What are your views on 5 and 6 string basses?

[PrimalConcreteSledge]

What do you guys think about basses that have 5+ strings?
Do you find it practical at all? Do you find 4 stringers to be limiting? Do you think it's easier to downtune than bother with the 5+ strings? etc.
Just want to see how many people think that 4 strings is enough and how many think that 4 strings is limiting.

[SlincoJ]

I used to think that 4 strings would do me fine,then I tried a 5 stringer.I proceeded to buy one and I can't imagine playing without the B now,I use it all the time.4 strings ftl.

[EADG]

I played a 4 for years and actually used to hate 5 strings because they weren't "pure" or something stupid like that


then I started to find it limiting and got a 5 string with more frets
then soon after I bought it, I got used to it and I realized I should have got a 6+ string because I felt limited on it too


now I want a 6-9 string and can barely stand playing my 4 anymore


that said I love ERBs


but everyone has different tastes and my story is proof that tastes change

[One Groovin Clown]

I've owned a 4, 5, and 6 string bass. So i've seen the possibilities with each one.

I myself prefer 5 string basses. Anything lower is lacking, and anything higher isn't me.

ya know?

[fathergoat]

I like 4's because I don't use the range. My main bass is a 5'er but the B goes to waste. If you use the strings it is practical.

On my 6'er I will play classical and tap in my spare time but I could live without it.

If i was to play something lower I'd rather have the the 5th string instead of detuning. More or less because I find it to be hassle, especially with string stretching, muddyness/floppiness, and all that constant tuning jive.

[fajitaben3]

Those are for pussies.

It's all about the 13 strings.

[Richi]

I've worked my way up to a 6. Only reason I got rid of my 5 was because my 6 could do everything it could do and more(not just notes) and I was in need of money so while a back up bass would be handy, extra cash won in the end.

Honestly I play both my 4 and my 6 equally. They both have distinct...personalities, believe it or not. They'll play lovely when they want to and the better I treat them/use them, the better they treat me.

Benefits of 6 string, more range. My 6 has active pickups so I have a whole other way of tone control. Great for chordal work and general lovelyness.

Benefits of my 4 string, it's ridiculously comfy. Suppose that comes with most first basses but I don't even feel like I'm playing it when I use it. Passive pickups..although only one works well enough to be used. So that gives a completely different tone. Absolutely perfect for funk, got an awesome blues tone and can even sound really good on some slow, pretty numbers.

[EADG]

Those are for pussies.

It's all about the 13 strings.


Mods Garry Goodman has hacked this account

[edgebass5]

I play solely on 4-strings. That said, I definitely wish my 4-string had the lower extension of a 5-string. I could string it BEAD but I use my G string quite frequently and I know I'd miss it. I'd play a 5 but I've yet to play one that felt comfortable to me... I take that back. I've found some that I found comfortable, but not comfortable ENOUGH for me to use anywhere but at home.

[rh15951]

I have a 5 string which I rarely play. It's all about 4 strings baby.

[EADG]

I play solely on 4-strings. That said, I definitely wish my 4-string had the lower extension of a 5-string. I could string it BEAD but I use my G string quite frequently and I know I'd miss it. I'd play a 5 but I've yet to play one that felt comfortable to me... I take that back. I've found some that I found comfortable, but not comfortable ENOUGH for me to use anywhere but at home.


D-extender Kubicki style?


Hipshot?

[BenJammin]

I am more-or-less dependent on my 6er.

I like 4s for banging around on and stuff, but I am most comfortable on a 6.

[trumpeter]

4 bangers and 6ers seem like the best fit more me, moreso a 4. I always feel like a 5 is the awkward red-headed stepschild of a 4 and 6

[lemoley]

i would buy a 6er - if only they made a decent one left handed :(

[peeted]

I find myself always looking for somewhere else to go when i play a 4 string, thats not always bad though because it makes me stick to simpler bass lines and focus on teh subtlety's of what I'm playing. 6 is perfect for me though, i never feel limited and i dont feel like the neck is to crowded.

[Akira]

Pffbt, only idiots use more than four strings.



...I use a seven string.

[EADG]

i would buy a 6er - if only they made a decent one left handed :(

don't you have a Schecter Studio? They come in 6 string


also Ibanez just released some new SR's lefty, they have some 6 strings

[lemoley]

if your on about the sr506 they have stopped producing them south paw - i found that out the hard way :(

and as for Schecter 6ers = bleh

[EADG]

if your on about the sr506 they have stopped producing them south paw - i found that out the hard way :(

and as for Schecter 6ers = bleh


According to the Ibanez site they're still available lefty

if not you might be able to find one online

they better not be discontinued, I was planning to buy one



and why bleh?

[fajitaben3]

Mods Garry Goodman has hacked this account

Who is Garry Goodman?

[BenJammin]

Who is Garry Goodman?

http://b3.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/00588/34/75/588625743_l.jpg

[Omega Red]

5 i dont get, 6's are perfection from God himself.

[EADG]

Who is Garry Goodman?


A guy who gives himself a lot of credit for inventing and owning many innovations in ERB construction


Basically, he has the most strings yet I've never heard him use them in any way that has impressed me. A lot of people seem to feel the same way

[EADG]

5 i dont get, 6's are perfection from God himself.

5s are like this:


4 is not enough


6 is too many


dig?

[lemoley]

According to the Ibanez site they're still available lefty

if not you might be able to find one online

they better not be discontinued, I was planning to buy one



and why bleh?

well they may still be producing them in America but Ibanez are not sending any over to the U.K or in fact Europe

and i played a Schecter 6 at a GC this summer - didnt like it

[EADG]

well they may still be producing them in America but Ibanez are not sending any over to the U.K or in fact Europe

and i played a Schecter 6 at a GC this summer - didnt like it

What's your Studio, 4 or 5?

[fajitaben3]

Nik (Pluperfect) has a 4 a 5 and a 6 string and I have been in a band where he used the 4, a band where he used the 5, and two bands where he used the 6 (out of the ones I can remember, we've probably been in more bands together than that).

All the bass in TFA is done on a 6 string. It comes in handy because we have a lot of different tunings and he never has to change his bass tuning because his range is so much wider.

[EADG]

All the bass in TFA is done on a 6 string. It comes in handy because we have a lot of different tunings and he never has to change his bass tuning because his range is so much wider.

That's just one benefit of using a 6

[fajitaben3]

That's just one benefit of using a 6

Yeah 6s are sweet. Nik just has ADD with what bases he likes though.

[Son of Magni]

I started out playing a 4, that's all there was back in the olden days you know. Then a great light appeared in the sky, and 5 string basses appeared, verily. But it was not enough, so the 6 string was soon born to fill the void, and all was good.

Many years later it was noticed that 4 strings really made for a nice instrument too, and all lived happily after :)

[EADG]

I started out playing a 4, that's all there was back in the olden days you know. Then a great light appeared in the sky, and 5 string basses appeared, verily. But it was not enough, so the 6 string was soon born to fill the void, and all was good.

Many years later it was noticed that 4 strings really made for a nice instrument too, and all lived happily after :)


Still got that 9?

edit: how long have you been playing exactly?

[Son of Magni]

Still got that 9?

edit: how long have you been playing exactly?

Yeah the 9, still have it. I've been spending all my spare time winterifying my shop and installing solar heating, so haven't really worked on selling basses or building any more.

But ok, I'm pretty sure I started playing bass in '74 *cringes*

so did you listen to my mute wanking?

[EADG]

Yeah the 9, still have it. I've been spending all my spare time winterifying my shop and installing solar heating, so haven't really worked on selling basses or building any more.

But ok, I'm pretty sure I started playing bass in '74 *cringes*

When did 5/6 strings come out?

[Omega Red]

5s are like this:


4 is not enough


6 is too many


dig?

4 is like juggling with 1 ball, 5 is like typing with 1 finger, 6 strings are perfection, 7 is like beating a mixed race stepchild.

[EADG]

4 is like juggling with 1 ball, 5 is like typing with 1 finger, 6 strings are perfection, 7 is like beating a mixed race stepchild.

uhhh

what?

[trumpeter]

uhhh

what?

I understood it.

[EADG]

I understood it.

implying 7 is half bass half guitar is my guess?


the first two, I have no idea

[Akira]

implying 7 is half bass half guitar is my guess?


the first two, I have no idea

You are trying to find logic where none exists.

[EADG]

You are trying to find logic where none exists.

ic.

[HELLonWHEELS]

I have a 4 , 5 and 6. They all do different things. No one is really better than the others because of the amount of strings.

[BenJammin]

I have a 4 , 5 and 6. They all do different things. No one is really better than the others because of the amount of strings.

Uh, yeah, they are.

6 > 4 > 5.

Duh.

[HELLonWHEELS]

Ben, do you even have a 5 string?

[BenJammin]

Ben, do you even have a 5 string?

No, but I have spent extensive time playing one. I've played one enough to know I would never buy one.

[Left Shoe]

its preferential, my playing calls for 6 strings, so i use 6 strings.

Uh, yeah, they are.

6 > 5 > 4.

Duh.

no, 6>4>5

5 are weird

[BenJammin]

its preferential, my playing calls for 6 strings, so i use 6 strings.



no, 6>4>5

5 are weird

True. I will edit to correct this oversight.

[One Groovin Clown]

Pff, 5's are where it's at man.

Screw 4, and screw 6.

Yea, I said it.

[EADG]

I know I play a 5 but I do find them kind of awkward


I'd rather have an even number

[Left Shoe]

you just like having a huge *** neck without all the strings to justify it

[EADG]

you just like having a huge *** neck without all the strings to justify it

What can I say, my dick is tiny

[Left Shoe]

that wasnt meant for you, it was supposed to go to ogc, but you post fast

[EADG]

that wasnt meant for you, it was supposed to go to ogc, but you post fast

Not as fast as I reach orgasm

[fajitaben3]

You guys are insane.

EDIT: and gay. Gay as ****. You guys are some gay *** mother****ers. ****ing gay faggotassbitch****shits.

[Left Shoe]

ben just sent me a video of two girls shiting in a cup online, srsly wtf

[EADG]

linx please, I need some new pr0n

[fajitaben3]

Phil you lying sack of **** don't make me come to Boston and kick your ***.

[Left Shoe]

transfer to berklee el oh el

[fajitaben3]

ihu

[Left Shoe]

ihu

this.

[EADG]

this.

this

[funkyhoney]

They all have their purpose, that said, I like 4's most of all, then 6's. I find 5's a bit limiting as when I play them I always wish I had either the high C or low B depending on the way it's strung.

[badtaste]

On my 6'er I will play classical and tap in my spare time but I could live without it.

I'm not in a position to say much (being a beginner of sorts), but I'm finding it fairly annoying when I'm sight reading from my old piano books - I always eventually run out of strings.

[OutontheTiles]

Hey,
Yeah i dont have a 5 stringer but i love to play them and i am really craving one now.
Do I find 4 stringers limiting? Not at all, if your playing in a band, and in the pocket, you can hit every note you want with out ever going past the 5th, and ill be generous, 7th fret.
I consider bass as the low end of the band so a B string would be awesome but still 4 strings i dont feel limiting as long as im not trying to be a les claypool or whatever.

[Twizzler]

I prefer four strings over any other bass. The 5's and 6's I've played on felt wayy too large for my hands to deal with, not to mention I was uncomfortable playing them and felt completely out of my element.

For my playing style and preferences, four strings is more than enough.

[lemoley]

EADG: mine is the 5 string version

*old*

[HaVIC5]

Really, anything exceeding 4, maybe 5 strings just isn't useful, and quite frankly shouldn't exist. People who play 6 and beyond are just wannabe guitarists who have forgotten the role of the bass guitar in the contemporary ensemble, and spend too much of their time learning how to the play the higher strings versus studying how to keep it grooving down below. You would never get a gig that would require anything more than 5 strings. Ever. Jaco only needed 4, and spent a lifetime learning how to play the way he did. What makes you think you can master something more complex than he attempted to master?

[Tycho]

I play a 5 string stingray, but I never use the low B. I always thought the 4 string stingray necks were a bit to skinny, so the 5 string neck feels perfect for me, its fast without feeling like Im holding a stick.

To HaVIC5: Just because you don't like six strings, that doesn't mean that they are wrong for people to use. The electric bass guitar is only 50 years old or so, and since its birth people have been using it as a lead instrument and and a support context. And I find it contradicting that you mention how people have forgoten the role of the Bass guitar in the contemporary ensemble, and then mention Jaco who did not fullfill that role at all. Jaco didn't play a 5 or 6 string back then because you could only get extended string basses if you had a luthier build one for you, there were no producion models availible until the late 80s.

[Akira]

He was kidding. He plays a seven string.

[fathergoat]

I think there is some truth behind his post. Every bassist I've played with who had a 6'er just played around on the C trying to do guitar solos. I know thats probably not what you guys do, but I do see it. They pretty much play on a tenor 4 in a rock and even metal situation removing all of the low end and making a trebley pile of ****. It's probably more their tones fault than anything.

I think 5'ers are more practical if your budget is lower and you need the B. All of the cheap 6'ers I've played have necks like coffee tables.

[Akira]

The fact that some crappy rock bassists on dick around on the C is not a very good reason to write off sixers.
Playing in a jazz setting, I use my C string far more than my B string.

[BenJammin]

Yeah. If I had to give up my B or C string, it would be the B that I got rid of.

[fathergoat]

I wasn't putting it as an argument against 6'ers. I find em great... just when used in a way that I like. :lol:

[:amaze:]

i own a 6er, but haven't played it in over a year. my 4 keeps me completely satisfied.




:amaze:

[Akira]

Yeah. If I had to give up my B or C string, it would be the B that I got rid of.

But I bet you would give up all six strings to keep your looper. :p

[Pluperfect_Arson]

I prefer 6, so that I can play extremely loud, awful chords during band practise, to which nothing is accomplished.

With that said, I have no touched any bass in several months. Music is a pointless hobby tbqh.

[Sablate McNuff]

I own a 4, a 5, two sixes, a 7, and I'm having a custom 8-string built for me as we speak.

<3 @ Strings. I think 8 is where I'll stop though. However, I do see myself buying another 6 or a cheap 7 to tune it C#,F#,B,E,A,D,(G) for playing with my rock band.

[EADG]

Really, anything exceeding 4, maybe 5 strings just isn't useful, and quite frankly shouldn't exist. People who play 6 and beyond are just wannabe guitarists who have forgotten the role of the bass guitar in the contemporary ensemble, and spend too much of their time learning how to the play the higher strings versus studying how to keep it grooving down below. You would never get a gig that would require anything more than 5 strings. Ever. Jaco only needed 4, and spent a lifetime learning how to play the way he did. What makes you think you can master something more complex than he attempted to master?

this

[Pluperfect_Arson]

EADG cannot play bass; therefore, he is filled with angst. >_>

[EADG]

JEAN OANLY NEEEDED 13

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Who the **** is Jean Baudion? :confused:

[Akira]

Who the **** is Jean Oanly?

[EADG]

The mario guy who plays teh warrrr guitar

[Pluperfect_Arson]

Who the **** is Jean-Alexis Moncorgé? :confused:

[EADG]

Who the **** is Jean-Alexis Moncorgé? :confused:

idk who am I a history professor

[Akira]

The mario guy who plays teh warrrr guitar

actualy its a chapman stik u morron

[EADG]

actualy its a chapman stik u morron

no is not u phag














(shouldn't we be on youtube right now?)

[Akira]

That's what I was going for. The Youtube comments for his videos are so funny.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

idk who am I a history professor

I can hope!

[EADG]

That's what I was going for. The Youtube comments for his videos are so funny.

OMG ur such a phag u dont even no how 2 play bass!11



Yeah, I mean, Youtube comments are always retarded but his (and bass videos in general) always make me question my faith in humanity

[Omega Red]

He was kidding. He plays a seven string.

http://nissaninfiniticlub.net/photopost/data/500/44554455normal_Internet-SeriousBusiness.jpg

[Akira]

OMG ur such a phag u dont even no how 2 play bass!11



Yeah, I mean, Youtube comments are always retarded but his (and bass videos in general) always make me question my faith in humanity

The funny thing is that Jean isn't even very good at tapping. Back when he was tapping, Adam probably could have destroyed him.

[EADG]

The funny thing is that Jean isn't even very good at tapping.


GET OUT

[Akira]

Seriously though. Watch videos of him. He messes up fairly often and never plays anything particularly taxing.

[Pluperfect_Arson]

No taxation without representation, I mean that!

[HaVIC5]

Jean Baudin is a hack.

Anything less than 6 strings is useless garbage.

[Tryxx]

Disclaimer: I've not read any of the thread, not really even the original post.

Whether it's anything from two strings to 12, it all depends on the utility of the player. It's a completely subjective question. I have a six string bass, in hindsight, I would have got a 5 and just strung it with a high C. I don't utilize the low B at all, and just find it in the way. However, I still feel completely comfortable on a four string instrument, and believe that there's just as much potential left in the traditional state of bass as there is a 12 string.

[fajitaben3]

I'm a big fat butthead with no friends and I like to kiss my own butt because it's my face.

:'[

[EADG]

Seriously though. Watch videos of him. He messes up fairly often and never plays anything particularly taxing.



I can do really fast shred tapping. but I don't.



Complexity =/= good music

[Left Shoe]

how many guitarists does it take to cover stevie ray vaughn?

apparently all of them
el oh el

[Jody LeCompte]

I own a Yamaha TRB6 and I love it purely because of it's tone. I seldomly use the C string, and in my current band situation not so much love for the B either, but Im convinced as soon as I get rid of it I'll find infinite uses for a six.

Overall, I'd say it depends on the player and the situation. I can do most of my playing on a four string.