DIRE NEED OF HELP!

[I Got Rhythm]

I'm jamming with a new group tomorrow and I can't really play the six string I have owned for a year. (I know, I know...) It's all I have right now and I'd like to play a four string. Would it be a bad idea to remove my low b and high c to acheive my desired four string? i don't care about how comfortable it is to play, im sure ill do fine. i just want a playable 4 string, without doing damage to my sixers truss rods or frets/fretboard.


:help

 

[LaklandBass]

youll most definitely need a set up with truss rod adjustment. youll be removing 33% of the tension on your neck

 

[I Got Rhythm]

i knew that one will there be any chance that it could hurt the neck?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

Can`t you just leave the low B and high C on? If you`re worried about them making unwanted noise then put a sweat band on the neck by the nut to mute open notes.

 

[I Got Rhythm]

honestly im too used to four strings and my slapping and popping are both very sloppy with the extra strings on. also i have a hard time telling the strings apart easily with the extra two.

 

[RickenBoogie]

Bad idea. And that's the only bass you own? Shoulda thought about that alot sooner. Man up.

 

[LightGroove]

Find a local music store and trade it in for a 4 banger..May not be what you want but will achieve your goal for the moment...

 

[J. Crawford]

It would be an extremely wide spaced 4 banger.

You probably should have thought of this before the the day of/before the jam.

 

[Spass Bass]

You won't hurt the instrument by removing the the LB and C strings. Just be sure to back the truss rod out a bit. Removing tension will give the neck a little back bow. After removing the strings loosen you truss rod to your desired action. You'll be fine.

 

[allotabass]

.

 

[TrooperFarva]

Go pick up a Squier Vintage Modified or Classic Vibe bass. You can get any of them for less than $300. Use a credit card, and then you'll have a month to sell your other bass.

 

[tappingtrance]

Can you borrow one from someone?? Don't futz with the 6 stringer it will appear foolish to the audition band - worse case put your thumb on the B string and stay low and just lay it down.

 

[BurningSkies]

If I had a guitar player come in to play with my band and he brought a guitar with some of the strings removed, I would laugh.

Then tell him to leave.

 

[Spiritfield]

Caveat= I don't know that I'd advocate this, but I have seen it done; Charge a 4 banger on your cc at Guitar Center or someplace similar and return it after the jam.

 

[drbakker]

I used a 6 string for a while and had the same problem at first. Here's what helped me: buy two different color sets of the DR coated strings, like red and blue for example. Put the red B and C on, and the blue E A D G. When they need changing you have another set with opposite colors.
It was much easier for me to learn a 6 string seeing the 4 string set in the middle as a different color.

 

[Step]

Caveat= I don't know that I'd advocate this, but I have seen it done; Charge a 4 banger on your cc at Guitar Center or someplace similar and return it after the jam.

that's evilll

 

[mikeswals]

Charge a 4 banger on your cc at Guitar Center or someplace similar and return it after the jam.

I've seen plenty of bands do this with gear/amps just for one night's gig.

 

[spade2you]

Do your best at the jam, but LEARN how to play the bass you have or trade it. I have a gut feeling if you borrowed a different bass, you'd feel off and probably not too confident.

 

[your idol]

so youre a musician with no musician friends?!? you cant borrow a bass for a hot second to do this? you show up to a tryout missing strings you might as well show up in a helmet with velcro shoes and a half shirt dude. some music stores rent basses, you could also put an add on craigslist looking for a one day bass rental but supposing you get the gig with admittedly sloppy technique i fear youre putting a band aid over a bullet hole IMO.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I used a 6 string for a while and had the same problem at first. Here's what helped me: buy two different color sets of the DR coated strings, like red and blue for example. Put the red B and C on, and the blue E A D G. When they need changing you have another set with opposite colors.
It was much easier for me to learn a 6 string seeing the 4 string set in the middle as a different color.

That's actually a REALLY good idea. You can lie and say you're doing it because you like the look as well.

I had to go to a recorded jam about two weeks after I got a seven-string and hadn't had much time to play it. I'd only played five-string up to that point, so the two additional top strings threw me a bit. I found I couldn't slap at all at first. So I found out what I COULDN'T do, and just didn't do it. I stuck with what I did well at, and did pretty well in that fashion. Just don't take leaps you aren't confident with yet- no shooting up the C string, etc. The good thing about bass is that it's all tuned in 4ths and everything is very symmetrical- every pattern you use down low will work up high, so minimize your mistakes by relying heavily on your strengths.