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What happened to 6 strings?
- Thread starter uaudio
- Start date
Here's what I've learned about music and bass in general. The bass holds it's own in doing it's role but isn't it great when you can take an instrument to the next level and not let stupid little quirks like the definition of an instrument's role in music detain you from expressing yourself musically? People, music should never be refrained from growing and developing nor should the instruments it's played on.
There's the rub... I don't noodle. I play.
And if you actually look at what notes are on a high C string, a weird thing happens... you find that many of them are the same in timbre as the same note on the G string.
Then again, it's a bass. Who needs a G string? Or a D for that matter? Or an A...
BTW many notes on what we call a guitar fall into the range of a bass. Apparently what we need is a fence.
Slippery slope time.
There are a few reasons to play them on a C. Can you guess any of them?
If you really think about it, it shouldn't be hard.
they're called positions, buddy. if you ain't usin em play the ****in' kazoo.
I didn't say anything to the extent you'll never make a dime with a 6er.
Talking about his comments on my height. Apparently he's a gnome.
Talking about his comments on my height. Apparently he's a gnome.
Crap, so am I.
- Apr 1, 2000
- 17,398
- 9,830
- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Roscoe Guitars, DR Strings, Aguilar Amplification
There's your problem -you're thinking about playing an instrument. I'm playing music.
The 6-string electric bass should (honestly, already!) be NO BIG DEAL by now. Anthony Jackson discovered this great instrument a long time ago, and it is part of the bassist's world now. I love playing them, and I love my Fender Jazz. I think people that diss them need to find a better hobby, and in the same breath I say, so should those that think they are superior just because they have 2 more strings!
Not overplaying is important, but even more crucial- making MUSIC is the goal, whatever instrument you happen to play.
Not overplaying is important, but even more crucial- making MUSIC is the goal, whatever instrument you happen to play.
"Number of strings" doesn't matter. A "great bass line", that's what matters. Playing what is right for the song, whether it is 3 notes or chordal changes with a tapped melody over top.
If I want to drive from Austin to Los Angeles, I could choose to drive in a luxury car, a economy car, an SUV, or a sports car....heck, I could even choose to go on a motorcycle. All of them will still get me there, albeit some "faster", some with greater "comfort levels", and some with better "economy". What matters is that they all get you to your destination...everything else is "personal preference".
If I want to drive from Austin to Los Angeles, I could choose to drive in a luxury car, a economy car, an SUV, or a sports car....heck, I could even choose to go on a motorcycle. All of them will still get me there, albeit some "faster", some with greater "comfort levels", and some with better "economy". What matters is that they all get you to your destination...everything else is "personal preference".
I've often heard this as an excuse from those who are against ERB- that people get 6+ string basses just to look cool. Here's the thing though- who looks cool using a six-string?
I do, in facts I only play 6'er because they tend to highlight my sexy eyes and pecs.
What about the bands that can't find a good lead guitarist, like Spinal Tap. Can you image what "Big Bottoms" would sound like with a guitar? HIDEOUS!!
You're right, but Nigel was a great lead man. The band just needed that FAT tone for that song. Without the 3 bass sound it would have been "slightly husky bottoms" and no one would have cared.
