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Do You Prefer 4 String, 5 String, 6 String?
- Thread starter DiegeBerry123
- Start date
For me, 5 is the best 1 shot, fits all bass. As I'm in cover bands these days, If I have to transpose to suit the singer, 5 is the most versatile. 4 is best for ol skool slap n funk n dont need to play Superstition in Eb n 6 is for arty, chordy, wanky stuff, plus great for making my 5s feel easily manageable n my 4s like a kids toy. I got small hands but a normal spaced 5 (Warwick) is easily manageable. 6s stretch but great for drills n exercises.
Real happy with my 6. Easier for me to play than a four: comfortable neck profile for my hands, and I really like the extended range in any single position. For me, it just makes everything easier to play.
Both 4's and 5's. Having 19mm bridge spacing is a must for my 5'ers. Having that makes going back and forth easy.
I -by far- prefer to play a four string bass. The music often works better with a five, though.
I disagree. It can be for that of course. But, although I occasionally use some tasteful chords on my 6, most of the time I am just supporting the song. I use it for rock originals and covers. I find it especially handy for avoiding long jumps between the low and high frets. I play quite a bit of classic rock that was originally played on 4 string, and find some things much easier.
For example, back in the day when I played "Sweet Emotion" the jump from the 12th fret intro to the 5th fret D for the verse was a pain because it is very quick. Now I play the intro one string up on the 7th fret and only have to move two frets down for the verse. A 6er is good for old, lazy people...
In others words, it allows you to move vertically across the fretboard instead of up and down the neck. You can play more things without having to change positions (a 5 string allows the same over a 4, but 6 is even better).
I disagree. It can be for that of course. But, although I occasionally use some tasteful chords on my 6, most of the time I am just supporting the song. I use it for rock originals and covers. I find it especially handy for avoiding long jumps between the low and high frets. I play quite a bit of classic rock that was originally played on 4 string, and find some things much easier.
For example, back in the day when I played "Sweet Emotion" the jump from the 12th fret intro to the 5th fret D for the verse was a pain because it is very quick. Now I play the intro one string up on the 7th fret and only have to move two frets down for the verse. A 6er is good for old, lazy people...
In others words, it allows you to move vertically across the fretboard instead of up and down the neck. You can play more things without having to change positions (a 5 string allows the same over a 4, but 6 is even better).
If you go from 12th fret D string to 5th fret D string you could have went from 12th fret D string to 10th fret A string ... it is the same thing that you do on your 6 strings only higher on the neck.
12th fret A string to 5th fret D on the A string. Sorry to confuse you. I could go from the 12th fret A string to the 10th fret E string and then to the 10th fret B string, but it sounds too tubby for the song. There is a reason I do it the way I do it.
In other words, the D on the 10th fret E string and the A on the 10th fret B string don't have the same punchy tone that the D on the 5th fret A string and the A on the 5th fret E string do.
5 string......so much of today's music is tuned lower and I like being able to grab a note on the B string rather than making the shift back to first position
Took me a while to adjust to the 5 but I love it!
http://basstony.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/my-new-sadowsky/
http://basstony.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/my-new-sadowsky/
I am trying to get used to playing my 5. Have put my 4 back in its case and out of the way so I don't pick it up out of habit.
After a week am getting used to the extra string being there but am still playing only 4 strings for songs. Learning to add two scales/arps together across all 5
At moment my 4 is still my comfort blanket but will be sticking with it.
Eggy
After a week am getting used to the extra string being there but am still playing only 4 strings for songs. Learning to add two scales/arps together across all 5
At moment my 4 is still my comfort blanket but will be sticking with it.
Eggy
If you want to use the B string more, buy Roy Vogt's ''Getting the most from 5-string bass'' DVD. It'll help you with slapping, tapping, finger style, chords, improv, scales, modes, arpeggios, theory and more!
My advice : GO FOR IT 
I like six string basses due to the extended range and timbres available, alongside the fact you don't have to do as much position shifting. They're also great for chordal work and songwriting in my opinion. And they're generally just different (that's a good thing). Although 4 string necks are inherently more comfortable to me.
Besides:
6 strings = 50% more than 4 strings. Therefore it's 50% better...
(Maybe it's also 50% worse).
Besides:
6 strings = 50% more than 4 strings. Therefore it's 50% better...
(Maybe it's also 50% worse).
Oh I see !thank for making it clear.
I'm glad you're clear. I wrote it and when I read it I have no idea what I was saying.
