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

[BELA]

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!

 

[TheGreek]

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 

[BELA]

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 

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.

 

[nige1968]

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:

 

 

[BELA]

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.

[ezbass]

59 minutes ago, BELA said:

just remove the G string and play it like that

This. ^^^

 

It's quick and easy and doesn't require shaping of the nut.

[fretmeister]

If you cannot afford to buy a different bass I would say trade this one for a 4 string.

[fretmeister]

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.

[Trueno]

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.

[Reggaebass]

Just a thought but doesn’t the neck need all strings on to keep it stable/straight and stop it twisting ?, I would just ignore the other string and play it like a 4 

[hiram.k.hackenbacker]

Yep, weird question, but take the G off. I can't understand how that would benefit you though.

[gjones]

Why not take the B off and make it into a normal 4 string, tuned EADG, with a very wide neck?

Edited May 10, 2023 by gjones

[Waddo Soqable]

I'd just do the obvious and take the G off, rather than leave it annoyingly in the way. 

 

I've got a cheapo Les Paul Git thing that I've taken the 2 outer strings (the E's) off to create a "tenor guitar" so I'm obviously a psycho too 😁

[Beedster]

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 

[ezbass]

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.

[Waddo Soqable]

3 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Works for Keef.

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

[Beedster]

12 minutes ago, ezbass said:

Works for Keef.

Copied me mate 👍

[ezbass]

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.

[Oomo]

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.

[Lozz196]

I think in this case I’d get a new nut and have the BEAD where the EADG strings would normally be, simply as they’d be easier to reach on the neck.

[Beedster]

11 minutes ago, Lozz196 said:

I think in this case I’d get a new nut and have the BEAD where the EADG strings would normally be, simply as they’d be easier to reach on the neck.

Wise words @Lozz196 👍

[Andyjr1515]

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 May 13, 2023 by Andyjr1515

[ukbassboy]

I'd just learn to play a 5 string properly...

[Chimike]

A trick I’ve used in the past  is to put a different colour ( black ) B-string on the bass , helped me !