Nope. Even some contrabasses in symphony orchestras have low C extensions. Believe me, when guest conductors arrive & find that half of their bass players have c extensions, they're very pleased.
Also, in ascending order, celli are an extension of basses, violas are an extension of celli, & ditto for 2cnd violins in relation to violas, & so forth. So you could say a 60 piece string section one big 20-stringed instrument.
Ironically, Brian Bromberg's sensational acid rock style guitar playing (in Bromberg plays Hendrix) is done with 4 string Carvin made guitars (I think) though he calls them piccolo basses. So maybe you're right about more than 4 strings being overkill.
I am finding that trying to cultivate a melodic "singing style" in lieu of playing real fast is harder than I thought, so you're right. Yes, it requires creativity I'm not sure I really have.
I also think a fretless gives a better chance of playing expressively. That's why I am adding a 5th string to my SX fretless. (This is becoming an expensive experiment, modding 3 basses--I should learn to play better first, but having the right sound & the right number of strings does make practicing more fun & inspiring. And I do get to take out the basses & play them for money occasionally.
Actually, I do play in a trio (guitar, drums & me) & that C string enables me to hit a bass note, then follow with a triad, while the guitarist is soloing & things otherwise sound sparse. Without the C string there'd be no triad, just a double stop at best.
After hearing John Patatucci on his six string Yamaha I was sold on having a C string. Also, Dominique di Piazza's work on his 5 string with John McLaughlin made me think in terms of a bass guitar having to have a c string.
I guess that might be my ultimate advise to the OP. Who are your influences? Who do you want to emulate?
Also, in ascending order, celli are an extension of basses, violas are an extension of celli, & ditto for 2cnd violins in relation to violas, & so forth. So you could say a 60 piece string section one big 20-stringed instrument.
Ironically, Brian Bromberg's sensational acid rock style guitar playing (in Bromberg plays Hendrix) is done with 4 string Carvin made guitars (I think) though he calls them piccolo basses. So maybe you're right about more than 4 strings being overkill.
I am finding that trying to cultivate a melodic "singing style" in lieu of playing real fast is harder than I thought, so you're right. Yes, it requires creativity I'm not sure I really have.
I also think a fretless gives a better chance of playing expressively. That's why I am adding a 5th string to my SX fretless. (This is becoming an expensive experiment, modding 3 basses--I should learn to play better first, but having the right sound & the right number of strings does make practicing more fun & inspiring. And I do get to take out the basses & play them for money occasionally.
Actually, I do play in a trio (guitar, drums & me) & that C string enables me to hit a bass note, then follow with a triad, while the guitarist is soloing & things otherwise sound sparse. Without the C string there'd be no triad, just a double stop at best.
After hearing John Patatucci on his six string Yamaha I was sold on having a C string. Also, Dominique di Piazza's work on his 5 string with John McLaughlin made me think in terms of a bass guitar having to have a c string.
I guess that might be my ultimate advise to the OP. Who are your influences? Who do you want to emulate?
