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What's so great about 6 strings?

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#81
What it really boils down to, is that the original question should not be, "Why are 5s or 6s better?" The question should be, "Why are 5's and 6's better for those of you who play them?"

I just started playing again two years ago after a 14 year hiatus (mid 80's). That was about when the 5's started to become more popular.

When I started playing again, I couldn't understand why bass players needed 6 or 7 strings. I thought it was some kind of cheap manhood statement. I also thought that the guys playing them were frustrated guitarists.

Now that I have been playing for about two years again, I've had the opportunity to play some 5's and 6's. I like them, they don't feel too bulky to me, and I like the idea of not having to run up and down the fingerboard so frequently. It actually feels more comfortable for me than a 4. I have small hands (make any joke you want but I'm not going there), but I don't have to stretch my fingers on a 5 or a 6 like I do on a 4.

I'm no great player. I'm not Patucci, Claypool or any of those other great multistringed bassists, but I feel that I can handle a 5 or a 6 comfortably. I'm not trying to make a statement or trying to look better than I am. I just want an instrument that I feel comfortable with.

So go and get yourself a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or even a 12 if it feels good to you. Don't let anyone tell you what you SHOULD be playing. That's down right close minded and stupid.
 
#82
Originally posted by Bassmanbob
What it really boils down to, is that the original question should not be, "Why are 5s or 6s better?" The question should be, "Why are 5's and 6's better for those of you who play them?"

I just started playing again two years ago after a 14 year hiatus (mid 80's). That was about when the 5's started to become more popular.

When I started playing again, I couldn't understand why bass players needed 6 or 7 strings. I thought it was some kind of cheap manhood statement. I also thought that the guys playing them were frustrated guitarists.

Now that I have been playing for about two years again, I've had the opportunity to play some 5's and 6's. I like them, they don't feel too bulky to me, and I like the idea of not having to run up and down the fingerboard so frequently. It actually feels more comfortable for me than a 4. I have small hands (make any joke you want but I'm not going there), but I don't have to stretch my fingers on a 5 or a 6 like I do on a 4.

I'm no great player. I'm not Patucci, Claypool or any of those other great multistringed bassists, but I feel that I can handle a 5 or a 6 comfortably. I'm not trying to make a statement or trying to look better than I am. I just want an instrument that I feel comfortable with.

So go and get yourself a 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or even a 12 if it feels good to you. Don't let anyone tell you what you SHOULD be playing. That's down right close minded and stupid.
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Good post. Pretty much how I feel. I just do not like the feel of 4s compared to a 6.

Geoff
 
#83
Originally posted by Bruce Lindfield
S = Eb
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Not quite right. In German, Eb is only pronounced "s", but it's spelled "Es".

If you have a "sharp" note, you add the affix "is" to the note, and if you have a "flat" note, you add the affix "es". If the note it's added to is a vowel, the "e" is dropped, but the "i" isn't.

Therefore, Ab is "As", G# is "Gis", "A#" is "Ais", E# is "Eis" and "Eb" is "Es".
 
#84
...is when you take a pick, preferrably a Fender "Heavy" gauge, and just strum all six strings (open, NO fretting allowed) real hard ...

"STRUM STRUM STRUM STRUM"
wallbash.gif


...over and over again.

The sound is so much fuller than a wussy little four banger.

;)

(j/k.... I am completely devoid of string-count prejudice)
 
#86
Originally posted by mike_abramowitz
you dont really need a 6 string its way too low, ur fine with 5, i have a 5 and i use my low b not as often as i planned when i bought it i dont c the point to a 6
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How do you mean too low? Usually a 6 goes higher than a 5. I play 5 and 6. I use the C more than the B, I would say, but then again, I wouldn't give up the B for all the songs I play in Eb and lower. It is really handy there, as to me, detuning a 4 that low sounds bad.

Geoff
 
#87
I play a five mainly but I hear some six string players that actually sound quite good. I'm thinking Haslip, Adam Nitti, AJ and some of the stuff Patitucci's done although I don't like his sound. Ihave yet to hear a seven string played well though. The closest I've come so far is some of the stuff Melvin Lee Davis plays on his second solo disc. His Smith sounds good, even in the higher registers. The other stuff I've heard including Dickens and Haslip on a seven doesn't do it for me, some of it sounds outright ridiculous. To me it seems like it's difficult to find a sound that works well across the whole range withound sound too thin on C and F strings. Can anyone recommend anything that sounds good played on a seven?

Ozellman
 
#90
Originally posted by Dave Grossman
There is a limit to how many strings you can effectively put on a bass. Nine is about the practical limit. I don't see any point in having more than nine strings on a bass. Ten is just too much. I don't see why anybody would need ten. They must be compensating for something.

- Dave
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Reggie Wooten's gonna getcha, Dave! :eek:
Invalid Link Removed
 
#91
Originally posted by mike_abramowitz
as about my last post i said too low because ive seen 6 strings that have a lower string besides b, people put whatever they desire on it, i think though the low a is the lowest u really would ever have to go, just downtune a 5 string
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I have never seen a 6 with a low F#, though I am sure they exist. All of them that I have seen had a high C above G.

Why would low A be the lowest usable note?

Geoff
 
#92
Originally posted by ozellman
I play a five mainly but I hear some six string players that actually sound quite good. I'm thinking Haslip, Adam Nitti, AJ and some of the stuff Patitucci's done although I don't like his sound. Ihave yet to hear a seven string played well though. The closest I've come so far is some of the stuff Melvin Lee Davis plays on his second solo disc. His Smith sounds good, even in the higher registers. The other stuff I've heard including Dickens and Haslip on a seven doesn't do it for me, some of it sounds outright ridiculous. To me it seems like it's difficult to find a sound that works well across the whole range withound sound too thin on C and F strings. Can anyone recommend anything that sounds good played on a seven?

Ozellman
Click to expand...

Check out our own John Turner, with his band Lordonly. He has a link to one of their mp3's in his signature.
 
#93
I have a really small wiener. A big six string bass helps me compensate for my otherwise inadequate endowment. Sucks to be me.



That's what's "so good" about a 6 string.





:D

Actually I'm thinking of a Brice 6 for playing chords on. The 6 string helps with chords since they don't sound very good low -low- down, the C string comes in handy.
 
#96
Most of you 6 string guys that have responded state that the 6's are good for chords. I haven't purchased a 6 yet but was seriously considering a 6.

Are chords about the only thing you guys use the high C string for? If so, I may reconsider a 6 and get a 5. Do you guys who play 6's also use the high string for doing runs or riffs? Or do you feel that the sound of the C string is too thin to be effective for a higher bass line?

Your responses are appreciated. (6 players only please.)
 
#97
Originally posted by Bassmanbob
Are chords about the only thing you guys use the high C string for?
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No.

Originally posted by Bassmanbob
Do you guys who play 6's also use the high string for doing runs or riffs?
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Yes, the extended range is nice for this.

Originally posted by Bassmanbob
Or do you feel that the sound of the C string is too thin to be effective for a higher bass line?

Your responses are appreciated. (6 players only please.)
Click to expand...

The typically 'thinner' character of the C string is actually a nice contrast to the lower register...

b
 
#98
Originally posted by Bassmanbob
Most of you 6 string guys that have responded state that the 6's are good for chords. I haven't purchased a 6 yet but was seriously considering a 6.

Are chords about the only thing you guys use the high C string for? If so, I may reconsider a 6 and get a 5. Do you guys who play 6's also use the high string for doing runs or riffs? Or do you feel that the sound of the C string is too thin to be effective for a higher bass line?

Your responses are appreciated. (6 players only please.)
Click to expand...

I really don't play a lot of chords on my 6. I really like it for keeping a lot of notes in one position. On my 6, the C is very even with the other strings. I don't find it to be thinner at all. It is 33.25" scale C string though, maybe on some longer scales it is thinner sounding.

Geoff
 
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