• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

4, 5 -Or- 6 String?

#82
Just ask yourself "what would Geddy Lee do?"

You want to play a B? Bam! There's a perfectly good one right there at the 2nd string 9th fret. Want to go extra deep? Pow! There is a great deep B on the fourth string 7th fret.
 
#83
KISSbestfan said:
Who needs more than 4 strings, if you are able to tune the damn thing down, or simply put fatter strings there ?

Thats why I always stayed with the 4 strings, because I've never used more than 4, no matter what music I was playing.
Click to expand...

Well, apparently plenty of people need more than 4 strings as there are a lot of more than 4 string basses out there. Tuning down isn't always an option.

If 4 strings work for you that's great. For many of us, they don't.
 
#85
DigitalMan said:
Just ask yourself "what would Geddy Lee do?"

You want to play a B? Bam! There's a perfectly good one right there at the 2nd string 9th fret. Want to go extra deep? Pow! There is a great deep B on the fourth string 7th fret.
Click to expand...

You want to play a B? Bam! There's a perfectly good one right there at the 2nd string 9th fret. Want to go deep? Pow! There is a great deep B on the third string 2nd fret. Want to go extra deep? Zap! There is a great extra low B on the 4th string 7th fret!

That's why Geddy Lee only needs 4 strings.

Oh wait! :rollno:
 
#86
I mostly use 5 or 6 string basses. I own a 4 string that I've had since I was a young lad, and I had a 7 string for a while. I use what I like, when I want to use it. No judgement about how others may employ their own basses, regardless of how many or few strings they sport.
 
#87
LLendrum said:
I started on a Yamaha 24-fret 4-string then moved to a Carvin 24-5 (B) and continued onto a Brubaker 24-5 (B). I've mucked around on a lot of basses and now I'm exclusively playing 4-strings with 20 frets or less.

I have only played 2 24 fret basses that had perfect intonation all the way to the 24th fret across all strings... a $12000 Fodera and a Sadowsky NYC.

It took me many years to realise it but I'm a 4-string vintage singlecoil passive guy... I'll take fewer notes if they all sound better and are perfectly in tune.

As a point of interest... a 20-fret 4 string has an effective range of almost 3 octaves... this is the same as a Tenor saxophone (not including the half octave of altísimo some players have available to them)... draw your own conclusions.
Click to expand...

My conslusion is, it can't be enough in some situation or in your mind :

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGqR_KCGwr0
 
#88
klokker said:
I play a 5 when I have to but prefer a 4. I'd never use a 6 string. I don't even like using the low E on a 4 that much.

Just don't like that big huge low end, in basses, cabs, amps etc.
Click to expand...

Even if you don't like low end in anything and rarely use even an E string, I think you might still appreciate playing a 6.

You can get these really short scale ones, something like 24.75 or maybe 25.5, string them up with really light strings like .009 -.042, tune them EADGBE with the low E an octave above a normal bass and you're golden.
 
#89
I committed to playing 6's exclusively about 25 years ago. My perspective was "why would you not want the extra strings?" It's not like you're giving up being a four-string player. You can play the middle four strings all you want, but when you desire the extra range, it's there, on tap.

Recently though, I've changed my perspective. I have realized that for me, while I find the extra low string is essential, the extra high string isn't. Again, this is just for me and what I play (rock/metal/funk/experimental originals). For me, 5s are the sweet spot.

Some things to consider when going extended range:
+ There are less instruments to choose from (especially with 6's)
+ The tone is different than a 4 string
+ Necks on 6's can be really wide, forcing you to play differently than you're used to
+ 6's can be heavy as hell, like wearing a coffee table around your neck
+ Strings are more expensive
+ The instruments themselves are more expensive that the same model in a 4 string configuration
+ If you're a rock or metal player, a surprising number of bands are innately prejudiced against 6 string players. Not sure why, but that's been my experience. Seriously. You show up with one of those and people start complaining immediately, before you even hit a note.
 
#90
I'm a 4 string kind of guy. I have a 5 and a six, but I never really liked the necks, doesn't let my play fast enough, and I very rarely even have to use that range.

I like my six string fretless though, it has a nice sound to it.
 
#91
SteveC said:
Well, apparently plenty of people need more than 4 strings as there are a lot of more than 4 string basses out there. Tuning down isn't always an option.

If 4 strings work for you that's great. For many of us, they don't.
Click to expand...

Just playing devil's advocate... how often does a bassist with 5 or 6 strings actually use notes outside of the three octaves on a standard 4 string. Other than maybe in metal, I would say for most not very often. Usually the argument I hear for 5 and 6 strings isn't the extra range but the ability to play a broader range in any given position. If that is the case then "need" isn't quite the right word. Kind of like saying a guitarist "needs" a capo to play a song. :smug:
But I agree with your last statement, what works for you great, what works for others, also great, just play what you like. :bassist:
 
#93
I got a 5 string Lakland 55-02 and love it. To me it's the perfect balance. Wider neck but not to wide. Still has the same string spacing at the bridge as my 4 string j. When you get to 6 strings you really have to start compromising. Plus on a 4 I'm frequently drop d tuning but rarely needing the extra range on the high end.
 
#94
ulrichsd said:
I got a 5 string Lakland 55-02 and love it. To me it's the perfect balance. Wider neck but not to wide. Still has the same string spacing at the bridge as my 4 string j. When you get to 6 strings you really have to start compromising. Plus on a 4 I'm frequently drop d tuning but rarely needing the extra range on the high end.
Click to expand...

Yeah, the 5502 is killer. Easy to play, wide string spacing, but you can still play fast on it. I have been practicing some super fast jaco runs on it to loosen my hands up, and it is no problem.
 
#95
sxaxsx said:
^ Unlike the above statement I don't wish to generalise, however it seems that all the negativity in this thread is coming from the 5 and 6 string camp. Us 4 stringers are either: old, punks, not men, or aren't very good and we need to practice more.
Where as all the 4 string players have simply said that they feel more comfortable on a 4 string. Perhaps instead of making fun of the 4 stringers you could spend your time explaining why you use what you use, it might be more constructive in answering the OP.

Rev J, you seem offended that someone told you that a 6 string isn't a bass... well in a way when you start getting into 6, 7, and 8 string basses, or even 8 string basses that are doubled up, they aren't really bass specific instruments. There is a point where it becomes more "full range." :hiding:
Click to expand...

It seems like I hit a nerve with that post.

Actually that "Hostility" as you put it wasn't at all aimed at all people who play 4 string basses it was aimed at the ones who make ignorant comments like "If it has more than 4 strings it's a guitar". My generalization is based on experience. Most of the people I've met who have used that stupid cliche line that is so steeped in ignorance have been either:

A) Bad players who would rather party than play.

B) Guys with chips on their shoulders about better players.

or

C) Major insecurities about their own playing that would rather criticize other peoples instrument choices than learn to play theirs better.

I first heard this argument aimed at me directly when I brought a 5 string to a jam session and let someone else use it. After getting "If it has more than 4 strings it's a guitar." I thought to my self "How does having extra low notes make it a guitar?"

Looking back at myself I was anti 6 for years and realize that it was due to my own insecurities as a player. After years of playing in Power Trios I decided to get a six partially because it's easier to fill out the sound with (not that you can't do that with a 4) and found that once I got used to the wider neck it was in alot of ways easier to play than a 4 or 5 for me and how my style had developed up to that point.

I can still slap on a 6. I can still do alot of the 2 handed tapping stuff I was doing before. I can play more sophisticated chords. Given my choice of 6 (Fender Steve Bailey Jazz Bass VI) I have a tone that works for everything from Death Metal, to Jam Band, to Afro-Cuban, to Modern and Classic Fusion without having to change tunings or instruments.

C/S,
Rev J
 
#97
This stuff is not worth thinking about or arguing about. If you want to play professionally have a 5 and a 4. Learn and own both and you are covered. Its all about getting the gig and fitting into the situation.

If you do it for fun, play whatever the heck you want.
 
#98
sxaxsx said:
Just playing devil's advocate... how often does a bassist with 5 or 6 strings actually use notes outside of the three octaves on a standard 4 string. Other than maybe in metal, I would say for most not very often. Usually the argument I hear for 5 and 6 strings isn't the extra range but the ability to play a broader range in any given position. If that is the case then "need" isn't quite the right word. Kind of like saying a guitarist "needs" a capo to play a song. :smug:
But I agree with your last statement, what works for you great, what works for others, also great, just play what you like. :bassist:
Click to expand...

I use notes lower than E1 on nearly every song in our setlist, which is mostly classic rock with some modern country. Even if only for an occasional fill or to end a song on a low note, those lower notes add a lot more oomph when you want it. Genre really doesn't matter- it's how you want to play a song. Just listen to Anthony Jackson- he hits notes below E1 on nearly every song he plays on, spanning a wide range of genres.
 
#99
I love having that low B for a few reasons. The first is that I can do the Jamerson drop thing where for example, you can go to that low C# in the key of A for a hot second. I can play in the key of D without retuning..etc.

also, more options on intervals, especially 4ths and 5ths.

You have to really think further up the neck as well. You can do some really cool stuff in Eb witout having to retune.

I get a lot of hip hop songs in C since the producer is not a great keyboard player. That is when things are really awesome. I can crank down to that low C for an impact note instead of going to the A string, which loses momentum.
 
#100
AngelCrusher said:
This stuff is not worth thinking about or arguing about. If you want to play professionally have a 5 and a 4. Learn and own both and you are covered. Its all about getting the gig and fitting into the situation.

If you do it for fun, play whatever the heck you want.
Click to expand...

But why only a 4 and 5 if you want to play professionally and whatever you want if you play for fun? Can't a pro play a 6? Many do.

I agree that this discussion is kind if pointless, but pros play 6 strings.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back