, and none of the band leaders, songwriters or musical directors have said "you must play a 5 string on this song" or "that B you just played needs to be an octave lower". But maybe I've just been lucky or got away with it?

I think it's all about being loyal to the arrangement/composition. Of course you can play the low notes an octave above (I even tried playing it two octaves above and nobody bothers to tell me I shouldn't be doing it) but there is a purpose why arrangers/composers prefer the low notes. I myself don't want to rewrite and change whatever the arranger's/composer's intention with the low notes and IMHO it does sound better when you play the right octave.

 

[boyet]

the 4-string versus 5-string debate is a sore subject with me. My reasons:


they should be considered different instruments!

a 5-string should not be considered a 4-string with an extra string nor should a 4-string be considered a 5-string with a string missing.

The "use the b-string as a thumb anchor" approach can lead to a habitual bad habit and prevents proper learning.

Learning 5-string bass properly requires the mind-set of learning a new instrument.

i see no reason in owning both 4-string and 5-string basses except for possibly sentimental reasons or for a vintage look.

Listing numerous well-known and well-respected bassists who played 4-string exclusively only says that 4 strings were enough for them and the music they were making.

today's music almost requires notes lower than a low e.

However, i do not judge any player by how many strings he has on his bass! I merely question the debate.


apologies if this ruffles any feathers.

+1