what does everyone think about six string basses?

[sixstringlovr]

I have been playing bass for six years and have stuck almost entirely to six strings. I have played many four strings including $1500 music man basses top of the line fender jazz basses fretless basses etc and i just can't write the same or feel as comfortable on a four string. Am i being narrow minded?

[SLaPiNFuNK]

My main basses are 6 strings... I can play 4 strings as well because I am used to uprights as well. But 5 strings, I feel like a string is missing...

So the majority of my basses are 6 and 4 strings. I do have a couple of 5 strings in the mix, but the main 5 is used for one specific thing...

[Skabasskid]

My motto - the more strings the merrier. =]

[behndy]

i think.... they have more than 5 but less than 7 strings.

i prefer 6's, but that doesn't really mean anything because i know a LOT of players that just kill me skill wise that rock 4 or 5's. all preference homie.

[Blackened Soul]

Have nothing against them, but I have never played one I really liked. I own one of those Les Paul shaped Danelectro bass sixes though, not that it is the same thing but anyway...

[ProfGumby]

Originally Posted by sixstringlovr

I have been playing bass for six years and have stuck almost entirely to six strings. I have played many four strings including $1500 music man basses top of the line fender jazz basses fretless basses etc and i just can't write the same or feel as comfortable on a four string. Am i being narrow minded?

No, you're not narrow minded at all. I for one think 6 strings are 2 strings too many for me, and I really don't care for 5 strings either. It all depends on what the player is comfortable with and what the demands of what you play require....

[SLaPiNFuNK]

Plus! No one ever said you "NEED" to play the other 2 strings... You could play it like a 4 string bass, and never touch the B / C strings... and vice versa... They are just there, and there is something about a good 6 string that just feels so good in the hands...

[BurningSkies]

At one time I thought that six string basses were dreamy.

Then I realized that I was wrong, and I saw that they were boss.

But after much thought, I came to the conclusion that they are, in fact, rad.

[fingerbun]

I played a six string once. To me it's unnatural, and I can't see why I'd want one. I tend to play fours, I have one five, which I enjoy for the lower notes, and I am always toying with getting a better one.

Might be different for different styles of music. If I played a lot of slap bass for example.

[OkkultistBass]

This is what I think of them.
YouTube - ‪Bob Baldwin Concert snippet with Gerald Veasley - Croton, NY‬‏

[Marko5657]

Originally Posted by OkkultistBass

This is what I think of them.
YouTube - ‪Bob Baldwin Concert snippet with Gerald Veasley - Croton, NY‬‏

That was pretty cool. I can see how that high string puts certain notes close enough to get to and from them so quickly, not having to go up and down the neck.

What I found cool was that he wasn’t playing with a pick.

Were he playing with a pic, I don’t think I’d have been much impressed, as it’d be more like just guitar playing on a bass.

[Marty Forrer]

There are good sixers and bad sixers. I tend to like 19mm (3/4") string spacing so that restricts the options a bit. I dig the Yamaha TRB6ers.... hmmm... must get me another one.

[Blackened Soul]

Originally Posted by Marko5657

That was pretty cool. I can see how that high string puts certain notes close enough to get to and from them so quickly, not having to go up and down the neck.

What I found cool was that he wasn’t playing with a pick.

Were he playing with a pic, I don’t think I’d have been much impressed, as it’d be more like just guitar playing on a bass.

I would have liked to hear that with a pick really... and maybe a more distorted tone

[darkstorm]

I regard 6string basses as being best for those who want to do 6string guitar like things on bass. but they do seem rather silly idea for those just doing regular basic bass guitar playing. Lol. Theyre fine for those who can be comfortable with the 6string basses extra wide necks. And who want to do outsider the box bass playing. Lol.

[My name is Mudd]

I'm not really fond of 6's for the same reason I don't really like 5's...the B string tension (or lack of), but that's just me. I'm good with my old-skool 4's.

[lowphatbass]

I don't think much about them. I'm not mad at 'em or anything, just not my thing. I've heard plenty of solos rendered on a 6 string that sound like a banjo or "weird guitar" because they were out of context stylistically(IMO), I'm not confident that I could avoid this kind of thing so I've steered clear....just a personal decision. I've seen/heard plenty of 6 string players sound wonderful.

[BurningSkies]

Originally Posted by My name is Mudd

I'm not really fond of 6's for the same reason I don't really like 5's...the B string tension (or lack of), but that's just me. I'm good with my old-skool 4's.

You're playing the wrong 5's and 6's.

[lowfreq33]

I have a four out on the road with me as a backup, but most of the time it doesn't even leave the trailer. I sing a lot in this band, and being able to stay in one position and not have to look at the neck is really helpful.

[Rockmusician]

My feelings on it is if you want to play a 6 string, play guitar.

[MD]

I don't think about them.