Why is everybody migrating back to the four string bass?

[DWBass]

A lot of the younger players start right out on 5's and 6's and have no experience playing a 4 and when they do, the neck is so thin, they just can't do it. Again, I started at a time when there were no 5 or 6 string basses! I played a 4 from 1972 until around 1991 when I picked up a 5 from a store I was returning a piece of equipment and they only gave me store credit so I had to choose something else! I still switched back and forth so for me, I never left playing a 4.

[ddwilkins]

A lot of the younger players start right out on 5's and 6's and have no experience playing a 4 and when they do, the neck is so thin, they just can't do it. Again, I started at a time when there were no 5 or 6 string basses! I played a 4 from 1972 until around 1991 when I picked up a 5 from a store I was returning a piece of equipment and they only gave me store credit so I had to choose something else! I still switched back and forth so for me, I never left playing a 4.

I fit the build of your opening statement. I jumped right on a 5 string. I recently sold my 4 string because it just didn't feel right. This thread is making me regret letting the MIM jazz go.

[malthumb]

.  I will admit that Maurice was my reason for getting a four.  On most of my Fred DVDs he has some type of six of five, but for some slap songs, he pulls out that white Performance 4 and goes to town.  I bought my Marcus a few months ago, but Ive come to just like playing it so much that Ive put my Laklands on the bench lol.  I still plan on any other bass I get being a 5 or a 6 though.  Ive also come to realize that I am an active guy over passive.

I've come to a similar place, just took a lot longer for me to get ther   

I'm mainly a 5 string player, but there are some songs that are just sooo funky with a 4 string.  Also, some of my secular old school stuff just feels better on a 4.  So my stable includes two fretted 5ers, two fretted 4s, and a fretless 5, with one of the fretted 5s and the fretless 5 getting most of the work.

[floaded27]

A lot of the younger players start right out on 5's and 6's and have no experience playing a 4 and when they do, the neck is so thin, they just can't do it.

i started on a 4. it was all i could get my hands on. it was a squire and for a while after that i hated everything fender because i didnt like the feel of that bass. went to 5 strings and never looked back. tried a few 4s in GC and they do feel thin and most of them feel like the thin part of a baseball bat sawed in half. i like the thin flatter neck profile of 6s better than anything.

[cordney]

I luv my 4...thanks malthumb

[malthumb]

I luv my 4...thanks malthumb

you're welcome

[DWBass]

Well, since we're sharing our 4 strings...............

[BassbyGrace]

Im down.

[malthumb]

Well, since we're sharing our 4 strings...............

Actually, I was just showing off a picture of Cordney's bass, before I sold it to him.  It's one of three basses that I modified.  Gee.....wonder where that sunburst one went?????

[dhagler]

I'm in! Meet "Aquamarine". She is a 2002 MIM Fretless Jazz.

[malthumb]

Oh, what the heck then.....

Here's one.....(the one on the right)



.....and here's the other.....

[DWBass]

Gee.....wonder where that sunburst one went?????

The sunburst bass has moved on and is now being enjoyed by a TB member!

[malthumb]

The sunburst bass has moved on and is now being enjoyed by a TB member!

Thought so when it wasn't included with your other picture. 

[bass_mann1]

I'm not so certain it's that big of a trend.  I know that I myself from time to time try to devote more time to 4 string.  It makes me work harder to transpose songs that are normally played on a 5 so that I can play them well on a 4.  I'll take a 5 and a 4 to rehearsal and whenever I can use the 4, I do. But there are soooo many songs that we do in Eb and Db that I eventually wind up picking up the 5.

I guess if people are tuning down, the 4 is still an option.  I personally don't like to tune down.

I don't blame you, I don't like to tune down,and 5's and 6's look sooo cool, when the right man is on it, but I have short fingers, so I had my P-Bass Special set up b to d, my B is 135, I don't think I will ever give up the four, a man, ( Pat Rutland of Rutlands Music in Valdosta Ga) once told me, "why have a 5 or 6, when so few have mastered the 4"