[quote name='Lowender' timestamp='1379251572' post='2210308']
To the OP. You should appreciate it. : )
Ode To The Five String Bass
(My apologies in advance to my 5 string loving brothers)
There once was a time, when 4 strings were fine, and an E was as low as you’d go.
But the desire to go deeper, turned out to be a “keeper” and they added a B – as you know.
I too joined the crowd, the mantra was so loud “The five is the one that will last.”
But after many a gig, trying vainly to go big, my love of the B was soon past.
The notes didn’t speak with the clarity that I‘d seek. And I found that I’d use it less and less.
It just got in the way, I keep thinking an E was an A, Till finally asking… is this for the best?
It wasn’t for James or Jaco or Chris. Victor Wooton and Steve Harris never fell.
Jeff Berlin said “Nay” and hoped it’d just go away and Sir Paul would eschew it as well.
The Ox took a stand, amid the demands – an did John Paul Jones and Flea.
Rocco didn’t veer and Sting just sneered -- unimpressed -- as was Pino and Lee
Claypool went back, and accepted the fact -- it was good enough for Bootsy and Clarke
As did Osborne and Kaye, heading the way, and forever making their mark.
Then again, there was Anthony, who played mighty fancifully -- with even more strings than six!
Yet there are those, who still propose...he should stick to a four and a pick.
Of course there’s a case, within the right space, to add some well placed low “D’s”
But these days if that’s needed, I’ve finally conceded – I’ll just play it on the god damn keys.
[/quote]
That's is incredible!
And yes I guess question was rhetorical, I play my 4 and find it easy to play then play my 5 and realise the tight spacing has been holding me back for years. I know I could go with a wider spacing 5 but I honestly don't think anything beyond D is needed by me anymore.
Also, I get the impression that more inexpensive basses don't do the low B justice compared to something more expensive whereas 4 string as a design is more forgiving.. I may be wrong there though.