Why I love a 4 string bass

[@bogdan2469-j5h]

Maaaaaaaaan johnny you actually bring my mood up every time. You are so lovable😂.

[@sithspitdanikan4725]

He really is haha :)

[@Art_Vandelay69]

thumpin' the pj in his pj's. this guy knows what's up

[@stunt-]

Peavy Marshall silence, you weren’t supposed to mention that

[@runningwithscissors0911]

. . . in the storage closet.

[@runningwithscissors0911]

Truth.

[@chaleechillout]

This is great. I’m a few months into lessons and i already am peeking at the 5’s. This is just what I needed to see. Ima keep my ass right on this 4 until I can play it to death

[@thomasyoung5680]

I agree with you and you make all bases sound good I have played six string since 94 and never went back but again your advice is accurate and honest

[@rickrolli7091]

That bass is dope man. I play a Gibson Epi "Accu" bass. I put some GHS black tape wounds on it and BAMMMM!!! Instant music maker. Well rounded and just kicks butt.

[@merc1110]

Johnny Long, you are the best!

[@bremerhaven67]

The greatest suggestions i have heard! Best regards from Italy

[@leoncarson1643]

I have a 4 and a 5 string bass, and to be honest with you I mostly use the B string for a Finger rest😂 I love my 4 string p bass and I would never let it go🎸

[@donnix768]

Johnny, this is an incredible point especially for beginning players. Less is more. A Mexican fender or squier four string is all you need. Not 5 strings, preamps, multiple pickups-none of that. I learned on a four string precision bass and it was more than enough. You need to learn to play first before adding strings and pickups and pedals or whatever. You are a monster player sir!!! Love your channel

[@vinnieladders3470]

I bought a five-string from a pawn shop when I came back to playing 10 years ago and completely ruined myself for four-strings. That five-string neck just feels right now, so a word to the wise, it might happen to yall.

[@stephenhodgeman6496]

I still love my 4's, but I'm also mainly a 5 guy. I like my 6 as well, but I get his point with the 4.

[@pantelispp]

You are impossibly real. Thank you so much. Look, here is the thing. I have moved in a city that there are no musicians to talk, to play with..I am a pianist and I bought a bass to hear the bass vibe around me. When I watch your videos it feels like having a real talk. You are a good company. Thank you

[@etpslick100]

I love the 5, 6, & 7 string basses. To me they’re just “tools.” But there’s nothing like grooving & jamming on a 4 string. Too many great bass lines and music were recorded on a 4 string. My stingray and Yamaha 4 string basses bites. 😌👍🏾

[@greandre68]

I love you honesty , and all you videos. I’m a drummer, but I want to learn to play the bass , I’m going to take your advice and apply it thanks , your a true blessing.

[@robinmorris5416]

I have a Mexican fender precision, arctic white, black m.o.t. guard, and a sunburst jazz, w tortoise shell guard. They're my primary gigging basses. I have a new Yamaha 5 string that I bought thinking it'd give me more tonal options. After using it regularly for a year, I put it away as I only used the b string maybe 5 times a night and I found myself having to look at the fretboard more often. With a 4 string, which I learned on, I never even have to look at the board. My muscle memory is just set up for a 4. Also, there's nothing that I can play on a 5, that I can't play better on a 4. That's why I have 3 different 4 strings. My 1st was a Korean squier pbass that I bought new in 96 when I joined my 1st band as a bassist after playing guitar in working bands since I was 16 years old, around 1984. Been playing only bass since 1996, joining my current band in 2010 and still gigging in 2020. The drummer and I have been together since 96 also.

[@joshstarkey8883]

Do you have a 4 string tuned to BEAD? That can be handy when you need the low notes but want to keep it simple. Since you say anything you can play on 5 you can play on 4

[@robinmorris5416]

@@joshstarkey8883 yeah, I could do that but I don't. I was only using the low b a few times a night and to keep from tuning down I just get by without it and play normally in std. Tuning. There are a few songs we do in drop d so I'll just do that on the fly. I don't have tuning stability problems just dropping the e down to d, unlike dropping everything and tuning all down to b.

[@joshstarkey8883]

@@robinmorris5416 Yeah you need to use gauges like a 5 string for BEAD or you're gonna have a bad time. Drop D riffs are usually best played by actually dropping the E string anyway, so if you don't need B-C# you're not really missing anything.

[@silentyouber2816]

I'm all about the looks. 4 string just looks better and more of a bass to me.

[@insaneconqueror5421]

Man, that's exactly how I feel. Plus they feel better to me.

[@runningwithscissors0911]

I don't even play the bass (yet), but I love this channel and am grateful and happy every time I hear JLL say with such enthusiasm and joy his famous greeting Shaada-Caca! Makes my day.

[@thejamaican67]

Just switching from guitar to bass and the groove and simplicity thing is so true....preach Deacon Long. Really helpful

[@hodaridaniels8786]

I love a 4 string bass too, it is very inspiring and I just love that particular strings on the bass, I like 5 and 6 string basses too.

[@wallace_nelson]

Great video thank you for Sharing 👍🏿👍🏿👐🏾👐🏾🤜🏿🤛🏿

[@stevensondwayne]

I totally agree. As you get better you gonna buy more bass . So just to get a 4 string is just the beginning. Before long you will have 5 to 10 guitars.

[@AfcaptKappa]

I am just learning bass and a friend that’s been playing a long time was trying to convince me to get a five string bass but I stuck to my plan and purchased a 4 string and when I learn it very well then I will add a 5 string bass . Good advice for us beginner bass guitarist.

[@kevinstill3193]

Bless you Mr Jonnie. Bro I need a fender , can’t afford it. You are just blessed. The badest bass player on earth. I know you have something laying around

[@stephanazor8898]

With this video I subscribed I like this guy's approach. I might get myself a 4-string for Christmas.

[@tybrown4540]

Great advice!!!! Pocket!!!!!!

[@raymari7658]

Mr. Long I have an early 90s Mex P Bass. Same color as yours. The difference is it still has the split pups. I changed them out for Semour Duncan Quarter Pounders. Also changed out the pots from mini to full Fenders. Played tons of gigs with that Nass and has never failed me. Have always wanted to change the single ply white to the tortoise shell. Yours looks sweet !

[@LONGCASTLE777]

That the pickups i have in here,these are early 70's

[@williamdeming853]

Love it Johnny! That’s what I tell kids wanting to ride bikes as well. Start on a hardtail. Got my first 4 from the local music store in 83. 1/2 scale Harmony for 100 bucks. I wish I still had that bass. Your P bass reminds me of the P I ordered from a Montgomery Wards catalog that my Pops upgraded for me with a new Charvel P Warmoth neck, DiMarzio pickups wired single and humbucking with producer switch, chrome pick guard and BadAssBass 2 bridge. Dig it man! Practicing E flat scale helped a lot.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

I agree Johnny great talk, beginners, we love that u chose the bass, get the 4 bangers down first its like your first car being a corvette, get the civic first then work your way to the 5 string u will be glad you did

[@runningwithscissors0911]

LIKE! You know what you're talking about and know how to say it. You gotta' feel the love.

[@fm1057]

I love 4 strings bass too. I have 4, 5, 6, but i really enjoy playing with my 4 strings basses.

[@domagojoinky8262]

This is how it goes. I do not have anything against a good old 4 string bass. My fretless bass made from stagg jazz-ish bass sings realy nicely and has the voice of its own. I also have 2 five string basses that are my workhorses and that I play the most. I like my Sire V7 5 string cause it is so versatile, it gives me every sound I want and has the bite and presence of a nice active jazz bass. Another 5 string I have is Yamaha trbx505, I like this one because it weighs almost nothing, slightly above 3kg and the two humbuckers are made for metal and rock. Low B string is so useful to me, it provides me with lower range I can get to without the need to detune and I can play in all keys so much easier.

[@arnomarius]

Fender P Bass is King. Even King Elvis Presley played on one. While recording Such a Night, Bill Black got so frustrated. he trew down the Fender bass, beceause he wasnt able to make the swich from duble bass to electric bass. Elvis just smiled took up the Bass and finished the Album. He loved the Fender Precision Bass. greetings from Amsterdam the Netherlands.

[@chrisclements4511]

My boy Johnny Long , you can't go wrong, Cruisin in the cutlass and jamming them songs.

[@bassimprovjams3772]

What a great lesson! Love ya bass brother ❤ sometimes I wish I could double subscribe lol

[@RitchieRosson]

Love your office analogy Johnny.

[@joshjosh25694]

Woooooaaaahaahhh it made my earphones buzz. It's so greaaatt. I love the tone brooo

[@bassclefconnoisseur]

100% agree with you about the simple thing. '): BassClef

[@jace76ful]

Love that pickguard. Looks kool!

[@hetul784]

My guy I've been watching you for a while, you are a man who loves his life! Like damn, you are always so happy and fun and chilled out. But man I wanna know about your strings and Action and how do you do all of those mods damnnn

[@melvinlloydmaxwelljr5433]

Thanks Johnny for the " don't bust into other people's offices " adage. As a pro musician if you do your job and allow everyone else to have creative space in the studio or on stage the music sounds better. Space is always good in music...☯️

[@RetroPlus]

Great advice!

[@chunhungmok3474]

Your 4string pj bass sounds great

[@kongandbasses8732]

I use 5 string basses a lot, especially in heavy metal bands. But I love my 4 string basses, as I started playing 4 string basses in 1975, and allways played them besides the 5 - bangers. About 10 years I played a 4 string bass, tuned to B-E-A-D, because 1. there was no 5 string in my price range available and 2. I had not the money I needed to get me a 5 string. It worked out fine. There are generations of bass players who built their complete career on 4 strings.

[@RitchieRosson]

I played a 4 for 15 years. I then bought a 6 but after a few months I felt like I was rubbing with 3 legs. I was so happy to get back to a 4.

[@oscarestrada72oe]

Shadow Kakka to you as well... thank you for giving 4 string basses major love... keep it simple people...

[@GodsBass]

Another great video Mr. Long! What services do you offer? I have watched the work that you do for a few years now and have grown to trust you and your love for the instrument with any work that I may need. I am in MI so I know that I would need to pay to get a bass to you and back. I believe it would be worth the cost.

[@ciaindeed8657]

Love that PJ Bass.

[@rhoodj]

I love the 6 strings basses because the look is better mostly for big guys. MTD 635 6strings, Bongo stealth black HH6, Fodera emperor elite II 6 strings, Marleaux Consat signature 6

[@chrismorris6356]

Ah, you mentioned the Bongo! Thanks.

[@eddieperez9565]

Had a 5 string Jazz bass, traded it and my P-bass for a 4string Warwick and after that found a 20th anniversary Squire bass. Changed the pump's to a Seymour Duncan with a bad ass bridge, and a re pick guard...looks like go yours, I love the P, but man I miss that B string. And the Warwick....fahgettanoutit !

[@haroldkellermier5502]

Amen I have 2 4 string Basses😄. Why? Because I picked up a 5 string and didn’t even know the pitch note of the added string geez. 4 strings keep me plenty busy and I feel comfortable using them. I will say watching someone who can use more strings and do that well is awesome! 😊

[@thescatman5029]

I have a 62 P reissue for over 20 years and play in church. With that said, Johnny, we both came from a generation where we heard records exclusively on a 4. A lot of this generation can't relate to Fenders. But Brotha, I love your philosophy on music.

[@trunks828]

I absolutely agree with you simple is better. That’s what makes a song a good song and not a drowned song with everyone competing on showing off.

[@allendestine3406]

Hey Johnny can you do a video on pedals. What's your thoughts on pedals....I want to know!

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Love pedals,im raw tho i just love bass RAW...will do a video tho nice suggestion

[@allendestine3406]

@@LONGCASTLE777 thanks and glad to hear. Just a raw sound....no compression no noise gate no distortion no wah🤙

[@johnniecameron8829]

I owned a 5 ,but now only 4 s..........I LOVE YOU ,YOUR INFO IS GREAT

[@bassimprovjams3772]

You dont have to write it down , big J. Its recorded lol. Your great!! That P j sounds amazing!! Almost has a music man tone.in the back pickup...ps.. wise words for the beginners Jhonny!!!. You are so right. Make yourself play simple. You ate correct, a lot of us ha e so.much up here that laying back is training and practicing, I love fenders. Give me a like J!!!

[@GuitarRiff888]

LOVE THAT PICKGUARD AND KNOBS WHERE DID YOU PURCHASE THOSE ITEMS??? SINCE THEY ARE NOT ORIGINAL PARTS

[@kusi0r]

Wow that pickguard looks amazing!

[@MrKeys57]

you love your bass, your bass love you, eq: perfect marriage

[@nrich5127]

Victor Wooten most often plays a 4 string and he can make it do anything he wants. I met a bass player once who picked up a piece of crap no name bass with 3 metal strings and one nylon wrapped string and played a little for me all through a guitar amp. He sounded unbelievable because he had tons of feel , skill and years of experience. It's not the instrument that makes the difference in spite of what everyone tells you.

[@tomasw6985]

For beginners (That's me). Johnny had a video a while back showing off an Ibanez TMB100. He went crazy for it. It's a 4 string active P/J for $200 or less! (You gotta watch his video of it). My wife, Lord knows why, got me a 5 string Fender American Jazz Deluxe for Christmas (We don't have money but she did it anyway). I'm a drummer but she knows I love bass. "Any who" it's great but I love the tone of the 4 string tmb100 plus it's easier for slappin'. So I reach for a $179.00 new bass before the $1,200 used 5 string bass. Mainly because of the tone. She growls more and has a hotter sound. The 5 string is active too (and has a passive switch which is nice to have. Nuthin like watching your bassist freak out when his battery dies on stage at a gig) so it's not just the active electronics making it hotter. The 5 uses 2 batteries while the 4 uses 1. When I ordered mine guitar center couldn't keep them in stock and I had to wait 2 months (I got the seafoam with the Pearl pick guard and rosewood neck. Beautiful!) I still love the 5 string so don't get me wrong. There's just something about the 4. But on the other side when I hear a good player on a 5 and instead of going up he grabs that low B...oh yeah! That's my experience as a beginner. Thanks for the tip on that TMB100 Johnny! Playing simple. As a drummer we call that "Playing in the pocket" which can mean different things but usually means playing the groove and staying there. You can make it groove hard with ghost notes and dynamics. Johnny just did that by muting every other note so you didn't hear the note only the strike which makes more rhythm. The point is to make it feel good with Dynamics, rhythm and ghost notes. Not going all over the place...when that is what the music calls for. There will be times for going to town and getting down! God love Victor Wooten and Dave Weckl (Some of my favorites) but sometimes your wife just wants to dance.

[@110380michael]

I love 4, 5, 6. Never got my hands on a 7 or 8.

[@midwest_jdm_fit]

I started on a 4 string MIM Fender. Beautiful sounding bass. A little heavy for me. But a great sound. I recently also got a 4 String Sting Ray. 4 string will always be home.

[@palomusic79]

Can you sugest a foundation book or course, I’m just learning songs.

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Mel bay was always my go 2,but now...find a good teacher around your area orrrrrrr find some on youtube thats a friendly instructor

[@palomusic79]

johnny long Thank you.

[@criticaltheist3992]

4 is a party, 5 is a crowd

[@kman-mi7su]

I've been playing since 1983 and I've owned 4 and 5 string basses. Currently, I own 6 basses and they are all 4 strings, why? I decided the number of strings don't mean a hill of beans difference if you haven't mastered how to play. I also always loved the four string and want to return back to my pure roots. Plenty of world class bassists play 4 strings and have made some of the greatest basslines on a 4 string. The list is numerous people like Marcus Miller, John Paul Jones, Jaco, Geddy Lee, Larry Graham, James Jamerson, Esperanza Spaulding, and more. I've heard people say for gospel you need a 5 string bass, I say NONSENSE!

[@Дневникпростогомотоциклиста]

you really right!!!!

[@michaelschul660]

Your so right Johnny

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

Ive got a 4string Warrior i live in Chattanooga where they were made

[@mitchellmoore2524]

Rossville Ga baby

[@mitchellmoore2524]

Hey Johnny, I have a 5 Warrior and I love it. How do you feel about a 5er with a high C string instead of a low B. I have a 5er set up that way.

[@shelvingunit2000]

Been watching your videos for a week or so now and enjoy your wisdom and humor. But I can’t make out what your catch phrase is. “Shyakaka”? Something like that? What does this mean and what language is it taken from? Just curious! Much respect to you brother

[@mikiryann5882]

I love DiMarzios... very rock and roll

[@jb2305]

4 is more.🎵🎵

[@alexjames1146]

Like Marshall Grant. Simple is more. Lovely guard.

[@JP-fe4ke]

Yeh man, the 4 string has that Barry White voice to it. Great video.

[@craigbrowning9448]

I know someone with Four String Bass and tunes it like a Five (B-E-A-D).

[@ironrangerw6r1]

When I was in a metal band I tuned D-E-A-D. So I wouldn't have to drop tune in the middle of a show. I had to relearn all of our songs. But went to a 5 then 6 string. Now getting a 7 to add extra range and ease of moving to notes. But we will see how i like that. Love the idea of a 7. But kinda worried it will feel like playing an ironing board. Lol. But we will see. A 4 is awesome because it's so slim and feels alot faster. But i I adapted to a 6 slot easier then i thought it would be so I'm crossing my fingers a 7 will be ok.

[@gsharpslayer3287]

@@ironrangerw6r1 how’s that seven? for me even six is too much lol

[@Blackshoveldeathgrip]

Hi what pre amp are you running in that pbass

[@MrSoaringphoenix]

Honest Question: Is Shatikaka a Geechee term? :)

[@LONGCASTLE777]

My greetings and goodbyes

[@billycockrell2470]

Played a five while I was playing some gospel. But I started playing gospel with a four for years. So, I never fell in love with the five and went back to strictly four. I just like the four and don't care about all the stuff you pros do. I like seeing y'all and love what y'all do. But for me, four is good. It fits my playing and I like the sound. Play what gives you pleasure or if it's your job, use the tool that works for you.

[@billycockrell2470]

Been told several times early on that I got one gig or another because, I played solid lines and stayed out of everyone else way.

[@bassworship50]

Great video bruh

[@hectorreyes6884]

Man bass is one hell of a drug....

[@tonymickens8803]

I Always play a 4 string when playing Funk, R&B and some Jazz. Almost Anything else, I play my 5. @johnny long

[@clausm2203]

sjak a lac lac ..:) great video

[@mattseymour8637]

4 string basses are great for slap because of their narrow neck and no B string which can get in the way

[@myklallen7184]

Tell it like it needs to be told, brother!!!

[@stephenhodgeman6496]

11:28 are you referring to people like Davie504? 😂 I love the guy, but he definitely has several "offices" he brings his bass to lol.

[@stephenlee0307]

Johnny what do think is the best preamp

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Hard to say for me they all are amazing..its a ear,wood preference for me,all preamp dont work with all woods,with that said, i would check youtube out and hear them all in all type of basses until you hear you

[@abacab1]

Nice video, johnny, as always. You just told the kids what a bass player must do, firstly. What about the owl? hehehe

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Hootie is his name ..lol

[@floydlay9189]

Priceless advice Johnny,,crawl before you walk,,SHADDA KA KA

[@hoagiesherlin7732]

Sometimes less is more i so wish i could make my drummer realize that

[@zeusapollo8688]

Ya mon

[@og-greenmachine8623]

And your wife! 🤣🤣🤣 You left the door open...

[@shawnjackson9240]

Preach on brother Johnny, to many cats wanna grand stand on six string basses when they don't even need a 6 string....SMH.

[@johnreilly9748]

PJ=Deluxe

[@musicchurchbass]

Yessir!!!!!!!

[@og-greenmachine8623]

So It’s too late for me. Started on a upright bass w/bow. Moved to 4-string, till forced to sell it. Now, All I could afford, is the 6-string I got. It’s way too much guitar. 2 stack-knobs 2 reg. Knobs 2 switches & 2 batteries Gorgeous & HEAVY. But, I don’t see why staying within 4 string is hard. I never had any other plan, within an average song. The other 2 strings are for “me”. -Instruments💡

[@andreegunter7483]

Good stuff. Show the beginning guys how to begin to expand vocabulary.

[@michaels8597]

wisdom..

[@AtanoKSi]

Do you get angry with me if I tell you I have a 17 strings bass? (Not joking)

[@Marekki2202]

atanoK Si don‘t worry, it‘s not Davie504, who get‘s ANGERY really fast!

[@AtanoKSi]

@@Marekki2202 :D

[@LONGCASTLE777]

Noooooo,long as you can play it, I love it

[@AtanoKSi]

@@LONGCASTLE777 I can! I use it to have very low tunings and very high tunings in the same bass :)

[@palomusic79]

Well ,,,I wanted to learn bass , the bass player at the time told me ,make sure you get a 5 ,,, I did . Man ....... so,,, the guy left I got stuck with it. Been chopping at it . Was hard to find stuff for 5 at the time .Did it like a 4 self though wow total frustaiting, now I’m getting it a bit.playing better though not consider my self a bass player yet.

[@stunt-]

Albert Fernandez sell it

[@SimonDarkel]

YO BUDDY!

[@Lion_ofJudah]

All you need is love, a P Bass and...some money ;)

[@ec-hi1br]

I agree with you ! SHADDA KA KA !

[@daveydoodle1916]

You sound a lot like Jeff Berlin and he only uses a 4 string.👍🏼

[@4strings4me]

Actually the legendary players outside of Abe, Gouche, Anthony Jackson and Nathan East primarily play 4.. That's a fact. Its not a beginners instrument.. it's an instrument.. Listen to the GOAT Marcus Miller, James Jamerson, Alex Al, Victor Wooten, Victor Bailey, Pino Palladino to name a few. They are some of the best to pick up the instrument . Some of you need to research Alex Al (first call session great) who has played with and for some many greats artist. HIs bio speaks for itself and he's a 4 stringer. And get some of Anthony Jackson's early recordings. He's was the same player on his 4 string as he is on his 6 string. Do the research