Swirching from 4 string !

IMHO play what bass you want to play. I like having a 4 and a 5. John Turner went from 4 to 7

 

I went from 4 to 6, but I keep coming back to the four, even though I kept the six. I will probably only use it when Low B is needed.

 

if you make a switch you will probably get screwed up by it. why get screwed up 2 or three times by going 4...5..6...7..etc. why not just have one period of time when you are messed up just go from 4-9. get it all overwith

 

If 6 is what you want to play then go for it. It will be hard at first but it will get easier with practice.

 

I went from 0 to 4 and I'm still having trouble

-robert

 

HI! Do a search!

 

Just get however many strings you want. Put the four-string back in it's case and stick it in the closet. Forget you have the fourbanger for a couple months and force yourself to learn your way around the extra strings.

When I play tunes on my five that I originally learned on the four, I rarely use the B-string. But songs I've learned since getting the fiver, I use the B a lot. Even if the song has no notes below the low E, I play E, F, F#, and G on the B-string more than I play them on the E-string. I've just had my first five-string for about five months after playing fours exclusively for about eighteen years. And I'm lovin' the five.

 

I went from a 4 to a 6, no major problems. I gigged with it three days after I bought it. YMMV. If you want to play a 6, get a 6. No need to 'work your way up'.

 

I'd just go for whatever you want. I went from 4's to 5's. I then bought a six I messed with for a bit but decided 5 was it for me. When I window shop for basses now (constantly) I don't look at anything other than 5's.

It takes some adjustment but it's doable.

 

Personally I think a 6 is good for people who either wanna (A) Be able to reach every note in the first 5 or 6 frets without stretching your arm on a 4 string or (B) Look cool and start doing fancy solo tecniques like the guy from Dream Theatre or others. Basically a person could just switch to a short scale if they didn't like stretching their arm out. I still play 4 and I know of countless professionals who play 4 or 5 string.

 

I went from 4 to 5 to 4 to 6 to 4. But the 6-bangers aren't that hard, you just have to remember two more strings worth...and its not bad, I'm sure you'll recognize the pattern!



P.S. I have a very nice 6-string for sale! (the neck is way too thin for my wrist to handle, with tendonitis and all). If chance ever presents itself to me, I might get another 6-string, but with a baseball bat neck.

 

I just switched from 4 to 6 about a month ago. I had no problem making the switch, and I sold my 4. I got used to it in about 3 days, and the large neck was never a problem for me (I actually prefer it over the narrower necks on 4s). if you want a 6, get a 6. I find that a 6 suits my style much better than a 4, and if that's the way you feel, then deffinitely go for it

 

I too switched from 4 to 6 recently. It really isn't a huge deal. I did make sure to take lots of time auditioning the bass and getting comfortable with it before I made the move to a 6, but I really find it was worth it. The pattern is pretty easy, and if you've ever played guitar you'll feel quite at home.

It does take a little getting used to, since it is kind of easy to mix up which string is which, but it doesn't take many hours to get the feel for the 6. You'll probably find yourself being more creative, and it certainly helps give you more to do with one hand position on the neck. Try out a 4 after playing the 6 for awhile, and you'll miss the extra two strings.

 

I know what you are saying, I'm thinking of going for 4's now for a little while, and I'll miss the other 2 strings...but oh well. I'll manage. And gee do I wish that P-Basses had 24 frets, instead of 20...grr. My Modulus is a 24 fret 6-banger...loss of notes

 

I went from 4 to 6 also. What I did was first get used to the middle 4 strings, and play everything the way I used to on a 4. I've found an occasional use for the low B and high C keeps creeping in, and I'm gradually getting the hang of it.

There are certain right-hand things I cannot do on my 6, which is why I think I'll always have a 4, but I love my 6, nonetheless.