are 6 strings harder to play than 5 strings?

[slipkorn917]

are basses with six strings harder to play than 5 strings because of the extra string and because they are closer together? i play mostly fingerstyle and not with picks.

[Epitaph04]

A 4 string is about as hard to play as a 5 string is about as hard to play as a 6 string is about as hard to play as a 7 string is about as hard to play as an 8 string is about as hard to play as.......

[WalterBush]

That depends a lot on the bass, and what you want to do with it.

It's a little more effort to keep open strings from ringing out on a 6 (or 7) than on a five, IME, but that's about it. Also, not all sixers have tighter spacing than a four...I've played plenty sixers that have wider spacing than my Steinberger 4-string.

Fingers vs. picks don't enter into it for me, I have yet to pick up the bass that has string spacing that's tighter than a six string electric, and plenty of people play those just fine with pick or fingers.

[Psychbass]

No, six strings are actually easier than 5s because you don't have to move up and down the neck as much so you can play in the same position most of the time.

They are slightly harder to mute the strings, but not really any harder than a 5 because it's usually the B string that rings and creates a muddy sound.

However, 6 strings are also (for me at least) a lot harder to slap and pop than a four string.

[MNAirHead]

I'll comment that a 6 is tougher to play than a 7...

Why?

You can easily do complete scales in just 3 move ups...

I find 5 or 7 or 9 to be most useful..

The other note on a 6er (assuming your low is a B and not F#... when missing the higher string (7th) there commonly isn't enough full range to clearly chord.

[MNAirHead]

This is a can of worms thread.

----

To get things overwith.. "Jaco only needed 4"... I'll always reply with "is it the 70s... are you Jaco... and is your band Weather Report"... some will comment that a 4 is faster.. depending on the genre and use this is credible evidence of someone who hasn't tried.

I get more calls to play 7 string than I do my $$$$$$$ early fenders... also more than my upright

[skwee]

I play a four string (not going to get into the politics of string number), but when a former teacher let me tool around on his beautiful Alembic 6 string, I felt that I had to be really delicate with it, and the strings were very close together, so I didn't enjoy it/it was much "harder" to play. I think if you have a more natural "soft touch", it would be a great instrument for you.

[metalstorm]

That was just one six string. You have to remember that six strings are available in all different specs. The only thing that may be more difficult is if you have repetitive strain injuries. In that case, it is probably more difficult to play a six.

[pbasswil]

Yes, 20% harder. ;o>

The hardest thing for me is having an extra string to keep muted. Once we get used to an instrument (even our original 4 strings) we don't think much about muting; but add an extra string or two, and we realize what a full time job it is for us bass players to just keep the instrument shut up!

The other thing is obviously: new neck real estate to get to know.
If you know the 4 and 5 string fret board well, it should be cake to extrapolate to the extra string. Then you can start having fun exploring double stops and even chords in your new higher range.
However, if you're already a little fuzzy on the fretboard extremities on the 4 or 5 string bass, well, you're only gonna feel "lost-er" on a six, right?

Some people take to it, some don't. Why don't you try to borrow or rent one before you buy?

Best of luck.

[pbasswil]

Oh, and string spacing: Yeah, 6's tend to be a bit narrower, but not usually by that much. Yamaha (for one widely available example) makes some 6's with full P bass spacing.

I personally prefer quite narrow spacing, no matter how many strings.
But only you can say what spacing you're comfortable.
Keep in mind that anything different feels odd. Two weeks with a different spacing ought to give you a better answer re. whether or not it's for you.

[El-Bob]

I actually find 4 strings to be the most difficult to play, because it has less range. YMMV.

[russtolium]

As someone who switched from 4 to 6, my thoughts are that outside of muting open strings, the only real difficulty is dealing with a wider fretboard and being able to reach your lower strings with a proper wrist angle to avoid strain. This can be especially challenging if you hold your bass lower and more horizontally, thusly I shortened my strap and brought it up to a 45 degree tilt, but the low strings on the lower frets can be tricky without contorting your wrist, especially if you are playing chords and not just individual notes.

You have to learn to angle your fretting fingers depending where they are on the fretboard to keep your wrist as straight as possible... I'm still not there yet myself. In the end though, it isn't massively difficult. It made me realize that my wrist form was poor across instruments ( electric and acoustic guitar ) so I think its making me a better player.