Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Playing a 5 string with only 4 strings. Where to leave the "void"


BELA
 Share

Recommended Posts

Ok. I know. Very weird question.

Let´s say that, for whatever reason (mainly because I am a physco), I want/need to play my 5 string bass with only the BEAD strings. G string is out of the game.

Would you just remove the G string and play it like that or would move the 4 remainig strings down the fretboard?.Why?

I mean, leave the B string place empty. B string  where the E string "should" be, A string where the D string "should" be and D string where the G string was.

I think it all comes down to personal preference, style of playing, etc, but I think it would be interesting to know what do you people think about it.

 

All feedback will be aprecciated, although I would like you to stick to the question.

Hope this is fun!

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

5 minutes ago, TheGreek said:

You're probably expecting to be asked why, I won't bother. 

 

If you want a bass with 4 strings buy a 4 strings and put all this nonsense aside :facepalm:

Simply because I do not get along with the 5 strings and I do not have the money right now to buy a decent 4 string?

But, as I said in my post, mainly because I am a pshyco and cannot stop doing nonsense stuff 

This 5 string bass is a custom made, headless, medium scale, left handed bass. Not so easy to sell, you know.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 minute ago, nige1968 said:

Swap the nut and bridge to make a wide-neck 4?

 

I guess if you omit the G you'll have plenty of space to bend the D.

 

And while you did ask for relevance, I feel the need to post this:

 

 

thanks for the video!

The 5 string bass is a headless. I do not think I have the chance to swap the bridge and nut (there is no nut) in this particular model.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 minutes ago, fretmeister said:

Also - if you want BEAD can you not just ignore the G? If it's ringing when you don't want it to, either learn to mute properly or put a bit of foam under that string only at the bridge.


Agree… I’d just do this. Moving the strings might require a new nut, I couldn’t be bothered with that, personally.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

13 minutes ago, Beedster said:

I used to play guitar five strings only without the top E, found I preferred the  chord shapes and tuning, got used to it and found it very hard tp go back to six 

Works for Keef.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Waddo Soqable said:

Tuned to an open G,

which is kind of what I did with the 4 str. Tenor, tho that's more like a banjo minus the lil' skinny drone string thing

I played in open G, which was/is great for slide.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Would love to see some pics of the bass, it sounds great to me.

 

Another thing you could do is put some very thick foam under the G string, then you can leave it on and not worry about having to mute it or accidentally sounding it.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Generally, there is a nut and - without changing or re-cutting the nut - the thicker strings aren't going to fit properly in the nut slots if you lose the G and move them all up one (it would work fine if you lost the B and moved them down one!).  With a headless, it might be the same - you  may have a spacer or you may have different size holes which means that you can't move them all across one.

 

So - if you have restrictions and don't want to mess with the nut/spacer/clamp, then your only option is to leave the remaining 4 where they were

 

And - if you have no restrictions, then just try it both ways and go with what feels best for you  :)

Edited by Andyjr1515
  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...