4-string vs 5 string. Which is Better? | EP37 | The SBL Podcast
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- Опубліковано 24 тра 2022
- 173 | EP37 | 4-string vs 5 string. Which is Better?
5-string basses seem more popular than ever…so what’s all the fuss about? If you’ve been thinking about getting a 5-string, or maybe even a 6-string bass or beyond! There are a few things that are worth considering. In this episode Scott and Ian discuss the pros and cons. Who knew that adding an extra string could complicate things so much?
In this episode you're going to learn:
- Why you might want a 5- or 6-string bass.
- What a 5-string can do that a 4-string can’t.
- How Ian made the jump from a 4-string to a 6-string!
- Is it harder to play a 5-string bass?
- And much, much more!
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I decided to pick up a bass at the start of the Pandemic and have been a SBL member for a little more than 2 years. I've been learning on a 5-string bass since the beginning, but have often wondered if I made the right choice given my skill level (or lack thereof at this point). This podcast has been very informative and has, at the very least, assured me that my choice of instrument was not a mistake. I've experienced the challenges (muting unplayed strings, especially that low B) and joys (glorious range and seismic low end) of playing a 5-string, and continue to work on my technique to master the instrument. Glad I tuned in to this podcast, my first, and look forward to many more.
I like it all. 5string Jazz with rounds, and a 4string P with flats. I also have a beautiful old 6string Tobias that is really fun for chordal things and jazz melodies. Lets F’n Go Bass!!!
Every 5 string bass has a 4 string bass right there in it
Yup, thats why Six is the ultimate, haha
Exactly! I never understood why devoted 4 string players were so flummoxed by just one extra string.
@@craigmoran893 Yeah, but who needs all those high notes anyway? It's called _bass._
@@BigBri550 Its still a bass if you add 5 notes on the top. It just gives you more options.
Played 5’s for years. Went back to 4… it makes you think & approach playing differently. Of course, I play a 12 string Chapman Stick:)
Hey guys,
LOVE the channel!!! Been following for a few years now and just recently found the podcast. THANK YOU for this awesome content!!!
I grew up playing in brass bands (cornet) for about 25 years and only recently started playing bass guitar about 7 years ago…so my musical knowledge is extensive, but my bass knowledge is limited. I play bass exclusively at my church and this episode BLEW MY MIND!!! I play a 4-string Jaguar PJ bass and because I’m still kind of a bass beginner, tend to stick to the low-end (because it’s awesome). If I’m honest, I really only use the E, A & D strings. I love the feel of a 4-string, but have on occasion fallen victim to needing those lower notes below the bottom E. You BLEW MY MIND when you mentioned the possibility of BEAD setup and tuning!!! Seriously!!! I’ve tried one of my buddy’s 5-strings basses before but MAN…I had NEVER thought of that possibility before for a 4-string!!!!! WOW!!! My head has been spinning for 2 days nonstop at the possibilities!!!
I agree I will eventually need to expand to learning more of the upper register, but for now, BEAD ALL THE WAY BABY!!! 🔥🔥🔥
THANK YOU!!!!! YOU GUYS ARE AMAZING!!! Fan-for-life right here!!!!!!
Playing since 2002 4 strings and mostly 5 stg since 2005, but spend a Lot of time on my 4 p bass...but if Ï d choose one, Il would keep my j bass 5..but I recommend to play both...for many reasons
I am 5 string bass player. I feel fine playing it, not because of 5 lower notes, but because Low B makes playing easier. I only have one bass at the moment being, my workhorse Sire V7 5 string. I played 4 and 6 string basses, but I love 5 because I have all that is needed to play and record my music.
The real Godfather of the five-string bass tuned E to C is Steve Swallow.
Doing it way before anyone else.
4 strings if I can, 5 strings if I have to. I do fine on a 5, I do musicals and then there's no way around them but 4 are just more fun to me.
I have a 4, a 5, and a 6. I play the 4 and the 6 the most, slightly biased toward the 6. The 6 is moderately easier to play, since I don't have to shift around as much.
Big Brother once again Scott and Ian , here is a good scenario. I’m a right handed person, but the first time I picked up a pool cue, I picked it up as I was left handed.
I felt natural, it obviously take time to get good at the game, but at first we all clueless.
If you have never played bass, it will not matter whether it’s a 4 or 5, you will be shit.
If when I started playing back in medieval times, lol, I had a choice of 4 or 5, I would have gone with the 5. Why? I would be shit either way.
Thank the stars I didn’t start messing about with someone’s left hand bass at the start.
Honest truth, not selling you a bag of pork pies.
Cheers
Ruderik
Honestly, the 4-string is the most beautiful.
5 string neck was too wide for me along with muting kicked me back to 4-strings tuned to BEAD. Losing those top 5 notes off the traditional G? No prob for me. I also like treating my 5 fret as the 1. This keeps me in the 5-10 range without having to go down to a 3 to get a G when it's right there at 8.
Sometime in Spring 89 I went into Carlsbro sound hell bent on getting a Warwick bass. Tried it and hated it. 😳 Saw a Stingray 5. Tried it and loved it. I have to admit that for the first 20 years of having it I played it like a 4 string and only occasionally dropped down to the B. Yep, the longest thumb rest in the world …. But no muting problems. 😜
Great podcast!
My first 10 years I played a 4. When I finally caved on the 5 the hardest part by far was not the low b, I was mentally prepared for that, it was having a middle string all of a sudden that ended up being the hardest part of the adjustment. My favorite thing about the 5 is the narrower string spacing, makes it hard to want to go back to a 4.
recording yourself all the time is so important ESPECIALLY when playing a bass with a low B string! itll really expose how messy you play, I always practice in my doss
I am a regular 6 string lead/rhythm guitarist. I have tinkered around on bass here and there but never took playing the bass guitar seriously. I have just bought myself a 5 string bass guitar and I am gonna force myself to learn to play this Beast...lol. I wanted a 5 string because mainly I like the LOOK and FEEL of a big 5 string bass guitar in my hands compared to a 4 string...I think that 5 strings are built better and feel beefier and stronger and it just to me really feels like a proper "bass guitar". I am going to mainly work on even playing the high 4 strings and get comfy and then start learning how to even use the low B in playing. That's MY plan so far. Just got my bass and picked it up, felt it and thought to myself - this is gonna be a challenge to even play this thang !!! But i love the 5 string compared to the normal everyday 4 stringers...and everyone wants a 5 string nowadays too i think, gotta be cool right ? LOL. And my main music genres is hard rock, metal, and praise & worship so I think i'm good to go.
I started playing a 6 string (Anthony Jackson is why...) years ago. Muting is just like any other facet of playing any instrument. You see the problem - 1st step is recognizing it's a problem, then you observe and work out the handling. I play with my thumb - I am not a slapper, but use my thumb like a pick - I can and do use my left hand thumb to mute the low B and E strings. I use the fretting finger to mute the lower string, and other free fingers to mute as needed. One has to drill it into muscle memory just like any other aspect of technique. There are different ways that have to be drilled in to handle the muting problem.
I say, let your ears guide you in choosing the instrument. I love, love, love the low B and would not be without it. I tried a 5 string - dumped it and got back to 6 strings. I just hear it all and use the entire range of the instrument. If you hear it, do it. If you don't hear it - don't do it. Your ears should be your guide. playing a 6 string is adjusting to a flatter, wider neck. It's just an adjustment. It's not a huge deal. Practice using the entire range of the instrument and it becomes your voice. That's what I say on the subject. What you hear is the senior point of judgement. Yes, it's an adjustment to play a 35" scale neck. Yes, one has to think with working with 2 extra strings - but all of that is accomplished with attacking the problem and drilling the solution.
Yes, they are heavy. Exercise and get in shape. Yes, they require bigger stretches, work on it. Yes, they are... one can do this all day - but if you hear it, all those problems are easy to handle. The 1st and primary point is what do you hear?
l really appreciate the idea that progress can be made faster with less-complicated instruments and muting the extra strings add more one would need to control. I used to play a heavy Guild 4 string back in the '80s playing 50s through 80s. Now, I play a Mustang playing mostly older country, a little bit of folk and blues. I'm not sure a 5 string would be desired for older country or folk. I love the shoreline gold color of the Mike Lull 5 string. I have a Strat Lonestar that is that color. Great video with a lot of interesting perspectives!!!
I've played lots of country music in my day, and I preferred 5 strings over 4.
5 strings allowed me to play in the sweet range from the fifth fret to the twelfth and still get all the notes that I would on 4 strings. And I didn't have to move my fret hand all over the neck near as much.
The other thing that helped me be a good country bassist was to do the old Motown thing and use flat wounds with a foam string mute back by the bridge. And I rolled my guitar tone knob all the way back as a default setting. Sometimes I rolled more tone in, used a plectrum, and palm-muted if I wanted to get that old "tic tac" effect.
@@BigBri550 Thanks for your input! Do you prefer the P or the J style pickups for country music? Also, have you ever played a fretless bass for country songs?
@@jeffbriggs4268 Thanks, it's good to talk shop like in the good ol' days!
As for bass pickups, I have found they don't really matter all that much as long as they aren't junk. P style or J style are just fine either way, but I definitely choose Precision basses over Jazz basses overall because of body & neck preferences.
A stock standard Precision with flat wounds and a foam string mute is what I call "The Bass." It's a go-to sound that most always works in most every kind of combo.
I have never used a fretless bass, but sometimes I really wanted that sound. For a while I played with a singer-songwriter who had some tunes on which I instinctively wanted to access that fretless voice. I wouldn't want to use fretless for everything, yet I regretted that I never afforded myself the experience.
@@BigBri550 Thanks for your insight!
Never heard of Brand X before now. Awesome!
Love you guys:)
On of my favorite basses is a 5 string J bass tuned E to C with a two stage hipshot D-tuner. I can have a low D and a low C. That way the muting is much less problematic and I also have a Gruvgear fret wrap on the bass. I use that bass only where I play a lot of solos and heads.
I believe it was Mark Twain who said 'Quitting smoking is easy. I've done it a thousand times.' Me, I've done it 3 times already and lasted, well, ca. 5 years. Now, there's probably the 4th time somewhere in my future. Maybe.
As for 4 vs 5 - I currently have only 5-strings (3 of them, to be precise) because that's what I play in both my bands. But man, I do miss the feel of the good ol' 4. If I'm ever able to justify buying a bass I won't use that much outside of my bedroom, I'll definitely go for it. Actually, I don't have a P-Bass atm, and I've always dug the Yamaha BB series (I even had 2, both 5ers), especially the older ones. Hmmmmmm...
Anyway - play what you want and/or need to play, and focus on playing it well. That's it. Having said that, I've never understood folks who have a problem with the number of strings other people choose to play (looking at you, Billy Sheehan). What would that change in my life if I only played 4-strings and someone else preferred a 5 or a 6? C'mon.
Great talk, guys. I've been binging on those SBL podcasts as of late - can't wait for that fretless one you've promised! Yay!
Hey you guys I know it's a bass show but since you brought it up.Try Intermittent Fasting. It's not a diet it's an eating schedule. There are some great videos on youtube. Look up Dr. Jason Fung. I'm 66 6'1 170 pounds 13% body fat. I eat well and don't really deny myself anything and I drink beer pretty much every day. 5 years ago I dropped 40 pounds and have had the same weight the whole time.
BTW I don't think there is such a thing as "Too much Curry" LOL
Back in high school I played bass. Had a 64' Fender P and something made by Ovation. Also a bit of keyboards (mostly bass) with a Minimoog and Korg Polysix. Fast forward 3 decades of not touching the instrument and my youngest daughter started playing guitar and bass. This got me thinking I should take it up again, just for personal amusement. I bought a new bass, Ernie Ball Stingray Sterling and thought it would be a good idea to get a 5-string.
Big mistake. Man did that screw me up.
I should have bought the 4 string. I just had a hell of a time dealing with that extra string. Ended up practicing on my daughters Fender Squire PJ 4-string.
I own a Dave Ellefson Signature Jackson 5 string Bass and love playing on it.
This whole 4 string VS 5 string debate is reminiscent of the pick or no pick
Not really because a five string has a 4 string bass built in.
Tony Levin once said that 3 strings are enough to do everything on bass. He supposedly had a tangerine 🍊 colored OLP (Stingray knockoff) bass with only 3 strings.
I've said this before, and I'll say it again: 5 string is chiefly so you can stay above the 4th fret and not have to leave the sweet zone to get any of those last five low notes (G#, G, F#, F, E).
As someone with short fingers, I *can* play in the first four frets, but it's much easier to play above the fourth frets using the B string. I also stylistically tend to prefer playing on the lowest string possible (e.g. playing A on the fifth fret E string instead of open string A), so the 5-string works well for me in that respect.
I also like not having to go to drop D tuning just to occasionally hit the low D.
@@xbjrrtc I agree. Sometimes playing below the fifth fret works for certain songs, but I prefer to stay on the fifth fret & above as much as possible
It takes a few months to go from a 4 to a 5. It's a little trickier to mute, but no big deal. Its much more challenging getting a 5 with a decent b -string .... - if you cant afford a Dingwall of course.
Started on a 4-string and thought my hands were too small to make the stretches. But I worked at it consistently, making sure to use my pinkie.
Fast forward three years, I decided to get a 5-string. I was intimidated because it's slightly longer than the 4-string, but to my surprise, all the stretching work on my previous bass had paid off. I'm able to reach the frets using one finger per fret. Plus, as a bonus, the strings are slightly closer together which works perfectly for my tiny fingertips lol😂
I don't understand why anyone bothers with a 4 string. Nothing but 5s for me. Songs in Eb standard or drop D or even drop C# tuning, are not a problem. But the big win is being able to move patterns over one string lower to reduce hand movement to hit low notes. I use a floating thumb to mute the low strings, no biggie.
You took the words out of my mouth.
That said, at home I usually practise with my 4-string because it's right next to me and I'm too lazy to go and get the 5-string from our living room.
I've never found muting to be a problem, but you do have to do it, I play with my thumb at the end of the fretboard, so that kills the B string and the others are covered by my fret hand. It would be more of a problem if I slapped (not with my arthritis) or played near to the bridge.
Seems you need to increase your knowledge, then you would understand. Proper tools for every job, no one tool fixes everything
I actually like moving around on a 4. Also, I don't have to look down at the fretboard as much.
You can say that there's levels to bass, and think that you are graduating from 4 to 5, or 5 to 6.
But when considering that guitar players start on a 6 string, is it really any different?
I'll be in London mid-November, where is the best place to take the family for curry?
I have a 4, several 5, and one 6 string Peavey TL-6 that use to belong to Randy Jackson.
I prefer the 5 strings, and the 6 string is way too wide for my hand.
I have both.
make a custom bass from overwater to your specifications..... and base it on your f bass
It's never 4 vs 5 thing for me. I started play on 4 and I love it. I think it's the best number of strings for any bass. BUT! Today's music needs a lot of low notes. I tried detuned my 4, I tried different tunings... No way! 5 was immediately like a natural thing for me. Still use 4 in all situation where notes below low E are not necessary or just there's no those low notes. When I need 5 (REALLY need 5!) I just use 5. 6 and more? Maybe someday... I'm kind of session/section player since day one and really love that role for bass and me. Solos and solo material for bass are not my pair of shoes but when someone need that I provide that too. But I just love to rumble bass notes in band and in rythm section more than anything else. :D
You guys are keen to Domi and JD correct?
I like my five-string and my four-string. I think that the 5 string is a little easier if I am playing something for a 4 string because I immediately know the A string is in the middle and the strings are, I think, a little closer. Its pretty interesting how each of them feel.
Whatever the song calls for.
I have a straight forward answer: start on a 4 string. Eventually, get a 5 or 6.
Piano versus a Pipe Organ (analogy)
How about three strings?
I watched this hour long show. I think what was said could have been done in ten minutes, or less. I'm glad you all had a good chat, but to much joking for me to appreciate. I definitely felt like an outsider and not like one of the "dudes".
Wouldn’t a Bass strung ADGC be called a Tenor Guitar and not a Tenor-Bass? 😂😂😂
More fat and protein if you're on Keto Scott! You gotta fill up!!
I love father and son acts.
opinion, skip the small talk... some of us have no time.. lol