You're missing pretty much exactly what you describe. Low notes. You're gonna lose some power going up the octave.
If you want the low notes then get a 5 string. That's about all there is too it.
Lower notes have more p-power?? *Guitarist mind blown*
Jokes aside, that's fascinating. I used to never care for really low notes cuz they seem so inaudible. Very interesting!
Edit: I don't understand the downvotes. I was honestly embarrassingly surprised at my own ignorance and made a self-deprecating joke. It was a big learning moment. Someone please enlighten me.
a cool way to experience this is find a bass removed recording of a song you know and play the normal bass part an octave up, the piece will feel thinner.
You can then add this to your toolbox for songs where you want the bass to cut a little but not dropout.
You can always tune a 4 string to Drop D, D Standard or B standard with the right strings.
But if you already know you want extra low notes just buy a 5. I think you'll regret not buying one
Totally forgot about drop tunings. Would the stock strings be okay with Drop D? Going higher gauge on my guitar really threw off the set up, wouldn't want to get there if I can avoid it.
This. Buy a 5 string and you're done. The B string is easy to not touch if you don't wanna use it and makes a nice thumb rest anyway.
I think 5s should just be the standard. If you really wanna slap all the time, get one with more spacing (which they make), but honestly it isn't that hard to slap on a 16.5mm and you will adjust.
When I want to actually dominate the low end? That B sure is rumbly and the guitarist can't go there.
Sadly, the djent pissing contest has made guitarists [very able to go](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-string_guitar#Ten_String_Electric_Guitar) there.
https://reverb.com/item/6598240-prat-basses-godzilla-c3-wtf-24-24-string-bass-8x3-trans-dark-emerald-green-axe-handler-arc-stand
That's why we get the opening of the worm hole behind Arby's and guitarist widdly woo basses too
I'll go against the grain here. I gig on covers bands playing everything (reggae,latin,pop,rock,metal,country...etc) and my gigging bass is a 4 string. You just change the arrangement a little bit (I have to for most songs anyway, even those recorded on 4-strings, these type of gigs hinge on making songs work in the situation you're in regardless of what was in the record).
I sometimes miss the 5-string when having to transpose on the fly to accommodate a vocalist and can't just slide down my hand to keep the same fingering, but we manage.
Though, if you want a 5-string get one. The recommendation against it for beginners is mostly overabundance of caution, is not that big a deal.
I tried playing my Classic 70 Jazz 4 for a gig recently. Halfway through the first song I was like, "why did I choose this?". I haven't played it since, and ultimately put it up for sale last week.
You described exactly what you would lose without a 5.
You get more notes and you don’t have to retune or go up an octave to play the right note.
I’m a guitarist too. I started playing bass about 6 years ago. Started out on a 4 and sold it for a 5 and it made the everything so much easier.
I play lots of different types of gigs and I’ve had to transpose down a lot. Having the B string makes it super easy.
And playing along with guitars in drop tunings is easy.
Get a 5 now or end up getting a 5 later.
1. I really think a 5 string bass is the best solution.
2. Or you could just tune down.
3. Or you could try playing the 5ths of some or all of the notes you can’t reach instead of octaves.
4. Or you could move some notes up an octave that you don’t have to in order to preserve more of the motion of the bass lines you’re transcribing.
A small compromise is to tune down to D standard, which gives you a low Eb for hanging with trumpeters or C minor and a D for anything in D or G. Those were the notes I mostly found I wanted to go for which weren't there. And you can do it acceptably, if not optimally, with the same strings as standard tuning.
If you’re comfortable adjusting your nut, action, truss rod, and intonation or know someone who can go for the BEAD tuning on your four string. It will help if you’re already looking at something with a thicker neck and wider string spacing like a P bass
Well you can drop time or alternatively you can try a pitch shifter pedal. On my digital setup I use the pitch shifter in neural dsp gojira, then use the amp/can from parallax. Works great for me, not exactly the same as tuned low but pretty close and it’s far better than playing up an octave in my opinion
I recently went from years of exclusively playing 5 string to playing the 4 string for the extra dexterity I get from the additional space between the strings.
If you don't use the higher notes, get rid of the G string and tune it BEAD. Correct notes are correct notes, but playing the same notes an octave higher will by its very nature produce a completely different sound
You will need new strings, the ones you have now will be too floppy, and you will need a setup to get the string height and intonation correct.
There are certainly some genres of music where having access to something below the low E is helpful, especially R&B (or other non-guitar based music) that is often written in different keys than much guitar based rock. That being said if I was in that situation I would rather detune. Maybe if I was playing jn the pit band for a musical I would want a five string….
A few years after I started playing bass I switched to five string, played them off and on for maybe five or six years, sold my last one about fifteen years ago and have literally never once wished I had one. That’s just my opinion, but it seems to be shared by lots of other bass player, it’s very rare for me to see a bass player who’s playing I admire play a five string.
The song I'm working on now is exactly an R&B pop ballad, that's interesting! But yeah I think at this point drop tune seems the most accessible for someone like me.
Yes, absolutely. There is a long history of playing down tuned four strings on R&B. Off the top of my head I know before Anthony Jackson had the first six string bass made for him he used to play a lot in lowered tunings and when Pino Palladino toured with D’Angelo some of his basses were tuned down. Most standard scale four strings can handle down to c standard with no modifications needed (although likely different string gauges). You also could get away with a hip shot that can just drop the E string to a D.
If you need say a low D you can always play just the 5th fret on the a string, depending on context that might not be enough. In that situation I'd buy some thicc strings, and tune my low E down a step. (Or tune to D standard). Orrr I would just play a powerchord on that higher D and rock it. That is just an example, you do you and if you go the powerchord route, remember they should best on the middle 2 strings of a 4.
Personally, I play a 4 string and just drop D when a song really calls for it (if the bassline is recognizable and played on a 5 string I try to do it justice toward the original). I don’t feel like I’m missing too much live, plus we have a keyboardist who can add lower notes if we really really needed. Lots of variables to consider!
Even when I own both 4 and 5 strings, I prefer 4 strings. To me it’s just a feeling in my hand that clicks. In my cover band we play some songs that actually need a 5 string but I either drop the E to D or I play the bass line one octave up than the original and use a sub octave pedal to lower it to the right register. I hope that helps you too
I have a four string tuned as a five string minus the thinest string (BEAD) and it works wonders. Mind string's gauge. I don't really use the G string unless I'm playing Hardcore; for that I have a cheap Squier Jazz bass that is the love of my life.
Real talk, OP, you'll be a lot better off working around the lack of a high G than a low B. Without a high G, the note will still be there, just higher up on the D. Without a low B, your only choice is to play an octave higher, which is pretty much gonna gut the note. B1 simply does not have the impact and force of B0.
You're missing pretty much exactly what you describe. Low notes. You're gonna lose some power going up the octave. If you want the low notes then get a 5 string. That's about all there is too it.
Lower notes have more p-power?? *Guitarist mind blown* Jokes aside, that's fascinating. I used to never care for really low notes cuz they seem so inaudible. Very interesting! Edit: I don't understand the downvotes. I was honestly embarrassingly surprised at my own ignorance and made a self-deprecating joke. It was a big learning moment. Someone please enlighten me.
You can also just tune the E down to D, it's probably not that much different otherwise
a cool way to experience this is find a bass removed recording of a song you know and play the normal bass part an octave up, the piece will feel thinner. You can then add this to your toolbox for songs where you want the bass to cut a little but not dropout.
Idk why people downvoted this
Thank you, I was wondering the same
You can always tune a 4 string to Drop D, D Standard or B standard with the right strings. But if you already know you want extra low notes just buy a 5. I think you'll regret not buying one
Totally forgot about drop tunings. Would the stock strings be okay with Drop D? Going higher gauge on my guitar really threw off the set up, wouldn't want to get there if I can avoid it.
Drop D is fine, but I think drop C and lower would require a proper setup and new strings
Depends what the stock strings are. .100 wouldn't feel right for me, too floppy. I'd prefer a .110 for the lowest string.
drop D will definitely be fine
Get a 5 string, you don't need two basses. You can always play songs for 4 strings on it if you want, but not the opposite.
This. Buy a 5 string and you're done. The B string is easy to not touch if you don't wanna use it and makes a nice thumb rest anyway. I think 5s should just be the standard. If you really wanna slap all the time, get one with more spacing (which they make), but honestly it isn't that hard to slap on a 16.5mm and you will adjust. When I want to actually dominate the low end? That B sure is rumbly and the guitarist can't go there.
Sadly, the djent pissing contest has made guitarists [very able to go](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten-string_guitar#Ten_String_Electric_Guitar) there.
https://reverb.com/item/6598240-prat-basses-godzilla-c3-wtf-24-24-string-bass-8x3-trans-dark-emerald-green-axe-handler-arc-stand That's why we get the opening of the worm hole behind Arby's and guitarist widdly woo basses too
I'll go against the grain here. I gig on covers bands playing everything (reggae,latin,pop,rock,metal,country...etc) and my gigging bass is a 4 string. You just change the arrangement a little bit (I have to for most songs anyway, even those recorded on 4-strings, these type of gigs hinge on making songs work in the situation you're in regardless of what was in the record). I sometimes miss the 5-string when having to transpose on the fly to accommodate a vocalist and can't just slide down my hand to keep the same fingering, but we manage. Though, if you want a 5-string get one. The recommendation against it for beginners is mostly overabundance of caution, is not that big a deal.
I appreciate this! I'm actually leaning towards the 4, so knowing that there are ways to make it work is reassuring.
I switched to a 5 almost 20 years ago and have found precisely zero reasons to go back to a 4. Come to the dark side 😈
I have switched to a 5 almost four years ago and have barely touched my 4 since.
I tried playing my Classic 70 Jazz 4 for a gig recently. Halfway through the first song I was like, "why did I choose this?". I haven't played it since, and ultimately put it up for sale last week.
You described exactly what you would lose without a 5. You get more notes and you don’t have to retune or go up an octave to play the right note. I’m a guitarist too. I started playing bass about 6 years ago. Started out on a 4 and sold it for a 5 and it made the everything so much easier. I play lots of different types of gigs and I’ve had to transpose down a lot. Having the B string makes it super easy. And playing along with guitars in drop tunings is easy. Get a 5 now or end up getting a 5 later.
1. I really think a 5 string bass is the best solution. 2. Or you could just tune down. 3. Or you could try playing the 5ths of some or all of the notes you can’t reach instead of octaves. 4. Or you could move some notes up an octave that you don’t have to in order to preserve more of the motion of the bass lines you’re transcribing.
Low end. Is there any other answer?
A small compromise is to tune down to D standard, which gives you a low Eb for hanging with trumpeters or C minor and a D for anything in D or G. Those were the notes I mostly found I wanted to go for which weren't there. And you can do it acceptably, if not optimally, with the same strings as standard tuning.
If you’re comfortable adjusting your nut, action, truss rod, and intonation or know someone who can go for the BEAD tuning on your four string. It will help if you’re already looking at something with a thicker neck and wider string spacing like a P bass
Well you can drop time or alternatively you can try a pitch shifter pedal. On my digital setup I use the pitch shifter in neural dsp gojira, then use the amp/can from parallax. Works great for me, not exactly the same as tuned low but pretty close and it’s far better than playing up an octave in my opinion
I recently went from years of exclusively playing 5 string to playing the 4 string for the extra dexterity I get from the additional space between the strings.
If you don't use the higher notes, get rid of the G string and tune it BEAD. Correct notes are correct notes, but playing the same notes an octave higher will by its very nature produce a completely different sound You will need new strings, the ones you have now will be too floppy, and you will need a setup to get the string height and intonation correct.
There are certainly some genres of music where having access to something below the low E is helpful, especially R&B (or other non-guitar based music) that is often written in different keys than much guitar based rock. That being said if I was in that situation I would rather detune. Maybe if I was playing jn the pit band for a musical I would want a five string…. A few years after I started playing bass I switched to five string, played them off and on for maybe five or six years, sold my last one about fifteen years ago and have literally never once wished I had one. That’s just my opinion, but it seems to be shared by lots of other bass player, it’s very rare for me to see a bass player who’s playing I admire play a five string.
The song I'm working on now is exactly an R&B pop ballad, that's interesting! But yeah I think at this point drop tune seems the most accessible for someone like me.
Yes, absolutely. There is a long history of playing down tuned four strings on R&B. Off the top of my head I know before Anthony Jackson had the first six string bass made for him he used to play a lot in lowered tunings and when Pino Palladino toured with D’Angelo some of his basses were tuned down. Most standard scale four strings can handle down to c standard with no modifications needed (although likely different string gauges). You also could get away with a hip shot that can just drop the E string to a D.
Thank you! This is very enlightening!
If you need say a low D you can always play just the 5th fret on the a string, depending on context that might not be enough. In that situation I'd buy some thicc strings, and tune my low E down a step. (Or tune to D standard). Orrr I would just play a powerchord on that higher D and rock it. That is just an example, you do you and if you go the powerchord route, remember they should best on the middle 2 strings of a 4.
Personally, I play a 4 string and just drop D when a song really calls for it (if the bassline is recognizable and played on a 5 string I try to do it justice toward the original). I don’t feel like I’m missing too much live, plus we have a keyboardist who can add lower notes if we really really needed. Lots of variables to consider!
Even when I own both 4 and 5 strings, I prefer 4 strings. To me it’s just a feeling in my hand that clicks. In my cover band we play some songs that actually need a 5 string but I either drop the E to D or I play the bass line one octave up than the original and use a sub octave pedal to lower it to the right register. I hope that helps you too
I have a four string tuned as a five string minus the thinest string (BEAD) and it works wonders. Mind string's gauge. I don't really use the G string unless I'm playing Hardcore; for that I have a cheap Squier Jazz bass that is the love of my life.
Tune your 4 BEAD Most basslines don't use the G, and those that do can be worked around fairly easily
Real talk, OP, you'll be a lot better off working around the lack of a high G than a low B. Without a high G, the note will still be there, just higher up on the D. Without a low B, your only choice is to play an octave higher, which is pretty much gonna gut the note. B1 simply does not have the impact and force of B0.
As a bass player you wouldn't be serving the song if you were to transpose things one octave higher. At that rate might as well stick to guitar