Funny discovery, and decision made

[jaylegroove]

Hi folks,

Having been a bass player for 32 years so far, and having been exclusively a 4-banger for the 27 earlier years of these, I must acknowledge that, though I am fully used to 5 strings, I still remain, in my heart and soul, a 4-string player.

Two months ago, I purchased a cheap 4-string bass on clearance sale, just for fun (and for my students too). Paid it only 139 €, so we all understand that by no way it can compare with my SR5. But the fact is, even with its very approximative setup ability and its ordinary-but-nothing-more tone, I feel a bit more "at home" with "only" 4 strings.

Now, on the other hand : there are songs I play where a 5-string is mandatory. Besides that, I love my SR5. So I shall not let it go.

The decision has been made. I'm starting to save money right now. I plan to purchase an SR4, single H, 3-band EQ. Still undecided between two options :

- either rosewood / natural / black pg
- or maple / tobacco burst / white pg

(leaning much more towards the latter)

Though, I might consider the used market and, why not, get one if I find one I fall in love with. I'll keep you updated.

PS. No proposals please, I'm out of cash for the moment.

 

[Frankie5Angels]

There's no shame in four strings, Jean. I play only four strings. I have no need (at least now) for any more.

 

[RobertB]

Happy hunting, Jay!

 

[fly]

it feels good inside doesn't it?

 

[jaylegroove]

Thanks folks !

 

[jaylegroove]

it feels good inside doesn't it?

Yeah, back to the roots, and doing the financial deal for some GAS.

 

[Kristopher]

The thing I've heard from a lot of 5-string players is that "when I picked up a 4-string it was so fun to play".

 

[oli@bass]

That's why I fully converted back to 4 strings... (and MMs) ...that fifth string is really not that mandatory for what I play, and I still can have some low down dirty notes with an octaver...

 

[the unrepentant]

The thing I've heard from a lot of 5-string players is that "when I picked up a 4-string it was so fun to play".

Yeah that's why i have a four and a five, granted the 5 isn't an EBMM, though i wish it was. 4 and 5 are two totally different beasts to me.

Also i say go with the maple/tobaccoburst/white, though i prefer honey burst to tobacco

 

[Moondog]

- or maple / tobacco burst / white pg
(leaning much more towards the latter)
(

yeah, that's the one - I'm also looking for
the TB/Maple, may order the 2-band tho
b/c I have enuff 3-bands . .

Definetly a great color combo - good luck!

 

[RocketRalf]

I love tobacco burst.

I started playing bass on a 5, and the only time I grabbed a 4 the neck seemed thin to me and the E string was hard to play because I rest my thumb a lot on the B, and it seemed to me like the E would slip out of the fretboard if I tried to do vibratto. I also love those extra low notes, and the tapping lines and chords that I've developed with five strings would need a lot of adjusting to play on a 4. I honestly don't see any con to having that low B. Maybe if I played a 5 string violin I'd understand what it feels like to have more strings than what you're used to. I have yet to try a 6 string bass and I'm dying to

EDIT: I forgot to mention that I don't really slap, I think the B string might be obstrusive if you slap a lot on the E, and the string spacing might be smaller on a 5.

 

[carpedebass]

No offense but...I played a 4 banger the other day and I just felt limited. My opinion...don't kill me...

 

[slaine01]

Keep the 4 string and just get a Hipshot D-Tuner for your E string.

 

[phatduckk]

im also a 4 string guy. i tried a great 5 for a while but its just not me. good thing MM makes a variety of great tools for us to choose from

 

[Soul Man]

Lovin' the 4.

 

[Brim]

Funny...I picked up a 4-string bass the other day and thought the E was the B. Oopss...been playing 5'ers for 4 years now.