5-String or 6-String? (Used to 4-string)

[SemiDriven]

New to TalkBass.com…good stuff.

I've never played a 5-string or 6-string bass until this weekend. Enjoyed it!

What intrigues me about a 5-string or 6-string bass is expanded options. Low B, chording, and playing more across the neck comes to mind (and high C for the 6-string).

What intimidates me is the string spacing, muting technique, and left and right hand positioning -- especially on the 6-string. For example, I found slapping on a 6-string was a pain (apologies to those listening at GC!).

Ideally, I'd like to own one of each and be able to practice…a lot. However, I live in the real world and need to choose between one or the other. Being a local trucker/dock worker, the budget doesn't allow me to drool over Warwick's, Roscoe's, and M-Basses. Oh alright that's a lie! There's a puddle on the floor right now! During week days, I don't get a lot of practice time--by the time I get home after a 10-12 hour shift, I'm generally pooped and don't have a lot of energy to go much more than an hour of practice. Oh did I neglect to mention I was over 50?! So…practically speaking, I need to choose either a 5-string or 6-string and go from there. It has to be lightweight and have a thin neck.

Very tempted to start off with a 6-string (Ibanez SR506). However, I'm leaning towards the 5-string (Either Ibanez SR505 or Dean Edge Pro 5). My thinking is that I would progress more naturally into a 5-string than a 6-string…at least initially. And I plan on continuing to practice on the 4-strings as well.

Any thoughts on all of this?


BTW…My only axe has been a RIC 4001 for the last 30-years. Recently got a used Dean Edge Pro 4 (light weight!). Love the thinner necks of these two instruments (medium-sized hands). Also been goofin' around with my daughter's Fender Squire Affinity P-Bass.

 

[PotsdamBass8]

To me the main reason to get a 6er vs a 5er is if you like to play chords and melodies in the upper range. This sound obvious, but really think about it. If you enjoy this playing, just go straight for a 6 string. If you couldn't care less, then stick with a 5 string. I personally don't care about extending my upper range and want a slimmer neck, so I have no need for a 6 string, but that's just me!

 

[nostatic]

To clarify a few things - a typical 5-string will give you no advantage for playing chords vs the 4-string. Unless you like muddy chords. The B-string will give you more notes in a given hand position and of course notes below E.

A 6-string does give you an advantage for playing chords due to the C string. There also are 5-strings that are strung E-C, and in that case you also have the same advantage (but don't have the low notes found on a B-G strung 5).

You'll get different opinions from different people so there is no universal truth. For me, I used to play nothing but 5-strings, went back to 4-string a few years ago to relearn the instrument, and recently picked up a E-C strung 5-string (33" scale). I *love* the bass as it has opened up a whole different range of things to do relative to my 4-string or a 5-string strung B-G. I liked it so much I figured I'd like a 6-string even more, but after buying one I find that I'm not a 6-string kinda guy. Just doesn't work with the way my mind is wired. I quickly adapted to the high C string on the 5, and have no problem switching between 4 and 5. But I didn't find the same thing with the 6'er.

I'm sure I could spend time woodshedding to work on switching between 4 and 6. But frankly I'd rather spend the time on digging deeper into things on the 4 (and now E-C 5) so I decided the B-string wasn't for me, at least now. Ymmv.

 

[SemiDriven]

To me the main reason to get a 6er vs a 5er is if you like to play chords and melodies in the upper range. This sound obvious, but really think about it. If you enjoy this playing, just go straight for a 6 string. If you couldn't care less, then stick with a 5 string. I personally don't care about extending my upper range and want a slimmer neck, so I have no need for a 6 string, but that's just me!

Yep--common sense approach.

On a 4-string I don't play a lot of chords...ergo the 5-string seems to be a no-brainer. However, there's a part of me that wants to experiment with more chordation (is that a word?!) and for that reason, a 6 would be the logical choice.

 

[SemiDriven]

To clarify a few things - a typical 5-string will give you no advantage for playing chords vs the 4-string. Unless you like muddy chords. The B-string will give you more notes in a given hand position and of course notes below E.

Agreed.

A 6-string does give you an advantage for playing chords due to the C string. There also are 5-strings that are strung E-C, and in that case you also have the same advantage (but don't have the low notes found on a B-G strung 5).

I guess I've always thought it a bit weird to have a 5-string without a low B. However, your next point (below) addresses the fact that you can accomplish a lot of the chording on a 5 that you can do on a 6 if you tune EADGC.

You'll get different opinions from different people so there is no universal truth. For me, I used to play nothing but 5-strings, went back to 4-string a few years ago to relearn the instrument, and recently picked up a E-C strung 5-string (33" scale). I *love* the bass as it has opened up a whole different range of things to do relative to my 4-string or a 5-string strung B-G. I liked it so much I figured I'd like a 6-string even more, but after buying one I find that I'm not a 6-string kinda guy. Just doesn't work with the way my mind is wired. I quickly adapted to the high C string on the 5, and have no problem switching between 4 and 5. But I didn't find the same thing with the 6'er.

Yeah...I might need a lobotomy to get my head wired right to play a 6-string. Sigh...more money.

I'm sure I could spend time woodshedding to work on switching between 4 and 6. But frankly I'd rather spend the time on digging deeper into things on the 4 (and now E-C 5) so I decided the B-string wasn't for me, at least now. Ymmv.

I'll see if my bride will allow me to buy 2 5-strings. One for the low B and one for the high C. Yeah, that might work. Yeah I can see how that conversation would go: Oh hi honey, I was just...what do you mean "no?"...I haven't even asked the question yet.

Maybe Ronco can make a 5-string Bass-a-matic. Press this button and your 5-string has a low B. Press this button and you have a high C. Press this button and shazaam you've got a 6-string.

If I do get the 5, it will be for the low B. But you've got me thinking about whether or not I can make the mental switch between a 4-string and a 6-string on a daily/weekly basis.

 

[nostatic]

For me, going from 5-string B-G to 5-string E-C would give me fits. Nothing I couldn't live with given time spent shedding, but I've got limited time. So then it becomes a cost/benefit analysis. Does the B string give me something I really need? Does the C string? Which is going to help me accomplish what I need to do? If the answer is "both", then I think a 6-string is an obvious choice, and likely just put the 4-string away for awhile. But after going from 5 (B-G) back to 4, I found that I could live just fine without the B-string. Depends on your situation but I'm playing in 5 different bands and I never need a B-string. I have however found the C-string to be incredibly useful and already have a couple of bandleaders really happy that it is in the mix. Again, depends on the music you're playing.

For me, more strings means more strings to damp. Again, nothing that can't be fixed with practice and technique, but we're back to the "what do you want to spend your time doing?" question. I've got other things I'm presently working on.

No right answer. Some people have no problem swapping back and forth. But my feeling is that some (many?) players are most comfortable on one instrument (ie they *really* know all the notes inside-out) and others require some adjustment.

 

[SemiDriven]

For me, going from 5-string B-G to 5-string E-C would give me fits. Nothing I couldn't live with given time spent shedding, but I've got limited time. So then it becomes a cost/benefit analysis. Does the B string give me something I really need? Does the C string? Which is going to help me accomplish what I need to do? If the answer is "both", then I think a 6-string is an obvious choice, and likely just put the 4-string away for awhile. But after going from 5 (B-G) back to 4, I found that I could live just fine without the B-string. Depends on your situation but I'm playing in 5 different bands and I never need a B-string. I have however found the C-string to be incredibly useful and already have a couple of bandleaders really happy that it is in the mix. Again, depends on the music you're playing.

Well said. 5-bands and no need for the B-string? Do you mind me asking what genres you play?

For me, more strings means more strings to damp. Again, nothing that can't be fixed with practice and technique, but we're back to the "what do you want to spend your time doing?" question. I've got other things I'm presently working on.

Preach it brother. It boils down to how much time you have to invest in whatever decision you make. Measure twice, cut once. Try to decide the what, where, how, why, and when before you start out on a new journey. Although sometimes it just don't work out that way.

No right answer. Some people have no problem swapping back and forth. But my feeling is that some (many?) players are most comfortable on one instrument (ie they *really* know all the notes inside-out) and others require some adjustment.

I agree. A few players have the cerebral wiring to swap out whenever they want. The rest of us...not so much. Heck, some days my brain can't transition from one four-string to another 4-string!

 

[sth1d]

Anyone ever tried a 4-string with a low B? I'd be curious how that works out.

I play a 5 but have played a 6 periodically and with proper technique it's not difficult to switch. If you grab like a guitar on a 4 then you'll have issues with a 6.

 

[SemiDriven]

Anyone ever tried a 4-string with a low B? I'd be curious how that works out.

I play a 5 but have played a 6 periodically and with proper technique it's not difficult to switch. If you grab like a guitar on a 4 then you'll have issues with a 6.

So "proper technique" is half-the-battle. Makes sense.

I would also think the longer you play a 5-string, the less likely you will throw up your hands and go screaming into the night when picking up a 6-string. Course I've been known to be wrong before.

 

[Roy Vogt]

I went from a 4 to a 6, was intimidated by the 6 and went to 5s for a number of years and then went full time to sixes for a while 20 years ago. I went back to 5s and 4s as well as 6s and 7s when I stopped touring full-time and started doing more teaching. In the meantime, I did a couple of DVDs on adjusting from 4 to 6 and 4 to 5. They're here:
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[nostatic]

Well said. 5-bands and no need for the B-string? Do you mind me asking what genres you play?

everything from jazz standards to funk/soul to a Steely Dan tribute band to a Live Band Karaoke with 300+ tunes in the book from 60's to current pop/rock. Unless you're playing tunes with written parts that go below E, I find I don't really need the B.

I did just spend about an hour comping changes on real book tunes. While I could do it on 4-string it wouldn't sound great. The high C makes a huge difference for that.

As far as technique, my issue isn't the left hand, but rather damping with the right. I use floating thumb and find that unless I cock my wrist I have a tough time damping the B when I'm playing on the higher strings.

The reality is that there are only so many things I can spend time working on. If I don't need a B-string (and since I played nothing but 5s for over a decade I know their utility), then I'm going to focus on other things. Other players incorporate the B into a lot of what they do, and I get why they want it. Just depends on the individual.

 

[SemiDriven]

I went from a 4 to a 6, was intimidated by the 6 and went to 5s for a number of years and then went full time to sixes for a while 20 years ago. I went back to 5s and 4s as well as 6s and 7s when I stopped touring full-time and started doing more teaching. In the meantime, I did a couple of DVDs on adjusting from 4 to 6 and 4 to 5. They're here:
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Good to know Roy. Thanks for the links!

 

[SemiDriven]

everything from jazz standards to funk/soul to a Steely Dan tribute band to a Live Band Karaoke with 300+ tunes in the book from 60's to current pop/rock. Unless you're playing tunes with written parts that go below E, I find I don't really need the B.

I did just spend about an hour comping changes on real book tunes. While I could do it on 4-string it wouldn't sound great. The high C makes a huge difference for that.

As far as technique, my issue isn't the left hand, but rather damping with the right. I use floating thumb and find that unless I cock my wrist I have a tough time damping the B when I'm playing on the higher strings.

The reality is that there are only so many things I can spend time working on. If I don't need a B-string (and since I played nothing but 5s for over a decade I know their utility), then I'm going to focus on other things. Other players incorporate the B into a lot of what they do, and I get why they want it. Just depends on the individual.

Well put.

Yeah, getting that B-string to remain silent while on the upper strings has crossed my mind (I also use more of a floating thumb technique). The main issue as you rightly point out is what kind of music will you be playing and will it require a low B. I'll have to noodle on that some more.

 

[Betrayer_Bass]

I don't know why but I have had no trouble at all going from fours to fives, even eight string basses. Don't be too intimidated, be relaxed about it and don't psych yourself out. That's the worst part about change. Go with the six, you'll get both the upper and lower ranges to play about with. If you don't like one range (or both) you can sell it and get a five with the range you prefer or keep the six. Or go back to fours. Lots of options

 

[SemiDriven]

I don't know why but I have had no trouble at all going from fours to fives, even eight string basses. Don't be too intimidated, be relaxed about it and don't psych yourself out. That's the worst part about change. Go with the six, you'll get both the upper and lower ranges to play about with. If you don't like one range (or both) you can sell it and get a five with the range you prefer or keep the six. Or go back to fours. Lots of options

Yep. Lots of options! I tend not to be the guy who buys and sells basses. I tend to keep 'em for a long time. In fact the only bass I sold was my first one--a Gibson EB3. Now I wished I would have hung on to that one!

I do appreciate the advice!

 

[bassbenj]

Yep. Lots of options! I tend not to be the guy who buys and sells basses. I tend to keep 'em for a long time. In fact the only bass I sold was my first one--a Gibson EB3. Now I wished I would have hung on to that one!

I do appreciate the advice!

I just bought TWO Sr 506s and I'm SURE neither you nor I will be selling these basses soon if you go that route. They are Amazing basses in the "modern" mold. My plan is to defret one to have an identical fretted-fretless pair. Thin necks, low action, killer tone. Cool?

But the question is 5 or 6. You've been given a lot of good advice about a 6 being the thing for solos, chords, double stops, and the like. This is all VERY true. And for that reason the choice between 5 and 6 depends a lot on the music you happen to be playing a a given time. For a long time I was only playing my 6ers and the 5ers sat in the cases. Now it's reversed with the 5ers (G&L L2500) getting all the time. Of course I could take a 6 and never play the C string, but it's just more to carry and get in the way. So I cut back simply for convenience.

But that is at the END of the road. Lets go back to the BEGINNING of the road. I played 4s for many, many years. And even though people DO slap 5 and 6 string basses, I still think that slapping is best and easiest done on a 4 string.

Then I got a 5 string. And I'll tell you true, I really never got what a 5 string was all about until I then bought a 6er. And then the light bulb went on over my head! The 6er FORCES you to understand that an ERB is NOT a 4 string with a couple of extra notes. A 6er wide neck FORCES you to learn to deal with ALL wide necks! A 6er makes you learn how to do two hand damping with left hand damping high strings and right thumb laying on low strings damping them as needed. A 5 string does not force this onto you with nearly the same degree of urgency! And a 6er really shows you what scales ACROSS the neck are all about and the neck is wide enough that you can easily extend that pattern in your mind to basses with ANY number of strings. See for example my noob book:

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And another advantage of this cross-neck patterning is that you can play in any key with ease. The key is just a matter of what note and what string you start the scale pattern on!

And once the 6 string forces you into all this stuff, stepping back into a 5 string is a snap! But also be aware that the limited number of strings on a 4 means that you cannot step the 5 string style of playing back easily to a 4 string. In short you'll end up playing your 4 string basses the same way you always have. Not that this is bad or anything, but something to be aware of.

So from my perspective a 6 string is the place to start and then once you are comfy with it, you can easily step up to 7 or down to 5 according to what your music demands.

 

[.BumeStik.]

Here is what it boiled down to for me....
I played a few different 4's in different tunings for quite awhile. Got tired of swapping basses for different turnings, so I checked out 5's and 6's. Realized the 6 wasn't necessary as I didn't need the high c, but found the 5 strings were harder for me to play.
Once I realized my 4 strings were 17 & 18mm spacing, I quit looking at 15 & 16mm spaced 5 strings. Ta Da! Now, the 5 strings were just as easy to play as the 4's. I actually have ended up playing MTD Kingstons with 19mm string spacing and they are the Easiest playing basses I have ever played on, regardless of the # of strings.
Long story short,going to 5's from 4's made it a whole lot easier on me because I played and recorded with bands and solo that required different tunings. Going to a couple 5's has made things a lot easier. Just another thing to think about. Its late and I ramble. Sorry...

 

[tribal]

For me, the string spacing on a 4 was always cumbersome, so when I played my first 5 (low B) I instantly felt at home. I've since wondered about playing a 6 for the high range as well, but instead bought another 5 and strung it high C which has changed my playing style a little. I figured I'd have a spare bass to go fretless or customise if it doesn't work out, cause we all know it won't be the last one

 

[srayb]

I understand your dilemma. I made the progression years ago from 4 to 5 to 6 in that order. It does rely a great deal on what you play and listen to. A 6 is a bit of a jump from a 4 and if your time is limited could cause angst.

Another option is stringing a 5 DGCFBb, this way you get a nice low-D and a bit higher as well.

Good luck.

 

[SemiDriven]

I just bought TWO Sr 506s and I'm SURE neither you nor I will be selling these basses soon if you go that route. They are Amazing basses in the "modern" mold. My plan is to defret one to have an identical fretted-fretless pair. Thin necks, low action, killer tone. Cool?

Very cool.

But the question is 5 or 6. You've been given a lot of good advice about a 6 being the thing for solos, chords, double stops, and the like. This is all VERY true. And for that reason the choice between 5 and 6 depends a lot on the music you happen to be playing a a given time. For a long time I was only playing my 6ers and the 5ers sat in the cases. Now it's reversed with the 5ers (G&L L2500) getting all the time. Of course I could take a 6 and never play the C string, but it's just more to carry and get in the way. So I cut back simply for convenience.

But that is at the END of the road. Lets go back to the BEGINNING of the road. I played 4s for many, many years. And even though people DO slap 5 and 6 string basses, I still think that slapping is best and easiest done on a 4 string.

I'm simply amazed at the skills of 6-string slappers! 5-string slapping I can see. But 6-string? Oy vey! That brings up another thought. I do use a pick. I'm sure there is a learning curve using a pick on a 6-string. Or is that not a good idea in general? Probably more like "If there is a will, there is a way"….

Then I got a 5 string. And I'll tell you true, I really never got what a 5 string was all about until I then bought a 6er. And then the light bulb went on over my head! The 6er FORCES you to understand that an ERB is NOT a 4 string with a couple of extra notes. A 6er wide neck FORCES you to learn to deal with ALL wide necks! A 6er makes you learn how to do two hand damping with left hand damping high strings and right thumb laying on low strings damping them as needed. A 5 string does not force this onto you with nearly the same degree of urgency! And a 6er really shows you what scales ACROSS the neck are all about and the neck is wide enough that you can easily extend that pattern in your mind to basses with ANY number of strings. See for example my noob book:

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This paragraph gives me pause in pursuing a 5-string. I can see that playing a six would be very beneficial in playing a five. As you say it forces you to think wide. Why is my left hand suddenly starting to ache? As an aside, I just learned that the first ERB basses were made back in 1956 (Danelectro 6-string) and 1961 (Fender Bass VI). Both were tuned to EADGBE. It wasn't until 1975 that Anthony Jackson's Contrabass guitar (BEADGC) started the revolution in ERB playing. And Michael Tobias in the late 80's became the 1st luthier to make a bass with more than 6-strings. OK history digression over and out. BTW, thanks for the link!

And another advantage of this cross-neck patterning is that you can play in any key with ease. The key is just a matter of what note and what string you start the scale pattern on!

And once the 6 string forces you into all this stuff, stepping back into a 5 string is a snap! But also be aware that the limited number of strings on a 4 means that you cannot step the 5 string style of playing back easily to a 4 string. In short you'll end up playing your 4 string basses the same way you always have. Not that this is bad or anything, but something to be aware of.

So from my perspective a 6 string is the place to start and then once you are comfy with it, you can easily step up to 7 or down to 5 according to what your music demands.

Makes sense. There's your 4-string and everything else. I can certainly see the wisdom of starting on a six so that you can expand to a 5 or 7 from there. At the end of the day, what really matters in what you play is "what your music demands."