I removed the E & A strings as a "rut-buster"...

[Gnobility]

...whoa!

Just keeping a decent walking line going over blues changes on the D & G strings is a challenge, let alone playing more complex tunes.

Anyone else tried this?

Gn

[EchoEcho]

No, couldn't honestly say i have.

Does it achieve anything in the long run, though?

[totallyfrozen]

Isn't that taking a risk that your neck will warp?

[Gnobility]

Originally Posted by EchoEcho

Does it achieve anything in the long run, though?

I think it will. Last weekend I heard the old bass player joke (again) about the kid who learned the E string at his first lesson, the A string at the second lesson, then bailed on the third because he had a gig. I got thinking about that afterward, and about how many of my lines start from the E or A and ascend, and figured that removing the lower strings would force me to turn things around.

We record our practices, so I put ~30 of our MP3's in a Media Player playlist and started playing over the tunes. I've been playing the older ones the same way for so long you'd think I'd have ruts in my fretboard.

Try it.

[Gnobility]

Originally Posted by totallyfrozen

Isn't that taking a risk that your neck will warp?

H4ll no! This is the Mighty Pee Bass we're talkin' about...you can jack up an Econoline van to change a flat with a Pee Bass!

Gn

[EADG mx]

Not saying it's a bad concept, but you could achieve the same results with less effort and risk by placing some sort of mute to those strings.

[Rudreax]

Just don't play the E and A strings. It'll teach you more self-restraint.

[BassChuck]

Interesting idea. Anything that lowers your options will increase your technique to solve problems. Early on I broke a D string on a gig (the only time that ever happened) and to finish the gig I had to move all over the neck. That one evening really changed my practice schedule.

Avoiding the comfort zone in practice is a great idea.

[mccartneyman]

So what happens when you want to play lower than D? The character of notes changes when they are played an octave higher. I often play high on the D & G, but I can't conceive of playing bass without having a low E available

That said, I'm continually amazed when I see a young bass player who plays primarily on the E and A strings, and I see them often. I Know that the same not sounds different when played ona different string, but when I see a kid play E at the 12th fret on the E string instead of at fret seven on the A, I have to wonder.

[Paul4703]

Why not put on two D and G strings and see where that takes you?

[SpawnofHastur]

I think it's a really cool idea, man. I'm sure it'd really open up your ability to play lines that sound unique.

And, because I haven't pimped him enough, my favourite bassist ever, Mark Sandman, played a two string bass.

[Gnobility]

Originally Posted by mccartneyman

So what happens when you want to play lower than D? The character of notes changes when they are played an octave higher. I often play high on the D & G, but I can't conceive of playing bass without having a low E available

I left my other bass alone for playing with the band, and pulled the E & A strings off my Pea Deluxe just for practicing. I put it on the neck (pea-style) pickup, max the bass EQ & roll off the mids & treble.

I'm just forcing myself to think about notes intervals rather than the same old patterns, nearly all of which seem to start on the E or A string. It also forces me to traverse up and down the string, rather staying in the root position, as is my habit.

Try playing Sunshine of Your Love using only the D & G strings. Feels kinda strange, doesn't it?

Gn

[Jim Nazium]

I think it's a great concept, although I don't think I would go as far as actually removing the strings. I'd just decide to practice playing my walking line on the other two strings. Break out of the comfort zone, as someone else said.

[dvh]

Sounds like a great idea. I'm going to try it. (But - agreed, just mute the unwanted strings somehow)

[KPAX]

If it helps you then right on!
It might be a good idea for learning all the notes and positions and getting comfortable in the upper registers.
I don't have a problem with so many bass lines being centered on the E and A strings. To me, those strings just sound better for a lot of lines.
I'm also noticing more and more many heavier songs are played primarily on the E string (usually down-tuned), up and down the frets, rather than across the strings. It has a different sound and I have to admit, it sounds cool. Just another technique and effect.

[Hoover]

I'm all about Discipline, Restraint, Self-Enforced Limitations, and Shaking Things Up as a method of forcing one to think outside the box or come up with new solutions. While I've never removed strings, I have retuned & restrung a bass in a variety of different ways, all in an effort to get out of a rut or allow a new perspective.

String your bass up left handed. Or string it up in inverted/reciprocal 5ths, like a Chapman Stick. Tune it in 2nds or 3rds instead of 4ths. It's all good.

[Rudreax]

Originally Posted by Hoover

I'm all about Discipline, Restraint, Self-Enforced Limitations, and Shaking Things Up as a method of forcing one to think outside the box or come up with new solutions. While I've never removed strings, I have retuned & restrung a bass in a variety of different ways, all in an effort to get out of a rut or allow a new perspective.

String your bass up left handed. Or string it up in inverted/reciprocal 5ths, like a Chapman Stick. Tune it in 2nds or 3rds instead of 4ths. It's all good.

What interesting ideas you have...I think I'm going to try them out right now!

[cassanova]

Originally Posted by Gnobility

I'm just forcing myself to think about notes intervals rather than the same old patterns, nearly all of which seem to start on the E or A string. It also forces me to traverse up and down the string, rather staying in the root position, as is my habit.

And removing 2 strings to learn about note intervals achieves this how?

The best way to learn about note intervals IMO/IME and from my professors is to play all the major and minor scales in every position there is on the neck while singing the note name and interval as you play it. This too will force you to traverse up and down the entire length of the neck as well.

Also IMO/IME once you learn where say for example all the F's are on your bass and know what they sound like you'll begin to start playing lines in other places on the neck. No need to remove the E/A strings to do that.

[Wasted Bassist]

Originally Posted by SpawnofHastur

I think it's a really cool idea, man. I'm sure it'd really open up your ability to play lines that sound unique.

And, because I haven't pimped him enough, my favourite bassist ever, Mark Sandman, played a two string bass.

Wait... I thought he played a 3 string... Did I miss something?

[SpawnofHastur]

I'm pretty sure Mark played a two-string bass, tuned in a fifth, and used a slide.

However, I may be wrong, I am happy to accept that.