Why don’t you play a six-string bass?

[bmusic]

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 don't like those two superfluous strings. Don't want them, don't need them, don't like music that uses them (with a couple exceptions).

 

[Mili]

Because I don't Solo!

 

[T Bassman]

I like 5 and 6 string basses, but find a 4 string bass sounds different to me, particularly the E string when played on a 4. Just been my experience. Possible the abundance of wood needed for a wider neck and often body dimensions makes this difference? Just my ears, but as always enjoy what works for your needs

 

[JimmyM]

Because I don't want to play a 6.

 

[Gigas444]

I love 6 strings basses, muting was challenging at first, but when I started to feel comfortable with the floating thumb I realized it's my thing, simply because I'm lazy and more strings mean less left hand horizontal movement

 

[REV]

I would love to find a Danelectro six string bass with the coke bottle headstock.

 

[mcrawfordmusic]

For what I do, a 4 is all I need and more comfortable to me than a 6. I do own a 5 string, but it only comes out occasionally.

 

[FretlessOwl]

I play 6 strings. It is challenging due to my hand size/fingers length; however, the Tobias neck is just heaven to me.

That's exactly how I feel about my Soundgear 6. Is the Tobias neck skinny like that?

 

[StayLow]

I'd have to take them out of their cases, tune them, then get laughed at by current bandmates since I'm no longer in projects that would benefit from I can do with a high-C.

Easier to stick with 4's, and the odd 5.

 

[10xClean]

I went to a 6 in 93 mainly because I was working with several acoustic trios at the time and the extended range seemed practical. I enjoy adding chordal color. I will admit it took a few years for my right hand to get comfortable with the tight string spacing of 16.3mm of a Carvin after playing a j-bass.

 

[makanudo]

Have you seen the price of strings?

My hands turn steel roundwounds into old flats in two weeks tops

 

[r_bnks]

Because I don't need it.

 

[BassAndCigars]

As a lifetime guitar player dabbling in bass after over-use arm problems sidelined me quite a few years ago I can't get over the hump that the E string is supposed to be at the bottom. Period. Anything else is just weird to me. Besides ... Jaco and Rocco didn't need no strings lower than that. If you want 6? Just play guitar for pete's sake IMO of course.

 

[Snert]

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

I did long ago.

Because my bass playing heroes play four strings.

Why be limited by them? Did Felix stay with 4s like Papa?

 

[Rib 13]

I never liked the neck thickness. If I did sight reading gigs/sessions, I might consider one....but for the applications that I mostly do, including soloing, my 5vers are plenty adequate

 

[retslock]

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'm not a soloist and the higher range wouldn't see much action. If I was a soloist I would certainly give it a shot and I would also tune it with the same layout as a guitar, that is, an interval of a third between the third and second string. EADGBE or BEADF#B.
It's not likely though. I see my role as laying down a foundation groove that gives the other musicians I work with freedom to do what they do. I'm a support guy by nature.

 

[roffe]

I'm not really comfortable with a 5, so I'm thinking a 6 would be worse. But maybe it's time I tried a 5 again.

 

[BoogieZK]

Alrea

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?

Already said but play what you play!
I mainly play 6 strings bass now but i switch regularly to 4s. Depends on projects and all.

And don't forget that low B on a 4string bass exist as well.
In the music genre I enjoy, 4strings C or dropped C tuning is more used than 5 strings.
In fact I have to tune to Low C standard on my 6 strings to play most of Stoner songs.
That's C-F-A♯-D♯-G-C and guitars uses C G C F A D (Drop C)

 

[BismarckHerring]

I like the feel of 4 strings. Sometimes I need those low notes, that's why I have a 5 string. I never need higher notes than I can get on a 4 string, nor do I need easier access to the higher notes, so I have no need for a 6 string.

 

[_One//Man//Mutiny_]

I haven't met a 6 string bass that I liked other than a bass VI, I'd rather have tight string spacing than having a neck where my hand won't fit around it.