Good songs on a six string bass?

[lttoler]

I am playing with a 3 piece cover band and have thought about experimenting with a 6 string bass, or a 5 with a high string. What are some good songs, mainstream if possible, that feature a six string bass? Thanks in advance!

[bassbombs84]

mainstream? primus is the only one i can think of. he used a 6 string fretless for a while in the 90s

[spade2you]

I may be a 6 string player, but I don't know if there are any mainstream tunes that require a 6 string. I'm sure there are tunes that have been recorded on a 6, but the full range wasn't explored.

[bassbombs84]

Primus performing "Tommy The Cat" (Spring Break '92) - YouTube

[TolerancEJ]

+1 on Primus. They have many good songs, but Tommy the Cat is most popular.

If you're ready for a nasty workout, you could check out the trio of Bill Dickens, Neil Zaza and Bobby Rock. Their songs are instrumental, so they wouldn't really be singing covers per se. I saw them during a Rock Across America tour in 1996 or 7. They released a CD titled Snap, Crackle & Pop... Live. However, Bill Dickens uses a 7-string bass so there would be parts you'd have to adapt slightly.

[Mark Perry]

I'll suggest a few that would be easier (notes closer) on a 6 string:

You could play "All right now" (by Free) and halve the distance of the slide in the solo.
"Good vibrations" by the beach boys perhaps. There's other songs played by Carol Kaye with high register notes.
Possibly a few Beatles tunes? "Come together" uses the high E i think.
Anthony Jackson invented the 6 string and played plenty of sessions.

These may or may not sound better on thicker strings.

[spade2you]

Originally Posted by Mark Perry

These may or may not sound better on thicker strings.

If/when you set up 6er nicely, playing the lines on a B shouldn't be terribly different than the B string.

[bradjonesbass]

Dave Matthews Band. Stefan often uses a six. Dreaming Tree is one of the coolest six string licks I've heard in pop music.