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Anybody play a sixer just because it "feels right?"

Epitaph04

Epitaph04

Always overcompensating
Jul 5, 2010
2,767
1,201
SoCal
#1
I've come to the fact that I don't need the high C string..a lot of what I play is doable on a fiver or even a 4 string, especially because I love playing higher on the neck. However, after switching between my five and six string ibbys, the six string just feels so much...better. More comfortable.

I've heard many bassists say that you only need 4 strings, nobody needs a 6 string, etc. But even when I'm not using the high c string, I just feel more comfortable having it there...maybe because of the width of the neck, string spacing, who knows. Hell I'm thinking of sellig my fiver and just going with sixers for now on!

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody else here feels that way?
 
#5
Epitaph04 said:
I've come to the fact that I don't need the high C string..a lot of what I play is doable on a fiver or even a 4 string, especially because I love playing higher on the neck. However, after switching between my five and six string ibbys, the six string just feels so much...better. More comfortable.

I've heard many bassists say that you only need 4 strings, nobody needs a 6 string, etc. But even when I'm not using the high c string, I just feel more comfortable having it there...maybe because of the width of the neck, string spacing, who knows. Hell I'm thinking of sellig my fiver and just going with sixers for now on!

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody else here feels that way?
Click to expand...

Usually the guys saying "six string? you don' need no steenkeeng six string" haven't ever played one, or used one as their main bass ;).

In fact, these days, the only reason I can see not to use a 5+ is ergonomics. Most basses have 5 and 6 string versions now that cost virtually the same as the 4 string variants and have the same features, etc. It's the same bass, but with more range - why wouldn't that be an advantage?

The only real drag is finding strings. And that's easy to deal with by just ordering them from juststrings.com.

I've used a 6 of one form or other as my main bass for the last several years (currently my BB76F is my main bass), tho I'm going back to a 4 string version only for ergonomic reasons (busted up left wrist from decades of poor technique). But I intend to still use it as long as I can play seated...

LS
 
#7
Yep, definitely. Most of my playing is done as though I only had 4 strings, but my church music uses low C Db D Eb often. the high C maybe 10%. But I think I would be feel lacking if all 6 strings disappeared off this planet. My sixers are just too comfortable. I AM A SIX STRING BASS GUITAR PLAYER!!!
Thanks. Peace to all and to all a GREAT night.
David :D :bassist:
 
#8
I have had a Cirrus 5 for a while. Love it. Got a Yamaha TRB-6P. Didn't really bond with it. Sold it. Got a Cirrus 6. Love it so much that I don't see any reason to keep the Cirrus 5, so I'm going to sell it and just keep the 6.
 
#10
Of my two years of serious playing the last one and a half of them have been on a six, When I pick up a four the neck just feels tiny and I dont like the way only having four strings limits my ability to play chords so to echo a sentiment a few posts up. I am a six string bass guitar player and I doubt I will ever not be.
 
#11
I feel exactly the same way. I have never used my high c for anything but screwing around. I actually use the low b a ton, but never the high c. There is just something about the way they feel to me too. I find 5's kind of awkward. 4's are fine, but 5's just feel weird to me. 6 is definitely my max comfort level though.
 
#12
Epitaph04 said:
I've come to the fact that I don't need the high C string..a lot of what I play is doable on a fiver or even a 4 string, especially because I love playing higher on the neck. However, after switching between my five and six string ibbys, the six string just feels so much...better. More comfortable.

I've heard many bassists say that you only need 4 strings, nobody needs a 6 string, etc. But even when I'm not using the high c string, I just feel more comfortable having it there...maybe because of the width of the neck, string spacing, who knows. Hell I'm thinking of sellig my fiver and just going with sixers for now on!

Anyway, I was wondering if anybody else here feels that way?
Click to expand...

Five string is "just right" for me... "wide 5", that is. With sixers I have to deal with narrower string spacing or a wider neck, neither of which are comfortable to me.

Playing comfort is pretty much #1 in my list of criteria for bass guitar. So if you're most comfy on six, then stay with it!
 
#16
geggy spoiger said:
Yeah, Kinda.

I love having a 6ers for noodling and improvising, but nothing I ever have to play at uni and on gigs has any use for the C string, and probably 75% has no use for the notes on the B lower than E.

But damn do I love the feel of a 6, I know exactly how you feel ;)
Click to expand...

This.

You buy a piano, it has 88 keys. Chances are, you won't ever use all of them in a performance unless you go out of your way to do so. But they're there. Setting aside the fact that the first basses had four strings, there's no reason not to play a 6 unless you find it uncomfortable.
 

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