Do you get funny looks or rediculed for being a "failed guitarist"? My 6'er is my what I consider my best sounding bass, but play it in a classic rock cover band, and I must be joking, or a "failed guitarist". While only a very few songs require me to actually use the Low B or High C, I use my 6'er because I like the way it plays and sounds. Sure, probably 90% of the stuff we play could be done on a 4 string, but I like my 6'er, I spent a lot of money on it, and I spent a lot of time learning and adapting to it. Dammit, I'm going to play it! :D

I guess I'm the only one. :D

I guess I'm the only one. :D

Nope. :)

Fretted & fretless 6's on stage with me at every gig.

Like you, I can do MOST of the stuff on 4 strings, but it's nice to HAVE the ability to use the other stuff to cut down on shifts, or drop a low D or C in an appropriate location.

It makes that little bridge in "All Right Now" much easier as well to have a C string.

Anyone that comments on my using such a large instrument is told that I don't care to hear about their psychological hangups at their own shortcomings, I can handle the size of my bass' neck just fine.

;)

Nope. :)


Anyone that comments on my using such a large instrument is told that I don't care to hear about their psychological hangups at their own shortcomings, I can handle the size of my bass' neck just fine.

;)


Haha, I love it!

I play a 7 90% of the time and a fretless 6 the other 10%, and I never get any kind of negative comments at all. Granted, I do get a lot of "what kind of bass is that?" questions, but never negative .... ;)

And yes, I do use all of the strings. The way my bands are set up it would be difficult to do the gig with a 4 string, since I use a looper a lot and play a bunch of unison lines with the guitarist as well as chord behind him. Maybe I could get away with just a 6 if I had to ..... :cool:

Right, I know your backstory Pointbass. I don't really get any negative comments, but I've gotten a funny look or two. Plus, you hear the negative comments all over this board about it, and was wondering if it really portrays what people deal while actually gigging, and not just hiding behind a computer screen.

I use two 6 string basses at gigs:cool:. I've never had a bad comment on my basses. The only thing I've heard is "wow thats a huge neck":eek:. We do alot of Dream Theater and Symphony X covers so I need the B and C.
TR

I've used a 6-string on Southern Rock. Makes Allman Brothers stuff a bit easier.

bump for more 6 string fun! :D

I always use a six string, its what im use to and who cares what people think so long as it gets the job done:smug:

I used a 6 (or two- fretted & fretless) for a long time on every gig I did.
Sure I would get the weird questions and comments every now and again, but who cares!?!!
These days a 5'r and a 4 banger.

Play what you like. Like what you play.
Let the other fools figure it out.

I use mine almost exclusivly. I keep my 4 and 5 strings around just for kicks. you never know when you might run into some close minded person that won't give you the gig unless you have a FENDER bass :) Speaking of strange looks, try playing Brick House (or other 70/80's funk) on a Roscoe 6er :):):)

AC/DC on a 6 string is great - just open strings for every song :smug:

i used a 6 string exclusively for awhile and now am down to a lone 4 banger. i do have hopes of putting in a custom 6 order sometime in the next few months...i love the range and freedom a 6 provides, regardless of the gig!

i once got a "wow, they make 5 string basses?" comment when using a tobias 5er...a lot of people only see bass as a 4 string root note instrument for people that couldnt play guitar. i find this to be funny.

Speaking of strange looks, try playing Brick House (or other 70/80's funk) on a Roscoe 6er :):):)

Add "Play That Funky Music" and you will see a six string Roscoe playing both on every gig I do! :D

Back in the late 90's I had a house band gig on Bourbon St. in New Orleans, did nothing but blues, Motown, and 70's funk - all on a neck through semi hollow bodied six string.

Keep playin' that SKB 6 man! :cool:

...try playing Brick House (or other 70/80's funk) on a Roscoe 6er :):):)

I did actually, particularly with your bass. :D

I played 6ers exclusively for about 2 years. I got a few comments about how wide the fretboards were, but that's about it.

I played a 6er for every gig I did for 3 years once. It was fun, it sounded good, but I kept catching myself staying away from the c string unless I was doing a unison line with the guitarist. When that specific gig was over, I decided to upgrade and couldn't find a 6 that really floated my boat and that USA Lakland 5 just called my name, so I'm back to being a 5er. But I never did catch any crap for using that 6 in a top 40 pro gig.

I played a bunch of cover gigs with my 6 strings. Peavey Cirrus and Yamaha TRB6P. Never got a negative comment - just praise on the fact that I was playing a 6er.

Add "Play That Funky Music" and you will see a six string Roscoe playing both on every gig I do! :D

Back in the late 90's I had a house band gig on Bourbon St. in New Orleans, did nothing but blues, Motown, and 70's funk - all on a neck through semi hollow bodied six string.

Keep playin' that SKB 6 man! :cool:

yea:D

I did actually, particularly with your bass. :D

You played my Ibanez SR406??? You sneak you! :D:D:D

I have played it occassionally, but my main bass is my 5 string. The 6 is just heavy.

I used to play my six-string at all my gigs: pop, rock, blues, whatever. Never got a negative comment. Nor about my Bongo or my Alembic 4-stringer either. I must bring out the best in people. :D

You played my Ibanez SR406??? You sneak you! :D:D:D

Nope, not quite. I stuck my grubby hands all over that pretty roscoe of yours. :D

Hah, I auditioned for the jazz band today and the teacher asked me if I could use a four-string instead of my six. The six gets the best sound(In my opinion.) between the two of them, and he said it'd look more "traditional jazz" Little does he know my other bass looks like a metal bass. Seriously, I sometimes question how he became a teacher in the first place.

I'm still feeling funny about this. I have some very strange issues I need to tackle internally. I mean, how can you not feel weird playing an MTD 635 in a cover band playing a setlist that includes "walking on sunshine" (we have female lead vocals) and "hang on sloopy"? :D

do what you want tony. im sure you'll keep it groovin regardless.

Play what you like. Like what you play.
Let the other fools figure it out.

sig worthy!

do what you want tony. im sure you'll keep it groovin regardless.

Thanks Grady. But come on, you don't think what I said is even a little be strange. :D

I play my six string for 95% of what I do onstage with my band. Would you believe some idiots think it's a guitar! The best thing about the 6 string is that sometimes you'll get a young band ask you if they can play a few songs during your break but when they see the 6 string the bass player usually sh*ts themselves and bottles it!

Definitely no negative comments on it though, on the contrary ...it adds an extra 'je ne sais quoi' to the band. 6 string basses aren't too common where I play.

nah, it is an instrument, crafted to make music.

im sure it nails those tunes tonally.

then again, if you had a late 60's pbass beat to hell, then i could understand leaving the mtdizzle home for the cover gigs.

The only comments I get on my 6 string basses is how can i play anything with the neck being so wide? Mostly from other bassists who've never tried a 6 string or have and couldn't figure it out. Personally I very rarely play my Jazz basses anymore and don't really relish the idea of going back to just 4 strings.

Steve

6er every single gig mate, for every song. :D

I use the B heaps (all those songs in D, also approaching the E from underneath) and the C occasionally.

I only get 'wow' comments too - I've never copped **** over my bass. They're very rare to see in the flesh, so people are forever walking in & doing double takes when they look at me. :)

I use my 6-string exclusively ever since the start of this year. It's not the best of 6-strings but over here, barely anyone uses a 5-string, let alone a 6. It always gets a lot of people going "Wow!". Good comments everywhere.

Yeah there are some bassists in Singapore who say that "6-strings will destroy your hands" because of the stretch but I think that they just never really tried it.

Over here where most of the bassists are root-note players who converted from guitar to bass, a 6-string is like a wow factor, without attracting negative comments. =)

I only use my 6 for gigs. Usually get comments about the neck size. I tap a lot on the fretboard. 6 strings gives you a lot more opportunities. I find it almost impossible to play my 4.

Another one playing a 7-string in my covers / function band. Freaks out guitarists when they realise you've got more strings than they do! Why do I use my Conklin GT7? It's got a great tone, my other bass is an Ovation ABG 5 string, and it's great to be able to play all the usual stuff on the lower 4-5 strings and be able to comp chords over jazz standards during champagne receptions (see this Friday's gig for more details!).

Keep on rockin in the (free) Extended Range Bass world! :bassist::D

My 6'er is my main bass, and what I consider my "go to" bass. If it's going to be used to play covers, so be it.

Add "Play That Funky Music" and you will see a six string Roscoe playing both on every gig I do! :D

Ditto!

And I was elected to sing 'em, too... :hmm:

A few years back when I only had my Kubicki Factor and an Alembic Orion 6 I started playing with a Fleetwood Mac tribute band. The Kubicki looks far from the standard bass being headless so I used my Alembic 6 string. The only comment was from the agent who asked if I had a four string. When I told him the only 4 string I had was the Kubicki he was happier with me using the Alembic. Later on down the road I did pick up a EBMM Stingray and started using it. I did a gig with that band a few months ago and used my F Bass BN5 and is now my go to bass for most gigs.

Wally

You should just end yourself right there for even suggesting that a bass player could be a "failed guitarist". Seriously, get out of here.

You should just end yourself right there for even suggesting that a bass player could be a "failed guitarist". Seriously, get out of here.

I never suggested it, but it seems to be a recurring theme among others who belittle bassists. I've barely even touched a guitar in my life time. I've been a bass player since day one.

I never suggested it, but it seems to be a recurring theme among others who belittle bassists. I've barely even touched a guitar in my life time. I've been a bass player since day one.

Same here, I'm proud to play 6 strings, and while my guitar playing sucks, I have always wanted to play bass first and foremost. Listen to Geddy Lee, how could you not want to play like that?

Fretted MM 5 for most of the stuff, my fretless Tung 6 for certain tunes.