Query failed: connection to localhost:9312 failed (errno=111, msg=Connection refused). How many bass strings??? - Bass Discussions on The Fretboard
›
UNPLANNED DOWNTIME: 12th Oct 23:45

How many bass strings???

What's Hot
axisusaxisus Frets: 27656
in Bass
I have flirted with bass for many year on and off. Started with 4 stringers, but bought a 5 string 18 years ago and never looked back. 5 string basses came and went over the years an I eventually bought an uber bass (Fender custom shop). All was well and good, but for some reason I had a hankering for the simplicity of 4 string again. Bought a status 4, but never got on with it, it felt like something was wrong to be honest. Anyway, I hung up bass playing for the best part of a year, only to get into it again in the last 2 weeks. Suddenly the 4 stringer feels like 'the one' and 5's feel weird. The big question now is do I kiss my supreme bass goodbye?

Anyway, do you prefer 4, 5 or more than 5 bass strings?
0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter

Comments

  • Paul_CPaul_C Frets: 7086
    4
    "I'll probably be in the bins at Newport Pagnell services."  fretmeister
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • monquixotemonquixote Frets: 17108
    tFB Trader
    I play a 5 mainly because the last band I was in did a few songs in drop tunings and I don't like changing guitars or retuning on stage. I could see myself potentially going back to playing a 4 at some point depending on the band.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • ICBMICBM Frets: 69426
    4

    Only ever.

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • steamabacussteamabacus Frets: 1239
    3!
    image

    ... or 12?
    image


    :-/
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 22257
    4 or 5.

    5 with orchestra as I need the lower range. Happy with 4 for almost everything else.
    SPEAKER IMPEDENCE CALCULATOR
    https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • ICBMICBM Frets: 69426
    steamabacus said:
    3!
    image


    Or…

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • axisusaxisus Frets: 27656
    I should add that I find it hard switching between 4 & 5. I need to stick with one or the other.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • steamabacussteamabacus Frets: 1239
    ICBM said:
    steamabacus said:
    3!
    image


    Or…

    Surely that's the wrong three, though?
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • ICBMICBM Frets: 69426
    steamabacus said:
    Surely that's the wrong three, though?
    I suspect it didn't matter too much :). Pretty sure I saw him with only two (the middle two, if I remember rightly - but might have been the bottom two) on at some point as well.

    Loved the band but I'm sure musicianship was not a priority ;).

    "Take these three items, some WD-40, a vise grip, and a roll of duct tape. Any man worth his salt can fix almost any problem with this stuff alone." - Walt Kowalski

    "Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand." - Homer Simpson

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • ChrisMusicChrisMusic Frets: 1133
    6 
    seems like a pretty good number to me   :)

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • UnclePsychosisUnclePsychosis Frets: 12324
    In terms of notes, I can do everything with a 4. 

    however, in terms of comfort I prefer a 5---I mostly use the B string as a thumbrest and it feels wrong not having it there! 
    My trading feedback
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • chrispy108chrispy108 Frets: 2336
    I chose a detuned 4 over a 5, I just never got on with either of the fivers I had.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • ThePrettyDamnedThePrettyDamned Frets: 7416
    5.

    If possible, 6.

    8 is better.

    I like 15 so it goes below the range of human hearing, it really fills out a band mix.

    Mostly 4 or 5 though.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • martmart Frets: 5165
    edited April 2014
    steamabacus said:
    3!
    image

    One of @mdphillips first ever endorsement deals.
    2reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 1reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    Only messed with 4 so far, haven't been playing bass too long.

    Then again I've only ever messed with 6 on a "normal" guitar and I've been playing that for ages, so...
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • Dave_McDave_Mc Frets: 2022
    edited April 2014
    Cack, accidental double post :|
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 22257
    Bit of everything...


    SPEAKER IMPEDENCE CALCULATOR
    https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
    0reaction image LOL 1reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • IanSavageIanSavage Frets: 1319
    Always said I'd never need any more than 4, joined a band who tuned down to C so got a five and tuned it up a semitone, loved it, totally doesn't work for blues band I'm with now, back to four again. I REALLY want a Jazz type for some reason. 
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • ChrisMusicChrisMusic Frets: 1133
    That is an incredible looking instrument.

    You don't really think you can get away with posting that picture @fretmeister without an explanation.

    It was bad enough watching the Zon Hyperbass video you posted elsewhere, that was incredible.  This is going to get expensive, very, very expensive !

    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • fretmeisterfretmeister Frets: 22257
    That is a Read Step Neck bass. It belongs to Victor Wooten.

    I dont know a lot about it - there was a photo in the "American Basses" book.

    I believe there are only 2 in the world. Even rarer than the Zon Hyperbass (there are 3 of them in the UK. I have 1, and someone I know has the other 2!)
    SPEAKER IMPEDENCE CALCULATOR
    https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
  • BellycasterBellycaster Frets: 5750
    Not recommended for Barre Chords!




    And they said that in our time, all that's good will fall from grace, even Saints would turn their face, in our time.
    0reaction image LOL 0reaction image Wow! 0reaction image Wisdom · Share on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.