no. of strings

wotnwhy · Nov 28, 2001

I am considering buying a new bass, I have been playing for two years and use a 4 string yamaha (RBX 260). I havent come up with a budget yet (but nothing above 1000 pounds (about $1750 U.S) unless it's a deal of the century type thing) and now onto the problem.

the band i'm in plays mostly punk and rock and one of my bandmates suggested getting a 5 or 6 string, so my questions are:

1. are the extra strings higher or lower than the original 4?

2. what are the advantages of extra stings?

3. what are the disadvantages? (i tried out a 5 string in my local shop and I wasn't very good because i kept missing the strings due to the different spacing)

4. do they cost a lot more and do you think it's worth it?

thanx for any advice you can give

Si-bob · Nov 28, 2001

a normal 4 string is strung EADG
a 5 string is usually strung BEADG but can be EADGC (like mine)
a 6 string is usually BEADGC, but again can have any different combinations (eg EADGCF)

the advantage (in theory) is that u can be more versatile and have more notes at your disposal. the disadvantages are, like u mentioned, u gotta get used to those etc strings, and it takes a good player to use those strings with taste.

to be honest with u, if your playing mostly punk and rock i can't see any need for you to have a 6 string, of course u may want to break the mould and add a chordal solo in a bad religion song

i say either stick with a 4, or maybe experiment with a cheap(ish) 5 string, obviously strung BEADG.

*Si*

Oysterman · Nov 28, 2001

Originally posted by wotnwhy
1. are the extra strings higher or lower than the original 4?

On a 5, you usually have a lower B in addition to the four regular strings. On a 6, a low B and high C is the most common configuration. But you can tune them anyway you like to, with no or a few modifications to the instrument.

2. what are the advantages of extra stings?

If you play in a situation where you have to transpose songs to other keys often, having a 5 or 6 will usually make these transpositions easier - all you have to do is move your left hand to another position, and you're pretty much set, regardless of which key the song was transposed to. Some more complex lines could also be easier to play with more strings, so you don't have to "jump around" with your fretting hand. A 5+-string bass can also be more useful for chordal playing than a 4.

3. what are the disadvantages? (i tried out a 5 string in my local shop and I wasn't very good because i kept missing the strings due to the different spacing)

There are 5-strings (and 6-strings) which have the same spacing as a regular 4 (3/4" or 19 mm at the bridge). Some think tighter spacing is nicer to play, some prefer the standard spacing. It's all about what feels right to you, but even if it doesn't feel right now a slightly tighter or broader spacing it shouldn't take too much time to get used to. The more strings you have the more attention you will have to pay to your technique, since there are more strings to mute and your fretting hand wrist might take some damage if you use it the wrong way. It's no biggie though, and with a bit of practice and discipline a 5 or 6 shouldn't be harder to play than the 4 is to you now. Slapping on a 5+ is in my experience indeed more difficult, though (but Bill Dickens slaps like a maniac on a 9-string so it's not impossible!).

4. do they cost a lot more and do you think it's worth it?

Usually a 5- or 6-string version of a model costs a bit more than the 4-string version of the same model. If they're worth having is all up to you, no one else should tell you that. Especially not your bandmates.

thanx for any advice you can give

You're welcome!
Click to expand...

Oysterman · Nov 28, 2001

Bob won the race.

wotnwhy · Nov 28, 2001

thanx for the help guys

P.S where u from oysterman?

Si-bob · Nov 28, 2001

aye, i did win th e race, but u got some better points

i think team-work wins the day....

oh yes, i can pile on the cheeseyness

gotta chip, chrsitmas shopping beckons
*Si*

Oysterman · Nov 28, 2001

Originally posted by wotnwhy
P.S where u from oysterman?
Click to expand...

<------ Lookee.

wotnwhy · Nov 28, 2001

o ye

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