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Topic: Bass-4 or 5 string? |
Gary Schuldt
From:
Seymour, TN.
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 1:00 pm |
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Besides playing steel, i am first and foremost a bass player,as many forum members are.I would just like some feedback. I'm going to be buying a new bass soon. Im going to be moving to an area where there are oppurtunities to audition for a bss playing jobs in some different theatres etc.It would be more of an everyday gig of a professional nature. In your opinion do you think playing a 4 or 5 string would make a difference to the people that are hiring you? I would be playing mainly country, bluegrass, and some oldies rock and roll.By the way, I have played 4 strings for years. Just wondering if i should go for the five. Any imput would be greatly appreciated.
Gary Schuldt
Cougar SD-10
Nashville 400 |
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Steinar Gregertsen
From:
Arendal, Norway, R.I.P.
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 1:12 pm
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Personally I've always found the 5 (and 6) string basses to be a little less focused in tone than a 4-string, not sure why but perhaps it's because of the extra mass of wood (?). Could just be me though.....
Anyway, in your situation I would have considered a 5-string just to be on the safe side, should a gig require that.
Steinar
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www.gregertsen.com
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Greg Vincent
From:
Folsom, CA USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 1:22 pm
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Just my humble opinion, but I have never seen a 5 string bass that looked cool.
For the music you state you will be playing, how could you go wrong with a good, solid Fender J or P bass? -GV |
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Jack Stoner
From:
Kansas City, MO
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 2:15 pm
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My wife has both a 4 string and 5 string, and I play bass occasionally with them too. The 4 string is an old Ibanez "Blazer" bass (P bass copy) and plays and sounds great. The 5 string is a Yamaha with two pickups and active electronics. If I were doing modern Rock the active electronics offer a wide range of tones. Playing traditional country I've found a "bassier" sound and just use that. For recording the 5 string cuts much better. I also find the 5th string comes in handy. If I had to choose between the two, I'd take the 5 string.
Most of the Nashville road pickers I've come across in the last couple of years were playing 5 strings. |
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Dave Grafe
From:
Hudson River Valley NY
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 6:28 pm
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I play an old Precision Bass and have never been dissed for only having four strings.
That being said, I'd sure consider a five-string if I was spending money on a new one, that extra low range is pretty cool sometimes. |
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Earnest Bovine
From:
Los Angeles CA USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 8:49 pm
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| You can look cool and sound low by tuning your 4 string bass B E A D. |
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Gary Walker
From:
Morro Bay, CA
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 9:13 pm
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| I ordered a Carvin 5 string 4 years ago and it's a beaut and sounds like a dream. Their quality is second to none, and when I light up the low B string, the ground moves. |
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Les Anderson
From:
The Great White North
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 9:43 pm
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About the only bass I have found that has worked for me is a four string. For the life of me, I can't see the need for a five or six string bass unless you want to do a little low end medody work with it.
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(I am not right all of the time but I sure like to think I am!)
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Chris LeDrew
From:
Canada
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 10:00 pm
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I was going through your exact dilemma a couple of months ago. I was in a store, reaching back and forth between a 5-string Fender Jazz and a 4-string Fender Precision. In the end I went for the 4-string because it is never going to get in the way - everyone knows and loves this Bass. It's a tried and true classic. The 5-string was nice, but I kept thinking that most of the fine bass on my favourite old recordings was 4-string, and did I really need a 5-string? It was heavy and the neck was bulky as well.
By the way, IMHO the Mexican Precision sounds just as good as its richer USA brother. I played mine at a gig last weekend, and the bass player in the other band (who owned a $2000 custom 5-string) was shaking his head in amazement at the the tone of this bass. |
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Billy Johnson
From:
Nashville, Tn, USA
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Posted 15 Jun 2005 10:30 pm
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As a lead player that started as out as a bass player, IMO anything below the low D is lost. Kubiki made a 4 string with 2 extra frets on the E string that is perfect.I've only seen a couple of these in Nshville but they are great and play the same. You may try a search to find out info on them. Good luck and remember EVERYONE including myself is going to have an opinion.
Billy
My opinion is go for 4 www.kubicki.com
is the bass I'm talking about. They're not cheap though.[This message was edited by Billy Johnson on 15 June 2005 at 11:43 PM.] [This message was edited by Billy Johnson on 15 June 2005 at 11:45 PM.] [This message was edited by Billy Johnson on 15 June 2005 at 11:49 PM.] |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 3:11 am
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I can't imagine any prospective gig where an extra string would be a factor in getting hired. It's the playing that counts.
I'm with Greg; you can't beat a J- or P-bass. I like the neck width better than a 5-string. |
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Rick Johnson
From:
Wheelwright, Ky USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 4:29 am
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I have to agree with Gary, I bought
a 5 string Carvin LB-75 several years ago.
I got the pearl inlays and flamed Koa
with gold hardware. Its the easiest
playing bass I have ever played. When
I play out I use a blonde Fender Showman
with JBL 1/15 enclosure, it will shake the ground like thunder.
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Rick Johnson
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Webb Kline
From:
Orangeville, PA
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 4:57 am
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| I played a friend's Carvin 5 str. fretless at a session a while ago and it was the best bass I've ever played. I had a 5 string Jazz for a while, but the neck was too wide for my liking. The Carvin's strings are a tad closer together than a conventional 4 string to narrow up the neck width, but I had no trouble adapting to it. A new Carvin 5 str. is on my wish list, even though I don't play bass much other than in the studio. |
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Jim Peters
From:
St. Louis, Missouri, USA, R.I.P.
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 7:19 am
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| I know my bass player will never see this, so...Eric, lose the low B! To my ears , the notes lower than that E are pretty much lost in live performance,and don't blend as well with guitar. For example, a b chord with a 2nd fret 3rd string b on bass just sounds tighter than the b an octave lower on a 5 string. JP |
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Ganey Arsement
From:
Louisiana, USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 7:53 am
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| I have owned 4 strings, 5 strings and 6 strings. I can play anything I want on a 4 string and be happy. The only advantages I found on the 5 string was the ability to give your arm a rest and play your open E note on the top string way up the neck where you tone and sustain live, as well as the occasional subsonic D or C. I have no use for the high C on the 6 string. You start competing with the guitar if you move too high up the neck. In short, I'm happy with a 4 string. |
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Ben Slaughter
From:
Madera, California
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 12:14 pm
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I play a G&L L-2500 5 string, and would never play anything else. The advantage of having that lower 5th note on the low B string, particulary when playing out of the key of A (which it seems like 75% of the tunes are in), is the primary reason. Rarely do I hit that B string below the 5th fret, if only for effect.
If anything, I've heard more country players talk bad about 5-strings. But it has never been a problem for me.
If you don't get a job because of the instrament you play, particularly in this case, it's probably not a job you wanted in the first place.
I also see quite a few country road players playing 5 strings. |
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erik
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 5:54 pm
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| I know over recent years I have heard some "new country" songs that featured a low note off a B string. It sounds cool on a hi-fi bass in a studio recording. Somehow I would think it's effect in a live situation would vary greatly depending on acoustics. Ultimately, the band leader will decide if you showed up to the audition with the right bass or not. |
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Rick McDuffie
From:
Benson, North Carolina, USA
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 6:40 pm
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You will need more amp with a 5-string.
I'm pretty sure Jaco and Ray Brown only had 4. |
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Gary Walker
From:
Morro Bay, CA
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Posted 16 Jun 2005 9:20 pm
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| Rick J, it sounds like you have the twin to my LB75. I even bought a Carvin Bass Amp and it fills the bill in any situation. |
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Charlie McDonald
From:
out of the blue
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Posted 17 Jun 2005 4:46 am
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My point exactly, Rick.
Could I play like Jaco and Ray Brown if I had an extra string or two? LMAO! |
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Steve Hinson
From:
Hendersonville Tn USA
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Russ Rickmann
From:
Texas, USA
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Posted 17 Jun 2005 5:47 am
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| ”better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it” IMHO Russ |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 17 Jun 2005 7:48 am
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well one thing is for certain, we are not at a loss of opinions here.
my opinion posted below..
t[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 17 June 2005 at 10:58 AM.] |
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Gary Schuldt
From:
Seymour, TN.
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Posted 17 Jun 2005 9:20 am
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Thanks alot guys. Yuo've been a lot of help.A couple of my bass playing buddies play 5 string. One plays a Spector 5 string in a 3 piece Jazz group and it sounds great.My other buddy plays a very nice top of the line Warwick 5 string in a country group, and i have to agree with some of you guys, when he hits that low B string it just sounds like mush most of the time. There really was not that much good tone quality playing live. I also think that when most of us get a new toy, such as an extra string, i think we have tendencies to over use it.
Besides that, what was i thinking anyway,I have been playing bass for 35 years and have not mastered 4 strings. For the life of me i sure don't know what i think i was gonna do with 5. Ha Ha !!!!
Anyway i was thinking of going with a Musicman Stingray or Sterling 4 string. By the way, what are your thoughts on the Rickenbacker Basses. I have always loved the look of them ,but i don't know if you can get that low end warm sound like you get out of a Fender P-Bass or the Musicman series.Don't get me wrong i love the sound of the Fender P-Basses, but i think they have lost some of their craftsmanship quality. I just think the bridge work looks cheap and everyone i tried the volume and tone controls were lose and the pods were moving inside the guitar body.But you are right they have earned their place as being one of the most popular basses ever built.I'm very open to your comments on different basses, especially the Rickenbaker,but other brands also. I realize i'm probably opening up a pandoras box with the battle of the basses, but lets keep it fun guys and gals.
Your Friend in Music,
Gary Schuldt |
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Tony Prior
From:
Charlotte NC
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Posted 17 Jun 2005 9:55 am
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ok..I'll take my STAB...
Although I like playing 5 strings, I am a 4 string kinda guy...
Gary, MusicMans are excellent , my prefernce would be the Stingray rather the Sterling...The Stingray will give you more of the standrard Fender tonality while the Sterling is very bright Funky snappin' machine. I played a Sterling for about 2 years , fine Instrument. Bought it from an exceptional player who was returning to a Fender something or other..
and of course I sold my Fender P Bass with the addition of the Sterling..I really liked the Sterling but was always trying to get it to sound like my P-Bass..It never happened..
One day we were up in NYC ( '95 or so) and I visitd the 48th street stores and in Manny's I eyed this Black Fender J-bass..Never looked back, brought it home. 62RI Stack Knob J-Bass..sold the other Basses I still had including the Sterling. Put a Extender on the JBass for the low Eb's or D's.. This Bass will be with me 'till the last breath...
by the way, my rig was always the same, 350 watt Hartke with a halfstack 4x10 Aluminum coned cabinet.
A quality Bass, fresh strings and a quality rugged amp..can't be beat...
good luck
t
[This message was edited by Tony Prior on 17 June 2005 at 11:00 AM.] |
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