Why six-string bassists can never explain why that many are needed

[los100malditos]

Why six-string bassists can never quite manage to explain to anyone else why that many are needed.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

I find it somewhat condescending to pose questions like "why do you need so many strings?"

 

[manbearpig97]

I don't believe that that's a coherent sentence.

 

[Luke19Boarder]

who, me? or OP?

 

[manbearpig97]

Not you, the OP.

 

[KeithPas]

Why would anyone have to explain anything? If you don;t want to play a six string then don;t play one.

 

[fraublugher]

I'll just assume you're asking the question.

Just in case you didn't know , the first bass in history had six strings.[violone/upright]

Six strings allow you to play in one position , very helpful if sight-reading.

Many people just plain can't discern low notes , so you're obliged to take four choruses
on Giant Steps up the octave

 

[SRFSterling5]

You get a low B and a high C, which extends range in both directions
without having to resort to alternative stringing like BEAD and losing
the upper notes. It may not be for everyone.

 

[fraublugher]

And to the angry posters, ein klein nacht fingerpochen.

 

[Epitaph04]

I don't need to explain myself, and I don't need 6 strings. Hell, you don't NEED 4 strings either, do you?

 

[f64]

I'll just assume you're asking the question.

Just in case you didn't know , the first bass in history had six strings.[violone/upright]

Six strings allow you to play in one position , very helpful if sight-reading.

Many people just plain can't discern low notes , so you're obliged to take four choruses
on Giant Steps up the octave

Many basses from the early 1800's actually had 3 strings.

 

[Spectrum]

I don't need to explain myself, and I don't need 6 strings. Hell, you don't NEED 4 strings either, do you?

Two is sufficient:

Why six-string bassists can never quite manage to explain to anyone else why that many are needed.

Your sentence is incomplete. Needs a few more strings...er...words.

 

[SteveC]

Not again. This is the last time I respond to a "why do you need" thread. I need whatever because I do. If you don't, fine.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

I do a lot of upper register chording and double stops, plus I play in a prog rock group, I like to unison/harmony lines without being 2 octaves away.

I find it is great for fleshing out a trio. Your question is extremely ignorant as I imagine you must be in the rest of your daily life....

Who owes you an answer for anything? I do my thing you do yours.

 

[mowburger]

5's and 6ers don't settle for the "standard" 4 string basses. We demand more! We deserve more! We laugh in the face of the "masses" hahahaha silly sheeple, they told you that you only "need" 4 strings and you believe them! hahahaha silly fools.

 

[chubfarm2001]

I play 6 strings the same reason I love bacon, because I'm a MAN.

 

[f64]

Everything has it's place. Session bassists will use a 4, 5 or 6 string depending on what is needed. What you use gigging depends on the songs played and what you need for them. I've switched between sets just to use something more comfortable.

 

[Righteous Thunderer]

For some reason, 6 string basses appeal to me and I've always wanted to use one. That being said, I've always gone back to 5, and I really probably don't even -need- that many. I've owned two 6 stringers and sold both, but that doesn't mean that some day I won't buy another; they're just plain cool!

 

[throughthefire]

Who would you have to explain yourself to?

Someone in the audience?
"I use six strings because I need them for this gig. Tell me again, where are YOU playing tonight?"

The guitar player?
"Tell me again why you need 48 different distortion pedals on your board?"

or..

"How many strings do YOU have?"

or..

"Is that a 12-string guitar? Why do you need so many?"

The piano player?
"88 keys? You only have 10 fingers and thumbs! What's wrong with 61 keys?"

...etc.

 

[britainblues]

Because I like to work smarter not harder!