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What's so great about 6 strings?
- Thread starter Piezoman
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Son of a biscuit!! A shoulder strap doesn't stand a chance (((sstrreettchh))) *SNAP*
BANG
(one very expensive bass hitting the floor)
Disclaimor: I don't have a 6 string yet, but I've played them in stores to make sure I really want one. I'm hoping to get one for my birthday in September. Personally I think that notes played on the C string sound poor compared to the same notes played high up on the "G" string. That's one reason I've never really liked 6 string basses. And why I love 5 strings. My only interest in buying a 6 string bass is for chordal playing. (See my technique section thread about "chords on a fretless 6"). ... of course compensating for my inadequacies in other areas is also on my mind....
I think you would need to read treble clef to play that "bass". There are more high than low strings!
ill put in my 2cents. basicly some people need to go into lower tunings for jazz or heavy metal. and having an extra lower string makes it so you can stay in regualar tuning so you dont have to drop and then go back to regular for a differnt song. basicly for punk 5-6 is not needed for jazz and some heavy metal i could see the use
I play jazz, heavy metal, punk, oldies and Christian contemporary on my 6. Why not use a 6 for punk? Most of the oldies that I play could be played on a 2 string, but I happen to prefer the 6(most of the time).
i really like my 4 stringer and i never felt no need for anymore strings... most of my favorite players use just 4
then i played a 6 and immediatly wanted one for myself... i need money though... is anyone hiring a lazy bass player whose an expert at watching football AND eating chips, at the same time?...
BTW, look at Jonesy's signature (page 5 on this thread). he has some real cool tapping on a 6 string. when i get my 6 i'd like to play stuff like that... that and its good for compensation (the myth about big hands is false... i have small hands.)
then i played a 6 and immediatly wanted one for myself... i need money though... is anyone hiring a lazy bass player whose an expert at watching football AND eating chips, at the same time?...
BTW, look at Jonesy's signature (page 5 on this thread). he has some real cool tapping on a 6 string. when i get my 6 i'd like to play stuff like that... that and its good for compensation (the myth about big hands is false... i have small hands.)
Andy Brown
Commercial User
- Jul 23, 2004
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Well, since someone dusted this thing (thread) off...
6 > 5
6 > 4
It's a mathematical certainty. Of course, 7 > 6, and 8 > 6 but I just can't handle 'em ~yet~.
6 > 5
6 > 4
It's a mathematical certainty. Of course, 7 > 6, and 8 > 6 but I just can't handle 'em ~yet~.
Heh. Can't believe I never put in my 2¢.
Most importantly: I don't know whether it's Pee-zo or Pee-eye-zo or Pee-a-zo, but it definitely isn't Pye-zo. "ie" at the end of a word has an "I" sound, but in the middle of a word it should have an "E" sound.
As for that other thing: 5 strings is best. For *me*! For the following reasons:
1) I don't need additional range
2) I don't want...
· a wider fretboard, and/or
· narrower string spacing
3) I don't like the feel or tone of C strings
4) given 1, 2, and 3, why should I bother with keeping more strings damped?
Most importantly: I don't know whether it's Pee-zo or Pee-eye-zo or Pee-a-zo, but it definitely isn't Pye-zo. "ie" at the end of a word has an "I" sound, but in the middle of a word it should have an "E" sound.
As for that other thing: 5 strings is best. For *me*! For the following reasons:
1) I don't need additional range
2) I don't want...
· a wider fretboard, and/or
· narrower string spacing
3) I don't like the feel or tone of C strings
4) given 1, 2, and 3, why should I bother with keeping more strings damped?
mark beem
Wait, how does this song start again??
cjazz50 said:
How 'bout a shortscale 4-string tuned C G D A (In fifths
)? Should give pretty much the same range...Just so you have something to think about
Oysterman said:
Not only swedish, also a stupid german tradition.
DZ said:Actually B flat is pronounced in German as an "H."
Nope
l0calh05t said:How 'bout a shortscale 4-string tuned C G D A (In fifths
Just so you have something to think about
wow, I actually have about 45-50 short-scale plywood ABG's tuned C G D A sitting right here... Never thought of playing bass with them though...
j-raj said:wow, I actually have about 45-50 short-scale plywood ABG's tuned C G D A sitting right here... Never thought of playing bass with them though...
Mandolins?
Not quite what I meant... but close
There should be a rule against starting threads that are gearing towards turning us all against each other, or segregating everyone into two categories, the 4, and maybe 5 stringers and everyone else.
Do what you do, the way you want to do it. Let everyone else do what they do, the way they want to do it.
If your a 4-stringer and you need us to tell you why it's so great to be a 5 or 6+ player because you can't make that determination for yourself, then you're just not ready. Why do you need someone else to tell you why it's so great? Can't you make up your own mind? Go to the store and play a 5 or a 6 and see if you like it. Play what you feel is right for you, not what someone else tells you to play.
Do what you do, the way you want to do it. Let everyone else do what they do, the way they want to do it.
If your a 4-stringer and you need us to tell you why it's so great to be a 5 or 6+ player because you can't make that determination for yourself, then you're just not ready. Why do you need someone else to tell you why it's so great? Can't you make up your own mind? Go to the store and play a 5 or a 6 and see if you like it. Play what you feel is right for you, not what someone else tells you to play.
Josh Curry said:
Right on Brotha-man!
I've owned a 6'er, found out it wasn't my bag... I really will pick one up in the future (either tuned E-F or F#-G), just not right now.
As for being a 4 and 5 stringer, I just honed the range down to what I mostly play in. At one time I had a 5'er tuned E-C (loved it BTW), but I found that a low B helped with those SRV and Jimi-clones that tune down a half or whole step and playing up the fretboard for thickness of tone... So 'get a 6'er' cats say to me, sure someday... But somehow 5's feel good, symetrical and are what I like at the moment...
Do I need to be in a different category, or will I still be a viable co-architect in this society of 'bassists'?
l0calh05t said:Mandolins?
Not quite what I meant... but close
Naw man, I have a couple of those.... but I was reefering (
) to Cellos... granted I have about 25 Uprights with at least one tuned up & sitting right next to my desk at any give time.
l0calh05t said:How 'bout a shortscale 4-string tuned C G D A (In fifths
I'd call that a cello.
Though the late Red Mitchell used to tune his URB that way (though an octave down).
Eh, since I saw an old post in here about me saying I'd prefer 4's and 6's, I figured I'd update and say that I'm going for 4, 5 & 7 now, the 5 strung EADGC. There, I feel better
j-raj said:Naw man, I have a couple of those.... but I was reefering (
I was thinking of cellos as well (although an octave lower and in the form of a bass guitar) I just thought of Mandolins as you said "ABG" and I would never call a cello a "G" (Guitar in this case
) and Mandolins are far more guitar-like imo and they are tuned CGDA as well iirc.btw, there are a few (very few) players who tune their upright this way.
EDIT: About the shortscale part: i said that for playability reasons although a 34" should work almost as well and have a better C
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