6-String Basses. What’s the deal?

[Ethanol]

If you tuned a 5 string to EADGC and didn't hate it, you'd probably have no issue with a 6 stringer.

I got a 6 string bass a couple years ago because the prog band I was in required it. Their basslines had all been written and recorded with a fender bass VI, which I refused to use (I'm a "bass"ist for god's sake not a "low-tuned-rhythm-guitar"ist) so a 6 string bass was the compromise. I didn't hate it, it was fun playing Primus songs on it as a party trick, but personally I found the high C more restricting than inspiring. Most of the time all it did for me was make the fretboard wider so I had to bend my wrist more to reach my low B. But I'm a 4 string tuned down to BEAD kind of guy

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

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’ve been a 6-string player since the early 00’s. At first, I played wrong notes galore making the switch from a 4-string. Lots of practice took care of that.

One thing that helped me was to stick to playing the E, A, D, and G strings at first. Then I slowly started using the B and C strings.

When I practiced at home I would play scales or simpler lines and think each note as I played.

 

[el murdoque]

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

In terms of navigating the fretboard, it's not like the change from 4 to 5 - it was easy peasy lemon sqeezy.
The one thing that really took a while was muting. I had to really work on my technique, and played with a fretwrap for a while (luckily you hardly ever need to use open strings on a 6).

Interestingly, I learned that the transition from 6 to 4 is quite easy. I always had problems going from 4 to 5 and back, as a result I either got rid of my 4 string basses or strung them BEAD.
For some reason (symmetry?) BEADGC and EADG work fine for me. I can grab a P bass, play a tune, then swap over to a 6 and play on.

I can also go from 6 to 5 and back. But not both. It's either 6 and 4 or 6 and 5.
I sold my five string basses.

 

[Jazzjames]

I say go for it - it’s great fun having all the possibilities to play across the neck, and if it isn’t appropriate for a particular gig, you can still play 4/5 strings. I play all three and don’t have to consciously adjust anymore.

my only piece of advice- choose the instrument carefully. You can get really good cheap 4 stringers, but I’m not so sure if there are any good 6ers out there for a smaller budget. Play a few before you decide to pull the trigger.

 

[armybass]

I went from a 4 to a six nearly 30 years ago. I played one exclusively for the better part of 10 years. I am not a soloist nor a chord player but was a music major in college then 10 years in the US Army band and simply put... the six was a tremendously helpful tool when it comes to sight reading music or just reading in general. I am currently using my Roscoe 6 to play in a community jazz band (old retired band directors lol). It still make reading so much easier as the requirement to shift for higher notes is nearly eliminated. Good luck with your venture.

 

[bucephylus]

This one found me in November 2002. It is my second and final 6’er.

 

[tb-player]

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.

I’ve been a 6-string player since the early 00’s. At first, I played wrong notes galore making the switch from a 4-string. Lots of practice took care of that.

One thing that helped me was to stick to playing the E, A, D, and G strings at first. Then I slowly started using the B and C strings.

When I practiced at home I would play scales or simpler lines and think each note as I played.

These two comments interest me because they’re the exact opposite of how I assumed I would approach this. I play a lot of 5-string bass and treat it like a completely different instrument than a 4. I assumed I would approach a 6 the same way… different shapes with less shifting up and down the neck. Starting with the center 4 strings and expanding from there may be a more effective way. I guess time will tell.

 

[tb-player]

This one found me in November 2002. It is my second and final 6’er.
View attachment 5133038

I love a good Tobias. I’d play the heck out of that.

 

[40Hz]

I think a lot has to do with the type of music you do and where you want to go with it.

I play 4s and 5s. Took me awhile to really appreciate what a 5-string can do. The thing that finally made it work for me was a high-C set of strings.

I did try to like a 6-string bass. Gave it a serious try. But in the end I decided it wasn’t for me because I seldom got much use out of a low-B string even with my fiver. So what would be the benefit for me in bringing it back?

But that’s just me.

 

[sikamikanico]

If you liked both B-G and E-C tuned fivers, then 6 string will work well if you can find the right one. But finding the right one may be tricky, or it is for me.

in short, I play 5 and 6 stringers way differently than a 4 string. For what I want, a wide and flat/thin neck works best, kinda like Ibanez. But I also like wide spacing at the bridge, at least 18 mm. Maybe 17.5 would do. So I have not yet found one in my price range that would check all the boxes.

I decided I’d rather stick with 5 strings than make a compromise. I’m also quite picky about pickup placement, feel/ergonomics, and look, so I may just have to save a while for a custom bass. In the meantime, I’ll see if I miss the high C, I found that it was the least useful string. The notes I used (middle of the neck) are there down the neck on a fiver…

 

[TheLowDown33]

I quite enjoy playing a 6. It's almost like playing a piano in bass format with the note accessibility. However, I don't currently own a 6 string because it's pretty impractical unless you play regularly as a solo bassist or in a band that regularly requires the extended range and chording options. I also am fluent on guitar and to some extent keys, so it's just easier to chop something out on those instruments. I also find that if you're playing more typical function band rep, you end up just playing around the C string which I find annoying because I have to mute it and avoid it. At least with a B string, it doubles as a thumbrest and doesn't actively get in the way of playing the other strings. I will also mention that the difference between a well constructed 6 and an averagely constructed 6 is much more great than the 4 string equivalent. All said though, happy perusing!

 

[g-dude]

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 just got one - the Sire M7.

Initially I was pretty horrible on it. Literally played it for one day, and then went on a trip…came back, picked it up, and then I started practicing.

I’d say that I’m not as good on it as a four or five string yet - really haven’t fully utilized the sixth string, BUT…

I will be on Sunday. We had to rehearse last week on Sunday evening so I brought it to rehearsal. Then I had a rehearsal for the following Sunday literally the next day.

So again, I bring the six string.

Then the next day it’s rehearsal for concert band. At this point, I’m worried about trying to switch back, so I bring it.

And then we play out the following day. So I bring it, and am playing in front of a pretty good sized crowd that hasn’t gotten to see us in a few weeks due to rain.

It worked out fine. The real test will be on Sunday when I’m using the C string, and basically being a guitar substitute during communion.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

These two comments interest me because they’re the exact opposite of how I assumed I would approach this. I play a lot of 5-string bass and treat it like a completely different instrument than a 4. I assumed I would approach a 6 the same way… different shapes with less shifting up and down the neck. Starting with the center 4 strings and expanding from there may be a more effective way. I guess time will tell.

I definitely “discovered” the different shapes once I became familiar with the note names of the C and B strings. My first goal was to stop playing the wrong string/wrong notes.

 

[Not Insane]

I learned on five string. Transitioning to four string was a bit of a challenge (suddenly many fretted notes become open notes. It's a different feel.). However, though my main axe is still the fiver, I find fours are much easier to play.

I just bring that up because six string basses have yet another string, somewhat complicating playing. Now, if you're young and would like to step up to the challenge, it can be a lot of fun. I have a six string, but mostly just use it to play in my rehearsal space for fun. It's not really practical for any of the music I play unless I just want to be one of those obnoxious wankers in songs. i.e. it's not worth the "work".

That is, it may have a place in music, but I consider it mostly just for showing off. BTW, my instructor back in the day had a custom made seven string. The neck was so wide it required two truss rod, and all the setup complications that implies.

 

[krfoss]

There are several YTers who specialise in 6s that are worth watching such as Rich Brown and Jermaine Morgan.

Ill be checking these dudes out.

I was in the market for an MTD 5 or 6 and found a deal on a 6. Bought it and have been giving it a try. Some 6s have too wide of a neck for me, but the MTD feels manageable to grab and play the b string effectively. Make sure you find a 6er that feels good in your hands.

I'm glad you posted this. I've been wondering if I can justify playing the 6 because I don't play chords very much, but reading that others use theirs as just another string and aren't trying to master chords or soloing is a comfort.

I have found that the 6 is an inspiration and makes me want to play differently. I can confidently say that I am a better player after buying it because it's made me practice more and differently.

 

[wysiwyg248]

I love a good Tobias. I’d play the heck out of that.

The neck profile make them very confortable to play. However, they are so transparent that will highlight ALL your playing (flaws included) which will force you to work significantly in your muting technique. At least, that's what happened to me when switching to both, 5 and 6. To me, this was more difficult than adapting to the additional string, probably because I had a poor technique to begin with.

 

[bass12]

I bought my first (and only) six string not long after I bought my first five. Funnily enough, I had an easier time adjusting to the six than to the five. Something about the string spacing and the shape of the neck. I just couldn’t get comfortable on the five but was fine taking the six out on gigs. I ended up selling the six as I wasn’t benefitting much from the C string. Sometimes I think it would be fun to have another six - but I haven’t been motivated enough to actually buy one.

 

[Discount Bassy]

I own no four strings. I love my fretted GGi-5. I love my fretless GGi-6. When it appears, I have little doubt that I will love my fretted GGi-6 as well. I don't really even think in terms of fours anymore. I see a six as two nested fives and a five as a five. I'll know I'm there when I see my five as a six missing a string.

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[Lackey]

Get a six!!! Why deny yourself the range.

 

[Dincrest]

Although 5-string is home for me, I've spent a few years on a 6. The wider fretboards are a little much for me. They can also be heavy and string selection isn't as wide as those for 4 and 5-strings. I'm still glad for the experience and would noodle on a 6 again if given the opportunity.

If you don't do so already, adopt the floating anchor fingering technique so muting strings is easier. What also helped me with transitioning was re-learning song fingerings so I played notes "across the street" rather than "down the road." Songs where I was jumping all over the fingerboard, I could play in one position.

If you're into showtunes at all, a lot of modern theater bassists use a 6-string since modern musical scores require the bassist to easily access the lows and the highs without jumping all over the fingerboard. So that's always a good place to start getting a feel for the 6-string in real world musical contexts.

I think some solid budget 6ers worth looking at are the ESP/LTD B-206 and D-6. I think the stock ESP electronics sound really good (my D-5 has the ESP pickups and preamp and it sounds great).