Switching to 5 or 6 string

steve2 · #1 03-24-2006, 03:45 PM

I have played a 4 string bass for about 12 years and was thinking about getting a 5 string bass or possibly a 6. Just wondering if a 6 string bass is awkard to play since the neck is much wider than a 4. I really dont think I would use the added C that much but I defiently would like the deeper B string. How dissicult is it to switch to the 5 and 6 string. Thanks

Steve

Petary791 · #2 03-24-2006, 04:12 PM

It really isn't that hard. I personally would take a 6 over 5 any day. Six is great because you never have to move out of position. Tapping is awesome, so you can do some higher chords and something low, which is great for a power trio. Also, it's awesome to do stuff like Dream Theater's "Glass Prison" where you can play something real low and play something real melodic up high.

Basshole · #3 03-24-2006, 04:57 PM

I personally went from 4 to 5 to 6.

The trip from 4 to 5 was a bit harder, as I would occasionally mistake the lowest string for the E.

What I finally did to get over that was treat it much like a thumbrest, until I found myself somewhere on the "A" string, above the second fret...and then if the music would call for it, I'd drop the octave (two strings and two frets apart) down to the low B string.

The switch to 6 was easy, because it just gives you more room to run across the neck until the need to go up to the next position arises.

In fact, I'd like to add the the most redeeming feature of all regarding a 6 is that you can start thinking ACROSS the fretboard a lot more than up-and-down it. It's really a pleasure to be able to play in one position most of the time, without having to move.

(Hey, I'm lazy!)

steve2 · #4 03-24-2006, 06:12 PM

I guess playing a six string would be easy as far as playing in the first position. It would just take some time getting us to the top string. After a while I think I would be OK. I may just think about a 6 over a 5. I need to get out and try a few.

Thanks

STeve

steve2 · #5 03-24-2006, 06:21 PM

For those who has a six string I am wondering if you also still play the 4 string or do you just usually play the six all of the time.

Thanks again

STeve

Fuzzbass · #6 03-24-2006, 07:05 PM

My 2¢ - I played four for over 2 decades before switching to five. Took me a couple of months of dedicated effort to get comfy on five, but it was well worth it. Like others, I'd often mistake the B string for the E string. What helped was learning a bunch of new songs fresh on five... that way, "muscle memory" (old habits) were less a problem. I didn't think about what key I was in... I just found the root notes and extended the scales by one more string.

I don't recommend five over six... that's your call. But even though I can get around on six stringers OK, here's why I've stayed with five:
1) Have never heard a C string I've liked (I'm not crazy about G, either)
2) I don't solo or chord much... I don't need the higher notes
3) Don't want to deal with wider fretboard or narrower string spacing (or both)
4) With six, there's one more string to mute. Five's enough for me.

But as noted above, there are good reasons to move up to six rather than five. You'll have to weigh the pros and cons for yourself. Good luck!

P.S. I switched completely to five, but I'd encourage to you keep playing your four. Just put the four away while you're learning the new instrument! You can come back to it later.

Basshole · #7 03-24-2006, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steve2

For those who has a six string I am wondering if you also still play the 4 string or do you just usually play the six all of the time.

Thanks again

STeve

Steve,

Actually, I still have a number of four string basses that I love and still play. I also play 5, 6, 7 and 12 (triple course) string basses.

Once you learn, it's not much different than switching from an automatic to a stick, and then to a motorcycle. You just mentally remap the controls (or strings in this case) in the first few seconds, and you keep going.

Basshole · #8 03-24-2006, 08:05 PM

There may be some argument as to why, but I can tell you that while there are a lot of 5 string basses out there with lousy low B strings, 6 string basses seem to fare better in this department. I think it's the stiffer neck...

**Ryan L.** · #9 03-25-2006, 06:25 AM

I started out on 4's, moved to 5's and stayed there for years, and about 2 years ago moved to 6's. I found the transitions to be fairly easy, especially the move to 6ers. After playing 6 strings almost exclusively now, I don't see myself ever moving away from them.

NegatroN · #10 03-25-2006, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuzzbass

1) Have never heard a C string I've liked (I'm not crazy about G, either)
2) I don't solo or chord much... I don't need the higher notes
3) Don't want to deal with wider fretboard or narrower string spacing (or both)
4) With six, there's one more string to mute. Five's enough for me.

That were more or less the same reasons for me. I needed an additional deeper string so 5 strings made sense. I don't need an additional higher string so where would be the sense in 6 strings?