4 or 5 string?

[BigEdGator]

First time I ever posted in any forum. After about 25 years of raising a family, making a living, etc. the nest is now empty and had to find something to do (or so my wife said!). So I have rediscovered the joy of music. Started by playing an acoustic electric and now find myself playing bass in local garage band (had not touched a bass in 30 yrs). I am currently playing a 5-7 year old Harmony Bass which has been perfectly OK to learn on, but would like to upgrade. Have about $400-500 to spend and would appreciate any suggestions. Also would like any suggestons on going with a 4 or 5 string. My hands are not especially large and I am still very much in the learning mode so I am inclined to stay with the 4 string but would reconsider if the whole world is moving to 5 strings. Thanks

[The Insomniac]

Welcome!

 

I

[DerekDRP]

Welcome to the forums!

 

a few rules first.

 

1.Dont listen to lug's mp3's if you dont want to be normal ever again lol.

2.4 strings makes you a man

3.5 strings is a wussy way out of playing ( its a wanna bee guitarist )

4.DerekDRP cannot spell worth crappo and makes bad puns

[ARES]

i played for 12 years before finding a 5-string i actually liked, so i bought it (90's tobias growler). the extra range of the low b string is nice, but i don't use it all the time.

 

play a variety of 4 and 5 strings to see what you're comfortable with.

 

don't be afraid to buy used.

[Ravelleman]

 

Originally posted by DerekDRP 3.5 strings is a wussy way out of playing ( its a wanna bee guitarist )

 

 

No, just no.

[zachoff]

Welcome. I like 4s. The only time I wish I had a 5 string was with my metal band that detuned to D.

[T. Alan Smith]

I played 6 string for years, and currently playing a 5 & 4(fretless & fretted). While I prefer 4s, there are things you can do with a 5er that just can't be done on a 4, so I'll always have one in my aresenal. With that said, you can do all you NEED on a 4.

[sunburstbasser]

REAL bassists play 7+.

 

Yeah, so I use 4 strings pretty much exclusively. So I tend to recommend 4s.

[P.Bagley]

With about $500 to spend you can afford a nice used Carvin LB-70 or LB-75. If you are very lucky you may find a nice G&L or Hamer for that money.

 

I'd go with a 5 string. It opens up a few more notes for you.

 

More importantly you can play things higher on the neck. Let's see if I can explain. If you play Mustang Sally in C, and you want to drop down to the F it could be a stretch on a 4, but on the 5 I'm playing C at the 8th fret of the E string and F is at the 6th fret on the B string. The frets are closer together and it's less stretching for notes. And I find it more comfortable playing in the 5th to 9th fret range of the neck.

 

Otherwise the B string is a thumb rest. No, I use a pickup for that.

 

One more advantage to the 5 string - your singer can't do the song in F, but Eb is a wonderful key. Do you tune down the 4 string, or just play the 5?

 

Then there's the country groove in G, using the low D for the V note. Mmmm, growly.

 

If you do go with the 5, you may want to make sure your amp can handle the lower notes. Most can, and you never really use the low B anyway. I do use the D and C often enough though.

 

Enough rambling.

 

- Paul

[LO_RYDER]

hEY MAN 4GET THESE GUYS. GO WITH THE 5! NO ONE PLAYS 4 STRINGS ANYMORE AND MOST MUSIC THES DAYS ARE WRITTEN FOR 5 STRINGS (OR MORE). AS FOR HAVING $400-$500 TO SPEND...WELL THATS NOT MUCH BUT CHECK OUT IBANEZ. THEY MAKE DECENT BASSES FOR THE MONEY AND THEY LEAN TOWARD NARROW NECKS!

 

HAPPY HUNTING!

[zachoff]

As far as recommendations go...

 

The Schecter CV-4 and CV-5 would be my first vote for basses under $500 new.

 

Used, you have a lot of options. The Ibanez BTB is good and the Schecter Stiletto is also good.

[ARES]

Originally posted by LO_RYDER hEY MAN 4GET THESE GUYS. GO WITH THE 5! NO ONE PLAYS 4 STRINGS ANYMORE AND MOST MUSIC THES DAYS ARE WRITTEN FOR 5 STRINGS (OR MORE).

as usual, lack of wisdom is directly proportionate to how stuck one's caps lock key is.

[Mudbass]

The B string makes a nice thumb rest, but if you don't need an extra thumb rest stay with four strings.

[Detox]

 

Originally posted by BigEdGator First time I ever posted in any forum. After about 25 years of raising a family, making a living, etc. the nest is now empty and had to find something to do (or so my wife said!). So I have rediscovered the joy of music. Started by playing an acoustic electric and now find myself playing bass in local garage band (had not touched a bass in 30 yrs). I am currently playing a 5-7 year old Harmony Bass which has been perfectly OK to learn on, but would like to upgrade. Have about $400-500 to spend and would appreciate any suggestions. Also would like any suggestons on going with a 4 or 5 string. My hands are not especially large and I am still very much in the learning mode so I am inclined to stay with the 4 string but would reconsider if the whole world is moving to 5 strings. Thanks

 

 

 

Hi, welcome.

 

I was pretty much in the same position last year, starting over, average sized hands.

 

I ended up with 4 string and 5 string basses. They both have their uses. BTW, I get the best garage-band sound out of my Jay Turser Beatle bass knockoff.

[Emprov]

Originally posted by LO_RYDER hEY MAN 4GET THESE GUYS. GO WITH THE 5! NO ONE PLAYS 4 STRINGS ANYMORE.

 

Ya, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Will Lee, Billy Sheehan, et al...all overrated hacks.

[LanEvo]

Originally posted by BigEdGator First time I ever posted in any forum. After about 25 years of raising a family, making a living, etc. the nest is now empty and had to find something to do (or so my wife said!). So I have rediscovered the joy of music. Started by playing an acoustic electric and now find myself playing bass in local garage band (had not touched a bass in 30 yrs).

Welcome back to the fold! I've been playing bass on and off for the last 15 years or so. There are times when I've hardly touched a bass for months at a time...then I'll suddenly get the urge and get back into it. It's a great instrument.

 

 

Originally posted by BigEdGator I am currently playing a 5-7 year old Harmony Bass which has been perfectly OK to learn on, but would like to upgrade. Have about $400-500 to spend and would appreciate any suggestions.

The "SX" (or "Essex") Fender copies sold through www.rondomusic.com are very popular on this board. They have very nice looking Precision and Jazz clones. I'm considering picking one up myself. You can't go wrong with one of these:

 

http://www.rondomusic.net/sjb62mglpb.html

 

http://www.rondomusic.net/product413.html

 

 

Originally posted by BigEdGator Also would like any suggestons on going with a 4 or 5 string. My hands are not especially large and I am still very much in the learning mode so I am inclined to stay with the 4 string but would reconsider if the whole world is moving to 5 strings. Thanks

That's tough. I've played both 4 and 5 strings for years. Frankly, I hardly ever use the low B; it's not necessary for most of the music I play. I find myself picking up my good old '72 Jazz most of the time.

 

Anyway, I wouldn't really sweat it too much. 4 or 5...it really doesn't matter. The important thing is to find a bass that feels comfortable to play and helps you get the sound you're happy with.

 

Emre

[mounds]

 

Originally posted by LO_RYDER hEY MAN 4GET THESE GUYS. GO WITH THE 5! NO ONE PLAYS 4 STRINGS ANYMORE AND MOST MUSIC THES DAYS ARE WRITTEN FOR 5 STRINGS (OR MORE). AS FOR HAVING $400-$500 TO SPEND...WELL THATS NOT MUCH BUT CHECK OUT IBANEZ. THEY MAKE DECENT BASSES FOR THE MONEY AND THEY LEAN TOWARD NARROW NECKS! HAPPY HUNTING!

 

 

 

......... I'm not quite sure if I can comprehend the legitimacy (or lack thereof) of this particular post... Additionally-- Troy Sanders, Tom Araya, Martin Mendez, Byron Stroud, Josh Campbell all use 4 string basses for the most part. (This is just in "metal" music..where people tend to think 5 strings are more prevalent)

 

 

BigEdGator:

Personally, I love my 5 string-- i like the range that I'm afforded with it. I don't like that my low-b can sometimes sound muddy. I want a 4 string to accompany my 5 string, because I really like Jazz Basses, but it's really more what you're comfortable with. I'd go to a guitar center or something similar and just look at everything they have, so you can get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

[LO_RYDER]

LETS SEE..MARCUS MILLER, VIC WOOTEN....AND WHO EVER ELSE YOU NAMED ARE THE EXCEPTIONS NOT THE RULE. WHEN YOU START RECORDING YOUR OWN RECORDS YOU CAN PLAY A 1 STRING BASS IF U WANT. BUT, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY MOST EVERYONE ELSES MUSIC...A 4 STRING WONT CUT IT.

 

BUT PLAY WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY.

 

 

 

6 STRINGS RULE THE BOTTOM...AND THE TOP!

[zachoff]

 

Originally posted by LO_RYDER LETS SEE..MARCUS MILLER, VIC WOOTEN....AND WHO EVER ELSE YOU NAMED ARE THE EXCEPTIONS NOT THE RULE. WHEN YOU START RECORDING YOUR OWN RECORDS YOU CAN PLAY A 1 STRING BASS IF U WANT. BUT, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY MOST EVERYONE ELSES MUSIC...A 4 STRING WONT CUT IT. BUT PLAY WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. 6 STRINGS RULE THE BOTTOM...AND THE TOP!

 

 

That's just plain wrong, dude... I hate to burst your bubble.

 

For every 6 string pro player, I could probably name 10 4 string pro players.

 

For every 5 string pro player, I could probably name 3 4 string pro players.

 

You are right in one case... Definitely play whatever makes you happy.

[Adrenochrome]

I'd recommend a 4-string. You can always tune down lower and put fatter strings on to keep the tension you need. Even my 30 year old 4-string is okay tuned BEAD. This only applies to a normal 34" scale (not 32 or 30").

[T. Alan Smith]

Originally posted by LO_RYDER LETS SEE..MARCUS MILLER, VIC WOOTEN....AND WHO EVER ELSE YOU NAMED ARE THE EXCEPTIONS NOT THE RULE. WHEN YOU START RECORDING YOUR OWN RECORDS YOU CAN PLAY A 1 STRING BASS IF U WANT. BUT, IF YOU WANT TO PLAY MOST EVERYONE ELSES MUSIC...A 4 STRING WONT CUT IT. BUT PLAY WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY. 6 STRINGS RULE THE BOTTOM...AND THE TOP!

 

Blue is the best color.

[Emprov]

 

Originally posted by LO_RYDER LETS SEE..MARCUS MILLER, VIC WOOTEN....AND WHO EVER ELSE YOU NAMED ARE THE EXCEPTIONS NOT THE RULE.

 

 

I'm guessing that there are a whole lot more exceptions to your rule than actual followers.

 

And BTW, I play 5 almost exclusively.

[tdempsey]

Big Ed -

 

Welcome to the Forum! You realize you may never leave.

 

Seriously, try to spend a little more and go for either a Fender P or J bass. The Made in Mexico's don't suck, but only if money is really tight.

 

The four string issue is strictly personal, but it is particularly nice to have that lower D in the 3rd position. You'll hardly ever play the open B string. So what I'm suggesting is try them both. Go to the stores and play them.

 

Don't just buy online, until you have had the chance to try the model in a store.

 

And have fun!

 

P.S. I also impulsively bought (and since sold) a Spirit by Steinberger, if you like that style. You'd have change left.

[Undertoad]

Four strings has been the standard for the last 500 years, give or take a decade.

[cavy]

I recenetly made the switch to 5 string after 4 years on a 4 stringer... I love the 5 string...so much booty! Seriously the 5 string helps alot in the 4 piece with a singer, provides a much bigger foundation and sound overall.