How many strings

[funkyjazzjunky]

I now play 6 string basses.  It is too difficult for me to try to switch back between 4 and 6 strings so I sold all of my 4 strings.  
 
To my four-string playing brothers; how do you cope without the Low-B?  It seems intuitive to have a facility to go ?deep? on the instrument dedicated to the lower frequencies. (The High-C is a bonus)
Why limit ourselves to 4 strings?

[dannobasso]

Personally I use  4-5-6-7-8-12 and soon (well hopefully soon) 10 string basses. I know that some feel that they have not yet explored the 4 to their satisfaction but I was always drawn to the lower end of the spectrum. In high school I played tuba, sousa and contrabass clarinet before picking up the bass. When I heard a five and then 6 string bass I had a 6 built in 86 and got it in 87. But I still ply my 83 Spoiler 4 and it never fails to bring me joy.

[white_cloud]

I played six string for a while ( a Tobias  fretless ) but really never enjoyed it as much as four string. I guess it depends what type of music you are playing.  
 
I also played five string for a long time during the eighties, I enjoyed it and admitedly found the low B to be very useful.  
 
In the end I moved back to four string - why? I dont really know...it just works best for me and the styles of music I play. I was always more than able to express myself with a four string adequitely.
 
The only limits are the limits that you set for yourself, 4, 5, 6, 7, 12 - if it feels right for you then its right!
 
John.

[kungfusheriff]

I've always found that the material you are playing will dictate which instrument you should use.

[olieoliver]

I play 4,5,6 and 8 fretted mostly but fretless some. I prefer 4 when playing funk or any slap for that matter. For most other styles I like my 5 string basses. I don't use the notes lower than E  that often, I use the 5 string basses for the easier hand position when playing say playing in the KEY of F.
 
I currently don't have any 6's but I do like the high C.
 
OO
 
OO

[briant]

I've always found that the material you are playing will dictate which instrument you should use.
 
You have seen the light. :-)

[Bradley Young]

quote:I've always found that the material you are playing will dictate which instrument you should use.
 
And it dictates my 6-string Alembic.  

[flaxattack]

great question
i played 4 strings for 30 yrs and moved to a five about 7 yrs ago. i cannot for the life of me remember that my low b is not there when i did pick up a 4 string. either i think its a b or i finger the e string like its the b. i saw lesh switch back and forth and for me- i cant do it.
its a shame cause i constantly f up on the classico

[dnburgess]

I enjoy playing a 4 string, I like the narrower neck and lower weight.  
 
Also I still feel my bass is so much better than me - i.e. I don't play to its potential - that I don't feel constrained at all. And so much great music has been created or played on a 4 that it will take me more than one lifetime to explore.

[dnburgess]

Steve Hunter, Australia's finest fusion player, switched back to a 4 after many years. He said that the low B always seemed to have a different character to the other strings and that bugged him.

[eligilam]

Here's what I love:  playing all day or night on my 7-string, and then picking up one of my four-stringers and playing it...the sudden change makes me feel like Godzilla on the streets of Tokyo.  Awesome, godlike feeling.

[willgunn]

Back in 1992, I was hired for a music project that required me to play in the sub-E range occasionally, so I acquired my first 5-string (a Carvin) out of necessity. But before long, I realized I was utilizing the B string to play the notes previously played on the E string for the most part (i.e. simply playing 5 frets up the neck), and enjoying the meaty, consistent tone it provided (I'm an old school/pocket sort of player); and rarely, if ever, even touching the G string any more! Still - even after acquiring 2 Custom Alembic 5's - I hesitated taking the step I'd been REALLY fantasizing about: a 4-string tuned B-E-A-D. Well, a year ago, I finally did it: a highly customized Essence (with Elan electronics)...and I haven't looked back! Everything I need and want, and nothing I don't!

[kilowatt]

I started out on a 4 string, but decided to try out a 5 string after many years. I played the 5 string (a Q5 Modulus) at a benefit show for a friend who passed away the day after I got it. It was sort of a trial by fire. I really enjoyed the added flexibility and the low b fit in well with the type of music we play. Now when I pick up a 4 sting, I almost have to rethink what I am going to play. The 5 string has become my main bass (Thunder & Lightning) and I rarely play my 4's.
 
Pete

[ulf]

I'm already happy if I can play 4 strings...
never need the Low-B....
I would be happy to be able to play like Jaco with 4 Stings...(or Stanley..or Tom...)

[jazzyvee]

I much prefer to play a 4 string bass and most of the gigs I've been playing on bass in recent years have been set up by me so I tend to choose music that doesn't require more than four strings. But occasionally it happens that I need to go lower than E so then the 5 string comes out and i use that for the whole gig rather than take two basses.
Jazzyvee