How much range do you need out of a bass?

4 strings, 20 frets is the exact range necessary to play a full 2 octaves in every key. Works for me!

 

On a 24-fret 4-string bass, you can play a full 3 octaves in the keys of E, F, F#/Gb, and G. But you can't play a full 3 octaves in the other 8 keys.

I personally like the symmetry of being able to play equally well in all keys. You said you prefer to play in E most of the time, so different strokes for different folks.

 

I'm talking about a 4-string bass, not a 1-string bass.

You are correct that on a 1-string bass, you would need 24 frets to play 2 octaves in 1 key, or 35 frets to play 2 octaves in every key.

 

Despite my efforts to the contrary, I feel "limited" with anything less than 5 strings, 24-frets.

To be clear, when I say "limited," I mean when I'm sitting around playing, I find myself frustrated that I can't play certain things that come to me. I'm currently in a punk band where I play a 4-string Fender J and I feel just fine.

 

I played my Gould 6 string on a gig yesterday and used the low B a few times and recall getting to the Eb 3 frets above the octave on the C string (that was during a solo). I use a lot of it but.............mostly I just play across the fingerboard in a position suited to the key of the tune.

For me, the 6 string just makes it easier to play because so many notes are under my fingers in any position.

That said, I play upright a lot....4 strings and that suits me just fine too.

 

I play a 24 fret fiver and run out of range both ways. At some point, you just have to work with what you have no matter the instrument.

 

I don't generally play fretted basses much at all, especially "classic" ones, but even on those instruments there are plenty of higher available notes than where the fundamentals on the fingerboard end.

So on both my primary 4-string fretless BG and my EUB, a slide and/or bow can already get me pretty far above what most would expect from a 4, I think.

 

I can make it through any gig on a 20 fret 4 string no prob. Tho I play a 20 fret 5 on all my gigs.

 

Depends what I'm doing. I play 90% of my songs (including the occasional solo) on a 20 fret 4 string. I do play a a few songs on a 6, usually if I'm either taking an extended solo or it needs a note below E

 

Truthfully, one only needs a basic 4-string. That said, I own basses of 4-, 5-, 6-, and 7-strings. I enjoy the freedom to pickup whichever one I feel like playing on a given day.

 

Sometimes it's not about range but about comfort......six string basses allow sight readers to keep their fretting hand in a minimal fretting range, allowing for less error

 

4 strings and 19 frets (Fender Mustang) works for well enough me.

I have used basses up to 24 frets many times though but I've never had to go above the 15th fret on the G string using any bass.

 

I get by fine with my 22 fret 4 string Ibanez Mikro bass, but would prefer 24 frets really.

Have no need for going deeper than the low E string, but seriously ponder on getting a 5 string Mikro bass and stringing it E-A-D-G-C, for additional upper range and improved functionality for chord work.

 

Precisely! Reading, and playing in general, requires far fewer position changes on as six. Also, a six string allows for wider intervals when playing chords, which can really clean up the sound. A six is also easier for playing two parts simultaneously by tapping with both hands, which really comes in handy when playing in a three-piece setting.

 

My primary inst is a 24 fret six, so four octaves and a semitone, I do use all of it. Can squeeze out another two octaves out of it on a good day, using false harmonics. Now that I don't use often.

I like having a large range available it give me more options. I don't sit at a piano and limit myself to only a section of the keyboard, I play the whole thing. Same with bass.