By DF (24.168.8.162) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:26 pm:

For all bass players (or anyone else):

I am a 4 string bass player (Fender Ps and Jazz Basses). I have been a bassist for 8 years. I have no plans to switch over to 5 or 6 string bass. A couple of reasons: 1) I don't like the feel of the multi-string basses--don't like the string spacing; and 2) I don't like the sound of the B string (too low, sounds like the extreme left side of a keyboard).

Are 4 stringers becoming extinct? It seems that I hardly see any 4 stringers anymore. It also seems that the bass players back in the day (60s, 70s) thought of themselves as bass players first. Yes, I do understand that the roles of bassists have changed since then.

I have a couple of other questions:
1) When teaching a begginer, shouldn't he/she start off on 4 to learn the fundamentals of the instrument? You'd be surprised to see the number of folks starting out on 5, even 6 string.
2) With many writers writing bass parts lower than E, are they really writing for bass, or are they really writing for keyboard?
3) Are all of those extra strings necessary? Cats like Jamerson, Jaco, Marcus, Victor Bailey and Stanley Clarke have all created without going exclusively 5 or 6.

Let me indicate, however, that I do listen to a few multi stringers: Gene Perez, Taurus Mateen and Anthony Jackson. Otherwise, I listen mostly to 4 players.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:35 pm:

Jamerson Junior - 5 string fretless custom made.

Mr. Wendell - 6 string Peavy.

Bro. Lenny (formerly with Enchantment)- 6 string Ibanez.

By SisDetroit (68.42.209.170) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 08:41 pm:

I understand that Junior's has the best sound as far as "bottom" ????

Well, I really can't remember the words given to me by Bro. Lenny as a description of the difference in the sounds.

By STUBASS (152.163.188.68) on Wednesday, February 19, 2003 - 11:20 pm:

MY BUDDY PLAYS A FIVE STRING...HOWEVER...THOSE OF US THAT STARTED OUT ON DOUBLE BASS (UPRIGHT)...WOULD PROBABLY NOT BE AS PRONE TO MAKE A MOVE TO ADDITIONAL STRINGS...AS OPPOSED TO A CONVERTED GUITAR PLAYER FOR EXAMPLE!!!...I WAS NEVER EXPOSED TO EXTENDED STRING BASSES WHEN I WAS PLAYING...AND TO THE BEST OF MY RECOLLECTION...I ALWAYS FOUND THE NOTE THAT I HAD TO PLAY GOING ONLY QUAD!!!...

By radiogoon (206.148.224.54) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 04:25 am:

Do more with four! Words to live by.

Dr.Z

Jazz Basses 4-Ever!

By john c (12.2.233.107) on Friday, April 04, 2003 - 03:34 pm:

Hey DF,

I've been playing for about 8-9 years too, Although I dabbled for about 20 while playing guitar. When I got serious, kept telling myself "Gotta get a 5 sting". Now I have absolutely no desire to get a 5 or 6. The reason for me is that Jamerson is my bass player hero and he didn't need one. Secondly, I came to my senses and saw how much I had to learn on the 4 it made no sense for me to get a 5. I do have a Hipshot Bass X-tender and detune to D alot.

Plus 6 strings look incredibly Dorky.

Plus I have small hands.

Plus I have 3 or 4 more 4 strings I want.

I guess if you needed to emulate synth lines you might need a 5. I never quite understood the 6, who needs to play that high? It's a BASS!

My wish list : Jazz (my one bass), Precision (with old flatwounds), Stingray and Rick - all 4 strings.

Finally, my impression is that the trend has been toward more 4 strings lately.

Nice talking to a fellow bass player.

By Ju (205.188.209.38) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 02:26 am:

DF,
How has the role of bassists changed?

By DF (24.90.11.4) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 02:56 am:

Ju:

The role has changed because of the demands placed on them. Writers now want them to go lower than E. I play for my church, and I originally thought the multi-string was a phenomena exclusively in gospel music. In gospel, bassists now have to match the organ and/or synth. But I've realized that the demands for 5 and 6 strings are across the board.

I ask these questions (I know I'm repeating):
1) Do writers understand the roles of the instrument that they are writing for?
2) Do these cats today truly understand what a bass is?
3) Shouldn't a beginner crawl before he walks (start out on 4 string)?
4) Y'all see the new Marcus Miller V?????

By BassLand (64.169.104.6) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 04:45 am:

This is a topic close to my heart. When I came to L.A. in 1980 I was a confirmed 4 string player but during that time bassists could hardly get arrested in L.A. because of the synth (keyboard) bass craze of the latter disco era (late 1970's early 1980's). As the eighties progressed, bass became popular again with one difference.
Producers (and listeners for that matter) had come to expect the bass to play lower. There were songs in Eb or D where the bassist would need to play in the lower octave. At first a lot of guys just detuned the E string to whatever the bottom note (Eb, D, or lower) was needed. This messed up the geometry of the instrument.

I got my first 5 string in 1984 and didn't play it on the gig for almost a year and then started gradually to add it for certain songs. I was touring with the Late Hank Ballard when I used it first for a live recording made in England at the Hammersmith Palais for Charlie Records. Hank loved the sound of the 5 string and encouraged me to use it more. I do not play any 4 string basses these days (I still have one but it lives at my neighbors house).

I've had a few 6 string basses but never played them out and eventually sold them. I see the need to go down but my basses have 2 octaves fingerboards and I don't need to make the guitar player mad at me plus I need to be playing BASS...

By DF (24.90.11.4) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 08:08 am:

I am sure this issue has raged like the issue of "upright v. electric". It seemed like upright players of the 50s and 60s shifted to electric out of real necessity. Carrying a big upright in the streets (or worse, tying it to your car if you don't have a big van) can by very burdensome. In addition, upright players were not heard (this was before transducers and improved amplification).

Do writers need to write lines outside the role of the instrument (lower than E)? My answer is NO!!!!!! Peace.

By Bassn for God (24.158.71.34) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 11:47 am:

Just a quick thought on a 5 string. I have been playing bass for 25 years, started on upright in middle school(6th grade) and added an electrtic in high school(Strad O Lin). As I had the chance try out different setups over the years, I really like the sound of the P-bass style. I have played a Milestone for several years, I know is sounds like a cheap setup, but I really enjoyed the sound it could create. I recently added an EB MusicMan Stingray 5. I enjoy the "Funk" sounds that come from my simple rig. I was not very interested in the B to start with, but the Gospel sound I am working with loves that little extra range. I catch myself going lower and I love it. It just seems so natural. Give it a chance and I believe you will impress yourself. My next change will be fretless. Any suggestions?
Keep the bass line strong and your heart in the song.
Robert

By BassLand (64.169.107.208) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 12:01 pm:

A brief history,

Started Bass at 13 4-string electric (1963)

Got into 5 string (1984)

got an upright upon discovering that Jamerson was an upright player first (got that bass in 1987 or so).

I don't even think about the 5th string anymore. I read the ledger lines necessary to read for this instrument. I don think I could even read on a 4 string anymore.

BL

By DF (24.90.11.4) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 03:38 pm:

With more folks buying 5 strings, I have an alarming projection: 4 string basses, especially P Basses (except vintage 60s), may devalue. I went into a newly opened music store in my neighborhood (just what I need in the hood to go broke!!!). Anyway, I saw a vintage 1979 Fender P Bass priced at $900. Very great sound and construction, too. 70s Fender basses are normally at least $1500-$2000 and up.

Why do I see P Basses devalue? In addition to the above paragraph, P Basses are not know for "their versatility". When you play P's (and even Jazz), it's gonna sound like and only like a bass (that's what it's supposed to sound like, stupid!!!!). But, unfortunately, players and producers alike want different, versatile sounds from their basses (i.e. Steve Bailey's Aria Pro 6 sounding like a piano).

With that trend, 4 string prices may drop (especially Ps). Anyone agree with this assessment?

By DF (24.90.11.4) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 03:40 pm:

For a 4 stringer like me, the devaluing of 4 strings is good for me (a good 4 string buyer's market!!!). Peace.