6 strings or 5?

[MesaRick96]

Ive been looking at an extended range bass now and am thinking on buying one. I have questions though... Which would be better for the stuff i play? (Rock,metal,country,funk). Which brand is the best for my budget? (about £500,600 at most) any help would be greatly appreciated, cheers.

 

[theduke1]

Get yourself a G&L L2500 with the K wiring not sure of the money conversion but a USA G&L new will run you 1200/1500 USD
You can find them used for less.
I've been a G&L man since 1985 and they are tops in my book.
My 2500 is wired to give me single coil outer/full MFH/Single coil inner and I now have my other two basses up for sale. Ihope this helps
Peace&Love

 

[MesaRick96]

got to admit, im not a g&l man atall, just dont like the look of them :/ thanks for the sensible answer though

 

[Aspidites]

got to admit, im not a g&l man atall, just dont like the look of them :/ thanks for the sensible answer though

have you ever played one though?

 

[AG42]

Try an Ibanez SR506...great necks, good range of tone possible, and in your price range.

 

[SLaPiNFuNK]

When I was 16 and was ordering my first expensive bass, I decided on the 6 because it was only just about less than 200 more.

It never hurts to buy used, try to find one in your area...

 

[FunkMetalBass]

6. No contest.

 

[Roy Vogt]

If you're going to add one string, why not two? I'd go with the 6-but then I guess I did!

 

[Staccato]

have you ever played one though?

+1 He makes a good point!

 

[Flintc]

I've known several bassists who play the kind of stuff you do, who bought a 6-string, and who ended up never using the C string at all. (And to be fair, they didn't use the G string much either). It ought to seem obvious that to use an extended range bass, you need to play notes extended beyond the standard bass range.

If you often find yourself wishing for some higher notes without jumping up the neck too often, then a 6-string is a good bet. If not, you still may wish to rearrange some of the material you play to use that range, even if it means cooperating with the guitarist!

As for a 5-string, I find I rarely use that low 4th from B up to E, but I use the B string a lot anyway rather than reaching toward the nut on the E string.

 

[RickeyC]

Spector?

 

[MesaRick96]

have you ever played one though?

No, i just dont like them in general.

 

[MesaRick96]

Try an Ibanez SR506...great necks, good range of tone possible, and in your price range.

I really like those ones, ill defo try one somewhere

 

[MesaRick96]

I've known several bassists who play the kind of stuff you do, who bought a 6-string, and who ended up never using the C string at all. (And to be fair, they didn't use the G string much either). It ought to seem obvious that to use an extended range bass, you need to play notes extended beyond the standard bass range.

If you often find yourself wishing for some higher notes without jumping up the neck too often, then a 6-string is a good bet. If not, you still may wish to rearrange some of the material you play to use that range, even if it means cooperating with the guitarist!

As for a 5-string, I find I rarely use that low 4th from B up to E, but I use the B string a lot anyway rather than reaching toward the nut on the E string.

I am more thinking that a five would suit me more.

 

[MesaRick96]

Spector?

Ill have a look

 

[jtapp2556]

ibanez sr and btbs are good and the LTD are good for the price

 

[MesaRick96]

ibanez sr and btbs are good and the LTD are good for the price

Im definately into the ibanezes, ibanezi, whatever the plural of ibanez is haha. Ill look at the ltd too

 

[Bluechain311]

EBMM Stingray 5. That's the one you want. Best B string in the business.

 

[Floyd Eye]

In my opinion a a 5 string or a 6 string is a no brainer. You get everything a 5er has to offer with a 6 string, but you also get all those totally cool chordal possibilities. Find you a good deal on a Carvin LB76.

 

[lucas vigor]

If I had it to do over, I would go 5...and a wide 5 at that. Every 6 I have played (including the Carvin LB76 is too narrow).