Who here plays a 6 string bass in a cover band?

Tony G · #1 10-22-2007, 12:33 PM

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!

Tony G · #2 10-22-2007, 01:02 PM

I guess I'm the only one.

Gard · #3 10-22-2007, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgabriele

I guess I'm the only one.

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.

Tony G · #4 10-22-2007, 01:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

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!

pointbass · #5 10-22-2007, 01:16 PM

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 .....

Tony G · #6 10-22-2007, 01:19 PM

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.

Trouland · #7 10-22-2007, 01:23 PM

I use two 6 string basses at gigs

. I've never had a bad comment on my basses. The only thing I've heard is "wow thats a huge neck"

. We do alot of Dream Theater and Symphony X covers so I need the B and C.
TR

Ron Plichta · #8 10-22-2007, 01:27 PM

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

Tony G · #9 10-23-2007, 12:57 PM

bump for more 6 string fun!

jrock357mag · #10 10-23-2007, 01:09 PM

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

MikeBass · #11 10-23-2007, 01:23 PM

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.

**DougD** · #12 10-23-2007, 01:43 PM

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

FireArm · #13 10-23-2007, 01:53 PM

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

gkbass13 · #14 10-23-2007, 02:06 PM

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.

Gard · #15 10-23-2007, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougD

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!

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!

Tony G · #16 10-23-2007, 02:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DougD

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

I did actually, particularly with your bass.

**Ryan L.** · #17 10-24-2007, 01:26 AM

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

phat daddy · #18 10-24-2007, 01:33 AM

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.

Lorenzini · #19 10-24-2007, 02:07 AM

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.

**DougD** · #20 10-24-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gard

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

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!

yea