Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
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.
5 or 6 strings?
- Thread starter Headless Llama
- Start date
I'm not really interested in the number of strings. 4 is fine, 5 is fine and 6 is fine. Seven's good too. I haven't played anything with more than that. But I do admit that the fiver I own gets least play time and the basic fours the most. But it's mostly because they sound the best to my ears.
I think the peavey grind is a decent low budget sixer, definately worth checking out if you're in the market for a cheap one. It's passive too, which I think is a wonderful thing in a low cost instrument. And it's easy to upgrade with a proper preamp if you start to feel like it.
I think the peavey grind is a decent low budget sixer, definately worth checking out if you're in the market for a cheap one. It's passive too, which I think is a wonderful thing in a low cost instrument. And it's easy to upgrade with a proper preamp if you start to feel like it.
There is actually a Peavey Grind 6 in my area used. I guess I should try it out, anyone know of a good price?
I've owned both at the same time. The 5 saw the bulk of the playing time. Not because I liked it better than the 6 but because the music I play doesn't require the use of a 6 string bass. The only times I'd use the 6 was when I'd jam with friends or composing stuff at home.
So before you buy a 6 I suggest you ask yourself "does the music I play require a 6 string?" Granted you can still use the 6 for every style of music but I still think its a good question to ask yourself because if they answer is "no," then you might regret purchasing one.
So before you buy a 6 I suggest you ask yourself "does the music I play require a 6 string?" Granted you can still use the 6 for every style of music but I still think its a good question to ask yourself because if they answer is "no," then you might regret purchasing one.
More strings = more muting. Which is something I've been trying to get under control on my 5. I can't imagine trying to do it on a 6.
Thats what I mostly do! I am really getting into theory and I am exploring song ideas that in my mind would benefit from the extended range of the 6.
- Feb 27, 2005
- 3,218
- 125
- Disclosures
- Full disclosure, I'm a certified Fender technician working in a music store that carries Fender, Yamaha, and Ibanez products among others.
I bought an Ibby BTB 5er, and within a couple of months wished I'd shelled out the dough for a six.
In order to keep from making that mistake again, when I decided I needed a sixer, I bought a 7 instead. I say, forget 5 or 6 and go straight for overkill. I found that it's not actually overkill, it's usable musical range.
In order to keep from making that mistake again, when I decided I needed a sixer, I bought a 7 instead. I say, forget 5 or 6 and go straight for overkill. I found that it's not actually overkill, it's usable musical range.
I started playing on 4 bangers and then moved to a 6 string about 3 to 4 years in. I have never owned a 5 string bass; I have played many, but I've been comfortably playing 6's ever since I bought my first one.
The jump from 4 to 6 strings was easy... mainly because I had a good teacher who played 6's exclusively. I picked up a lot of good habits back then... like proper string dampening techniques and a floating anchor etc. that IMO, really ease the playability of 6+ string basses. Now, if I play a 4 or a 5er... I feel like there's something missing.
And I've grown to love the feel of a nice wide/flat neck which IME, promotes good left hand technique.
+1 on finding a 6'er that feels good to you. My budy has an Ibanez 6er that I felt comfortable on... I've also played a few other one's with different specs that felt pretty good too. That might be a really good place to start if you feel comfortable there. I stared on a Modulus Q6 which has 17mm spacing... and then continued to try all kinds of other 6 string basses over the years. I have now settled on an Fbass with 18mm spacing (2-1/8" at the nut)... and it's just right for me.
DEFINITELY... buy a 6 string IMO! If it aint right, you'll know soon enough!
pat.
The jump from 4 to 6 strings was easy... mainly because I had a good teacher who played 6's exclusively. I picked up a lot of good habits back then... like proper string dampening techniques and a floating anchor etc. that IMO, really ease the playability of 6+ string basses. Now, if I play a 4 or a 5er... I feel like there's something missing.
And I've grown to love the feel of a nice wide/flat neck which IME, promotes good left hand technique. +1 on finding a 6'er that feels good to you. My budy has an Ibanez 6er that I felt comfortable on... I've also played a few other one's with different specs that felt pretty good too. That might be a really good place to start if you feel comfortable there. I stared on a Modulus Q6 which has 17mm spacing... and then continued to try all kinds of other 6 string basses over the years. I have now settled on an Fbass with 18mm spacing (2-1/8" at the nut)... and it's just right for me.
DEFINITELY... buy a 6 string IMO! If it aint right, you'll know soon enough!
pat.
After 20 years on four, I moved to five back in Y2K. I considered a six string, but even after playing some of the best sixers out there (Fodera, MTD, Pedulla, Brubaker, Elrick, etc), I have stuck with five for the following reasons:
Again, that's me. Some folks prefer six or more... it's all good.
- "Wide 5" is perfect for my hands. I don't want to deal with either a wider neck or narrower string spacing.
- I don't need a high C string.
- And actually, I've never heard a high C I've liked. Even the best sounded too much like guitar to my ears.
Again, that's me. Some folks prefer six or more... it's all good.
playing a bongo 6hh ruined me for life. I'm not crazy about the looks, but the tone is absurdly good. It's my wayne's world guitar. It will be mine, oh yes, it will be mine.
I respect that...
Out of curiosity....what's the wide 5'er you play? And what is the norm for "wide" spacing on a 5 string.... 21mm or so?
I recommend trying your hand at both (obviously), however take more concideration into the 6 string.
The 5 is going to feel better than the 6 at first, but that's only because you're not used to having even 1 extra string. Just remember your 4 original strings are still right in the middle.
The reason I say to go with the 6 opposed to 5 is because, like many before me, I made the mistake of purchasing a 5 string because it was the 'next step.' Ignore that BS. If you're going to extend your range, why not in both directions? You'll get used to the neck's width quick enough and once you've played long enough, a 4 string will make you feel extremely limited.
If price is an issue, go with the Ibanez GSR206. It's currently the least expensive 6 string on the market. I picked mine up for US$300. Plays great and decent tone for the price range.
The 5 is going to feel better than the 6 at first, but that's only because you're not used to having even 1 extra string. Just remember your 4 original strings are still right in the middle.
The reason I say to go with the 6 opposed to 5 is because, like many before me, I made the mistake of purchasing a 5 string because it was the 'next step.' Ignore that BS. If you're going to extend your range, why not in both directions? You'll get used to the neck's width quick enough and once you've played long enough, a 4 string will make you feel extremely limited.
If price is an issue, go with the Ibanez GSR206. It's currently the least expensive 6 string on the market. I picked mine up for US$300. Plays great and decent tone for the price range.
If you have not played a 5 or 6 string, I strongly urge you to start with a 6. The wide neck forces your fretting hand into a correct position and the larger number of strings makes learning the scale patterns ACROSS the neck much easier and quicker. And once you learn to mute a 6 muting a 5 or 4 is a piece of cake.
And yes I own and play both 5 and 6 string basses in fretted and fretless. My original rule was to always play the 6s figuring it's better to have the range and not play it than to need it and not have it.
But lately I've been playing the 5s. The reasons are two. One is that the music I'm playing now doesn't need the extended range for solos, chords and the like so I really don't play it. And secondly, you'll find that certain folks (like say blues Nazis) will give you a hard time over the look of a 6. So while my Fender deluxe V slips in under the radar, an Alembic 6 does not. And my 5 strings are a tad lighter and a tad (but not significantly) easier to play.
hmm.....last time i checked jaco pastorius,john paul jones,james jamerson,bill whyman and robbie shakespeare all played 4 strings.not that I´m against more,but its a lot easier to make people dance when all u have 2 worry about is groovin.still...mebbe 5 is better - i do have an ibanez atk305 and lurve it.
if u wanna solo go on and get down wid yer bad self on a six go on......but the chix probably wont dance......depends what u prefer.........
Link Removed
if u wanna solo go on and get down wid yer bad self on a six go on......but the chix probably wont dance......depends what u prefer.........
Link Removed
