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once you've played a 5 string what's the point of 4?

DDR

By DDR,
in General Discussion

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Al Krow Grand Master

Al Krow

Posted
Posted
  On 28/11/2024 at 12:36, cetera said:

Answers:

1: 4

2: Both

3: Nope

4: Nope

5: Solid foundation

 

You're welcome ;) 🤣😂

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Ok wtf is solid foundation vs technical noodling all about?!

 

And why doesn't someone who is as good a bass player as you, use a....😅

Richard R Grand Master

Richard R

Posted
Posted
  On 28/11/2024 at 21:24, Al Krow said:

 

Ok wtf is solid foundation vs technical noodling all about?!

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Solid Foundation were a dub reggae band in the late 1970's. Technical Noodling is a type of cooking pioneered by Heston Blumenthal.

 

There's a YT video of the now ageing Rastafarians attempting to eat this stuff for the first time, it's called...

 

  • Haha 2
Baloney Balderdash Grand Master

Baloney Balderdash

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 28/11/2024 at 17:46, MartinB said:

We've had all these arguments before - it's time to shuffle them around for new and exciting match-ups:
Pick vs. 5-string

Tort vs. rounds
"Play it like the record" vs. active
etc.

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I'd say picks make more sense with the narrower string spacing typically found on 5 string basses.

 

Therefor the logical conclusion would be that if you don't play 5 string basses with a pick you are doing it wrong, and ought to have your fingers cut off as penalty for your vast stupidity.

 

Also everyone knows that the hue of the Tort matches flat tone best, therefor everyone ought to only play flat notes on a Tort equipped bass.

 

And hard to play Radioactivity like the record on a bass, Kraftwerk didn't utilize electric bass anywhere in their discography.

 

Edited by Baloney Balderdash
  • Haha 1
Stub Mandrel Grand Master

Stub Mandrel

Posted
Posted
  On 28/11/2024 at 23:19, Baloney Balderdash said:

I'd say picks make more sense with the narrower string spacing typically found on 5 string basses.

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Oft said.

 

Curiously my Fender Performer (a 4 although legend says a 5 prototype was made) which has 16mm string spacing was made specifically to appeal to a burgeoning market for 'slap' basses.

joel406 Rising Star

joel406

Posted
Posted

Very late to this party. Only read through the first page. 

 

Been playing 5-strings for around 10 ish years now. Don't even own a 4 anymore. I did just get a 6-string.

 

Buy yeah. Once I got the hang of it 4-string just doesn't make sense. The playability of the 5 makes it the better choice. For me. I play everything on a 5. If I don't use the B string on a song no big deal. But the more I play a 5 the more I find myself bouncing off it just higher up on the neck. Having 2 octaves is so cool. 

 

Anyway, I no longer consider a 4-string a bass. If ya can't do 30hz you're doing it wrong.

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Baloney Balderdash Grand Master

Baloney Balderdash

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 28/11/2024 at 21:35, Richard R said:

 

Solid Foundation were a dub reggae band in the late 1970's. Technical Noodling is a type of cooking pioneered by Heston Blumenthal.

 

There's a YT video of the now ageing Rastafarians attempting to eat this stuff for the first time, it's called...

 

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Techno Safari of the Rasta Noodles?

 

 

Also, how about:

 

Stringless Basses Vs. 1 String Basses

 

and

 

Washtub Bass Vs. Sea Bass

 

Edited by Baloney Balderdash
Stub Mandrel Grand Master

Stub Mandrel

Posted
Posted

Well yesterday I got a WhatsApp pointing out Gasoline is on the setlists for the weekend, checking we want to do it. Of course everyone else does.

 

That means I have to bring a fiver... (it seems the original may have been on a four tuned BADG!)

 

It's not brushing up on the song, it's that I now have minimal time to refresh my fiver versions of enough songs to make it worthwhile.

 

Now what idiot put the setlust together? Oh...

Leonard Smalls Grand Master

Leonard Smalls

Posted
Posted
  On 29/11/2024 at 00:59, joel406 said:

If ya can't do 30hz you're doing it wrong.

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I often go lower than this with my 4 string not-bass (see, I'm using the new terminology, though not-bass is perhaps a touch clumsy; I shall contact Bootsy, Victor, Stanley and Jaco's ghost for suggestions). Octavers are ace, in moderation! Though most bass cabs have a quoted low end response of around 40Hz, and that's usually -6dB...

EssexBuccaneer Experienced

EssexBuccaneer

Posted
Posted
  On 26/11/2024 at 17:45, chris_b said:

Leland Sklar said in an interview that he'll play the bass that the songs require, but if he has to play one note below E he'll use a 5 string bass for the whole show, because he's not going to switch basses on stage.

 

Pretty much my thoughts. I don't see the point in switching basses around (even less point in retuning mid set) when I've got one instrument that covers all formats. If there's a 4 string song that really doesn't require the B string then I'll just play it on the upper 4 strings. I also play several songs on 2 strings and one song that that only requires the E string. As I say, it's a good to have one instrument that covers all requirements.

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I’ll switch basses mid-gig because I refuse to tune on-stage. Horses for courses 😀

  • Like 1
Dan Dare Grand Master

Dan Dare

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 29/11/2024 at 00:59, joel406 said:

Having 2 octaves is so cool. 

 

Anyway, I no longer consider a 4-string a bass. If ya can't do 30hz you're doing it wrong.

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Are you playing only in first position, then? I have more than three octaves on my Spector 4 and am only a semitone short of it on my Fenders.

 

Your instrument may be able to do 30hz, but can your rig? When you get down to those numbers, you are hearing mainly harmonics and little fundamental.

Edited by Dan Dare
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Richard R Grand Master

Richard R

Posted
Posted

My guess would be that the low frequencies are sustained for longer because the bowing continuously excites the string, rather than decaying quickly away after the initial pluck. 

  • Like 2
joel406 Rising Star

joel406

Posted
Posted
  On 29/11/2024 at 22:34, itu said:

Fine, please describe your rig in detail. I am also interested.

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QuadCortex. 8 driver custom fitted IEMs.

 

If I have to use an amp. Mesa Boogie Subway D-800+ into Mesa Boogie Cabs. Either my 212s or my 410s. I have two of each. Mostly reach for the Epifani more for live. But for the last 3 years. IEMs. They go plenty low enough with their 4 low-end armatures. And the QuadCortex handles "all" the frequencies. 

 

So... Yeah those low notes are well represented. It's the FOH that counts.

Beer of the Bass Mentor

Beer of the Bass

Posted
Posted (edited)
  On 29/11/2024 at 20:00, Stub Mandrel said:

Why does bowed double bass sound deeper than plucked or slapped double bass or electric bass?

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I recorded once with a very experienced producer/engineer who was absolutely insistent that the fundamental frequency on a double bass was one octave below the same string/position on bass guitar, on a session where I was playing double bass. It was a very strange experience, I eventually just kind of conceded so we could get on with things rather than pushing the point even though I know they're the same.

Edited by Beer of the Bass
Woodinblack Grand Master

Woodinblack

Posted
Posted
  On 29/11/2024 at 20:00, Stub Mandrel said:

Why does bowed double bass sound deeper than plucked or slapped double bass or electric bass?

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Although I am not one of those 'anything less than a 35" bass and the B doesn't work' people, but Is true to say the 43" B string on the NS:Bass, especially bowed is the nicest sound.

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