Why don’t you play a six-string bass?

[brianrost]

I'm now playing 5 string most of the time, but no interest in 6 string for two main reasons.

1. Fingerboard/nut width. I understand some are narrower than others, of course.

2. No interest in chording or high register soloing for the music I play.

 

[Wisebass]

Why haven't you made the change to a six

I made the change from 4 to 5 in the mid 90s.

If you gave me a $ for each "why do you play a fiver?"

that I heared the first ten years...

Folks who asked that question would rarely listen to the answer.

For them, someone playing more than 4 strings meant just,

that this had to be someone very pretentious or someone who plays elite Jazz (or both )


Times have changed! 5 string basses are everywhere and are played in every style,

Blues, country, rock, pop...and the question "why do you play a fiver," has run out of fashion.

I get booked because I play 5 (and fretless 5)

And when someone asks me why I play a fretless fiver?

The answer is: Because I like to and because I can!


Why haven't I made the change to 6?

Come on! 6ers are for folks who are very pretentious...


Wise(b)ass

 

[mongo2]

I bought a 5 string a few decades ago just to have in case anybody asked for it. I even learned to play it. However, nobody ever asked. I still have it, though I never play it anymore.

Based on that experience, I can't imagine anyone would ever require me to play a six string.

 

[i_bass_bass]

I actually ordered a Glarry 6 string bass recently. When it arrived, I restrung it with only the E, A, D, G, and C strings. Then I slapped on a guitar string from an old pack that was laying around the house. I tuned it like a 6 string guitar and it is VERY FUN to play chords and solos, as well as regular basslines and root notes.
Might be my most fun instrument

 

[MonetBass]

I've played a 6-string in a store, and while it was very comfortable for me (it was a Yamaha TRB1006), I don't need those extra strings for what I play. As others have said, play what you like.

 

[MonetBass]

I actually ordered a Glarry 6 string bass recently. When it arrived, I restrung it with only the E, A, D, G, and C strings. Then I slapped on a guitar string from an old pack that was laying around the house. I tuned it like a 6 string guitar and it is VERY FUN to play chords and solos, as well as regular basslines and root notes.
Might be my most fun instrument

If I ever got a 6-sting bass, this is exactly what I would do since I'm also a guitarist.

 

[primusfan1989]

I played a six for a couple years, I loved it except I struggled to get a good tone out of it, went back to passive fenders 4 strings and haven't really looked back

 

[bassrique]

Fun to play, but it's not looked upon kindly in some circles as you may be labeled as an self-indulgent over- player that steps on toes.

 

[Geri O]

I chuckled at the "I play bass", but it kinda sums-up a certain aspect of the role I've chosen as a bass player.

For the music I play, and the way I play, a six is just unnecessary. So the extra weight, string cost, neck width, are all negatives for me.

I love what some players do with them, and how they take the instrument beyond its traditional role, but I'm not that guy.

When I get in the mood to create in a more expanded way, with chords and melodies, and being the center of the arrangement, I'll just grab a guitar. I don't feel any drive to make my bass playing leave the accompaniment role.

Virtuoso composer/ soloist I'm not, and if I was, I'd play piano.

Spot on!

I play enough keys to write songs (way back in another life…) and write out charts and arrangements.

Just barely enough…

 

[Topkat13]

To each his own...scratch where itches.

 

[Nashrakh]

If you gave me a $ for each "why do you play a fiver?"

I play mostly sixes, and I still get asked that A LOT. But I guess that says more about the one asking than it does me playing more strings than they can count on one hand.

Fun to play, but it's not looked upon kindly in some circles as you may be labeled as an self-indulgent over- player that steps on toes.

I've had the opposite reaction, when people see me play a six they instantly assume I must be some kind of shred monster. But alas, I must always disappoint such hopes.

 

[Hawk256]

Had a Peavey Grind 6 string for about a year. Yes, I could make music on it but it just didn't seem to be any better than I can play with a 4 string. In other words, the extended range was just not that useful for me. Day to day it saw very little use so back to 4.

 

[40Hz]

I have fours and a five. I've tried a few 6-string (and 8-string!) basses and don't have any issues with them.

But I don't play a six for the simple reason I don't play anything that would benefit from me owning one. If it ever turns out I do have a need for one I'll just get it then. NBD.

 

[azureblue]

Neck width. My fret board technique is more like classical guitar, and I didn't like the extra width at all, especially with big strings. I had a 6 for a year, trying to adjust to it, and I realized the extra range in the first positions really didn't help. And I didn't like the tone of the C string either. I play 5 string - low tuning - and I can get along soloing above the 12th fret.

 

[WI Short Scaler]

Everyone plays what they like. For me, 4 strings is fine, no interest in 5's or 6's. YMMV

 

[BioDriver]

Tried it and didn't jive with me. If it works for you then rock it

 

[wysiwyg248]

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

I have not played a Soundgear to give you proper feedback. The Tobias neck profile is assymetric, the C side being thinner and the B side thicker. This makes reaching to the lower notes much easier. I own a 6 Strings old Tobias and a 5 Strings MTD, they both have similar profile and are a breeze to play. I will look for a Soundgear to see how it compares. All the best!

 

[BishopHastur]

I mainly play a 5 string. I've got a 6 that I pull out once in a while. I've also got an 8 that gets played rarely, but the neck on the 8 feels like a surfboard in terms of width.

 

[mattj1stc]

I've tried several 6 string basses. Due to what I mostly play, I rarely have the need for a C string. In fact, its presence often gets in the way and compresses the overall string spacing. I have also gone the other way and strung a 6 string with F#, B, E, A, D, G, but didn't find much need to consistently go lower than the B string - it's also difficult to find great sound reproduction for those lower notes. Anyway, I'm happy with 5.

 

[beatdatthang]

I don't need a high C or low F#.