There is an ibanez 6 string bass from their "budget line" on craigslist that I have my eye on. I was wondering, do you guys think 6 strings is too much? I have a 5 string and love the wide neck, but this 6 string really looks like a cutting board. Is it worth it to check it out, or is it not worth it? Share your thoughts on the subject.
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Is 6 strings too much?
- Thread starter Ezrocks4u
- Start date
I love 6-string basses and have been playing them since 97. However, all of my 6 strings are custom built with narrower necks and close string spacing because I don't like that the conventional 6 string has a surfboard for a neck. Just make sure to play a 6 string a bit before you buy so you can figure out if the big neck is a problem for you.
I Don't like 6ers at all. But that is just me. I just can't seem to get comfortable with a B and a C string on one bass.
Ibanez 6ers tend to have very narrow spacing (besides the BTB) also.
Ibanez 6ers tend to have very narrow spacing (besides the BTB) also.
I've got my BTB7 on my lap right now.
Get the 6. It's fun. Jaco only needed 4, but you're not Jaco, and I bet he'd have fun messing around on a 6.
Get the 6. It's fun. Jaco only needed 4, but you're not Jaco, and I bet he'd have fun messing around on a 6.
I like erb's. But i do think they are fun in some situations and not as fun in others.
Positives;Playing by myself, sitting down, i wouldn't want anything else. I love playing two hand tapping on my 7 string. It's also nice to have one bass that you can use for just about any gig.
The drawback is they are a little more difficult to play. They are often pretty heavy. I've noticed for me the size and weight doesn't feel like it bothers my when I'm playing but i can watch video of me playing and i just don't have the same energy and showmanship while playing my 7 that i did with a 5 string.
I know for me I'll probably be buying a pair of matching 5 strings soon for playing with the band. I do like the 7 and I'll keep it if i can find some good deals on some 5 strings.
For me i played 4 string for about 3 years. Played 5 string for about 15, and 7 string for about 3 years. Maybe I'm just more comfortable on a 5. I don't know.
Positives;Playing by myself, sitting down, i wouldn't want anything else. I love playing two hand tapping on my 7 string. It's also nice to have one bass that you can use for just about any gig.
The drawback is they are a little more difficult to play. They are often pretty heavy. I've noticed for me the size and weight doesn't feel like it bothers my when I'm playing but i can watch video of me playing and i just don't have the same energy and showmanship while playing my 7 that i did with a 5 string.
I know for me I'll probably be buying a pair of matching 5 strings soon for playing with the band. I do like the 7 and I'll keep it if i can find some good deals on some 5 strings.
For me i played 4 string for about 3 years. Played 5 string for about 15, and 7 string for about 3 years. Maybe I'm just more comfortable on a 5. I don't know.
Thanks for the replies so far guys- unfortunately the seller isn't the brightest. Just sent more additional pictures... Of a 4 string dean playmate bass. Asked and said the ibanez I was referring to was sold. The search for a 6 string to try out continues.
The sad part is she thinks that it is also an ibanez. Lol
The sad part is she thinks that it is also an ibanez. Lol
I've seen people with 6 strings completely rock every single one of them to get an amazing, rich effect to songs. I've seen people with 4 strings play even better stuff that I couldn't ever play on 6 (Michael LePond comes to mind - the dude is a monster). I've seen people play 6 strings because it can be easier to play some stuff (less horizontal movement, more vertical). I fall into this last category.
String spacing shouldn't be an issue - you can get broadneck versions, you can also get really narrow ones (Ibanez Soundgears come to mind).
Best thing to do is try one out - I mean, not at a shop or something, if you could even borrow one and play at practice or even a gig or something, you'll get a good feeling of what it's like.
It may suit you, it may not. I'm very happy playing 6s.
String spacing shouldn't be an issue - you can get broadneck versions, you can also get really narrow ones (Ibanez Soundgears come to mind).
Best thing to do is try one out - I mean, not at a shop or something, if you could even borrow one and play at practice or even a gig or something, you'll get a good feeling of what it's like.
It may suit you, it may not. I'm very happy playing 6s.
Yes, 6 strings is too much. Always carry wire snippers with you and when you see someone playing a six string bass, show them the error of their ways. After all, we are all alike, aren't we????? We are Borg, resistance if futile.
As always, it depends ... on what and how you play. For me, not playing chords or upper register notes all that often, the extra low B on a fiver is enough. I don't have much use for six string basses, I've looked at them and been tempted but never bought one, I think it would be more trouble than benefit.
I was playing my 88 string half an hour ago, sounded really nice...very piano like 
Well said. I was going to ask the OP: What are your musical, sonic, and technical objectives?
7 strings are mostly accepted in the guitar community now. 8 strings, now that will make some people think you are either showing off or trying to steal the bass player's job
I like 6 string basses. 7 seems to be a bit much on my small hands and I didn't use that 7th string as much as I would have thought. I love my 7 string electric guitars, though.
If you're counting strings, you're either not listening, or not playing.
If the bass works for you, it's a good bass, the number of strings is irrelevant beyond that.
FWIW, I was a 6 string guy for many years, exclusively. Recently, I sold my last 6er and now have three 5's, nothing else - 4 is useless to ME ("No B, no me!"), but all of my heroes are primarily or solely 4 string players - Geddy, Dave LaRue, Vic, Roscoe Beck, John Deacon, the list goes on and on...but for ME, the 5 is just right, and for quite some time before the 6 was. It's a tool, and the effectiveness is not a function of string count.
If the bass works for you, it's a good bass, the number of strings is irrelevant beyond that.
FWIW, I was a 6 string guy for many years, exclusively. Recently, I sold my last 6er and now have three 5's, nothing else - 4 is useless to ME ("No B, no me!"), but all of my heroes are primarily or solely 4 string players - Geddy, Dave LaRue, Vic, Roscoe Beck, John Deacon, the list goes on and on...but for ME, the 5 is just right, and for quite some time before the 6 was. It's a tool, and the effectiveness is not a function of string count.
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