Is 6 strings too much?

[Watchootognbout]

Am I the only one here who thinks this thing escaped from an Animusic DVD?

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Pat Metheny's Pikasso Harp Guitar.YOU have too many strings when YOU can't use them.

 

[spade2you]

I had a Yamaha 6 string that you could land planes on and Peavey Cirrus that had real close string spacing that would rub the tops of my fingers raw (right hand picking). I used to switch between a 4, 5 and 6 string bass at every gig but I was just confusing myself. Long story short, I came right back to 4's because it's just easier to find a good one and strings are cheaper.

How so? I have some narrow 6 strings and have never had that problem.

 

[FretNoMore]

Maybe choose strings with a smoother feel?

 

[Doc Mojo]

How so? I have some narrow 6 strings and have never had that problem.

My guess was my technique was bad and when doing slap/ pop my index finger would rub on the adjacent string. It did teach me to start playing on top of the strings. I play with a very soft touch after my carpal surgery.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

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.

There is a pic on the net that Jaco also played a 5 strings ... In a way Fender was the most Advanced modern compagny in the bass world and Jaco played the most modern thing at his time, who knows what he would be playing today.

I think he was a step in our evolution but then we went very far since so it is kinda, you know, a moot point to make. Even saying that Victor Wooten only need 4 strings when he played a 5 with Belà Fleck so yeah. This whole "X needed only X number of strings" is quite stupid IMO. Play what interest you.

If I didn't follow my interest I wouldn't have three 6 strings and playing the music that interest me and not always the cliché bass line.

 

[Clef_de_fa]

I'm sure in the guitar forums the same conversation is going on about 7-string guitars.

I could probably get by with a 3-string bass.... Why don't they make any?

Bottesini did have a 3 strings bass and wrote some concerto for it. You can find a recording of the head DB player of London Orchestra playing one. It isn't a new concept but history decided that 4 strings is the standart even thought it seems that 5 or a 4 with an extension is becoming the standart since so many music require it if you want to play note-for-note

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Actually, Victor deed play 6 string basses

There is a pic on the net that Jaco also played a 5 strings ... In a way Fender was the most Advanced modern compagny in the bass world and Jaco played the most modern thing at his time, who knows what he would be playing today.

I think he was a step in our evolution but then we went very far since so it is kinda, you know, a moot point to make. Even saying that Victor Wooten only need 4 strings when he played a 5 with Belà Fleck so yeah. This whole "X needed only X number of strings" is quite stupid IMO. Play what interest you.

If I didn't follow my interest I wouldn't have three 6 strings and playing the music that interest me and not always the cliché bass line.

 

[Narc_x]

Yes, it is too much

 

[bassbenj]

Yes, it is too much

The answer is to get a 6 string, play it for a while, then get a 4 string and it's like "coming home". Luckily, I haven't returned home yet...

 

[placedesjardins]

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.

The final decision is up to you. Five is too much for me. Seven is like a crazy wide.