It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 12:40 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:26 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:22 am
Posts: 8
Getting ready to pull the trigger on my first Bass. I've settled on an American Standard Jazz model but am debating about 4 strings vs 5. Any thoughts are appreciated. i don't plan on going pro, just personal music development.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:16 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
:arrow: Great first post, JazzB :!: My preference has always been for four strings. That fifth string just always seems to be in my way, and only for five lower notes. However if you are playing the types of music that requires drop tuning, then I would definitely recommend a five. You have to have some pretty serious amplification {read many large $$$$} to accurately reproduce a low B at 31Hz much less a low A at 27.5Hz if you drop tune.

If you start out on a fiver then it will seem natural to you, and when you pick up a four string it will seem odd. Go to a music store and try them both out. See how they feel to you. Go with your initial 'gut instinct'. One will just feel more right. Get that one. It doesn't matter if you've never played a note in your life, and if this is the case don't plug them into an amp, just feel them out unplugged. :wink:

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 12:45 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Fri Nov 01, 2013 9:22 am
Posts: 8
Thanks for the thoughts on this. I'm also looking at a Rumble 150, since it has a 15" speaker. Any thoughts on that for a five stringer?


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 1:27 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Fri Apr 08, 2011 5:14 pm
Posts: 3169
Location: Linningrad
JazzB wrote:
Thanks for the thoughts on this. I'm also looking at a Rumble 150, since it has a 15" speaker. Any thoughts on that for a five stringer?


Yea! Rumbles Rock!

A Fender Rumble 150 combo is an excellent choice! It's not the best selling bass combo in America for no reason. It will handle a low B, and so does my Rumble 75. Handling a low B and accurately reproducing a 31Hz fundamental are two not so different things, but they are different. Handling a low B means the woofer doesn't 'fart' out when the note is plucked. Farting is a highly technical term meaning an unpleasent distorted sound at low frequencies. For example, Ampeg's BA series of combos are famous low B farters. Also if your amp is farting, it means your sound stinks!

So YES!, by all means do buy a Fender Rumble 150 Combo no matter how many strings your bass has. I wish that I could have had such a great amp when I first started playing. Hell! I'm damned happy now to have my Rumble 75 for practice and Rumble 350 for gigs! :D :lol: :D

_________________
2012 Lefty American Standard Jazz
2017 Lefty American Professional Precision
2018 Rumble Studio 40 Combo
2016 Rumble 200 Combo
One day they shall name a GREAT city after me, and they shall call it LINNINGRAD


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 3:24 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Nov 01, 2012 1:58 pm
Posts: 1051
Location: SW Florida
Welcome to the forum. Your choice of bass is without fault, it will give you years of enjoyment. Post pictures when you get it.

Linnin is right about the Rumble, but then, he is the rumblemaster. I have the older 100W version, 1 x 15 and it worked great for many years. I have had some recent issues when I upgraded our PA, where my amp was being conflicted with the waves from the more powerful speakers. The 150 will push much more air. I have played gigs, without the PA, with my 100 in smaller venues and it has never let me down. I still use it. Great, dependable combo.

The only five stringed string instrument is a bass guitar. The fact that all the rest can get along with four, says a lot. However, if I was younger, I would probably pick up a five. It gives you a few more options, still in the bass realm. The sixes and above are pretty much for going beyond bass. I will stay with four. You cannot teach an old dog new tricks....at least not this old dog. Linnin was #1 on "let the music you play dictate the number of strings."

_________________
Collector of vintage Fender 4 string basses.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 4:23 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:09 pm
Posts: 417
Greetings and welcome to the Lounge. You can't go wrong with an American Standard, or a Rumble. What kind of music do you like to play? If you're doing blues and classic rock...go with the four banger. If you dig playing hip hop/current r&b..I say get the fiver.

You might plan on going pro, cause a good American Standard is an inspiring thing to have. Maybe get the Rumble with more watts/power. ..


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 01, 2013 11:21 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:12 pm
Posts: 6355
Location: Albemarle, NC
Switching to a 5 after 35 years on a 4 string proved impossible. I had a 4 string model bass I liked to play so I figured the 5 string version would be the one start on. I had the 5 about 3 weeks before it went up for sale. Sold on eBay. Some people have no trouble switching back and forth but it didn't work for me.

Image

AFFPROD, what about one the two instruments in this video? Don't these uniquely American instruments have 5 strings?



Image

Actually on electric bass I sometimes wonder if I could get by with 3. Also there is one thing that always puzzled me and I've never gotten a musically sound answer to. if 5 string basses are such a great idea, why are there no 5 string orchestra standup 4/4 or 3/4 acoustic basses with 5 strings? Why is that? I think it is because it is a different instrument entirely and there lies the reason I couldn't adapt.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Sat Nov 02, 2013 2:33 am
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician

Joined: Thu Oct 10, 2013 10:09 pm
Posts: 417
Ned Beatty sure has himself a hard time in that there movie.

I'm ok with the 5 until you have to fake a bunch of songs. That extra challenge throws my whole game off. I'd still rather attempt the 5 instead of tuning down to D, or C. Tuning down is for people like Ned Beatty.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:14 pm
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician

Joined: Sat Feb 12, 2011 8:01 am
Posts: 2842
If I are he and he are me and we are we and we are all together --- I would get a 4 string first then see how they run like pigs from a gun see how they hide. I'm cryin'. 8)

9/10ths of the guys I used to talk to either don't play the B string- get confused over the B string- the neck is too wide- the bass is too heavy- the B string doesn't sound good-- the E string doesn't sound good etc etc. I am a firm believer that if you want a good 5 string bass you need to spend serious jack on one. Thank me you. :D


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Mon Nov 04, 2013 4:15 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star
User avatar

Joined: Sun Jul 22, 2007 6:33 am
Posts: 4583
Location: North of Pittsburgh
You got the best information you could want.

Linnin contributions were dead on, as well as everyones, the best advice I saw here was, play as many as you can.

Nice pic of you brotherdave!


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 9:26 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Fri Feb 06, 2009 3:11 pm
Posts: 2330
Location: location, location.
brotherdave wrote:
if 5 string basses are such a great idea, why are there no 5 string orchestra standup 4/4 or 3/4 acoustic basses with 5 strings? Why is that? I think it is because it is a different instrument entirely and there lies the reason I couldn't adapt.


Bass viols used in renaissance music usually have six strings.
Image

A double bass would have to be fairly gargantuan to produce an audible 15.5hz low B though.

_________________
Rated "M" for meaty.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Thu Nov 28, 2013 10:20 am
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Oct 15, 2012 7:16 pm
Posts: 18659
Location: In this country town, where the laughter sounds...
For it's price, you can't go wrong with an American Standard Series Bass.

_________________
"Electric Lady"
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: New Bass
Posted: Fri Nov 29, 2013 2:47 pm
Offline
Rock Icon
Rock Icon
User avatar

Joined: Mon Jul 16, 2007 6:51 pm
Posts: 25350
Location: Witness Protection Program
Mr. Nylon wrote:
For it's price, you can't go wrong with an American Standard Series Bass.


+100

_________________
Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

Don't leave home without it!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 13 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: Google [Bot] and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: