Why don’t you play a six-string bass?

[Jefenator]

I do play a 6-string, but for rock I like to thrash around more in ways that make me not want to have to think about muting stuff.

 

[Geri O]

I totally loved playing a 6-string. It was a Peavey TL6. Loved having it.

But I simply didn't have the need for it. I'd have to have a 6-string Jazz or a 6-string Stingray if I were to play 6-string basses.

And then there's the case that nothing I play really calls for a 6-string. I could play the 6-string, but I don't need to.

Hence, my giving up on the idea of a 6-string bass in my inventory once and for all....

Five strings for me all day.

 

[Paul New]

I like both 4 and 6 strings. Have never had or even played a 5. To me the 6 makes some things easier, but string muting is far more difficult on the 6.

 

[retroXvertigo]

When I tried a 5 for the first time, it was fairly easy to adjust to the extra string.

When I tried a 6, it broke my brain. Having the extra string to reach over had me plucking one string and fretting a different one.

Having said that, I pushed though and mainly play a 6 string Dingwall.

Or a short scale 4. Odd, but I love them both.

 

[logdrum]

For me it’s simple - string spacing. I play upright bass also and it’s a bridge too far to go from URB fingering to narrow string spacing on a 5 or 6.

You can have a 6 or 5 string bass with 19mm - 20mm spacing. Mine are respectively and I have medium hands. IS your 4 the same spacing at the bridge like your upright bass? I'd like to see that.

 

[logdrum]

I have been playing my 6 even with this cover band that does mostly classic rock and blues-rock. I don't overdo, play supportively. Occasionally I'll chord comp when the guitar player is soloing and it's appreciated. I have a fusion type band where I play that as well and I am expected to play solos and that's what it's good at. But I am equally fine with a 4 string with 20 frets

 

[HelpImaRock]

I play a Danelectro baritone I strung as a Bass VI but recently went back to baritone strings. If LaBella ever brings back Hellcat flatwounds, I'll go back. Until then it's the Dano strung in B with an octave pedal.

 

[Thumpin6string]

I do. Besides that, I build them too.

 

[Wasnex]

I bought my first six-string bass this summer after playing four-string basses exclusively for over 15 years. Honestly, I can’t imagine going back to four (Ok, I could probably do with a five). Having the extended range of the B and, although to a lower degree, the C strings without losing what makes a four a four seems like a no brainer.

Why haven’t you made the change to a six or even five string bass already?

I made the change to 6 sometime in 1994 or 1995. A Yamaha TRB6P has been my #1 since then.

I find that the number of strings has some impact on the logic you use to get around the fretboard. At this point I feel most at home on the 6. If I play a 4 or 5 I tend to need more time to work out the fingering and shifts. Also if I play a 4 or 5 for too long it starts to degrade my proficiency on the 6.

The biggest challenge to playing 6 (IMHO) was more muting requirements. The muting techniques I used on 4 worked fine on 5. When I started the transition to 6, I had to refine and expand my muting technique. Now I don't even think about it, except under extremely rare circumstances.

I do still think some things are easier on a 4, but I think the 6 has many more advantages than disadvantages. YMMV of course.

 

[Manticore]

I've been essentially exclusively six-string since I bought this in '92.

 

[Kerem Koseoglu]

Subjectively speaking; a bass with 5 strings + 24 frets provides ample capacity for an extended low range and a soloable upper range.

 

[WG Plum]

Neck width, primarily.

 

[MrAB4003]

Here are 6 reasons why I don't play a 6 string bass:
1) Muting is really hard! The floating thumb technique is weird to me.
2) They're harder to find than 4 or 5 string basses
3) They're heavier than 4 or 5 string basses
4) I have no use for the high C string
5) The extra information on the fretboard is overwhelming for me
6) Almost all the 6 string basses I've ever seen have active electronics, which I don't like

That's not to say that 6 string basses are inferior. They sound incredible in the right hands, just not in mine.

 

[Rojd]

I bought my first six-string bass this summer after playing four-string basses exclusively for over 15 years. Honestly, I can’t imagine going back to four (Ok, I could probably do with a five). Having the extended range of the B and, although to a lower degree, the C strings without losing what makes a four a four seems like a no brainer.

Why haven’t you made the change to a six or even five string bass already?

I do. I have a 7 string bass, 2 6 string basses, and a 5 string.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I bought my first six-string bass this summer after playing four-string basses exclusively for over 15 years. Honestly, I can’t imagine going back to four (Ok, I could probably do with a five). Having the extended range of the B and, although to a lower degree, the C strings without losing what makes a four a four seems like a no brainer.

Why haven’t you made the change to a six or even five string bass already?

Because they're huge, heavy, uncomfortable, the strings are too close together, and they're not necessary for pretty much anything bass related.

 

[lowfreqgeek]

Who told you I don't play a 6?

They were wrong.

 

[jdjk7]

I bought my first six-string bass this summer after playing four-string basses exclusively for over 15 years. Honestly, I can’t imagine going back to four (Ok, I could probably do with a five). Having the extended range of the B and, although to a lower degree, the C strings without losing what makes a four a four seems like a no brainer.

Why haven’t you made the change to a six or even five string bass already?

I just haven't found one I like. I could buy one sight-unseen and take the chance, but I don't like doing that with guitars. I've owned a 6 before, but it wasn't the highest quality instrument.

 

[aprod]

Because the bands I play with don't need or require a sixer. If you show up to an audition with a six you're probably not getting the gig.

 

[LiptonJigglers]

I never bought one because there has never been the need to use one in anything I do.

 

[beaglesandbass]

Why haven’t you made the change to a six or even five string bass already?

Simple. No desire or need.