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Every "true" bassist needs a 6-string bass.

"Every true bassist needs a 6-string bass." Agree or disagree?

  • 100% agree. It's the mark of a true bassist. Even better if it's fretless.

    Votes: 8 1.7%
  • Mostly agree. Even if you don't use it on the reg, you should still at least experience it.

    Votes: 13 2.8%
  • Neither agree nor disagree. You do you.

    Votes: 176 38.4%
  • Mostly disagree. If you can't get it done with 4 or 5 strings, then it don't need to get done.

    Votes: 54 11.8%
  • 100% disagree. Jaco didn't need six strings, and neither do you.

    Votes: 134 29.3%
  • Carrots / don't know / don't care

    Votes: 73 15.9%

  • Total voters
    458
My 6 is my main, but I also love playing 4.

How about 6 x 6 = 36-string bass... ?

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As a three string bassist Every other thing I do and play is false :(

7 string hybrid = lower 3 strings are bass , Pickups are stereo and I have 2 outputs. I can double as a guitar player or just be one and I have done it. I am getting better playing both guitar and bass, Some styles are just not doable.

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I posted a similar question a while back. Curious to get the opinion of those around me.
Is there any real reason to buy a six-string bass? Or is it mostly going to collect dust?
Hmm. Every "true" bassist doesn't "need" a 6-string bass. Some very "true" bassists have never played even a 5-string bass. I thought this was apparent and widely-known enough to void the (implied) question or reason to ask. Of course there's reasons to buy a 6-string bass, to learn it and even to use one. Never forget that just because you have a fifth string and maybe even a sixth string, there's absolutely NO requirement or law that says you must use those strings X amount on whatever gig for Y number of songs. In my current gigging bands there are many songs that were never recorded with a 5-string bass, and those songs have a certain range (IE- never lower than E, for instance), and even if I'm gigging with a 5-string to keep instrument changes to a bare minimum, I play those 4-string songs and NEVER play the low B string. Again, nobody is taking any issue with me playing 'like the record" or saying I should have used the low B string on songs that never had that sound in the first place.

Whether a 6-string bass collects dust is completely dependent on the habits of the person who owns it. Heck, a friend gave me a Warwick 4 string on Wednesday, and I spend 2 hours cleaning that bass and the dust that had accrued on it due to disuse. So the number of strings a bass has is quite irrelevant to how likely it is to collect dust or to be unused.

It's impossible to know if, how and how much YOU would use a 6-string bass, and really the only person that's going to know that is YOU... after you long-term borrow if possible or buy one. Seems like you're on the fence even "a while back". There's really only one way YOU will know, and that's when YOU have the instrument. Best of luck with it.
 
as someone who only uses bass to record/write songs at home the 6 is definitely appreciated . i never have to worry about needing extra notes in either direction when trying to come up with stuff . though i'll still definitely use other basses when i need a particular sound or vibe etc
 
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I was told that every REAL guitarist needed to play with only picks, and not fingerstyle...
I guess that doesn't make me a "real" guitarist by that rationale. Maybe I'm crazy, but I play fingerstyle on guitar because bass is my first instrument. I strum the chords and play the single notes (e.g. soloing) like I'm playing bass. It has worked well enough for me so far as a beginner on guitar.
 
I'm happy a majority of votes were neutral. There used to be the old dudes who might imply or directly say that anyone who owns a 6 string bass will NEVER work in their town!!!1111

Also, what's with everyone saying what Jaco would definitively use? He died before a lot of stuff was available. I mean, Jaco didn't need an iPhone.

I like a nice 6 string or two, but sometimes you don't need it for certain music. It's like stepping over the dog on the stairs and a little in the way. Plus, buying stuff just to buy it is a good way to stay broke and working forever...
 

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