6-String Basses. What’s the deal?

[tb-player]

I love 5-string bass. It’s my go-to. I normally string B-G, but I’ve also done the E-C thing with good success.

Lately, I’ve been looking at 6-string basses (B-C basses, not the Bass VI) for the purpose of exploring solo playing, chords, and learning full tunes on the 6. It seems like it could be a nice challenge and an opportunity to shop for something cool, of course.

Anyone here ever make that transition? Curious to hear how it went. Any tips?

 

[bholder]

Started to work on 6s, but I've never quite yet "gotten there". Advice - practice way more than I do.

 

[Jefenator]

Well if you've already used BEADG and EADGC why not have both at the same time?

 

[cholyoke]

I'm working on this transition now for similar reasons (B is great to have for walking bass lines, higher strings great for chords and solos). I was switching between 5 string basses strung B-G and E-C while practicing different things and screwing them up. Spending money was easier than learning.

I like the six string so far and feel like it doesn't throw off my memory of songs I know really well on a four string or B-G tuned five string. I bought a Carvin lb76, which has narrow string spacing (16 mm, I think) and a good B string. It is easy enough to move around the fretboard and not too wide for my hands. I don't need slap for the songs I play on the six string, so the spacing is not an issue. If I worked on my technique, I'm sure it would not be a problem, though.

 

[rtav]

Played 4s for about 40 years, switched to 6s but have added another 4 back into the mix.

It’s not as difficult as i thought it would be, although i sometimes confuse the B for the E string once in awhile.

 

[Lance Bunyon]

I had 3. Fretless Wishbass. Fretted Warwick. Fretted TL6.
The fretless was fine. Once I tried slapping on the fretted sixes I knew it was a no win situation for me. Plus the fingerboards were too wide. Sold em all. I have ten 5ers.

 

[Snert]

Anyone here ever make that transition?

Yes, quite some time ago.

Curious to hear how it went.

Well enough that I seldom even touch my 4s.

Any tips?

Put the 4s, and probably the 5s as well, away and practice on the 6s alone. View it as starting from scratch similar to moving from 4 to 5.
There are several YTers who specialise in 6s that are worth watching such as Rich Brown and Jermaine Morgan.

 

[tb-player]

YPut the 4s, and probably the 5s as well, away and practice on the 6s alone. View it as starting from scratch similar to moving from 4 to 5.
There are several YTers who specialise in 6s that are worth watching such as Rich Brown and Jermaine Morgan.

That's what I was thinking. Much like I did when I bought an upright, I didn't play anything but that for quite some time. I feel like a 6 might require similar commitment. But it could be really fun!

 

[tb-player]

Advice - practice way more than I do.

I make no guarantees. Something tells me when the novelty of the idea meets the practicality of the hard work, I might be in over my head. I'm going to think long and hard before pulling the trigger on this one.

 

[ModuMan]

I was about to buy a brand new Modulus Quantum 5-string when I found a used Modulus Quantum 6 for about half the price. So I bought that. No other reason!

Within an hour of playing the 6'er I had written a new song using the chords I could play more comfortably on the 6... I mean, that's inspiration right? I had never played a 6'er before that.

You are already comfortable playing an E-C instrument, this will be an easy transition. Just get it and put it to work.

 

[badinage]

I found transitioning from 5 to 6 way easier than the initial transition from 4 to 5. Maybe my hand 'feels' it's orientation by cueing from the fat strings.

 

[Chuck M]

I play mostly 5 and 6 string basses. I do still own one 4 string bass. It took me a while to get used to the first 5 string but the transition to 6 was easy for me. Playing a 6 makes it easier for reading since fewer shifts are needed.

The 6’s are not for everyone but they work for me.

 

[hieronymous]

Well if you've already used BEADG and EADGC why not have both at the same time?

This. I have a 5-string that started BEADG, I changed it to EADGC, then back to BEADG. Also had an Ibanez 6-string, which I sold. Realized I personally don’t need the high C.

Can you play a 6-string locally? Even a cheap one in a local store? Bet you’ll figure out if it feels right pretty quick.

One thing that could be an issue - muting! Not necessarily an issue, but not necessarily easy either…

 

[B-Mac]

I love 5-string bass. It’s my go-to. I normally string B-G, but I’ve also done the E-C thing with good success.

Lately, I’ve been looking at 6-string basses (B-C basses, not the Bass VI) for the purpose of exploring solo playing, chords, and learning full tunes on the 6. It seems like it could be a nice challenge and an opportunity to shop for something cool, of course.

Anyone here ever make that transition? Curious to hear how it went. Any tips?

Google Anthony Jackson sometime

from wikipedia:
Anthony Jackson (June 23, 1952) is an American bassist. Described as "one of the masters of the instrument",[1] he has performed as a session musician and live artist. He is also credited with the development of the modern six-string bass, which he refers to as a contrabass guitar.

 

[Thumpin6string]

You'll never guess what basses I play. 4s are OK, 5s are better, but a 6 is the best IMHO.

 

[Nashrakh]

I play sixes because it makes me look more competent than I really am.

Personally, I transitioned from a BEAD four string to six, so the confusion was minimal.

 

[Shanannigan]

If you've played BEADG and EADGC then you'll probably transition to 6 pretty easily.

I transitioned from 4 to 6 a long time ago. I've never actually played a 5 string, never saw the point. When I switched to 6 my logic was that if I'm going to expand my range, I might as well expand it both ways and be done with it.

 

[jdjk7]

I love 5-string bass. It’s my go-to. I normally string B-G, but I’ve also done the E-C thing with good success.

Lately, I’ve been looking at 6-string basses (B-C basses, not the Bass VI) for the purpose of exploring solo playing, chords, and learning full tunes on the 6. It seems like it could be a nice challenge and an opportunity to shop for something cool, of course.

Anyone here ever make that transition? Curious to hear how it went. Any tips?

Personally, if I was gonna add more strings to the typical 4, I'd just go to 6. I've never found a 5 that I liked enough to justify it, whereas 6 offers enough to me.

 

[dreamadream99]

I started off on a four string. About 10 years later I had an opportunity to get a good quality six string. To be honest, I bought it that day, and gigged with it that night. I never used a five string in between.

Here’s how: I treated it like a four string. For the most part, I played my parts the same way I had before—on the middle four strings. Every once in a while I would grab one of the new low notes. For instance if I was in the key of G, and I had to play the V chord, I would reach down for the one below the root. Conversely, if I was on the G string, and wanted to play above a C, I’d grab that C, D, and E on the top string, rather than working my way up the G string.

40 years later, I still play much the same way. If I want to grab a low string note, I know it’s there. If I need to play a high note, I get an extra three notes before I have to shift position.

For me, the key to doing it successfully, was to use it sparingly, and venture out further only as I became comfortable. Even now that I am completely comfortable with all six strings, I still avoid over using them.

 

[cnltb]

I love 5-string bass. It’s my go-to. I normally string B-G, but I’ve also done the E-C thing with good success.

Lately, I’ve been looking at 6-string basses (B-C basses, not the Bass VI) for the purpose of exploring solo playing, chords, and learning full tunes on the 6. It seems like it could be a nice challenge and an opportunity to shop for something cool, of course.

Anyone here ever make that transition? Curious to hear how it went. Any tips?

I think it's fun, getting new things once in a while.
In terms of a challenge to play full tunes and chords etc on the bass, I feel that is more challenging with fewer strings to do it on.