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My First 6-string

#21
Demonator said:
Anytime I play a 5 string I stop feeling like a bassist. Most recently I was playing a 5 at the mall, some odd Ibanez and I thought "wow this doesnt feel right". I get the point of a 5 all that "extended range" but a 6? I dont get it.
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Yeah, but you think that nothing even comes close to Dean guitars, so I'm sure you don't get a lot of things :D :D j/k
 
#22
Hahahaha thats true man. Nothing will ever come close. But Why play a six? I wouldnt touch one, I would feel like a... guitarist..

I'm not trying to insult anyone. Im not trying to start a war, I just dont get it. A few of my favorite bass players have used 5 and 6 string basses. Dan Briggs uses a 6 string wick and hes amazing. I guess I just have it stuck in my head that anything with 5 or more strings is not a bass.
 
#23
Whether you're using a 4, 5, or 6-string, you are still using a guitar. A bass guitar. A 6-string goes lower than a 4- if anything, a 4 is far less of a "real" bass if you're going in terms of low notes. No one thinks someone is less of a saxophone player if you use an alto sax instead of a tenor sax- no need to invent that sort of stilted mindset when it comes to bass guitars.
 
#25
Demonator said:
I never thought of it that way.. Then why is it I dont like them? I have only played a few 5's, it was just weird.
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It's probably just as simple as that- you don't like the way they feel. That could be because you haven't taken a lot of time to get used to them (it can take weeks to months for some) or you could simply prefer the feel of a 4. Nothing wrong with that.
 
#28
Demonator said:
I never thought of it that way.. Then why is it I dont like them? I have only played a few 5's, it was just weird.
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Hey. People are just comfy with what they are used to! Personally when I play a 4 string I feel like I'm trying to play a Lute or something from the middle ages. Why would anyone want to limit their range like that? Why would anyone CHOSE to constantly shoot up and down the neck when you can just lay back and finger right across it? What would I do if I wanted some low notes? Reach my foot over for a bass synth? What if I wanted some high chords? Hey there are people who do play chords on a Fender and get them sounding great but I'll tell you right now you really have to know what you are doing.

The bottom line is I really can't understand why anyone would ever CHOOSE to play a 4 string without a full 24 frets. What are they thinking? ALL "real" basses do what a 4 does and more! So I don't think you've given us any valid reason for playing a 4 yet.

But I'll give you one for playing something more than a 4. When we stick in the same old rut we get comfortable. But the problem is after a while one also gets stale. And your music gets stale too. The only way out of that is to shake up your thinking with something new that forces you into new ways. Sometimes it fewer strings, sometimes it's more strings. Sometimes it's a trip back to your old school roots and sometimes it's an avant garde trip to the future. Point is that music is art. And art is about creativity and creativity is about coming up with NEW things. It's that simple.
 
#29
Fullmetal said:
So I've been playing alot more progressive stuff thanks to Dream Theater, and using the higher end as well as the low-B on my 5 alot more. Since I have a 4 and a 5 (each for different styles), I was considering buying a 6 so I had full range.

I was going to try out some 6-strings at my local store (if they have any) and get a feel for it. I am trying to get hold of an Ibanez SR506, as I own an SR705. My 4 string bass is also Ibanez, and I love the slim necks because they are so much easier to play.

However, if anyone can suggest any other decent 6-strings for me to try out/buy at around the same price (about £400 / $650).

Many thanks.
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I think the Ibanez sr506 is an excellent value and a GREAT instrument. I have had one for almost three years now. I will never need to buy another 6 string bass.
It does everything I ever need it to do and the mk-1 pickups are nice and full sounding.
When I went looking for a 6 string bass, I saw this one hanging on the wall at Sam Ash, it didn't have a price tag on it. I picked it up and started playing it and I thought, oh this thing is gonna cost an arm and a leg. I played it for a little while and put it back and played a few other 6 string basses that didn't even come close to that one.

So I reluctantly asked the sales person how much it was. I could not believe my ears when he quoted me around $600. I never reached for wallet so fast in my life! HAHAHA

You will not regret owning this bass!

Happy shopping!

Craig
 

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