Four String vs Five String Bass (and other questions...)

[@philipconradmusic]

Do you play 4 or 5 string?

[@joshhensby4135]

4 string for me, just feels right

[@philipconradmusic]

@@joshhensby4135 same dude!

[@DavidSJ_DAP]

4 string...my hands can't handle a 5 string...

[@tony_leo]

4 string - but I have one I have set up to be B-E-A-D tuning. The benefits of those lower notes for projects where it’s useful and keeping the aesthetic and playability of the thinner neck - just at the sacrifice of the G string. I think it’s a good alternative.

[@philipconradmusic]

@@DavidSJ_DAP yeah agreed. Doesn’t feel right to me.

[@ghosttownreview1531]

I have both and use them according to the situation. Currently prefer to use the 4 string tuned to D standard (D, G, C, F) and use a Foxrox Octave pedal to get the low C#, C and B notes I'm missing without the 5 string.

[@DeanPresley]

In the Netherlands it's 23.00/11PM when your video's come online. On wednesdays I always rehearse with my band, and every time I come home at like 22.30/23.00 I watch your video's and then go to bed. It's a routine already. But yesterday I was so tired I didn't, so I do it today 😂 Love your vids man! And don't know what you can do with this information, but yeah xd

[@philipconradmusic]

Dean that makes me really happy! I love your country so much. Glad to be a small part of your week from afar. Thanks for the encouraging word!

[@Six3rdy]

Thank ya for the video!!!!! I play in church (southern gospel setting). You were spot on with what you mentioned. The depth, extra black key notes, approach and positioning options, etc. You told NO lies!!! MAD respect. Now, with the 5s, I won't hold you for your preference, but I believe it depends on what you get. I think ya just gotta try em out until you find one that isn't super boomy with the B string (I mean "ya" in the general sense, to be clear; not coming for anyone). I'm about to recommend a Squier bass, so bear with me. I personally like Squier, because when I needed to learn the basics of guitar and bass at a relatively low cost, Squier was there for me. But I understand Squier gets polarizing, because some like it, some hate it, some like it despite the fact that they hate it, modders like it, etc. Here goes.......Squier Jazz V. Or if you want the "real" version, the Fender Jazz V. The B string was nice and clear, and the bass played like BUTTER! And he hasn't failed me YET! Now, if you tried the whole lot of 5 strings, I apologize for not understanding the plot. Lol. To the main question, I like both 4s and 5s. I can't decide which is better. The latter has everything you need.......but the former has ALL you need. Lol. And I like the 4 string challenge.

[@ZachariahConnor]

I first owned a five string, loved it. I love the low notes for pop and church music. For rock and blues those notes are too low sounding most of the time for me. I have a great four string and I love it. But I would love to have a great 5 string too

[@philipconradmusic]

That’s a great point. Sounds like you’ve got it dialed in! Thanks for your comment 🤘

[@treed873]

Yep, I switched to a 5 playing in church. I just got a Dingwall, super clear low b!

[@blakevanhouten1672]

Definitely interested in the DI video.

[@philipconradmusic]

Copy! On the list. Thanks Blake!

[@charliewesley94]

I started with a four string and have stuck with it. With a five sting I found there's issues of additional weight, wider neck, smaller spacing between strings, and fact that I'm actually only gaining 5 extra notes (Eb, D, Db, C and B), not to mention that the usability of these notes is limited in the sonic range I typically play in... A four string bass just keeps it simple for me. It's the same reason that I prefer a passive bass over an active one. The less complication, the better. P bass with a jazz neck. That's the ticket for me.

[@philipconradmusic]

Sounds like we have similar taste! Thanks for your input Charlie 🤘

[@FlyWithMe359]

I play as a session bass player in couple of commercial bands. 5-string bass give me access to play in any key, where i need lower D, C or B. I play a lot in restaurants, wedding gigs and so on. And when u play something uncomfortable around 1-3 frets, and u have to jump a lot around 4th, 5th, or 7th - i can transpose this on my 5-th B string, it will be close to my chest, my hand will have less tension, so it will be more comfortable to play. So, this is personal choice witch one u have to use. But my opinion - 5-string, if u want to be able to play many genres in different keys, with huge amount of comfort to your hand Cause bass playing seems to not so easy, as it looks like ;) Sorry for my not perfect English. Hope u guys understood me. Have a good day! Cheers

[@philipconradmusic]

Well said! Thanks for sharing ⚡️

[@FlyWithMe359]

@@philipconradmusic thank u for an answer!

[@-whiskey-4134]

I like 5-6 string basses. I can play them like a 4 string, but have the other 1-2 if I need/want them. Muting isn’t much of a problem for me, so it doesn’t bother me. I play a lot of heavier genres too, so they come in handy.

[@alanscharrer5255]

Wonderful input on a wide variety of topics. Thanks for this channel. Locked in with each video…when I’m able to get a connection!

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Alan!! 🤘🤘🤘

[@tReShertReSh]

Thanks man I like your feel of style

[@philipconradmusic]

Thank you 🙏🏻

[@ITigerbaum]

I started 5-strings with mim and Squier Jbass's. After I bought an Am Pro Jbass V I put the 1st two I mentioned up for sale. I am a gear junkie. Bass, electric and acoustic guitars, synths, pedals, amps, cabs, monitoring, (home stereo/p.a.) and all the trimmings, are a pretty heavy habit 💉🎶 🤠

[@garideb]

I'm going to stick my neck out (ho-ho!) and say that a 4 string bass is a different instrument to a 5 or 6 string. I play them differently. I think across the width of the neck much more on a 5-string (chords can sound amazing) and I tend to play up and down the neck more with a 4-string. I know what you mean about the timbre of the 5th string but I have a multi scale. AND another huge benefit to a 5-string is when you're in a context where you may need to do a quick key change e.g. singer ask to transpose down a tone. On a 4 string that can be both a pain technically (literally, some reaches can just become deeply difficult to do at no-notice if you've rehearsed with open strings) and losing the low root can mean the whole tone of the arrangement is bust. I THINK that I'm going to string my Jazz with flats so that not only is it a 4 string but it's going to sound and feel completely different to my ultra-modern Dingwall. Question: how do you set up compression? When do you use it and how to you know if it's doing its job?

[@philipconradmusic]

Great insight! So glad you shared. Yes, totally different instrument with different advantages. I actually just did a livestream a couple days ago where I talk about the basics of compression and some of its application if you want to check it out. So glad you’re here!

[@Six3rdy]

I got respect for this take, frfr. And also, very good pun. And good work with the chords, fam. I'm still trying to get there. Lol. I do have to diverge in view a bit regarding the 4 being a different instrument from a 5 and 6, tho. (Not to be a redditor, but to have "cordial dissent.") Let me explain myself: A 6 string, I can perfectly see being a different instrument; even though it's a 4 string with port and starboard attachments, you have 6 responsibilities instead of 5 or 4, so that can be tougher to manage. And it's debatable whether or not the advantages of a 6er is worth the work you gotta do to make it comfortable for you (not a definite "no," but debatable; I personally don't know if the god-like power of a 6 string is worth trading in my comfort and ease of playing). But I personally believe a 4 and 5 are close to the same instrument. And I believe this holds even considering how differently you'll end up playing 'em (I understand that past a certain point, you'll have to play a 4 string "differently" when you reach a deeper understanding of your role as the foundation of the music. But hear me out, hear me out. 😅). From my personal experience, there is MAD cross-compatibility between a 4banger and a 5iver. I got better on my 4 string by utilizing patterns that solved problems on my _5 string_ if you can believe it! And I just transferred those patterns back to the 4, but shifted up a string, or with a different root. One such issue I had on the 5 is that my Bb is the odd one out. I play in standard tuning, because it's like Kansas instead of Wonderland for me; I know where everything is, and I won't get C when I reach for my D on the third fret of my B string through instinct. Lol. And my fingering patterns don't change either. But the downside is that my Bb didn't get the beefiness expansion content that the 5th string DLC brought with it. Every other note in standard tuning got buffed with the new patch EXCEPT for it! So I had to adjust my fingering patterns and musical approach to make the best use out of the Bb's that I had (A string 1st fret, and E string 6th fret). I used the nigh-infinite legroom under both of em and approached em from the bottom up in order to make those roots hit harder. (Btw, if you don't put the tonic under your pinky already, I highly recommend it, because it is the chef's kiss for utilizing the headroom and legroom available to you. Hallelujah, let that pinky finger _BLESS_ you!!! 😄😄😄) So I went back to my 4 string to practice on it and take the 4-string challenge (how creative can you be now that the power of the black panthah has been stripped aweah? How will you play in Eb when you don't have a low one on your B string that's supposed to be there but isn't? 😈😈😈). And I realized, "Hmmmm.....I remember the struggles I had in Bb with my 5s. My 4s has the same problem on its Eb 🤔🤔🤔..............MODERN PROBLEMS REQUIRE MODERN SOLUTIONS!!!!! 😈😈😈😈😈😈) And it was that backwards compatibility, in conjunction with some other things, that made me think that 4s and 5s were not as far apart as they seemed. To me, the 5s is not different than the 4s, but an _expansion_ of the 4s. That's the mindset I believe the 5s has to be approached with for best results. A 5s is just a 4s with an extra string imo. View it like that, it'll solve everything. Sorry for the length. And sorry for the energy. I'm just expressive, and I get excited when I can discuss things like these. 😅😅😅

[@jwschroen2133]

Good info, thanks

[@philipconradmusic]

🙏🏻

[@danielgregory7200]

Really liking the channel. I have a Fender Aerodine FJ bass. The stock pickups are kind of weak. Thinking about replacing them. Any suggestions?

[@philipconradmusic]

I always love Fralins ⚡️

[@evianx1]

Low D,G,C,F tuning sounds and feels great with tight strings

[@philipconradmusic]

Nice! I’ll have to give that a try…

[@istricky]

Well done.

[@nanakwekufrimpong4736]

I started with a five string jazz bass and i have loved it since. I would really love to play a four string tho. I tried it but didn't like how slim the neck was on a four string.

[@Itsjustwilson]

Another killer vid🙏🏻 Personally 4 string is my preferred way but 5 string is never a bad option Btw what r ur thoughts on vlogging? I heard u and rhett are going to switzerland and maybe you could vlog the experience there?

[@philipconradmusic]

Hi there! Thank you! Yes headed over to Europe in a few weeks. I am hoping to shoot some videos while we are there, so maybe I’ll give it a try… stay tuned!

[@bnutz3k]

Been gigging 4s in rock bands for eight years and recently started up a melodic doom metal side project and the low B is a necessity. Just ordered a "backup" (Fujigen Mighty Jazz). Oops! Dig your vids. Subscribed.

[@bnutz3k]

Quilter Bass Block 800 through a Barefaced Super Twin. Quilter is best bang for the buck solid state amps there are, imho. The Barefaced is a little frivolous, but I recommend neo speakers for lightweight giggin.

[@jm879]

Hey, great vid cant wait for more! Also question: Do you use your tone pot and do you prefer it rolled off or all the way open

[@philipconradmusic]

I usually keep it open. I am more likely to roll it off of playing with rounds. Thanks for the kind words!

[@leethebassplayer4902]

4 string for me. Totally agree on the sound of the low notes on a 5 , never sound right to me.

[@philipconradmusic]

Yeah man it’s just not my vibe.

[@evianx1]

Have you ever thought of using a mic preamp? Avalon U5 is on my wishlist. Geddy lee sends his signal to the sound board with that pre

[@philipconradmusic]

Yes, I have used the U5. A mic pre can be a great solution!

[@evianx1]

I really like using the entire neck with the width of a four. It's faster and more comfortable.

[@philipconradmusic]

Agreed 100%!

[@bluegtr2001]

A 5 is not my vibe either - but in situations where it was being *strongly suggested* to use one on a tune, I just de-tuned to a BEAD tuning - I use heavy gauges anyway, so I could just barely get away with it. Not for every situation, but it "satisfied the song" as they say

[@dorssberube]

I've owned a few 5 strings, although i prefer 4.

[@philipconradmusic]

Nice! I feel the same. 🤘

[@jeremyalm9006]

FFT plot -- Fast Fourier Transform! Go, math!

[@philipconradmusic]

🤘

[@conorlarkin1111]

Really enjoy the videos so far. Please do a DI video! I’d love to get your perspective on when you should be using passive vs active DI’s.

[@philipconradmusic]

Thanks Conor! Copy that; hoping to do one soon…

[@telecasterbear]

4.

[@richsackett3423]

Bought my Peavey Grind 5 when I was playing a bunch of heavy music (not the Bob Seeger song). I refuse to drop-tune. That shit is for guitarists and not any kind of way to run a bass guitar. It's a great bass ($125 at the pawn shop) and I wish I played it more. 35" scale and it's the easiest-playing fretted bass of mine. But nothing makes Fender noises like a Fender. Nothing. A couple/three Fenders plus that thing and I'm set. The low F is the lowest good note on my thumpy white P Bass. You can fake the open E as Eb in SRV (who used heavy strings to not sound weak and bad) tunes if needed but otherwise play it as it lies. A D-tuner would be pointless.

[@hddbugg]

First