I prefer playing a 6 string. I started with a 4, moved to a 5, moved to a 6, owned some very nice 4, 5 and 6 string basses since that, tried a few 7s and settled on 6.
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How often do you need more then 4 strings?
- Thread starter ics1974
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It's an arrangement and philosophy question, I think.When you have a 5 string you don't want to get back to 4 string. But I guess the same applies to 5 string and 6 string.
I definitely appreciate the need for greater range (I play and fully utilize 8 string guitar), but there are definite tradeoffs to adding strings, such as weight, enharmonic sympathetic vibration (can be muted for the most part), tighter string spacing, higher action, etc.
I originally figured that as I progressed musically on bass, that I'd also expand the number of strings that I used (like guitar), but I find that I really enjoy the constraint of four strings - the limits force me down some super interesting roads that I wouldn't otherwise have to consider in order to accomplish my musical objectives:
At the end of the day, I haven't needed more than three octaves.
I’m curious about this comment. Is it just that you’re more comfortable on the four (easy to understand) or is there a technical reason why it’s harder to “groove” on a five? TY!
The groove, as with all other musical abilities, is in the players head. A groove has nothing to do with the key of the song, the age of the player or the number of strings on the bass.
The only extra notes on a five that I like are the low D and Eb. That’s all I was saying.
I play 5 strings most of the time, but could easily get by with a 4 in most situations. I'm about a year out on a Dingwall custom order and I'm debating between a 4 and a 5.
I definitely do not *need* a 5 string.
That said, I own a few, and at one point in the early 90s, I only played 5 string bass.
More recently, I’ve been going back and forth between 4 and 5 strings, and honestly, I think I prefer 4 strings for simplicity, and like others have mentioned, muting.
I do like having the low notes for key changes and D and E flat notes, and having two octaves with minimal shift of hand position is great.
However, I enjoy 4 string much more these days, and I’m finding that it is totally fine to have a 4 string and that the super low notes often don’t project that well.
That said, I own a few, and at one point in the early 90s, I only played 5 string bass.
More recently, I’ve been going back and forth between 4 and 5 strings, and honestly, I think I prefer 4 strings for simplicity, and like others have mentioned, muting.
I do like having the low notes for key changes and D and E flat notes, and having two octaves with minimal shift of hand position is great.
However, I enjoy 4 string much more these days, and I’m finding that it is totally fine to have a 4 string and that the super low notes often don’t project that well.
I never really gelled with a five the way I do other basses. Something just gets in the way of me playing as fluidly and smoothly as I can. But six-strings, no problem. It’s kind of odd, really.
I’m thinking a lot depends on the style or genre you play in.
For most of my own stuff a fiver with a high-C set isn’t optional. And for the heavy stuff I need the low B string. But for most of what I play with other people a standard 4-string works just fine.
I sidestepped the whole dilemma by just getting more basses and grabbing whichever one I need for the task at hand.
For most of my own stuff a fiver with a high-C set isn’t optional. And for the heavy stuff I need the low B string. But for most of what I play with other people a standard 4-string works just fine.
I sidestepped the whole dilemma by just getting more basses and grabbing whichever one I need for the task at hand.
I agree that it depends on what you are playing. I did a few original bands with a 4 string. But, I've done cover gigs, worship gigs at church, pit orchestra gigs, sub gigs, etc. I use the B string quite often for those. When working with different singers, it's nice to be able to transpose easily and keep the flow of the line. I could jump up an octave here and there, but, depending on the key, the line can sound disjointed or lose some of the heft. Plus, playing covers, there are a lot of recordings with 5 string basses or lower synth parts. I like being able to cover everything easily.
I don't need more than 4 strings, but when I play my 5 string bass I do use all the strings. It's just a somewhat different instrument.
Simple as that.
I do find the 5 string somewhat more logical to orientate myself on in terms of notes, chords and scales, but yet I feel most at home on my 4 string.
Simple as that.
I do find the 5 string somewhat more logical to orientate myself on in terms of notes, chords and scales, but yet I feel most at home on my 4 string.
"Need" is a strong word.
I have encountered quite a few contemporary parts (and not so contemporary - like from the 19th century) that clearly call for extended range. And I think it sounds super cool – so I for one am more than happy to gear up & deliver.
4-string players can usually get away with playing some lower notes an octave up if they're otherwise good to work with. And of course, it won't ever come up in certain genres and/or bands. (Drop D comes up often enough, I have an Xtender installed on most of my 4-strings.)
I have encountered quite a few contemporary parts (and not so contemporary - like from the 19th century) that clearly call for extended range. And I think it sounds super cool – so I for one am more than happy to gear up & deliver.
4-string players can usually get away with playing some lower notes an octave up if they're otherwise good to work with. And of course, it won't ever come up in certain genres and/or bands. (Drop D comes up often enough, I have an Xtender installed on most of my 4-strings.)
I like BEAD. I guess I been lucky enough to never have to play exactly like the record if I respect all the hooks. So it's never been a problem if I had to invert a line here or there
I could happily play most songs with BEAD. Except for slapping. G string pops a lot nicer than the D string to my ears.
- Jan 30, 2004
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This Q gets asked so often that perhaps it needs a Sticky Thread. it is a good question.
The answer on extended ranges for both electric bass guitars and orchestral upright depends on the gig being played. I only mention the orchestral instrument, because there are somewhat similar questions there.
In the bass guitar world, the 4 string EADG bass guitar with a drop tuner practically covers low notes down to D; though the fingering in DADG tuning can sometimes require some work. I find the lower notes on the DADG tuning to sound more pleasing than the same notes on the 5 string instrument. ATM, I can cover 99% of the material in my 3 gigs with DADG; and it’s somewhat entertaining to work out the fingerings.
OTOH, there are some gigs requiring much lower notes, which are best served with a B string; sometimes with a drop tuner on that! Just depends on the gig. Also, transpositions of cover tunes can readily need notes below E; and there may not be sufficient time to sort out drop fingerings on DADG 4 string. Been there done that. Some transpositions can’t even be properly played on DADG 4.
One of my past gigs did Can’t Hurry Love in Ab, for example. The notes are there in DADG; but I never found any way to properly finger that transposition.
I have both 5’s and 4’s. The 4 is the default, unless I need the 5. Or, just feel like playing it; because there is that too.
The answer on extended ranges for both electric bass guitars and orchestral upright depends on the gig being played. I only mention the orchestral instrument, because there are somewhat similar questions there.
In the bass guitar world, the 4 string EADG bass guitar with a drop tuner practically covers low notes down to D; though the fingering in DADG tuning can sometimes require some work. I find the lower notes on the DADG tuning to sound more pleasing than the same notes on the 5 string instrument. ATM, I can cover 99% of the material in my 3 gigs with DADG; and it’s somewhat entertaining to work out the fingerings.
OTOH, there are some gigs requiring much lower notes, which are best served with a B string; sometimes with a drop tuner on that! Just depends on the gig. Also, transpositions of cover tunes can readily need notes below E; and there may not be sufficient time to sort out drop fingerings on DADG 4 string. Been there done that. Some transpositions can’t even be properly played on DADG 4.
One of my past gigs did Can’t Hurry Love in Ab, for example. The notes are there in DADG; but I never found any way to properly finger that transposition.
I have both 5’s and 4’s. The 4 is the default, unless I need the 5. Or, just feel like playing it; because there is that too.