Question on Six String Bass

[Amerlilio14]

I've been a professional bassist for years now as a 4 and 5 string bassist, and I am going to transition to six string because because I love their depth and tone. But I've seen a lot of sixes that have wide necks while some have slimmer necks. Does the size of the neck change anything? The tone? Thank you

 

[David McIntire]

I originally went to six string because a big hero of mine at the time did. I worked at a store at the time and got to go to NAMM, and also talked with big builders of the time. And read all my heroes' words that I could find. Almost all agreed, told me, etc, that mass equaled tone, sustain, and affected other things as well. I grew up believing it, believing I experienced it, and still believe that way. I went after basses with mass, and Six String basses had more. I also preferred wide spacing at the bridge. And bigger bodies, necks and headstocks.

Not all believe as I do. And today, with the improvement of electronics and construction techniques, maybe mass isn't as big of a deal as it seemed to be back when. But I still prefer my basses have a little weight to them. I've gone back to 5s, now. But I still play Big 5s. My main is a Jazz 5 that weighs a little over 11lbs.

 

[Watchootognbout]

No.
Not really.
Wider spacing,at least for me,makes it easier to slap.
If you're into slap.
Plus you don't have to fret on the extreme finger tips.

My basses are both 19mm (.750 inch)spacing.

 

[dcgbass]

When I first transitioned to a six string bass my main concern was for the two outer strings to have the same splicing I had with my 4 string bass. I purchased Fodera #7 and it fit that bill. I believe, if you are used to a spacing on your 4 string, that same spacing over 6 will help you to transition easily.
Hope this helps

Link Removed

 

[Marty Forrer]

18mm string spacing at the bridge works for me, but I don't want anything less.

 

[Watchootognbout]

I've acquired a sixer with .625(15 mm) spacing!
G Style six string?

 

[FretlessMainly]

Does the size of the neck change anything? The tone?

Tone? Perhaps a small bit due to neck mass, but the main issue is string spacing. In that context, the size of the neck doesn't really change anything from an ergonomic perspective; rather, it keeps it more or less the same.