5 or 6 strings? Which do you prefer?

[MobileHolmes]

6. It is 20% better than 5.

 

[Marcus]

I am partial to 5 string basses, although I used to prefer 6s.

5 string basses seem far more logical to me for sessions, and gigs.

 

[markjazzbassist]

5 strings. i like the low B but don't think i would benefit from a string higher than the G.

 

[Rano Bass]

I voted 5 cause I don´t need to go any higher and I don´t want wider neck either.

Exactly my thoughts

 

[SteveC]

I dont have anything against 5 strings, but Ive always felt if youre gonna get 5 then you might as well just get 6.

Why? I have a 5 because I need lower notes for a number of tunes we do. I don't need a 6 because I don't need higher notes. I don't really want to play higher in first position because the tone of the C string doesn't appeal to me. I prefer to shift and play it up on the neck.

 

[Planet Boulder]

I prefer 5-strings to all other configurations. I have a few 5s, a few 4s and a 6-string. I've owned 3 6-ers in my life and, when it comes down to it, anything more than 5-strings just doesn't really interest me, to be completely honest. They are fine for others, but I just don't really care for anything higher than a G-string.

Plus, as much as I like my Spector NS2000 Q6, it's a friggin' boat anchor - wears my shoulder out quickly!

 

[Tom Howland]

I voted 5 cause I don´t need to go any higher and I don´t wan´t wider neck either


+1

 

[steve21]

My next bass will be a 5 string, even though I own a 6. Why? The 6 is great, but I don't need the C string for ALL basses. I have my Ibanez for C-string purposes, but I need a low B.

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I have no use for anything higher more than a 5. I do require the low B, but would not require a high C.

 

[Matt Morgan]

I played six string basses from 1995 to 2005. I went back to five strings after finding that I simply wasn't using the C string much at all over the last couple years.
I may get a six string again in the future but right now the 5 strings are really working for me.

 

[Bassist4Life]

I voted 6.

I enjoy being able to play higher in a lower position. I also enjoy playing chordal accompaniments.

I use the low B mostly at the end of a tune for the final note. The keyboard player in my trio calls it "dropping bombs".

Joe

 

[Altitude]

I just don't see the downside for six strings, as long as you are willing to get past the trouble to make it feel familiar. You get the benefit of a broader range of tonal choices.

 

[Double Agent]

5 strings was not that big a step up for me from 4 strings. The 6 string was a HUGE step, i am not the biggest guy (5'7") and the extra reach to get to the B and E strings is just a bit much. That said, I might still look to add a 6, maybe a Bongo 6 when they come out, but my primary bass will always be a 5string.

 

[de la mocha]

If your thing is to play up high and solo, that's cool; everyone's got their own thing but I feel that first and foremost a bass is a support instrument and we need to give the music some ass.

Just my $.02

LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!! That made my night!!!!!!! LOL!!!!

I voted 5. I've been playing 5's for the past 5.5 years now......

LOL!!!!!! I'm just in a giddy mood tonight!!!!

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

I really like both, but I'd give my Lull 5-string a slight edge. It's sound seems to be a better fit for the types of music I've been playing.

 

[Jimbow]

I voted for 6, but only if they're wide spaced. Otherwise, 4.

 

[Wally Malone]

Went from a four to six skipping the five. I use the six on jazz gigs and with my bass band where the opportunity to solo, play melodies and chords were part of the gig. In the last two years my life got so busy with my day job being in two locations that I stopped booking the bass band and didn't have the opportunity to do the jazz gigs. Most of my gigs were R&B & blues gigs and the I didn't use the six on those gigs. If I don't play the six on a regular basis it is a bear to play. Recently I bought a F Bass BN5 which I am playing now as my first choice of my basses. Originally when getting the five I had planned on stringing E-C but after playing it and hearing and feeling the B string I decided to keep it B-G. What I see in my future is getting another five and stringing E-C and on some gigs especially jazz gigs taking both fives one strung each way.

Wally

 

[7string]

Like others I jumped from a 4 to a 6 (well from a 4 to a fretless 6).

I've never really got on with a 5. I used to own one, but didn't really use it, so sold it on. Now I just have 4's, 6 (fretless) & 7, with a Sei 7 being completed in the next couple of months.

Really interesting thread this, hearing lots of different takes on the 5 or 6 debate....

 

[bassfacekevin]

I am a big fan of 6'ers, I don't know if I'll ever be able to go back. I like the ablility to play chords and being able to be lazy in terms of left-hand movements. I also just really like the feeling of the 6 string neck. It feels substantial and I dunno, I feel like I have more room to move around. Right now I'm looking at a 6 string thumb so we'll see how what goes.

~K

 

[Johnny Dark]

5, you want 6 strings, play a guitar.