elephantgrey Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1453723340' post='2962070'] Where's the option for 3? [/quote] [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1453725114' post='2962098'] Or 2 or 1? [/quote] Pics please =P Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Urban Bassman Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I had and played several 5s over the years but always seem to drift back to 4s. So for me it's 4 all the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 [quote name='elephantgrey' timestamp='1453727127' post='2962129'] Pics please =P [/quote] OK... I don't own it anymore but this Atlansia Solitaire used to be mine: [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC02853.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC02867.jpg[/IMG] [IMG]http://i114.photobucket.com/albums/n249/BigRedX/DSC02870.jpg[/IMG] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1453728502' post='2962149'] OK... I don't own it anymore but this Atlansia Solitaire used to be mine: [/quote] nice, i like it. Looks like it would be interesting to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conan Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 [quote name='Urban Bassman' timestamp='1453727239' post='2962132'] I had and played several 5s over the years but always seem to drift back to 4s. So for me it's 4 all the way. [/quote] Me too. I get all the advantages of fives, but my brain and hands just can't get used to them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I've been playing for 21 years and the last 17 have been exclusively (apart from a brief dalliance with a 6er that ended last year) playing 5 strings. I actually find 5 string necks to generally be more comfortable as my preference is for a wide but shallow neck. Other than that I can't see any good reason not to have the extra string there when I want it both for positioning and extended range reasons. If I found the extra width of the neck or tighter spacing in any way to be a negative then I might reassess it but for me personally, 5 strings genuinely are all pros and no cons. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muzz Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Nothing humble about a 4... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musicman20 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I have more 5 string basses, starting to feel more comfortable on them, therefore voted 5, but I'll never stop playing 4 string basses as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EliasMooseblaster Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 All but one of my basses is a 4, and the exception is the 8-string. So, technically, you could argue that was a double-coursed 4. I can see the sense and, up to a point, the appeal of extending the instrument's range - though given my own playing style, if I were to invest in a 5er, I'd probably look to extend the range upwards rather than down (i.e., EADGC). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elephantgrey Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 [quote name='EliasMooseblaster' timestamp='1453740141' post='2962324'] All but one of my basses is a 4, and the exception is the 8-string. So, technically, you could argue that was a double-coursed 4. I can see the sense and, up to a point, the appeal of extending the instrument's range - though given my own playing style, if I were to invest in a 5er, I'd probably look to extend the range upwards rather than down (i.e., EADGC). [/quote] Why choose? get a 6. Then you can play 2 8ve scales in the same hand position =P. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrunoBass Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I've played since 1991 and I've never felt the need to go beyond four strings. I can't see me ever using five or more strings to be honest, but never say never. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
40hz Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) I know it sounds weird but I really dislike the sound of B strings. So although I've dabbled with 5's (and own one) it's 4's all the way for me. Edited January 25, 2016 by 40hz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1453728502' post='2962149'] OK... I don't own it anymore but this Atlansia Solitaire used to be mine: [/quote] Did you sell that to Jonny Shrimpton? If so I've played it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigRedX Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) [quote name='Twigman' timestamp='1453744664' post='2962384'] Did you sell that to Jonny Shrimpton? If so I've played it. [/quote] TBH I can't remember who I sold it to, other than I think he came from Brighton and was going to use it in a "Royal Blood" type bass and drums band. However I can't imagine that there are many of these in existence and even fewer in the UK... What did you think of it? Edited January 25, 2016 by BigRedX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musashimonkey Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 6 strings for me on my main bass. 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twigman Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 (edited) [quote name='BigRedX' timestamp='1453746114' post='2962406'] What did you think of it? [/quote] The neck was a bit chunky to say the least! but bizarrely felt right because of the 'narrowness' of the fingerboard. ...I found being restricted to a single string extremely limiting...hahaha - certainly root fifth stuff out the window unless the string was tuned to the root of the key! Edited January 25, 2016 by Twigman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 5 exclusively until recently when I decided to hang on to the parts build project I made. I love the use the fifth position for playing in E, and regularly use a low D and C in several songs in our blues sets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HazBeen Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I use both a 5 and a 4 in all my bands/projects. If I am lazy I take the 5; was like you and played 6ers, until I realised a 5 would cover almost everything I do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrevorR Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 Only ever owned 4 strings... But then in 30 odd years of playing only ever owned 6 basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I have a couple of 4s and a 6 but my main 'go to' bass has been a 5 for many years now. On my occasional 'window shopping' sessions, I totally disregard 4s these days. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed_S Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I played 5s exclusively for a long time, but I ended up trying one of the then-new Mexican 4 string Precisions that had just come out in 2009ish and it was a "have to buy it" moment. I took it along to a rehearsal as a bit of a joke (my main basses then were Vampyre and Warlock 5-strings so the white/white/maple P was something of an aesthetic change) but I ended up enjoying it so much that I've been predominantly in the 4-string camp ever since. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 I'm surprised there aren't more 4 string players. I certainly can't remember the last time I played a gig and someone in the other bands had a 5 stringer. Infact...I can but only because I sold him it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
r16ktx Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 4 string for me tuned BEAD for metal and std for everything else Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jezzaboy Posted January 25, 2016 Share Posted January 25, 2016 4 string bass for me and I only use 3 but could get away with 2.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Delberthot Posted January 26, 2016 Share Posted January 26, 2016 I use the least amount of strings I can get away with in whatever band I'm playing in at the time. This is currently 5 but up until this time last year it was a 4 for a few years. In the past my main bass has had 4, 5, 6, 8 or 12 strings depending on the band. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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