6-strings for metal

[Mechayoshi]

If you're playing hard and fast, just make you're super comfortable with it.. I like narrow spacing, very fast for me. If I missed it, pick or fingers?

 

[Topkat13]

Don't take this wrong but your question is like asking someone to tell you how to swim. You gotta get in the water. Like a previous post says it doesn't matter what you play.

 

[Element Zero]

On the other hand, Symphony X's old bassist, Thomas Miller, used a 5-string tuned with a high C (well, Bb, considering they tune a full step down), and he did get use out of it (listen to the bass breaks on The Divine Wings of Tragedy, for instance).

I went from 4 strings straight to 6, and don't regret it. I found use for it in having some more chordal potential, which fit with the three-piece band I was playing with at the time. Of course, I'm not really looking to play metal anymore, though I still enjoy it tremendously, so YMMV. It can depend on the situation, of course, but it's definitely got its benefits. Get something on the mid-range price field, though.

I've only ever listened to the last 3 albums.

 

[Hamlet7768]

I've only ever listened to the last 3 albums.

Oh man, you're missing out on Divine Wings. Fantastic record.

 

[Hypercaffium]

No. What you need for metal is a Viola bass and a Beatles haircut. Period.

 

[Arthur U. Poon]

My main basses are 6-strings, and I've played a lot of styles with them, including Metal. I can say the same for my 4-strings and my 5-strings.

My favorite brand of bass over the past few years is Spector. I play a Spector Euro 6LT and a Spector NS4CRFM. I've been playing heavier styles of music, and the Spector tone is really well suited for them, and I've also played my NS4CRFM for many different styles of music over the years, and it sounded great for all of those styles too, IMHO.

I have very little experience with Warwick basses; I've tried a couple, and their sound was very versatile, and would suit many different sounds, including Metal.

As far as a 5-string vs 6-string is concerned, IMO play a bunch of different ones, to find which suits you the best. You can play any style on a 4, 5, or a 6. They all will get the job done, it all depends on which feels and sounds the best to you.

I started playing 6-strings many years ago, mainly just to see if I could do it. It took me a while, and a lot of practice to get comfortable with it, and I really enjoy playing one.

At one time, I played a lot of Casinos and Club dates, and I switched over to a 5-string for that time because it was more practical to play. But I could've easily pulled off those gigs playing a 4-string, - or even my 6-string for that matter.