Who agrees that 6 strings are easier than 4?

[capnsandwich]

THERE IS NO ANSWER WHICH IS BEST, friends. There is only your answer, but your answer is important

Here's my opinion as well. You see, I can tell you why I like a 6 string over a 4 string but "that's what I like." You can tell me why you like a 4 but "that's what you like." Are either one of us wrong? Are either one of us right?

In all honesty, I like the 6'ers because there are notes I can hit that I can't on a 4 string. However, as far as technique goes, I have a hard time doing things on a 6 that I can do easily on a 4, like slap and dig in. It's the difference between an F-350 Super Duty and a Corvette. They're both good for different reasons.

 

[Aspidites]

The answer is.

4 string basses are the easiest to play.
5 string basses are the easiest to play.
6 string basses are the easiest to play.
7.....well you get the point.

The question is.

What bass are you the most familiar with and play the most often.

 

[Beowulf Kingsle]

I like what John Mclaughlin said once, and I paraphrase, that all instruments are equally and infinitely difficult, and beautiful, and rewarding, if you really get into them. I mostly play 4 string and upright, but I'm really enjoying my new fretless 6. Just give me a few years and I'll let you know how I really feel about it though.

 

[bassbenj]

i do. just so happens that it's usually a fender 4. i think it's only the anti-4 people who seem to think it's some sort of religion.

otoh, what do i care what other people do? if you find a 6 easier, go for it. i don't agree, but i'm not playing for you.

Hey Boomie, you didn't even read what I wrote. Your mind was already made up (That is called "faith" in religion!) I guess that "which is easier piano or trombone" remark went right over your head!

I clearly said they both have their place and things they can do "best". It's only the anti-ERB crowd that thinks a 6 string can't do anything.

As for easier, I didn't say, but what I was going to say and didn't (someone said it later) was the the one that is "easiest" to play is the one you are currently playing the most! After all practice does make things easier.

So why do you think I find a 6 easier? I haven't even been playing one lately, (based on a combo of lack of need of upper range and resistance from Blues Nazis) and of course you aren't playing for me because when I hold auditions I just say, "Send all the players who brought 4 string basses home!" ...just kidding boomie. But the person who DID do that but by sending all the bassists with more strings than 4 home, showed how dumb it gets sometimes. Hint: You audition bass players by listening to them PLAY, not by counting strings on their instruments. That's about like saying, "Send all the people who brought red basses home!"

 

[totallyfrozen]

...that's the silliest comment I've ever heard. To get a reaction is why 100% of the people in this forum start threads isn't it. If we don't expect a reaction, then why start a thread??...

Alot of threads are started simply to ask a question and get some help with something. Not for debate but for advice or instruction.

 

[rockzombie]

Cant imagine trying to play fast precision chops on something as wide as a 2x6 piece of lumber! saw a 6 string bass on stage once, looked like some one trying to play a silly wide necked instrument from another planet, kinda like a sitar or something.

 

[JimmyM]

Hey Boomie, you didn't even read what I wrote. Your mind was already made up (That is called "faith" in religion!) I guess that "which is easier piano or trombone" remark went right over your head!

I clearly said they both have their place and things they can do "best". It's only the anti-ERB crowd that thinks a 6 string can't do anything.

As for easier, I didn't say, but what I was going to say and didn't (someone said it later) was the the one that is "easiest" to play is the one you are currently playing the most! After all practice does make things easier.

So why do you think I find a 6 easier? I haven't even been playing one lately, (based on a combo of lack of need of upper range and resistance from Blues Nazis) and of course you aren't playing for me because when I hold auditions I just say, "Send all the players who brought 4 string basses home!" ...just kidding boomie. But the person who DID do that but by sending all the bassists with more strings than 4 home, showed how dumb it gets sometimes. Hint: You audition bass players by listening to them PLAY, not by counting strings on their instruments. That's about like saying, "Send all the people who brought red basses home!"

not really. some red basses actually look cool

oh come on! i don't care who you are...that was funny!

so what's your opinion on lingerie pillow fights, bongo?

 

[DrSmaggs]

I just play a 5 all the time... then if I need lower notes, they're right there.

 

[Munjibunga]

I don't think so, but it's a known fact that instruments with an odd number of strings are much harder to play than those with an even number. But I play fivers anyway.

 

[Mike M.]

Another 5 string player here, although I did try out a 7 string the other day for kicks. Very interesting instrument. Played it (rather, attempted to play it) for about half an hour. I can see where it would appeal to some and in the hands of the right person they could probably do some wonderful things with it. But 5 strings on a bass and 6 on a guitar is enough for me.

 

[ericmknight1906]

I don't think so, but it's a known fact that instruments with an odd number of strings are much harder to play than those with an even number. But I play fivers anyway.

Hmmmm....I never thought of it that way. Are even numbers easier to play for chording purposes perhaps? what's the reason?

 

[Raoul_Duke]

For about nine years, the only bass I owned was a Carvin 6 string fretless that I bought when I was 18 with my graduation money. I loved it. I dunno if I'd say that I ever found it easier to play than a 4 string, but it was as easy, in a relative way, after a couple years.

About 4 years ago I started having all sorts of problems with my hands and it forced me to cut back drastically on my playing. An older guy I really respect told me to switch back to a 4 string and to consider a medium scale bass. So thats where I'm at now and I'm pretty much pain free!

So I guess it goes both ways. In my early twenties, I definitely would have picked the six. Nowadays, you can't pry the 4 out of my hands. In a few years, I'll probably just switch to cowbell or something.

 

[dakpluto]

Just depends for me what I'm doing. If it's a gig of nothing but stuff like Sweet Home Alabama, 4 string is all I need. If I'm doing something like Wicked and playing the whole night in keys like Gb, Db, G#, etc, 5/6 string will make those gigs far easier.

For me, the music will dictate which bass makes it easier. And in some cases, like Rent, it's written specifically for a 5 string, so you really don't have an option anyways.

 

[jtb]

Just listen to the music. If it sounds good, then whatever bass was being used - 4,5,6,9-string etc etc, was the right instrument for the job and the player.