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Is 6 strings too much?
- Thread starter Ezrocks4u
- Start date
Each to his own. I like a wide string spacing, ideally the same 19mm as a 4 string bass. It's makes for a wide board, but that's fine...I sometimes play a 7 string and that's very wide too.
The low B is great for subby sounds when the regular sound stage is a bit congested. The high C is great for noodling, soloing and running across the board instead of running up and down it with scales or arpeggios. But the core of the playing (assuming regular bass lines) will be the 4 core strings.
MusicStoreLive
Commercial User
I used to always think that a bass player had no business with a high-C string. A low-B, sure, I can understand that, but high-C... come on... really? That's what you have guitar players for, right? WRONG!
I just recently picked up a 6-string after getting my hands on a few Ibanez 6ers and I'm in love! I just feel like I've expanded my vocabulary, in a sense. Sure, I was able to communicate just fine with 4 or 5 strings, but now I feel like I can communicate more effectively and more accurately with the 6-string.
I mean, sure, if I get hired to do a blues/classic rock club date, for example, I'm not bringin the 6er. I'm either going for a P-bass with flats or J bass if some slapping might be required. But throw some jazz fusion, prog rock, or various other new genres (like livetronica, and EDM) at me and I find the 6-string is awesome to have! As a "for hire" bassist (when I'm not working at the shop), I've enjoyed having the extra versatility, though realistically it won't see as much stage time as my more "traditional" axes. It may, however, see more studio time.
I just recently picked up a 6-string after getting my hands on a few Ibanez 6ers and I'm in love! I just feel like I've expanded my vocabulary, in a sense. Sure, I was able to communicate just fine with 4 or 5 strings, but now I feel like I can communicate more effectively and more accurately with the 6-string.
I mean, sure, if I get hired to do a blues/classic rock club date, for example, I'm not bringin the 6er. I'm either going for a P-bass with flats or J bass if some slapping might be required. But throw some jazz fusion, prog rock, or various other new genres (like livetronica, and EDM) at me and I find the 6-string is awesome to have! As a "for hire" bassist (when I'm not working at the shop), I've enjoyed having the extra versatility, though realistically it won't see as much stage time as my more "traditional" axes. It may, however, see more studio time.
Recently made the switch from 4's and 5's to exclusively 6's, that's all I own anymore. I was a little nervous about it at first but I know for sure 6's are right for me. I love playing 4's and 5's, but having that high C string is just awesome. I use it much more than I expected initially, as I wasn't sure how I would integrate it into my playing....But just try one and see what you think, like others have said, may be for you and may not.
I love my SR506, and 6 strings is not too much for me. In fact, it facilitates the creative process for two reasons:
1) Contrary to what some people may say, I think 6 strings is an exercise in restraint. I spend most of my time on EADG (or rather, the range of EADG, i.e. rarely going below the fifth fret on the B string), which a) has changed my options of playing perpendicular vs. parallel to the fret board, thereby changing how I approach note choice, and forcing me to improve my muting ability, and b) having the increased note options but choosing not to use them has helped me become a more restrained, lyrical, and subtle player. It's like Billy Brag sings, it's not a virtue until it's been tested.
2) having 6 strings aligns more closely with my technique preferences. I tap, slap, chord, and palm mute. Having the C isn't better, it just helps me make music that I like to play and listen to.
1) Contrary to what some people may say, I think 6 strings is an exercise in restraint. I spend most of my time on EADG (or rather, the range of EADG, i.e. rarely going below the fifth fret on the B string), which a) has changed my options of playing perpendicular vs. parallel to the fret board, thereby changing how I approach note choice, and forcing me to improve my muting ability, and b) having the increased note options but choosing not to use them has helped me become a more restrained, lyrical, and subtle player. It's like Billy Brag sings, it's not a virtue until it's been tested.
2) having 6 strings aligns more closely with my technique preferences. I tap, slap, chord, and palm mute. Having the C isn't better, it just helps me make music that I like to play and listen to.
Played 4 stringers for 34 years, switched to 6's almost 3 years ago and wish I had done it SOONER.
The expression in this photo cracks me up. It's like "what am I doing with this????"
It doesn't matter whether any of us thinks it's too much. It matters only what you think.
MM
Ajapses
Gold Supporting Member
ERB's are great as long as they're played like basses. Remember what Bluto did to that folksinger's guitar in Animal House. When I hear a bass sounding like that it makes me want to go all 'El KaBong' on it. Just my opinion.
I never played anything but 4s. Rondo music had SX 6-strings on sale for $99 earlier this year, so I bought one. Great way to get your feet wet, its heavy and had major fret sprout but after a little filing and a few mods, it's very playable.
I like 6's for a variety of reasons. 6's make my fretting hand moves less when I'm playing more "typical" bass lines. I do a lot of 2-handed tapping and chords...soloist work, and they (6's) do really well for that. Same goes for sweep arpeggios.
All of that is from past experience. I'm currently without a 6, though working to remedy that via an Ibanez BTB1406E.
If any of that sounds like a good idea, you might be a candidate for a 6.
All of that is from past experience. I'm currently without a 6, though working to remedy that via an Ibanez BTB1406E.
If any of that sounds like a good idea, you might be a candidate for a 6.
This Gary Willis quote is referring to fretless 6 strings, but I think his point about the sound of a high C is valid IRT fretted basses too.
"I'm compelled give you my opinion about the sound of a fretless C string: It kinda sounds like a cat. And I don't mean that in a good way.
-snip-
Really, except for the 5 extra half steps that don't exist on the G string, every other available note on a C string sounds much better if it's played on the G string. So, if you can get over the sound problem, is it really an advantage? If I find myself unable to finish an idea because it includes notes above the high G then I'm usually able to get to that note with false harmonics."
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"I'm compelled give you my opinion about the sound of a fretless C string: It kinda sounds like a cat. And I don't mean that in a good way.
-snip-
Really, except for the 5 extra half steps that don't exist on the G string, every other available note on a C string sounds much better if it's played on the G string. So, if you can get over the sound problem, is it really an advantage? If I find myself unable to finish an idea because it includes notes above the high G then I'm usually able to get to that note with false harmonics."
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If it's comfy for you, why not? String changes will be more expensive and you'll have fewer pickup options. If it's what you like, go for it. I would strongly recommend getting some seat time with one, 5'ers are tricky for me, so I can only image a 6'er would be even more elusive.
And I take the OP question is two fold: Is the extended upper range needed and is the wider neck a problem?
The first has to do with the need for chords, solos and upper register things like that. The answer depends on the music you play. If your band and music is one where the BL is pointing at the players in turn for solos, then 6 strings is it. If your band and music is one where you sit back and manage the groove then a 5er is just fine. I seem to have periods where all I play is 6ers and then others where all I play is 5ers. (I suppose if I were doing a lot of old school a 4 string might even be needed but I haven't been doing that...yet)
As for the wide neck of a 6er, my hands are pretty much normal size. Proper technique makes a 6 string quite manageable. For me there is essentially no difference between playing a 5 or a 6 string regardless. Indeed My Ibby 6ers have narrower necks, but I don't have any problem with the wide necks either. I can say however, my Conklin 7 string (which has pretty wide spacing) is just about my limit of reach. I do not think I could do one more string making an 8. If I wanted that I'm afraid my technique might have to change to a more of a tapping mode. Thus, even if your hands are small, it seems to me that a 6 string bass should be quite reachable. However, developing proper technique and practicing enough to get used to a wide neck is still essential to the whole thing.
By the way, one important thing about a 6 string is damping. You'll have to learn to use your thumb to damp more than one string. The old "use the B string as a thumbrest" that works for a 5er comes up short on a 6 string. Look up "floating thumb technique".
