4 or 6 to start with

[autodidact]

I vote the 6'er. I love me some 6 strings, lot of range, plus its got a 4 string built in! Get that 6 !

[OUT51D3R]

I started with a five string. I switched to 4s after a while. The transition from 5 string to 4 string was trivial. I almost never touch my 5 string now, but on those times I do it's still like second nature. I have a feeling the transition wouldn't have been quite as easy in reverse, though I guess I don't know.

[thomas-k]

I guess you know what music you like to listen to...

Just look at what the bass players of your favorite bands are playing, chances are that's what you want to learn to play...

[TeeZeeMee90]

Any of you 6 stringers tell me the added benefit you have from the extra C string?

I get what having a B can do, seeing how basses are supposed to be low. (Yet I like the sound of Piccolo basses)

Maybe I should just get a short scale to turn into a piccolo and get a 5 String?

So lost

[Epitaph04]

Theres no benefit from anything. The high C string simply an extra string that gives you easier access to higher notes for melodies and chords. Its all it is.

[Epitaph04]

Also stop thinking about it so much. Grab the cheapest decent 6er you can find and just play. Its the only way you'll know for sure what you want.

[stepswork4me]

Go straight to a six and don't waste your time getting comfortable with something else only to relearn the instrument later. It makes no sense.

[TeeZeeMee90]

After looking around all day today, I have decided one thing though...I am not really wanting Active pickups. Is that blasphemy?

[stepswork4me]

Originally Posted by TeeZeeMee90

After looking around all day today, I have decided one thing though...I am not really wanting Active pickups. Is that blasphemy?

Nope. Different strokes. I've had passives and actives. I prefer active.

[TeeZeeMee90]

So I have been torn away by these videos of Piccolo basses... Im really in awe by them.

I was looking at 6 strings and heard these by random...and I am like jaw on the floor over the top taken away. It seems like such a good balance of bass and highs.

[two fingers]

The only thing about piccolo bass for learning is that it's probably pretty hard to get a gig on one. So no matter how many strings you start with, I would learn on an actual bass and go from there. If for no other reason but that you will be able to get a gig at some point on a bass.

[JamesGoodall]

I say if you like six, start with a six. The argument that one should start with a four and from there move up to five, then six, etc. is IMHO flawed. Someone already gave the analogy that a pianist wont start with a 49 key, then a 66 key and then finally get up to an 88 key piano. That is my perspective, but I in no way view fours as inferior. I sometimes wish I had one to trade out with my 6 every once in a while.
And though you may spend most of your time on the EADG strings, after a while you learn tasteful applications within your technique for the higher and lower notes.

My 2 cents.

*cough*Jaco only needed four*cough*jazz bass with flats forever*cough*

[Munjibunga]

Split the difference: 5.

[TeeZeeMee90]

So one on the side wouldnt be bad?

Ive been watching Zander Zon's videos and Im just hooked.

[TeeZeeMee90]

Originally Posted by JamesGoodall

I say if you like six, start with a six. The argument that one should start with a four and from there move up to five, then six, etc. is IMHO flawed. Someone already gave the analogy that a pianist wont start with a 49 key, then a 66 key and then finally get up to an 88 key piano. That is my perspective, but I in no way view fours as inferior. I sometimes wish I had one to trade out with my 6 every once in a while.
And though you may spend most of your time on the EADG strings, after a while you learn tasteful applications within your technique for the higher and lower notes.

My 2 cents.

*cough*Jaco only needed four*cough*jazz bass with flats forever*cough*

Jaco is a beast...
and I know Im gonna use flats...

[Marton]

I would choose a 4 or 5 for starting, mainly for the reason that you can find really good 4 or 5 stringers for around $250, sixers not really much. And I would never suggest a SX to someone who don't know how to adjust his instrument.

If you can find something used for that price from a trusted brand (Ibanez, Yamaha, Cort and the like) then that's not a bad idea I guess.

[Epitaph04]

Originally Posted by TeeZeeMee90

After looking around all day today, I have decided one thing though...I am not really wanting Active pickups. Is that blasphemy?

Why not? Are you sure the bass guitars you played had active pickups on them? They most likely just had an active preamp on it. Most bass guitars tend to have passive pups.

[TeeZeeMee90]

Originally Posted by Epitaph04

Why not? Are you sure the bass guitars you played had active pickups on them? They most likely just had an active preamp on it. Most bass guitars tend to have passive pups.

They have said they're active... unless its false advertisement. I guess what sets me off from active is the whole on board EQ and then ANOTHER one on the amp itself.

[jmverdugo]

I always thought you really not learn to play a 4 or 5 or a 6 string bass. You learn to plays bass, period. Then you "get used to" play with whatever floats your boats. Is not like if you are playing a gig with your 5r and if out of nowhere the B pops you become bass impaired or something like that.

[rtav]

I would say go right for the 6, however, if you start with a 4, stay on it or move to something else, it won't matter much. After all, I played ONLY 4 string basses for 35+ years, and switched completely to 6 strings last summer and it's fine. No need to fret (pun intended) about what to start with, I'm proof that it's never too late to change.