Double Bass 6 string Double Bass; does it exist?

[JBarz]

Yep, that's the one they've got. I didn't end up stopping in, though - didn't want to waste their time, it's way outta my league.

 

[damonsmith]

Ratzo Harris has played 6 string for years. It sound great when he plays it.

&

 

[DrayMiles]

Can you post a video of yourself noodling on this? I'd love to hear it! What's the tuning?

Oh, it's sitting in a shop nearby.. I thought about buying it, but I feel it's better geared for the bow. It's beautiful wood and the back is exquisite. I have two old basses and I've learned one thing recently..
If you're barely working, the upright bass will have you eating Ramen noodles. Acoustic instruments are fragile… and expensive to maintain.

 

[Ric Vice]

I am talking about an Acoustic bass. Call me crazy, but I think it might be a great idea. The high C string could be very useful for some passages , and the low C/B is needed for most playing and genres of music. I understand it'll be bigger then your average double bass, but still.

Oh yeah, first post on the DB side, lol.
I should hang out here more often.

P.S. Or if you have a picture, you can show a 5 string with a high C and an extension.

Thanks.

This is why I love talk bass. All you have to do is go two posts down in this thread to see Seth Kimmel's brand new 6 string. Personally, a well built 4 string
is all I need. I've played on some 5 strings and their beasts to get around on.

 

[groooooove]

I'm a big advocate for 6 string electric basses... i think that range is just more practical than a 4 string.

of course that has made me want a 6 string double bass.. but the reality is it's just not that practical.

the above examples are all awesome. I bet that Kimmel example is a killer.

the more strings that put tension on the bridge, the trickier it can be to get a really great sounding one. not at all impossible, just less common. a 5 string/high C with a low B extension is a healthy compromise i think.

nonetheless i'd love to see more experimentation with this stuff. high C solo tuning is absolutely a practical thing, and combining it with full extension or low B/C orchestral range makes sense. back to my feelings on electric basses with 6 strings.. one fine instrument that can cover all ranges seems most logical to me. perhaps in an acoustic instrument that's just asking too much - but maybe not?

 

[lurk]

I haven't read the whole thread, so maybe this is redundant, but Ratso's 6 string sounds great and he's able to bow it articulately and beautifully.

 

[JBarz]

It turns out Cooke is actually selling his beautiful 6 string that this Seth fella made.

Suffice to say, it's outside of my price range right now, but I've got high-hopes for federal legalization (weed stocks, heavy into TLRY).

I keep going back and forth (a pun!) with this. I have plenty (!) of room to grow in my current killer 4-string setups. At the same time, for solo stuff, I am getting frustrated at some of the limitations that something like this 6-string instrument and tuning would almost immediately solve (comping, tonal range, etc --) ... I figure if the money magically falls into my lap soon, I'll know if it's meant to be. If not, I'll just keep practicing what I've got and keep meditating on it.

I've said it a million times, but I love ya'll and this hive mind. What an amazing resource - thank you.