What happened to 6 strings?

[BassBob1]

I have tried 5 strings several times and they never get much use so they end up sold. However, i do enjoy fooling around on 6'ers at music stores and would probably play one when just practicing stuff but i couldn't see myself really using one often enough in a band setting.

 

[James Mobius]

It is NOT just 5 more notes. If you are high on the neck doing some descending runs, it saves you from moving position at least once.

well sure, but all the notes on a B string are available on other strings, except the lowest ones, I phrase it that way to encourage those who are intimidated by the idea of an extra string.

 

[conebeckham]

I've been playing primarily 6 string basses since 1988 when I had my first one built. I did buy a Jazz copy a while back, or, actually, it was given to me as a gift--and I love it.

For those who make ridiculous statements about "tapping," "too many strings," and "playing the BASS," well......here's something for ya: d'ya ever notice how playing a C, for instance, on the 8th fret of a low E string sounds "tubbier" than a C on the 3rd fret of the A string? Lots of Reggae players, for example, often play up higher on the neck-because the tone of those notes is fatter. Having Low B And High C strings allows for different timbre.

 

[Roy Vogt]

I've been playing primarily 6 string basses since 1988 when I had my first one built. I did buy a Jazz copy a while back, or, actually, it was given to me as a gift--and I love it.

For those who make ridiculous statements about "tapping," "too many strings," and "playing the BASS," well......here's something for ya: d'ya ever notice how playing a C, for instance, on the 8th fret of a low E string sounds "tubbier" than a C on the 3rd fret of the A string? Lots of Reggae players, for example, often play up higher on the neck-because the tone of those notes is fatter. Having Low B And High C strings allows for different timbre.

I think that's the rationale behind Owen Biddle's 30" scale Callowhill 6 that's in Bass Player this month. He's using flats as well. It did sound really cool with John Legend on Austin City Limits.

 

[dabbler]

I've been playing primarily 6 string basses since 1988 when I had my first one built. I did buy a Jazz copy a while back, or, actually, it was given to me as a gift--and I love it.

For those who make ridiculous statements about "tapping," "too many strings," and "playing the BASS," well......here's something for ya: d'ya ever notice how playing a C, for instance, on the 8th fret of a low E string sounds "tubbier" than a C on the 3rd fret of the A string? Lots of Reggae players, for example, often play up higher on the neck-because the tone of those notes is fatter. Having Low B And High C strings allows for different timbre.

Oh shoot! You just put my "secret" out there for everybody! Now, everybody knows! And in the interest of staying on the OP's topic, I'm mainly a 5 string player myself, but sixers DO have their place... especially when they are passive like this one of mine:

 

[Avalon]

Well, I have not read the whole thread, but it just seeeeems to me, that if you have six strings, then you are probably going to be tuned EADGBE in many cases. So, where is that low B? Well. Well, you gotta have it. So you go right on up to 7 strings. If you go 6, you gotta go to 7.

I can see 5. At 5, you just add the low B. You haven't committed yourself to the full 6 string standard tuning. It's all about these intervals and milestones that we create. Couse, then there's non-standard tuning and all. Go anywhere you want with that.

 

[IntrepidCellist]

Well, I have not read the whole thread, but it just seeeeems to me, that if you have six strings, then you are probably going to be tuned EADGBE in many cases. So, where is that low B? Well. Well, you gotta have it. So you go right on up to 7 strings. If you go 6, you gotta go to 7.

I can see 5. At 5, you just add the low B. You haven't committed yourself to the full 6 string standard tuning. It's all about these intervals and milestones that we create. Couse, then there's non-standard tuning and all. Go anywhere you want with that.

Uh, what? Typically a 6-string bass is tuned BEADGC. Unless it's a Bass VI-type shortscale, which is a rather uncommon bird these days; those go EADGBE.

 

[sayman]

It's all in the hands of the player, to.

 

[groooooove]

theyre not on the classifieds because theyre "in" and nobody wants to sell them

 

[AdagioInJeans]

I got my first bass a few weeks ago. It's a six string. I mostly play classical melodies and I needed the high C for that.

Many of you may say that the additional high C will only give me 5 additional notes, but the truth is, it gives you more than just 5 additional notes. In addition to the added notes, you also get (for a 24 fret bass) 19 existing notes but with a different overtone, and that just for the high C. Add that up with the low B and you get 10 additional notes + 38 new overtones for your existing notes and a new playing option of climbing up and down the different strings instead of crawling the neck.

Most people tell me why I chose a 6 string bass instead of a classical guitar? They also say those stuff like "leave the high notes to the guitar and the violin" or "You have a bass, play it like how it should be! Go for the low notes". Again it's all about timbre. Sure, I can play Bach's Air on a classical guitar and it is easier (I tried that) but the classical guitar can't give me the same pure tones that the higher frets in the bass can give me.

So my take on this thing is you play whatever instrument that fits the sound you are looking for. Jaco may only need 4 strings, but we don't play the same music.

 

[etechstan]

Just bought one because Sam Ash made me a deal I couldn't pass up. Wasn't even shopping for one. I love it!!

 

[bassbenj]

So my take on this thing is you play whatever instrument that fits the sound you are looking for. Jaco may only need 4 strings, but we don't play the same music.

Which only once again proves the rule: In art there are no rules! People are always trying to fit things into compartments, but once you do someone else comes along and says, yes, but what I do is this...

 

[bassbenj]

Well, I have not read the whole thread, but it just seeeeems to me, that if you have six strings, then you are probably going to be tuned EADGBE in many cases. So, where is that low B? Well. Well, you gotta have it. So you go right on up to 7 strings. If you go 6, you gotta go to 7.

I can see 5. At 5, you just add the low B. You haven't committed yourself to the full 6 string standard tuning. It's all about these intervals and milestones that we create. Cause, then there's non-standard tuning and all. Go anywhere you want with that.

No, guitar tuning for a bass is relatively rare usually used only by guitarists playing bass who want to take advantage of their chord and scales knowledge on a guitar. Standard bass tuning is BEADGC. That gives you extended range below and above. Tuned in 4ths it lets you move patterns and scales all over the neck unchanged. (does NOT happen with guitar tuning!) On a 6 string you have two octaves right across the neck.

A 7 string gives you even more upper range if you need it, but since I just got one, I can tell you it's not just a simple step up from a 6. I seem to be having lots of trouble knowing what to do with the extra string. I can extend the scales easy enough, but I just don't know the notes on the extra string for chords etc.

And I play 5 strings a lot too. It's just a 6 string bass where you aren't using (have no need for at the moment) the extended upper range. If you don't need it, then why bother? But it's basically the same thing. This is where a lot of 4 string players don't get it. A 4 string is NOT like a 6 string. It's a different animal as has been discussed in this thread.

There are lots of variations you can do but it's about more than just a few extra notes.

 

[Avalon]

Standard bass tuning is BEADGC. That gives you extended range below and above. Tuned in 4ths it lets you move patterns and scales all over the neck unchanged. (does NOT happen with guitar tuning!) On a 6 string you have two octaves right across the neck.

Wow. OK. I'm a novice so I'll have to map that out on a fretboard to see what you mean. Good to know in case I ever get past just playing from tabs.

 

[Altitude]

I've got one six string bass, one four string bass, and 4 or 5 five string basses.

The six is an awesome bass. I think that the only reason to play a six string is when you have the opportunty to contribute in a musical situation as a soloist - otherwise, the upper register and the timbre of the C string don't work well in the way a bass needs to work well. I have an original project where I get a solo here and there, I've developed some degree of competency doing that over the years, and so sometimes I play the six in that band.

I play the six for me though, not for the music. Playing it makes me feel like John Patitucci. It makes me feel like I know something other bass players don't. I like to think that the register it plays in catches people's ear more than another bass. But I am probably fooling myself.

In order to play the six effectively, I have to focus on it regularly for a while. If I don't, if I play other basses and then come back around to the six, I trip over the extra string too much and end up playing a lot of things up a fourth from where they should be. So, ultimately, it's a little bit of novelty for me.

I don't get the issue with five strings, though. To me, the B string is added utility within the context of a bass' normal musical role. It can be used to good effect in any musical situation and is wonderfully helpful when playing with horn players who like playing in Eb, Bb, and Ab. I don't understand why a player wouldn't prefer one over a four.