4/5 string tonal difference?

[dincz]

[color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Given the same model bass in 4 or 5 string versions, I'd expect a tonal difference due to the different neck mass/thickness causing different resonant frequencies.[/font][/color]

[color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Just idly pondering but does this happen in practice?[/font][/color]

[color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]EDIT: If not, why not?[/font][/color]

Edited December 23, 2015 by dincz

[EssentialTension]

Even the same model bass is made of different bits of wood, and the pickup may be wound slightly differently, etc.

So, even if you could hear a difference, you couldn't know it was because of the 4/5 difference.

Edited December 23, 2015 by EssentialTension

[ezbass]

I remember seeing Roscoe Beck with Robben Ford at the Jazz Cafe´ many years ago. He had 2 identical looking signature basses (custom shop 4 and 5 string) and they sounded quite different. I preferred the sound of the 4 string ('tighter' IIRC), but neither were shabby in any way.

Edited December 23, 2015 by ezbass

[JTUK]

Not a factor IMO

Altho some gigs will insist on a 4 for other reasons..

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1450891025' post='2936792']
I remember seeing Roscoe Beck with Robben Ford at the Jazz Cafe´ many years ago. He had 2 identical looking signature basses (custom shop 4 and 5 string) and they sounded quite different. I preferred the sound of the 4 string ('tighter' IIRC), but neither were shabby in any way.
[/quote]

They can have sounded different for a wide range of reasons unrelated to 4/5 string necks ... and like you say 'neither were shabby in any way.