Six string stigma?

[Bassist4Eris]

people instantly believe you have monster chops

True story: I was recently at a jam, and there was another bassist there. I opened my case, and before I even played a note, he said "I'm not as good a bassist as you". I asked him why he would say that, and he said it was because I played a sixer. Then he opened his case and pulled out a 4-string. An unlined fretless 4-string. And then it was my turn to sweat.

If bringing the six to the audition costs you the gig, consider that a bullet dodged, because there's probably plenty more stupid where that comes from.

^This.

 

[Riff Ranger]

I think I know what doom music is, but what's stoner music?

Think doom, but more rock than metal. More skateboards.

 

[Manticore]

I've brought my six to virtually every gig since I bought it in '92. There used to be quite a bit of a reaction from others when I pulled it out, but very rarely does it happen now. Once in a great while someone I've not played with before may comment on bringing a six instead of something else; not a negative comment, just an expression of surprise. Such comments always come before downbeat, never during or after a gig.

 

[Watchootognbout]

The stigma that a lot 6 strings carry is that not only do they have 6 strings, they're almost always coffee table basses, hippie sandwiches, or whatever you want to call them. Those basses are definitely out of style right now.

Oh...now I wouldn't say that......

 

[matante]

Oh...now I wouldn't say that......View attachment 3568361

I love a coffee table bass as much as anyone, believe me, but it's an objective fact that they're out of style. (Actually, I'm not sure they've ever really been in style.)

 

[Watchootognbout]

I love a coffee table bass as much as anyone, believe me, but it's an objective fact that they're out of style. (Actually, I'm not sure they've ever really been in style.)

Depends on who you roll with.

Frankly I've never been a slave to popular trends.
Especially for the "traditional" or pointy Metal bass trends.

 

[chris_b]

Does a stigma still exist against six string basses? All those years I played one, other musicians would give me weird looks when I pulled it out of the case, often expecting me to play too many notes. I was playing some heavy stoner doom on a six and that scene all expected vintage four strings. Do people give you a hard time for playing a six?

I don't play 6's but in over 20 years of playing 5 string basses I have have received plenty of positive comments and never heard a single negative remark about my basses. So in the circles I mix in I would expect the same acceptance of 6 strings.

If a bandleader wants something specific, and you want the gig, I guess you'd better have what he wants, other than that in my experience people are less judgemental these days.

The only string prejudice I see is on the internet. Life is too short to worry about other peoples lack of imagination. Choose the best bass for you and play it well enough to make everyone smile.

 

[Spent]

I'm having difficulty getting past the Steve Bailey part, must have been a great experience. That being said, I've been playing a six string for the past three years and have not even detected a hint of a stigma. As previously mentioned, it may be the location, I live in an area with a wide variety of musicians. I bought a Yamaha TRBX 5 on a whim a few years ago and it became my main home practice bass; I've always maintained that Yamaha basses punch above their weight. The six I have is a Carvin LB76w, which I consulted @BassCliff on and got sage advice. I absolutely love the bass.

 

[Dincrest]

Maybe it's because I listen to my fair share of "extreme" metal, but 6-strings seem rather common in bands like

Rivers of Nihil:

Archspire:

Tessitura:

I myself have dabbled with the 6-string and give my props to those who can wield them well. They are super cool, but not for me. 5-string is home for me.

 

[alembicbones]

I owned a Modulus Q6 for some 7 - 8 years. It was a fantastic bass. However, I think I was a bit over my skis with it. I played it at a fair number gigs but I don't particularly think it was the right tool for the music I was playing. It wouldn't surprise me if certain people in the audience were turned off by it.

Bones

 

[Rojd]

I think I know what doom music is, but what's stoner music?

Orange Goblin
Atomic Bitchwax

 

[juggahnaught]

other musicians would give me weird looks when I pulled it out of the case

shag 'em.

Do what you want, man. The solid truth is, if you can play, it doesn't really matter what you play.

Go buy your bass and post some pictures here after you've picked it up!

 

[John Bess]

Doom/stoner stuff's peculiar brand bigotry really turns me off (and my original music would probably be classified somewhere in that realm). If somebody in that scene sees that you're not playing a beat-up Fender or Gibson into a Sunn (O))) rig older than you are, there's a ridiculously high chance they're going to pass on even hearing what you actually sound like. I can only see this keeping the scene small, derivative, unfriendly, and focused on style rather than substance. Snobbery doesn't help with anything except keeping more people from discovering more music.

This! You hit the nail on the head.

 

[John Bess]

I'm having difficulty getting past the Steve Bailey part, must have been a great experience.

Man, I lucked out. He had just started at MI when I got there. Only him and Tim Bogert were playing rock on a six string. That's what I wanted to do, not study jazz.
It was a gift getting to hear his insights on harmony and him honing my technique that first year playing the six. It totally shaped me as a musician.

 

[higain617]

It doesn't matter what you play as long as you don't play Steve Perry's "Oh Sherry" on it.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Jaco only needed four.
"Flim"only needed five.
Anthony only needed six!

What do you need?
Why So Many Strings?

 

[Gothic]

Used to have a six. Really, really liked it and made me a better player, what with muting and correct hand position etc. People (in bands) commented first on the ironing board fretboard but other than that, no real stigma. Sure, most admitted they expected excessive noodling just by the looks of it but it's up to the player, not the tool. They get over it pretty quicky if you don't start playing all over the high C.
I did, however, enjoy trolling guitarists by playing approximations of their solos in between songs (in rehearsals). Gotta establish dominance somehow! heheh

 

[iTzPrime]

I regularly play a six and usually get comments of surprise. I haven't experienced Any negativity. I love how Billy Sheehan puts it. He is a Monster. Could certainly play a 5, 6 or 7 but chooses to play four string. His attitude is "so long as you're getting the notes you want..."
What a great attitude! Live and let live! But hopefully it is working for YOU.
(BTW when i play a four, i Never feel the instrument is lacking Anything!...In the grand scheme, 4, 5, 6 or 7? Doesn't really matter-but choose what gets Your goat and enjoy it!...)

I really like Billy Sheehans attitude (his bass too ). He also is an advocate of not being pressured to learn a special technique or not use a pick. Really cool guy and phenomenal bass player.

 

[Kro]

I love a coffee table bass as much as anyone, believe me, but it's an objective fact that they're out of style. (Actually, I'm not sure they've ever really been in style.)

I dunno, @matante my memory is that they were pretty popular right around when we first joined TB back in the early 2000s... along with extended range basses. While currently out of popular favor, I think the pendulum may be starting to swing back.

Let's just face it, bass choice is an element of style, and like it or not, what you play is going to say something about you (accurate or not). One can either use it to their advantage, or can have some fun breaking down stereotypes once the music starts playing.

 

[dBChad]

While musicians like to present themselves as highly creative people, they can be alarmingly close minded. Just like all generalized statements, that's not 100% the case: some musicians will actually care more about what you bring to the group creatively than the tools you use to get there. Those musicians are much more fun to work with.

My 6 quickly became my main, while I bring a 5 for backup. I can play longer if I'm not pumping the neck like a shotgun. Also, playing in t 3 piece, I have more room in the mix. Sometimes I get really froggy and put a capo on a 6 string! It's not a common practice, but it lets me ride a root and play chords without having an 11 inch long sixth finger surgically attached to my fretting hand.

Any musicians giving you grief over your gear aren't the kind you want to play with unless they're willing to buy you the gear they want you to play.