Why don’t you play a six-string bass?

[Jhengsman]

I don't remember ever seeing a 6 string in a store so I would be buying blind. As I play now it is strange for me to use the G string on my 5.

 

[coyote1]

I do play a six. Two of them in fact, one fretless.

but I've essentially gone back to four strings, as I've gotten deeper into the upright.

 

[GwennyT]

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 my feeble bassist mind can only comprehend the existence of four strings /j

Really though, I just prefer four strings. I've played fivers and sixers, but I find that four strings are enough for me

 

[Discount Bassy]

I do. I like fivers. I like sixers. I like fretted. I like fretless.

I have no desire to own or operate a 4, with or without frets, and have successfully done so for years without issue.

 

[groooooove]

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/yA7KnDgv7fk

i can give so many reasons why i *do* play 6 string.

for me nearly any repertoire i'm excited to play will require some extended range. but i totally get that i'm the unique one, many of us here are playing in rock bands and such.

but still..



6 strings make more and more sense the more i play them. i got my first one in 2003 or 2004 i think.

 

[Tampabass]

Better question: Why do you play a six string bass?

 

[higain617]

I jam with a bassist who plays them exclusively. Even with big hands, I find those hard to play. And I routinely play a 7-string guitar.

 

[brianrost]

I play 5 string - low tuning - and I can get along soloing above the 12th fret.

Comparing a BEADG fiver to a BEADGC sixer, the open C string is the C at the 5th fret of the G string. All but the 5 highest of the notes on the C string are already there on the G string.

Just as some people will tune a four string BEAD rather than play a fiver, tuning a fiver to EADGC is an alternative to a sixer for soloing and chording.

 

[Nev375]

I've had a 6 string and even experimented with low F# tuning with it.
I discovered I didn't really need the low notes.
The width of the neck just didn't feel ergonomic to my hand IMO.
And I'm comfortable with changing positions along the neck cleanly.
I don't need more range to express myself.

A 4 stringer is perfect for me. But if anyone prefers a 6 then that's great!
Somebody needs to play those big honkin things.

 

[bassliner50]

Why don't you play 4 string bass? Your response , to that question , though important, does not apply to me.

 

[drumvsbass]

*In shark king voice*
4 fingers, 4 strings

 

[bigjames]

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 started playing a fretless 6 in about 1994 and played it exclusively for almost 15 years. I don't own a 4 anymore; two fretless 6's and two fretted 5's. Not sure I will go back...but time will tell. There is no best though. There are lots of players (and genres) that do just fine with 4 strings.

 

[ximun]

Because to me and my bass playing (and some other aspects) "less is more".

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I wouldn't be against playing one, but I really haven't run into a situation where I would need the high C string.

 

[MasterBrianD]

Because I don't like massive necks.

 

[thmsjordan]

As someone who spent their career mostly reading parts in a pit, I never found a need for a sixer but I bet they are fun. There is an actual need for the low B in certain settings and I see the use of the five increasing over time. Gospel, Country, Theater, Brazilian, Modern Jazz, etc are all using those low notes now. I don't see the upper ranges of an upper C string being written for but I can certainly see it's use in solo work and with playing chordal parts. If I were younger I might try one out. One poster mentioned a 24 fret five string being about as good and I could see that too.

 

[conttador]

I play 6es but I only play them if I'm improvising. I rarely use C string notes for accompaniment as there's not as much heft tonewise.

Im going through a re-learning phase at the moment so I'm only playing fours. I'm solidifying my knowledge & familiarity of the four.

 

[Shanannigan]

I've played only 6 strings for at least 15 years. It just feels like the way bass was meant to be to my hands.

 

[salmon256]

It is subjective.

Ignoring my small fingers, but I am sure I would find a decent nice neck even with six strings, maybe an Ibanez or something but I just really have no need as of now. But I do not think they look out of place anywhere or any genre, they are tool just like a five strings, I feel you see five strings more often in genres you would not "expect" to see them.

 

[ole Jason]

I consider the six string my 'main' instrument and always take it to jazz gigs or any gig where I'll be soloing. If I'm doing rock gigs or cover tunes I always take my 4 string Mustang or P though. Use the right tool for the job.