How many metal bass players use a 6 string or more?

[madbassplaya]

It definitely takes a little bit of setup work. If you're going to leave the bass in that tuning then it's not the end of the world. If you use it for other projects and you're going to need to change it frequently, then it's a huge pain.

that was my fear...

as i would like to use the bass for other things as well. i guess before i make any new purchases, i should see if this whole thing pans out.

really the title of this thread is much different than the content i needed. sorry about that.

thanks for the info though guy!

 

[Robs1887]

No problem, that's what we're here for.... And to waste time at work reading about all things bass related.

 

[madbassplaya]

Get them to tune to B and use your fiver - problem solved!

hmm...that might work.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

It makes more sense, he's tuning down anyway. What's one more semitone?

 

[Robs1887]

It makes more sense, he's tuning down anyway. What's one more semitone?

I'm too lazy to do the actual math involved, but it's that much less tension on the neck, therefore causing different neck bow etc.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

yeah but it's not his problem, it's the guitarist's

 

[Robs1887]

Right... Sorry. I misunderstood what you meant.

 

[Holy War]

Well, if I did buy a 4, I was thinking about tuning it BEAD.

Thats exactly what I would do

 

[madbassplaya]

Thats exactly what I would do

that's definately a possibility.

 

[LaklandBass]

I play mostly Numetalish stuff and tune my 6 string GDADGC. Im basically following the guitarists that are in drop D but I still have that low G to go down to.

 

[somegeezer]

Well a 5 or 6 string is just as good as a 4 string, but at a guess, you will most likely only use your B and E strings and a little bit of your A... a 4 string tuned down to C or just tuned BEAD would be all you need, but no point buying a new bass for it or anything, your 6 string will do just the same job.

 

[Mr wiggl3s]

Metalcore like you mentioned always uses some odd-tuning.

 

[grifff]

The bassist of Obscura plays a six string fretless Thumb, if I'm not mistaken.

You are correct sir.

 

[madbassplaya]

Metalcore like you mentioned always uses some odd-tuning.

yea. i'm a fan of standard tuning and D.

I've never seen Ryan Martinie of Mudvayne use anything but 4s and 5s but he tunes his 5s GCGCF.

 

[SquierBender]

Before you answer that question, please do not say "you can play metal with any bass." I realize that. That's why i'm not asking; "which bass is best for metal?"

I recently aquired a 6 string bass that I am playing and absolutely love it. It goes very well with the church praise team that I back up. The looks, tone, and aesthetics are really amazing and I am very happy with it.

I have just been asked to possibly join a metal band that a couple of guys I know will be starting. The singer/guitarist is utterly amazing. He knows his stuff and is a pleasure to work with. The drummer is also very good. He is getting a master's in music education and knows his stuff. He is very versatile!
The guys are wanting to play some classic metal i'm sure such as Ozzy and Sabbath, but our focus will be bands such as Killswitch Engage, maybe some Five Finger Death Punch type stuff.

I know Killswitch tunes to C. I was asked if I would play a 4 string and tune to C or play a 5?

I'm not sure about this because a lot of killswitch songs seem to be written with that open C note being pretty dominate.

So, I'm not sure if I should get a 4 and tune to C or play a 5 string (can you tune a 5 to C by tuning up) or just bring my six and rock that.

I can't think of any metal player other that John Myung that uses a 6 and I play nothing like him! He is far more technical than I am.

I am more of a technical player so I like to keep my strings in the fourth pattern. So, go with the fiver or sixer, IMO.

 

[spade2you]

Get them to tune to B and use your fiver - problem solved!

hmm...that might work.

It'll only work if the guitarist is cool. If they're a guitard, they'd rather you suffer or YOU compromise. Why everyone is obsessed with C and not B, makes no sense to me.

 

[Robs1887]

Why everyone is obsessed with C and not B, makes no sense to me.

Agreed. When this band I played with last week told me to drop my bass down to C, I almost walked out and told him where to put his C tuning. Instead I sat there setting up my bass for 20 minutes looking pissed off before we got any practice in.

 

[DeliriumTremens]

I read something stupid like a C is the lowest the average guitar speaker is able to reproduce the fundamental or something :idk:

 

[rapturebass]

i hate how ppl donbt like Drop C on a 4 cause its "floppy", you have to get thicker gauge strings!

 

[velvetkevorkian]

I play 5 string (BEADG) and 7 string (BEADGBE) basses in a metal band with guitarists who tune to D standard. IF I were you I would stick with the 6- don't get too hung up on following the guitarists exactly.

As ever though, YMMV.