- Dec 21, 2007
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- Lark in the Morning Instructional Videos; Audix Microphones
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A six string fretless is a move I am considering. What’s left of my band is now officially a three piece, the guitar player has asked for me to fill in more space. I may do a sixer or start playing keys. Haven’t done that in a while!
Scientists say yes!
In this case the scientists are just me, 1 person. Go for it!
In this case the scientists are just me, 1 person. Go for it!
This is the point that I think a lot of '4 only' players miss. If you're in a traditional rock / pop / funk style band an ERB may not be a lot of use, except for allowing you to play in different positions and more across rather than along the neck. My one, very limited gig at the moment is accompanying 2 girls who play acoustics and sing, beautifully. As they're strummers, I provide the melody and playing up into the guitar range can fill out the sound markedly.
There’s a 19 string fretless bass on Amazon. That’ll save you all the steps to a 7, 8, 9, etc… It must weigh about 40 lbs. and has three pickups just to cover all the strings.
https://www.amazon.com/Wuyuana-Electric-Rosewood-Fingerboard-Fretless/dp/B096ZKSFH6
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I just got over buying the first 5 string I bought in 30 years after swearing I'd never get another and now you wanna throw a 6 at me, too?
But seriously, I've flirted with 6's before. I do enjoy playing them when I pick one up. But then I think to myself, "What do I want to do on it?" and I'd rather play a 4 string up high when I want those higher notes, and the higher notes that a 4 won't get, I really don't want, anyway. I don't always stick to the bottom by any means, and I'm not at all against the idea of 6 and more string basses. I just don't feel like I've got anything to say with them.
Actually, we get that point just fine. We just prefer the way the notes sound on a 4 when you move your hands in different positions. Plus it looks cool...makes you look like you're busy.
It's a 17, and that's for amateurs.
24 string bass (12 / 2 courses)
24 STRINGS BASS SOLO - YouTube
36 string bass.
36 STRINGS BASS SOLO (World Record) - YouTube
You'll only look like you want to be a guitarist if you play a short-scale (with any number of strings). There's no mistaking a six-string bass for a guitar.
Can't hurt to try a six. I did and I haven't looked back. (I, however, use frets.) People say that inside a six string bass is a five and a four, but the truth is that a six-string bass has two fives inside and three four-strings. They can be really versatile instruments and you can approach them in multiple ways.
They do have their challenges - mainly related to muting - but with a solid floating thumb, you'll be fine. (Harmonics can be another beast, though.)
I'm sure you do, but reading a lot of posts from others, I'm sure they don't; that's why I said 'a lot' rather than all.
For most of the stuff I've played, a B-G 5 would cover everything on the one instrument.
Jaco didn’t need a 6!
But you seem like you’re not Jaco what with you being still alive and such. So give it a shot. If you love it, fantastic. If you don’t love it @B-Mac will buy it.
Right, B? Anyway, have you played a 6 in a shop or elsewhere? Go try one. You won’t know until you do.
Jaco never tried a 6 and look where it got him!
But you seem like you’re not Jaco what with you being still alive and such. So give it a shot. If you love it, fantastic. If you don’t love it @B-Mac will buy it.
Right, B? Anyway, have you played a 6 in a shop or elsewhere? Go try one. You won’t know until you do.
Jaco never tried a 6 and look where it got him!
Depends. If you do a lot of studio work or recording then the answer is no in my book. Unless your technique for muting all the extra strings is impeccable then I would only use the 6 for messing around with chords (which at that point I rather just get a 5 tuned EADGC). Any other sort of studio work where you need to play the role of the bass then I would just grab the 4... 5 IF they ask for it.
My bad. I meant to type 17…
World records don’t last for long, but there has to be a physical limit even with very tight string spacing. I’m guessing 48 will be next, and playing that may exceed most people’s physical limitations. I don’t think I could do it without some serious finger and wrist issues coming from it.
Actually, if you went with 88, you could skip the neck and frets altogether since you’d essentially have all the notes on a piano as open strings.
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I'm a 5 string player and I even avoid the "G". Hate the timbre of it. All Fenderish basses, P, Jazz and G&L L2500. Damn sure don't need a "C".
If you asked me last year, I would have said "a 6 is just too much for my hands". Now though, having become a better musician and playing a lot of 6/7 string guitar its crazy how at home I feel on a 6 now. A 5 feels small, and a 4...well, like a toothpick. I wont be giving my 4s and 5s up, because like another poster said,for a good chunk of my studio work I highly doubt I would take advantage of the extra range. I'm finding that having a giant range is quite liberating in some musical contexts, when it used to be overwhelming and I too am toying with the notion of picking up a fretless 6, but theres absolutely no way it would be unlined.
I started playing (fretted) 6 string 3 1/2 years ago after having been playing for over 30 years. It has been an incredible motivation and learning experience.
Don’t worry about looking like you want to be a guitarist, or anything else for that matter. If you play well no one will give a damn.
I was only having fun there. Davey is nuts and I find his channel funny.
For sure, especially if it was a fairly conventional on call session to play on someone else's work.
Are you able to articulate why?
I’ve been playing a 6 string for the last 2 years and I’m still not sure. For the first months I thought “yes, this is the ultimate bass”. In many ways it’s like a whole different instrument. The wider neck can be uncomfortable. But then I go back to my 4 string and although easier to play, it feels limited. I was close to selling it, but then gave it a good setup and I like it again. But then there’s the C, I just don’t use that much. Maybe a 5 string is the answer. Or BEAD tuning on a regular 4 string. But then the C sounds good while playing some chords. Who knows.
