If you decide on a six,you must take the time to acclimate your self to it.
It is not instantaneous.
It is not instantaneous.
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Help me choosing between a 5 or 6 string bass
- Thread starter Nandofer
- Start date
Salsa and merengue probably don't demand a six-string (although it can be nice). Metal, though, can really benefit from it depending on what you're playing. If you like tapping, get a six.
It will take time to acclimate to both instruments, and both instruments (especially a six) will highlight any weaknesses in your playing technique in regards to fretting, muting, and even holding the instrument correctly. They will also highlight any weaknesses in your fundamental understanding of the instrument and fretboard theory. But all of this will challenge you and make you a better player.
String acclimation and tuning isn't as big a deal as some people say it is. I actually find a six better in this regard than a five personally since there is still an even number of strings; the A and D strings are still right in the middle, just like a four. (In fact, a six has a four-string hiding between the two outer strings.)
I say if you want a six, go for it. That model will do well for you. I personally own an Ibanez SR506 (that I purchased in a pawn shop - a compraventa - for $285 USD) and while it's not the same bass, I personally would stand by the brand.
If you don't mind me aaking, what country do you live in?
It will take time to acclimate to both instruments, and both instruments (especially a six) will highlight any weaknesses in your playing technique in regards to fretting, muting, and even holding the instrument correctly. They will also highlight any weaknesses in your fundamental understanding of the instrument and fretboard theory. But all of this will challenge you and make you a better player.
String acclimation and tuning isn't as big a deal as some people say it is. I actually find a six better in this regard than a five personally since there is still an even number of strings; the A and D strings are still right in the middle, just like a four. (In fact, a six has a four-string hiding between the two outer strings.)
I say if you want a six, go for it. That model will do well for you. I personally own an Ibanez SR506 (that I purchased in a pawn shop - a compraventa - for $285 USD) and while it's not the same bass, I personally would stand by the brand.
If you don't mind me aaking, what country do you live in?
Have you looked at rhw harley benton range, From thomann?
I know shipping can be a PITA for some in the USA but I've heard its pretty straightforward these days.
6 string, active, buckers.
harley_benton_b_650_black_progressive_series.htm
Passive 5 PJ
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Active 5, buckers, 35" scale. My new main player even over sandberg and status graphite believe it or not. (Status is a 4 otherwise it would have been that one)
harley_benton_marquess_5_black_stain.htm
I know shipping can be a PITA for some in the USA but I've heard its pretty straightforward these days.
6 string, active, buckers.
harley_benton_b_650_black_progressive_series.htm
Passive 5 PJ
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Active 5, buckers, 35" scale. My new main player even over sandberg and status graphite believe it or not. (Status is a 4 otherwise it would have been that one)
harley_benton_marquess_5_black_stain.htm
I voted 5 string, doesn't have to be a Cort, but I vote a 5 string. Depending on genre it may be good for you to have those lower notes the 5 string provides, but there isn't going to be a huge need for the high notes of the 6the string. Sure some people like 6 strings, but as you said you thought it felt weird, so don't bother, the 5 will meet your needs and be more comfortable for you.
Shouldn't your musical mind and ears answer this for you? You only need another string if you find yourself running out of tonal real estate in either direction. In other words, if the lines your musical mind wants to play have you "falling off a cliff" in either or both direction, you need another string.
In my case, I have a 5er tuned B E A D G and another tuned E A D G C. I have never felt the need to have both the low B and the high C on the same instrument. Others, like Todd Johnson, see things differently
In my case, I have a 5er tuned B E A D G and another tuned E A D G C. I have never felt the need to have both the low B and the high C on the same instrument. Others, like Todd Johnson, see things differently
New genres? Gender not so much. But…. I've owned both, and once you go to 6 your 5's will sit idle. There's no reason to do 5 if 6 is available for so many reasons but mostly it gives you options. We don't all just play bass as the low down musicians everyone expects us to be. I for one write on my 6's and found 5's to limiting. The other caveat is that cheap 6's don't play well. Material, neck, ability to set up all kinda suck at the sub 2,000.00 level other than a small builder like Tom Clements who builds a fantastic 6 string at that price point. I own 2 Ken Smith 6's. One fretted, one fretless and they play themselves and can really get you where you want to go in the extra strings category. But saying that, not everyone can afford them. Mine were both finds in the sub $3,000.00 range.
Just some thoughts on why.
500 should get you a good used Ibanez soundgear no problem. Possibly even a Warwick rockbass. That would be another awesome choice. Also don't rule out a Yamaha or a LTD bass. All are great players and can go for good prices because of everyone's fender fetishes.
I like my 5 6ers a lot (3 B-C, 2 E-E), but will soon have a pair of identical 5s, each tuned like this; I'm not buying the second 5, it's a gift I'm not supposed to know about.
cool cool.... yea it's just opinions and observations from my side. I've certainly seen 5 strings used in gospel, but I'm not in the south so it could be different there for sure. Country, sometimes I see 5, but 4 certainly is the ticket for anything other than modern commercial country, ya.
I do want to underline that I play exactly the same music, the same way, on 5 and 6 string as I did on 4, although I CAN play songs I couldn't play on the 4 alone. I used a hipshot d-tuner for a few years on my alembic to get down to Eb and D at times, but it just didn't sound as good as a real B string sounds (simply due to the string's quick stretching always having issues of reliability and aging very rapidly compared to not detuning like that all the time).
so yea, necessity is the mother of invention I guess.
4 or 5 doesn't turn you into a guitarist or into playing up high though. It just provides options and tonality and, yes, some extra range (but not a lot, only like 5 higher semitones than a 4 or 5 string bass gets). It just means I only have to bring one bass to any gig. Well, unless I need to have fretless and fretted... AGH it NEVER ENDS! You CAN do lots of things on 6 string bass that you can't on a 4, or a 5, but most of us don't. Most of us just use it to make our daily lives easier and to have one instrument for all styles of music.
Cheers man
Good call, the Ibanez SR506 (16.5 mm string spacing) is a bit more than $500 but that is a nice 6 string bass
Good call, the Ibanez SR506 (16.5 mm string spacing) is a bit more than $500 but that is a nice 6 string bass
Can confirm. I love mine - it's my main player and even though I technically own "better" basses (in the same SR range, even) it's my main player and I'll probably keep it forever.
However, depending on the OP's location, something like this may not be available in the used market. Or the cost of shipping may be prohibitive.
This strikes me as odd, because most people who don't like the ergonomics of a six string have small hands, not large hands. It'd make sense if it was a string spacing issue, but there are many six-string basses with 18 and 19 millimeter string spacing. Genuinely curious - having big hands, what about the ergonomics throws you off? (Genuinely curious because I have biggish hands, but they aren't huge. However, I prefer the wider necks of my sixes than four-string necks, for instance.)
It's a combination of string spacing and reach. I'm OK with a 1 7/8th wide (at the nut) neck for a 5'er - the strings are spaced closer at the nut than I'd like (I play faster on a P width neck 4 than on a J width neck 4), but on a 5 I have to accept the string spacing is about the same as that of a J), but I wouldn't want more nut width - the reach to the lowest string would be a a stretch. Likewise, the string spacing on my 5's is 17.5 mm at the bridge - closer than I'd like for getting my fingers in there, but again I wouldn't want more reach to the G string (or the C string on an E to C tuned bass) - adding a 6th string either makes the neck too wide for reach or too close to play well, or both.
I may be more sensitive than some to ergonomic issues - I lost a decade of playing to wrist issues - that wasn't from playing, but I'm not taking chances.
I have an older Ibanez SR 505 and a 1305. The pickups on my 505 are quieter than the 1305 and have a pretty warm tone for being active -- not in a really terrible way, but can benefit from some shaping. The 1305 pickups have a few more features (eg passive mode, mid freq selector) and generally just sound bigger, even when passive. Two of the tuner machines on my 505 completely failed (stripped on the inside somehow), but they're fairly easy to replace. The 1305 feels like a nicer instrument, but the 505 feels very comfortable.
The string spacing is narrow. Slap is a bit tricky. But it's very fast to play.
Here's my friend and I having a bunch of fun playing one note for a long time. She's on the Ibanez BTB, I'm on my 505 (I think I had turned up my treble to match her tone, but you'll hear the lows & mids on mine are fluffier than hers):
The string spacing is narrow. Slap is a bit tricky. But it's very fast to play.
Here's my friend and I having a bunch of fun playing one note for a long time. She's on the Ibanez BTB, I'm on my 505 (I think I had turned up my treble to match her tone, but you'll hear the lows & mids on mine are fluffier than hers):
