5, 6 or frettless ???

Hi Paulo,
Do you have access to a 5, 6, and fretless where you are? If so, I'd give each a few hours and make a decision. If you are a 10 year player you know that it is going to depend a lot on the basses you try. Let us know what floats your boat.
Doc

 

A fretless 5, of course
Well, if you can find someone you like, that is.

A 5er or 6er doesn't demand much else from a 4, technique wise. You just need to get aquainted with the new string order, which will take a few days.
Oh, there is something that may give a headache: muting. Confuses me from time to time, anyway

 

ciao paolo

the jump from 4 strings to 5 strings was for me easy. much harder from 4 to 6. speaking about the fretless option i only played lined fretless and i'm a bad fretless player. fretless it's easy to play but really hard to play correct. i suggest you to try the 5 string fretted and the 4 string fretless. you'll have a good idea of what to choose

spero di essere stato di aiuto!
ciao

 

All of the above would be my suggestion.

 

In my eyes 6 strings is overkill. That high string is good if you like to solo but it reminds me way too much of a guitar sometimes and that turns me off.

I too use to play 4 string (and still do) for 5 years straight. The last two years I've been playin a 5 string and the switch was normal for me. I like that low B string.

Fretless is something that I've always wanted to do and I'm doin it now. Its not that easy to keep it in tune. you really have to have dedication to play this thing good. My intonation is pretty good but it still is a challange to play. I love it!

 

Well i have a 6 string Ibanez btb oil finish and find no use for it. It just looks cool. So I'm returning it for a refund. I don't know, the only use would be for solos. And i like keepin the bass sounding like a bass, but there are plenty of people out there that love that high c string.

fretless is for everything, don't let that stop you from trying it out!!!!!!

 

With an ordinay (high C) 6er, you can do more of solos and chords. With a low 6 (F#) you can go lower, while in a positon higher up the neck - or lower. ...closer to the body, anyway!

A fretless can be used for any kind of music. It does take some practice to slap it well, though.

 

Mostly solo stuff and some chord work as well. I personally am not interested in soloing on a bass I think it goes against my personal idea of what the bass is all about.

Can I get a hell yeah!!! Sure can, fretless sounds great for rock. Check out some of the fretless stuff I've played with my brother Andrew Hamm in a recent project here. The songs "Calling Me Back" and "Strange Education" are good examples of my fretless work in a rock setting. Please don't wince that much at the poor intonation.

 

I just went through this same thing. I made the jump to a 6 string and couldn't make the adjustment. Sure, I could have just played 5 strings and left the little 6th string alone but it just made me feel inadequate. Mind you, this was a very high quality 6.

Anyway, I reluctantly sold it and bought a quality 5 string and it was an easy and natural adjustment for me.

I think the outcome may be based on your background and your future needs.