have 5 string fretless-- do I need 4 string fretless?
z
What would be the advantage if any of a 4 string fretless?
I am just wondering if I am missing something...
-steve
Fongerboad
"z" <z...@y.x.invalid> wrote in message
news:Jba6a.3481$b54....@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
Brad Johnson
to play in a different way.
Brad
f
>Maybe... a four can have a different feel from a five, which could inspire you
>to play in a different way.
>
>Brad
i agree. i think a 4 can sound different as well.
i've even spoken with a few luthiers about this. they agree.
f
John Fitzgerald
"z" <z...@y.x.invalid> wrote in message
news:Jba6a.3481$b54....@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
multi stringed instruments, but the "stand at the back next to the drummer"
gene in us always reminds us that really we should play a 4 and leave it at
that.
You should take this as a yes - go for it. Now would you please tick the yes
box in my own dilemma.
Rob Kloka
>
> No matter how good you are - the 5th string gets in the way.
No more than the E does on a 4 string.
--
-rob
O>
/(\)
^^
John Fitzgerald
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3E5961B4...@XXwi.rr.com...
Ah but the E has always been there ;-)
I'm probably too much of a low end clunker to think of the E string as
anything other than my Very Best Friend...:-)
To be honest my current 5 string is much more playable than some of the junk
I've had in the past and the B string doesn't get in the way much at all, so
I guess that means I should probably think a bit more and talk a bit less !
Kristoff Lajoie
anchor on the PU, you can put your thumb whereever you like between the end
of the neck and the bridge!
Probably the most useful aspect of 5+ string basses!
--
^`~`^
( ' Y ' ) )
/ \ /
((\ | | | /))
Kristoff Lajoie - www.kristoff.4t.com
"John Fitzgerald" <John...@yueblonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:Vrc6a.4595$Xd3.38...@news-text.cableinet.net...
SpaceCowboy
SpaceCowboy
o&o
SC
"Kristoff Lajoie" <Rogal...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3Ie6a.35020$VH5....@news-server.bigpond.net.au...
Gary Rosen
> >
> > No matter how good you are - the 5th string gets in the way.
>
>
> No more than the E does on a 4 string.
I think Tony Levin has a 3-string bass. But why stop there?
Let's get it down to one string, like the old washtub bass.
Which one - E, A, D or G?
- Gary Rosen
Rob Kloka
Well... one of my 5's is wide spaced, which gives
plenty of room. Plenty. Wish the f'less was wide
too. Regardless, after playing a 6 for a while, I
gots plenty-o-room on a 5. And if the B should
get in the way... I just fret it at the 5th fret.
Then it's an E.
SpaceCowboy
o&o
SC
"Gary Rosen" <garym...@attbi.com> wrote in message
news:Ong6a.217064$tq4.5595@sccrnsc01...
Rob Kloka
> I had plans to build a no-string bass.
>
I just spent $24 on a bass without a body.
Just 4 dang strings. Long scale.
Passive tone.
Action's a little floppy.
Can't seem to get it intonated properly.
Anyone else?
Fongerboad
Yes...this "B string getting in the way" thing is a little silly.
SpaceCowboy
I saw a analog synth one time that had a pitch bender that was a groove cut
in the surface of the keyboard with a piece of conductive foil/tape material
that you pressed down when you put your finger in the groove and made
contact with some sort of carbon bar looking thing that changed the
resistance or filter frequency, or who knows, with the tone generator and
was proportionally to the position of where you were pushing down in the
slot. I was going to create a setup that had a long slot and used a
momentary pushbutton to activate the tone generator, then I saw that dude in
a band called Angel, had a keyboard with some kind of guitar neck thing and
instead built a one-string and a two-string bass. This was 1983.
o&o
SC
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3E599ED1...@XXwi.rr.com...
John Fitzgerald
>
> Well... one of my 5's is wide spaced, which gives
> plenty of room. Plenty. Wish the f'less was wide
> too. Regardless, after playing a 6 for a while, I
> gots plenty-o-room on a 5. And if the B should
> get in the way... I just fret it at the 5th fret.
> Then it's an E.
The 5th fret ?
Oh right that's the one where the dust starts isn't it !
Tom Comber
Agreed. I use to think it did, until I learned to play a 5.
Best way to do that? Make it your only bass.
Fongerboad
"Tom Comber" <t...@lasikadnetworkZEROSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:3E5A504E...@lasikadnetworkZEROSPAM.com...
And once it is, and you start writing all your lines on it, then the 4
string becomes inadequate. 4 strings look so....thin and wimpy! Kind of like
Steve Barr...;-)
John Fitzgerald
"Tom Comber" <t...@lasikadnetworkZEROSPAM.com> wrote in message
news:3E5A504E...@lasikadnetworkZEROSPAM.com...
>
>
I am quite evidently a "naff" bass player. I promise to practice more.
< walks away with tail between legs>
Tom Comber
Fours do feel weird to me now. That's why I sold my four string. After
playing nothing but a 5 for 6 months or so, I couldn't get the hang of
the 4 again. Felt like a toy! I think a 5 string makes you play
differently, or at least think differently about how you *can* play things.
a...@nospam.nyet
I have different basses with different sounds which go with different types
of music. The bass setup which includes the cuts in the nut, the bridge
settings as well as the relief of the neck (truss rod tension) allow an
optimum play for specific kinds of strings which, along with the
electronics, provides a range of tone and play. My Precision is setup for a
classic rock sound, my Alembic for Jazz/Funk/Fusion, a Curbow fretless for
more mellow Jazz. Another reason for having mulitple basses... if it's the
same setup... and it's a sound which is best met with lighter strings... is
to back up a string breaking. I have an Ibanez setup for hard slapping and
popping sounds and I've been using lighter strings... and breaking them. I
gotta stop doing that. Probably not the best thing to do.
A five string meets the need when the band's repertoir includes songs in
keys which if you used a 4 string you'd be all over the neck. If the tempo
of the song makes flying up and down the neck a serious challenge to
maintaining the beat then you get a five string and tune it to fit those
songs. Otherwise the standard four allows you the room to play and learn
new styles.
IMO ALWAYS start with a 4 if you can't do it on a 4 string... you can't do
it. Imagine trying to learn a slap style with 4 fingers or a multi-fingered
tap style or a strum on a tightly spaced 5! Now a 6... that's for special
needs... kinda like a double neck.
All just my opinion... that is, if you do not agree with it... then you are
wrong...!
"z" <z...@y.x.invalid> wrote in message
news:Jba6a.3481$b54....@newssvr19.news.prodigy.com...
bja...@users.iwaynet.net
> Just my opinion... but
<snip a bunch of good stuff>
> IMO ALWAYS start with a 4 if you can't do it on a 4 string... you can't do
> it. Imagine trying to learn a slap style with 4 fingers or a multi-fingered
> tap style or a strum on a tightly spaced 5! Now a 6... that's for special
> needs... kinda like a double neck.
I don't much agree with this though. Yes, I do believe that the B gets
in the way when you are slapping...especially traditional slap patterns,
Of course the original question was about a fretless so that doesn't
count. But I am of exactly the OPPOSITE opinion as to how many strings
to learn on!
The statement "if you can't do it on a 4 string...you can'do it" is
nonsense! Ok pal, play me a fast decending scale that ends on low Eb!
The REAL statement is if you can't do it on a 5 you can't do it!
The reason one should learn on a 5 is to get the scales and patterns
ingrained in your mind, so you get used to playing across rather
than up and down the neck. Then you can cut back to those
patterns to 4 string later (understanding the limiting range of 4
string basses.) I still own my 4 string basses, but my view of them
is sort of like YOUR view of a 6 stringer: Very limited and special
purpose instruments... sort of like a double neck!
> All just my opinion... that is, if you do not agree with it... then you are
> wrong...!
But then, me being wrong is just your opinion! :-)
Benj
--
SPAM-Guard! Remove .users (if present) to email me!
Fongerboad
the B string "gets in the way" is no more valid than saying that the E
string gets in the way on a 4 when you are trying to slap the A string.
Sure, you have to adjust your technique a LITTLE, but otherwise, you can do
more stuff on the 5.
<bja...@users.iwaynet.net> wrote in message
news:b3e4e7$shm$1...@news.iwaynet.net...
Rob Kloka
>
> Agreed. I use to think it did, until I learned to play a 5.
>
> Best way to do that? Make it your only bass.
>
Naw... best way is to play a 6 for a while.
Makes the 5 feel like that 4.
mark@xush
I really enjoyed the GT7 at first, but since I sold it I find I've been enjoying my 4's lately.
There are a few folks around who still prefer the 4, huh?
m
www.xush.net
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> wrote in message news:3E5A9C9...@XXwi.rr.com...
a...@nospam.nyet
always seemed that the tougher skill was knowing the fingerboard all the way
up and down the neck. Knowing the scales from string to string were always
easier to me. Making a jump across a set of frets up or down and landing in
the correct spot to continue the chord or scale always seemed harder. Yes,
you do not have to do it on a 5... that's the point. You never need to do
it... so you never do... and you don't learn it.
I was contemplating building a Warmouth 5... forget the 6 though... to me it
will ALWAYS be a gimmick with it big honking wide neck.
<bja...@users.iwaynet.net> wrote in message
news:b3e4e7$shm$1...@news.iwaynet.net...
Tom Comber
mark@xush wrote:
> Or try a 7-stringer, or more...that's what I did.
> I really enjoyed the GT7 at first, but since I sold it I find I've been enjoying my 4's lately.
> There are a few folks around who still prefer the 4, huh?
> m
> www.xush.net
I *might* get a six someday. Any more strings than that is just silly,
though. IMO.
But, hey, whatever butters your biscuits. :)
Tom Comber
Well, sure....if you happen to have a six lying around. Which I *don't* :)
Tom Comber
Fongerboad wrote:
> I slap often on my 5 string fretless and fretted basses and this notion that
> the B string "gets in the way" is no more valid than saying that the E
> string gets in the way on a 4 when you are trying to slap the A string.
>
> Sure, you have to adjust your technique a LITTLE, but otherwise, you can do
> more stuff on the 5.
True. I try not to slap lower than D on the B though...always makes me
think of "Fieldy".
Uck.
Rob Kloka
I bought a cheap old Ibanez 6 at BassNw while I was there
Seattle) on business. Pre-amp didn't even work (as Evan
warned me). It's good for one thing only. Keeps me from
wondering or buying another :-) Well, that and it's
sometimes fun. $400. Whatta deal. That's probably how
much Per-Diem I made that trip :-)
Rob Kloka
> ok.. ok... I'll try a slap or two on a 5 and give it a chance.
>
Try to make it a wide spaced one. It should feel normal.
Art Blegen
> > > Yes...this "B string getting in the way" thing is a little silly.
> >
> >
> > Agreed. I use to think it did, until I learned to play a 5.
> >
> > Best way to do that? Make it your only bass.
> >
>
> And once it is, and you start writing all your lines on it, then the 4
> string becomes inadequate. 4 strings look so....thin and wimpy! Kind of
like
> Steve Barr...;-)
>
I got used to playing a five, then one night I was playing my four and tried
to walk down to the B without thinking...... Ooops!
bassté
there's me.
i played exclusively a 5 strings during two years. and one days; take my
girl's squier precision 4. and suddenly, i realize that it was MY size. i
feel better on the four and it push me to develop an "horizontal" playing,
much more than a "vertical" playing. i feel my playing more "hairy" !! ;)
Ooops; more fresh. i'd got the impression to have much spontaneity. strange
feeling but now i play a 4 and i'm happy !!!
i tried one days a six....but i don't feel it right. feel like superglue on
my fingers !! : D
bassté
"superglue is the truth"
"mark@xush" <xu...@hotmail.com> a écrit dans le message news:
Y2adnYApFPC...@comcast.com...
bassté
but the return to the 4 had completly changed my playing and expanded it.
weird perhaps but it's my feel.
hey guys, if you don't use your 4 anymore, i will give you my adress to post
them.
i create an association: the "AP4SB" (Association for Protection of 4
Strings Bass)
i've decided to open the firt "shelter for 4 strings bass abandonned". i
promise you i will play all of them, and take very good care of them.
:)
bassté
"superglue is the truth"
"Fongerboad" <your...@here.com> a écrit dans le message news:
ODw6a.557219$HG.97...@news4.srv.hcvlny.cv.net...
Hawkeye8th
>enjoying my 4's
>There are a few folks around who still prefer the 4, huh
4 strangs=...'Less Mutin'.....More Feelin"
Hawk
Tom Comber
bassté wrote:
> like you, never had problems to slap on my 5 strings.
> but the return to the 4 had completly changed my playing and expanded it.
> weird perhaps but it's my feel.
>
> hey guys, if you don't use your 4 anymore, i will give you my adress to post
> them.
> i create an association: the "AP4SB" (Association for Protection of 4
> Strings Bass)
> i've decided to open the firt "shelter for 4 strings bass abandonned". i
> promise you i will play all of them, and take very good care of them.
>
> :)
>
> bassté
> "superglue is the truth"
Bassté, I like your style! :)
Rob Kloka
> like you, never had problems to slap on my 5 strings.
> but the return to the 4 had completly changed my playing and expanded it.
> weird perhaps but it's my feel.
>
> hey guys, if you don't use your 4 anymore, i will give you my adress to post
> them.
> i create an association: the "AP4SB" (Association for Protection of 4
> Strings Bass)
> i've decided to open the firt "shelter for 4 strings bass abandonned". i
> promise you i will play all of them, and take very good care of them.
>
Actually, I do need to get rid of my 4...
hmm... Think I'll find someone more needy though.
Sorry. :-)
Joe Sanchez
Pick Me!
Joe.
--
Joe's Website: http://revolution.3-cities.com/~jsanch/
Band Website: http://www.lowtones.com/bigsteveandthetrainwreck
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3E5C1139...@XXwi.rr.com...
Rob Kloka
> Me me me!!!
>
> Pick Me!
Naw... you have 2 or 3 already. Besides, it's a 32" MIM
Urge std. The fret ends are sticking out soo far, it's
literally unplayable.
And that's after I filed them last year. It's got a few
*flaws*, but works just fine.
Joe Sanchez
Thanks anyways!
Hey, all I gots is the F'less I got from you and my frankenstein (modified
Squier P). I was at Bass NW over the holidays and discovered a serious
hankerin' for a Stingray 4.
/puts another quarter in the jar
If the tax return is good this year maybe I can get it by summer. If not, I
am planning to get it by Christmas.
Joe.
--
Joe's Website: http://revolution.3-cities.com/~jsanch/
Band Website: http://www.lowtones.com/bigsteveandthetrainwreck
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3E5C3DED...@XXwi.rr.com...
bassté
:'(
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> a écrit dans le message news:
3E5C1139...@XXwi.rr.com...
a...@nospam.nyet
Godin 5 string fretless. A hollowbody. REAL nice... the strings were
crowded, but not too bad and the neck while wide it was still workable...
but what really turned me off was the low B. WANG! I had to be careful
hitting it because it was so loose and yes it was in tune.
Moved to the 4... lots of room correct string tension etc...I also got to
try a Warwick thumb and a Pedulla Buzz. The Pedulla was real nice but BUTT
UGLY in all shiney black... with white fret markers! bleh!
I'll keep trying fretless 5s... but I'll probably end up with a 4.
BTW I still have my CORT (i.e., made in Korea) Curbow fretless 4 if anyone
is interested. I can only get about $225 from the local shop.
Rob Kloka
> Ok... I went to a really cool shop in SF in the Haight today. and tried a
> Godin 5 string fretless. A hollowbody. REAL nice... the strings were
> crowded, but not too bad and the neck while wide it was still workable...
> but what really turned me off was the low B. WANG! I had to be careful
> hitting it because it was so loose and yes it was in tune.
> Moved to the 4... lots of room correct string tension etc...
Been looking at those, thanks for the quickie impression.
Leaning towards Carvin AC-50 anyway :-)
Rob Kloka
> *DOH*
>
> Thanks anyways!
>
> Hey, all I gots is the F'less I got from you and my frankenstein (modified
> Squier P). I was at Bass NW over the holidays and discovered a serious
> hankerin' for a Stingray 4.
>
> /puts another quarter in the jar
>
> If the tax return is good this year maybe I can get it by summer. If not, I
> am planning to get it by Christmas.
>
Good deal then! Every penny helps :-)
I'm dying for the Carvin AC-50, but think I'll be saving for
a house instead. :-( Course... I want the house so I can
jam aloud, instead of the f'n headphones I've been stuck
with for the last 12 years.
Rob Kloka
> snif !!!
>
> :'(
Awwwww. The shipping would be more than the bass is worth!
a...@nospam.nyet
married chances are you'll still use the headphones.
"Rob Kloka" <rklo...@XXwi.rr.com> wrote in message
news:3E5DB891...@XXwi.rr.com...
Rob Kloka
> What makes you think owning a home is that much different? If you're
> married chances are you'll still use the headphones.
>
Sadly, I'm not married.