I am stuck choosing a 5 string or 6 string bass. I play everything from Muse to Tool to Jazz and I want lots of versatility. I feel like having a 6 is more versatile but I'm not sure if I will use the highest and lowest strings a lot. Please help.
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5 or 6??!! Please help!
- Thread starter Justin Urry
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Hi there, Justin.
When I bought my first "extended range" bass, I went through the same tough decision making process that you did. What are the benefits to each? What best suits what I want to do? There is alot to consider.
In the end, I went with a six string bass the first time. I thought "hey, the only difference is the extra string, and if I don't use it, I can ignore it". That isn't so much the case. The more I played the bass, the less I used the C string, and the more it started to annoy me. After a few months, I coudln't stand it anymore and swore off extended range basses, thinking that the same would be true for a 5 string.
A couple years later, I had the opportunity to pick up an American 5 string jazz bass, so I decided to give it another shot. This time, it was a whole different story. The more I used the bass, the more I loved having the fifth string. Not only for the lower notes it provided, but also for the ability to play the same songs I used to play, but higher up the neck but still with the same notes. Now, after 2 years, I barely touch 4 string basses anymore. The string spacing, the size of the neck, everything just feels right on a 5 string to me now, which is why my most recent bass was a beautiful 5 string Stingray.
I'll never buy another six though.
Hope that helps! If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer.
When I bought my first "extended range" bass, I went through the same tough decision making process that you did. What are the benefits to each? What best suits what I want to do? There is alot to consider.
In the end, I went with a six string bass the first time. I thought "hey, the only difference is the extra string, and if I don't use it, I can ignore it". That isn't so much the case. The more I played the bass, the less I used the C string, and the more it started to annoy me. After a few months, I coudln't stand it anymore and swore off extended range basses, thinking that the same would be true for a 5 string.
A couple years later, I had the opportunity to pick up an American 5 string jazz bass, so I decided to give it another shot. This time, it was a whole different story. The more I used the bass, the more I loved having the fifth string. Not only for the lower notes it provided, but also for the ability to play the same songs I used to play, but higher up the neck but still with the same notes. Now, after 2 years, I barely touch 4 string basses anymore. The string spacing, the size of the neck, everything just feels right on a 5 string to me now, which is why my most recent bass was a beautiful 5 string Stingray.
I'll never buy another six though.
Hope that helps! If you have any questions I'd be happy to answer.
I think it comes down to whether or not you like the feel of a 6 in your fretting hand. You get a lot of fretboard with a 6, and playing fewer strings is often easier to handle physically. If you like to experiment you'll use what you have regardless, but really I think sticking with 6 is about being comfortable with the bass itself. You should try one before you buy one, basically. With a 5, you can tune B to G or E to C, so you can get the added notes where they are most convenient for you if you want. I play both myself, so try both if you can before making a decision.
I played four for over 20 years. I was constantly detuning to reach low notes. I resisted five string because I was afraid I wouldn't adapt, but in Y2K I finally got one and love it. I no longer own any fours.
I suspect you will learn as I did that the low B string isn't just for the notes below low E. I play the low B string above the 5th fret more than I do below it. I love the additional range it gives me in every position on the fretboard.
I considered six string but realized that 5 is just right for me: I'm a support player, I rarely if ever solo. As for whether you should get one: six string would probably be a good idea if you play a lot of chords, harmonics, or upper register melodies. Also, sixers give you even more range in each position, so a lot of sight readers use sixers.
One thing to keep in mind is that notes below low E have become extremely common, even in country and blues. They are incredibly common in pop music, whether played by bass or keyboard. So, being able to hit those low notes will make you a more marketable bassist. Sure, you can also detune a four string -- for over a decade I put Hipshot Bass Xtenders on all my fours do just that. However I MUCH prefer playing BEADG five string and not having to worry about detuning/retuning.
If you pick one and decide you prefer the other, it's no big deal, that's part of the learning process: sometimes you never know until you try. Best of luck!
I suspect you will learn as I did that the low B string isn't just for the notes below low E. I play the low B string above the 5th fret more than I do below it. I love the additional range it gives me in every position on the fretboard.
I considered six string but realized that 5 is just right for me: I'm a support player, I rarely if ever solo. As for whether you should get one: six string would probably be a good idea if you play a lot of chords, harmonics, or upper register melodies. Also, sixers give you even more range in each position, so a lot of sight readers use sixers.
One thing to keep in mind is that notes below low E have become extremely common, even in country and blues. They are incredibly common in pop music, whether played by bass or keyboard. So, being able to hit those low notes will make you a more marketable bassist. Sure, you can also detune a four string -- for over a decade I put Hipshot Bass Xtenders on all my fours do just that. However I MUCH prefer playing BEADG five string and not having to worry about detuning/retuning.
If you pick one and decide you prefer the other, it's no big deal, that's part of the learning process: sometimes you never know until you try. Best of luck!
I mostly play my bass lines down at the low end of the neck so extending to a low B was a no brainer for me. A 6 string bass just extends the bass in a direction that I would rarely go as a player.
If the OP can utilise the strings in both directions then a 6 string in the way to go.
If the OP can utilise the strings in both directions then a 6 string in the way to go.
I played a six for 10 years as an Army bass player because I was always sight reading and it cut down on huge leaps across the fretboard for higher notes. I play jazz and I can improv...... With that said. Every time I have a six.... I sell it because I never use it. Unless you are utilizing the upper range it isn't necessary and can be more of a hindrance. For me the 5 is the way to go.
Moving from 4 to 5 was a no brainer for me. I've considered getting a fretted 6er to try it but I just don't think I would utilise it properly. However, I would really like to try a fretless 6, because I feel that when playing fretless I'm far more likely to be doing melodic stuff.
If you are going to switch, go for a 6. I've played 4, 5 and 6 and if you are comfortable on a 6 string neck, go for it. When I play a 6 I don't use the low b or high c much, but they do come in very handy on occasion. If you are really on the fence, get an SX 6 string to try. I've got 2 of them and they are quite nice. And if you don't like them, they are easy to sell.
buldog5151bass
Kibble, milkbones, and P Basses. And redheads.
5 is less of a learning curve. Unless you are going to be playing a lot up high where you NEED it, go for the 5er. Also easier to sell (lots more people playing them), cheaper, and more choices.
I have tried a 6 3 times. I really wanted to like it and be good on it, but it never felt right or worked out. There are only 5 notes on a 6 that you don't have on a 5. I found that I can get by without them. As for playing in position without shifting, yeah, there's that, but again,I find I like to shift and explore the different timbres of playing the same notes on different strings.
In the end it's up to you. You need to play both and see what works for you. I would say "most" people would be more comfortable on a 5.
In the end it's up to you. You need to play both and see what works for you. I would say "most" people would be more comfortable on a 5.
Many 6 string basses are heavy and have very wide necks, IMHO.
There is also the view that the use of High C string takes you out of the wheelhouse of the bassist as providing the underlying foundation.....you're getting into guitar territory frequency-wise and the bottom can fall out. I'm not sure though as I've never tried one in a band situation.
I really like the way that JoJo Garza utilizes the 6 in a rock setting as the bassist for Los Lonely Boys. He hits some occasional runs, but you also see him do a lot of chording to help fill in the gaps in their power trio set-up. I really like what he does with it.
There is also the view that the use of High C string takes you out of the wheelhouse of the bassist as providing the underlying foundation.....you're getting into guitar territory frequency-wise and the bottom can fall out. I'm not sure though as I've never tried one in a band situation.
I really like the way that JoJo Garza utilizes the 6 in a rock setting as the bassist for Los Lonely Boys. He hits some occasional runs, but you also see him do a lot of chording to help fill in the gaps in their power trio set-up. I really like what he does with it.
Big time.
I am taking pretty intense lessons and a 6 would just make it harder from the perspective of learning the fretboard inside out, scales, modes, arpeggios, etc. A 24 fret 5er is hard enough IME. It is only 6 more notes, but to me even that is distraction.
I do have a 6 string (an amazing Ibanez Singlecut BTB) but that bass is just for me to fool around with and use at rehersals. I have a few 4 strings as well that don't get played much unless I get a call at the last minute to fill,in and the BL wants me to bring a traditional Fender.
The only benefit with a six are two octave scales from the E string without shifting and chord voicing options. 90% of the time the C string is just in the way.
If you value diversity of opinions and experience... I own 3 6 string basses, and a 5 or 4 string instrument to me feels the same as a 2 string instrument would feel on a "normal" bassist (whatever that means).
I play in a trio (sax/drums/bass) and the easy access to chords, extensive soloing and choices of "color" depending which combination of strings I use are fundamental features of our music and my playing.
If you are asking yourself the question, is because you already see the benefits of a 6 string instrument and you are trying to see if limiting yourself to 5 will "do it". If you can easily figure out the tuning/pattern between strings and can bear the minimal extra weight, I will go with a 6 all the way. Pay attention to some of the following:
I play in a trio (sax/drums/bass) and the easy access to chords, extensive soloing and choices of "color" depending which combination of strings I use are fundamental features of our music and my playing.
If you are asking yourself the question, is because you already see the benefits of a 6 string instrument and you are trying to see if limiting yourself to 5 will "do it". If you can easily figure out the tuning/pattern between strings and can bear the minimal extra weight, I will go with a 6 all the way. Pay attention to some of the following:
- distance between strings. If you have a 4 with 19mm spacing, a 6er will feel pretty big. You may want to spec 18 or 17.5mm
- scale; I'd explore a 34 (or 33) scale bass instead of a 36
- Pickup configuration: a low B and a high C can shine on their own, make sure that your bass has eq capabilities to handle both extremes well (dual pickups, piezo, etc)
I have had a 6-string for a 2 years now, and I am about to sell in order to get a 5-string strung E-C.
Getting a 6 would be the way to find out. If you get a 6 and find that you are never using the C string, or that it is so bad as to be "getting in the way," then you'll know a 5 is what you want. But if you get a 5 without trying a 6, you'll never know how the C string might be an asset.
Ok, I have to admit that I didn't play a 5er that much, but I was struggling with it, but I'm at home with both 4 and 6ers. Not sure why.
The way up I see it is it's easier for me to switch between 4 and 6 because of the symmetry - in my head I see a 6er as a 4 with two extra strings - somehow for me it doesn't work like that with a 5er.
The way up I see it is it's easier for me to switch between 4 and 6 because of the symmetry - in my head I see a 6er as a 4 with two extra strings - somehow for me it doesn't work like that with a 5er.
