It looks like you're new here. If you want to get involved, click one of these buttons!
Subscribe to our Patreon, and get image uploads with no ads on the site!
Base theme by DesignModo & ported to Powered by Vanilla by Chris Ireland, modified by the "theFB" team.
Comments
I can see why someone might think it's better to have the string there even if they don't use it much but it means you'll always have an extra string to mute so it will be a hindrance unless you need it.
I'd say in general, in genres that use five strings, most players in that genre will use one. So look at players who pay the same genres as you.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
I like a 5 as it gives me somewhere to rest my thumb.
The best part about a 5 string isn't the extra low notes, it's being able to play across the board more for less fatigue and easier fingering patterns.
Note to anyone silly enough to say "basses have 4 strings" and the like.
The double bass started with only 3 strings. So if you want to be authentic you have to take off the G from your 4 string.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
I have thought about that quite a lot... there was a period when I didn't play anything on the G string in the band's entire set, although there are now a couple of songs I use it for. To be honest I'm not that keen on the sound of it normally, it's a bit weedy - I prefer playing the same notes five frets up on the D string usually.
Or you can go one better...
"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
Here you go!
It is real!
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
What's the pickup? I would probably prefer to fit both halves of a P pickup but spaced more like a Jazz, so it could be hum-cancelling as well (assuming that one isn't).
"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
I think it is just half a Delano P pickup.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqzi0CxARFc
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
I don't think I've ever heard bassists complaining that having to move horizontally on the fretboard is so fatiguing or difficult to finger that it's a problem.
Re: the 3 strings, I think I would be mostly fine with 3 since I use the highest string the least. It doesn't cause muting problems though so there wouldn't be any benefit removing it.
If I found a bass made for only 3 (so the fretboard was narrower) I'd give it a try and see! Definitely not 2 strings though, that's not enough.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
They / we don’t complain about 4 strings, we just enjoy 5s when it’s easier.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
I don't understand what you're talking about.
Already a member of that forum but really don't know what you're referring to.
It's a common view.
Even more so among bassists playing music in keys that are not friendly to open string use.
https://speakerimpedance.co.uk/?act=two_parallel&page=calculator
What I mean is that when you're thinking about comparing 4 strings vs 5 string basses, technically being able to go down a string instead of down a few frets is easier but when the majority of bassists are playing 4 string basses, it's easy enough to go down frets anyway. That's what I mean by it's theoretically better; it's solving something that isn't really a problem.
Like if someone invented a machine that applies the right amount of toothpaste to your toothbrush for you - it would be technically easier than putting it on manually but no one's struggling with that anyway.
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
"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
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
I would have a 4 string and it would have to be a Jazz Bass.
I really can't see the point of that psychedelic 2 string bass thing or understand why anyone would bother with it.