I've played 6-string for 14 years. I'm not a frustrated guitarist, I'm a foundation bass player. I spend 90% of my time on the middle four strings, a little time on the B, and a tiny amount on the C. I find that it keeps me from having to migrate all over the neck to play and gives me tonal options that I don't have on a 4-string. If you like the extra strings, fine. If you don't, fine. Just don't act like people who prefer extra strings have a problem.
Low notes are not the only reason to use an extended range instrument. Hand positions are also very important. If you're playing in an odd key, it's very advantageous to have quick access to notes that would normally be farther apart.
Got a six string for my band (Progressive Metal), and I love the hell out of it, especially since I started out as a guitar player and love being able to play clear chords.
you can always tune a bass in 4ths from E-F in a 6 string Ive done this before and its much better in chordal techniques because the chord shapes stay the same in the higher register its like a 7 string bass tuning minus the low B if you play chords a E-E tuning is not needed at all and makes chords on bass much more difficult
I went from 4 to 6 strings when I started getting some more versatile gigs. The ability to play in D down low, and solo up the neck on the high C, has allowed me to be a MUCH more versatile bassist which, in turn, has allowed me to be hired a LOT more. This video helped me make the decision back in 2009. Thank you.
Lovely video, Mr Rodgers, Bought a 5 string on a whim, and now look forward to learning funk like I grew up with. Very informative, and easy to follow Thank you, Sir. Mario
Awesome video! Made me think in a whole new way about the advantages of 5+ string basses, like being able to play the same riffs further up the neck, etc.
I have a 4, 5 and a 6. As a guitarist I started on the 6 mainly to strengthen my fingers to play a bass. After I became accustomed to the thick strings I switched to the 4. I transposed and simplified my 6 string ideas to the 4 string bass so that my bass playing didn't sound so busy. The 5 string just basically collects dust.
i own a 4 ,5 and a six string bass...wen i started im on a 4 string...as i advance and started to love the much low sound i bought a 5 string...wen i was into dream theater music and doing solos i end up using 6 string...but in general the best bass for me is a 5 string...
I would recommend a 4 string because jazz was originally play with upright which is 4 stringed and funk doesn't usually go as low a a b string. but that's just my opinion.
With no prior string experience but 7 years of wind playing under my belt, I started on a 6 string and have done just fine; my Schecter Stiletto Studio 6 is my baby and I love it. I play mainly jazz, so the high C is nice for solos. I also play praise music where I like to crab pick. Having the high C is good for that too. Also I find that the closer string placement on six strings allows for faster playing. The larger neck doesn't bother me but maybe that's cause I have big hands lol
6-string bass ftw! I think to progress music further, especially in rock, a 6-string should be used. The ease of playing complex rhythms and fills is markedly easier on a 6...I can make my bass lines more melodic as well (for those who are into that). This guy brings up a lot of great points!
Quite a quantum leap between the 4 and 6 string basses you had in the video! Sweet Ken Smith. I play mostly "4-string" rock songs, but like having the B string there as you describe between 4:15 - 5:11 or so.
Thank you Russ. Excellent rational for 5 vs 4 in terms of song coverage and stress. I found the points for 6 string applicable to very advanced bass playing styles. I'd rather leave that to a capable guitarist. My conclusion is a good tight 5 string most well rounded of the 3. regards,
I've been playing 4-stringed basses for about 6 years until this year I finally bought a 5-string. Its like learning another instrument in my opinion. I think I will wait a while before I get a 6-string.
I would recommend any beginners to check out Ibanez. They are the basses I wish I had when I was learning to play. So easy to play, I just wouldn't go any cheaper then the SR300 range if I were you. I own an SR500 and it's the best bass I've ever owned and I've owned Fenders and all that expensive junk. Do yourself a favor and try out an Ibanez.
I will always have a place in my heart for Ibanez, but when i got my first Schecter bass, it was all over. Schecter is now my primary, but i have a nice Ibanez 5 string that i still love to pick up and play often.
I've tried them all. I love six for funky/jazzy lines. Also, you can use really harmonical chords on a six. I find four strings best for slap. They're kind of compact, and I get the best feeling while slapping them. And then there's five.. It's a bit of both but not quite as good as those in their branches. In my opinion 6>5>4. But that mostly depends on the style you are willing to play.
@MrSpider1967 (continued).. you want, they are usually right beneath your fingers or nearby. And what you said about playing in a smaller range can go the other way too, if creativity is about the range you must master then Organ players are the most creative Musicians of all hands down. I see nothing wrong with extended range, and will get a 6-string in the future, but if i ever pick up 4-strings and feel like i dont have enough to play/solo/write in, im taking a serious break from extended...
Thank you very much. I am going to buy my first bass (I play guitar a bit) and I was wondering which bass to get. So this clarified things a bit (I'm saving for a nice Ibanez six-string).
@BassandLongboardguy Sure you can tune it to standard guitar. It may not be the bass standard but for someone that wants to play chords but need the extra length for the hands, why not.
Victor wooten is an iffy one in that set of names, because he has two basses, one tuned standard, another tuned tenor, stanley clark has up to piccollo. From what I've seen, it's mainly based on what is most comfortable. I personally love the thickness of the neck of my 5 string but hated the double humbucker setup, since it took up all of the room in the playing area, so I sold it but I'm thinking about a B-106 ESP (or a thumb... maybe a vette warwick *drool*). but yeah its all about comfort.
I wouldn't suggest you doing that until you've familiarized yourself with a tuning in fourths. The first reason is that sometimes you will have problems playing some more common songs. The second reason that it requires modification of your guitar. The truss rods (usually double rods on 6 string basses) needs adjustment and the nut must be replaced to hold thinner strings. Lastly, a bass string designed for a high E would probably be bespoke and costly. Hope it helps. If not please clarify.
Me and my friends are going to start learning to play instruments because its been our "dream" to start a band (Punk pop genre) what bass should i start to learn in this instance?
Good Charlotte’s bassist uses mainly 5 string basses. Advantage to using 5 string in a pop punk band would be the fact that you don’t have downtune as much as you would need to because the drop D is already in the low B.
If you're starting bass playing i'd say start on 4 string. Get the basics dow then when you're good and ready bump your self up to a 6 if your hands are big enough or a 5.
In order to tune in E-e you should change the nut and adjust it for this type of tuning as well as you will have probably to adjust the bridge. Of course the B-C set of strings is not good for you you should change it with something like that: a typical 4string set 105-045 and add a 0.32 and 0.25 strings. In my opinion though you should try the original tuning and spend some time to discover the B string and its aspects.
PS: The 6 string bass is designed to use the B string so the tension is just right, on the other hand by puting thinner strings to get the E-e tuning you better see a luthier before to do all the the proper adjustments and to decide which set of strings to use, maybe would be better to use the 110-050 of the 4 string and then add a 0,35 0.27
@JLAudio7 Thanks for the info. I've never seen those basses before. They have a six-string version on their website. Maybe this bassist's six-string is also a GSR.
On my opinion and experience...the 4strings bass it's a "must play"...I mean, every bassist should have played a 4. But I use a 5strings bass because a like the lower sounds and it gives a bigger range of sounds. In my case, my 5 has the neck thiner than the standards, and that have the adventage to play faster, but with slaps it's a hell, it's very hard to hit just one string. So if you choose a 5 or 6 you should have that in mind. So I'm looking for a new bass with the standard dimensions
very informative and as a fresh new beginner, i still think it will be best to start with 4 to get the fundamental down. i must also say, when i read the demonstrators name, i 1st read it as duck dogers...
Sean, I don't know you. I've never met you. But your comment had me laughing my ass off on a particularly shitty morning. The beauty of the internet - thanks brother.
@BassandLongboardguy You can tune a bass however you like. *Standard* bass tuning is all in 4ths, but there's nothing that says you HAVE to tune it like that. You can tune it like a guitar and play chords all you like. I know guys that do.
@spoddie I'm not into those very low tunings. I think there are some places in some songs where bass chords would fit really well. I'm not saying that whole song must be played very high on bass and with chords. It's like you don't use distortion on your guitar always. There are places where you really don't prefer to use it.
i'm a guitarist and thinking of starting bass and i can't decide which one to start with between 4 string and 5 string. i usually play groove/funk/fusion jazz. what do u think?
Thank you sir for the insightful lesson. i would love to see an in-depth review of that six strings bass it sounds awesome "is it an Ibanez ?" !!! anyways, I've been playing guitar for 10 years now and i want to explore more. PS: i'm sorry for all the stuppid, rude, and informative comments % and they wonder why they were murdered brutally !!!
hello, i'm a classical guitarist getting in love with bass. i just got a six string bass and would like to tune it as standard guitar tuning, e-a-d-g-b-e it would save me lots of trouble and i can also use some guitar technique on the bass... you said in the video some people tune the bass that way, but i wonder if they tune it a 5th up or down, which would either cause too much tension the the neck of the instrument or making noises on the frets....i will appreciate your answer, thanks!
@MrSpider1967 I DIsagree. It is indeed a wider range to master, (im going to assume that in what im saying the players know there music theory) but thats it, more to master and a wider range to use, not more creative. The 6 string version of Moonlight Sonata (For Bass of course) is much easier to play physically then the 4 string version . when you have more strings it makes notes your looking for much more accessible and thus you dont have to figure out "weird" ways to get the notes (to be con)
If you are an experienced guitar player then you can tune it as a guitar so nothing changes except you are tuned an octace lower than a guitar. You have to consider though that 4string bass player jump to 5string bass because they need the low notes of B string, on E-e tuning you dont have them either. Some 4string jazz players turn to 5 string and tune it E A D G C, in order to have more high notes, by tuning it E-e, this 'e' string is still not usefull at all.
so in your case it's more of a choice of taste and of being satisfied. nothing bad with that! i just thought you were claiming that 6 strings suck in general ;)
@MrSpider1967 His comment doesn't make no sense it just may or may not apply to everybody. It makes sense that it takes more work to get fewer string to be impressive, but of course that does not make 5+ string playing less impressive. Aram Bedrosian (4 string bassist) and Jean Baudin (11 string Bassist) are equally impressive, but i cant help but feel that Aram has to use more technical "flurry" to get his sounds out. nontheless they both have amazing songs
@spoddie that's actually not right. playing chords on bass is very interesting and it adds an interesting feel to a song because it sounds different than the guitar. and one question, why is that so guitar players sometimes tune their guitars lower? Is it wrong too?
@CobaltSpieder777 it would be easier for them to have a 5 string bass, that way they wont have to tune down, cuz if they want to use the E string they can without having to tune it back. id find someone with a 5 string, but if they prefer 4 string than they may have to tune, or use a different bass for different stuff!!
@dalarana For indie/alt rock,I'd reccomend a 4 string, as chances are your not going to be doing really complex things, but if you DO want to stretch your legs a bit, I'd still recommend getting a 4 string first, find you way around it so that your comfortable playing it and then maybe move onto a 5 string. Hope this helps :)
@killer599347 P basses are generally puncher and brighter, while a jazz bass has a smoother, shyer sound I'd go for a p bass 5 string just because i like them more than jazz, but if you want a REAL techno bass but also an all-purpose get a STEINBERGER, i have one and the the tone%sustain is outstanding!!!
I'll go with the 4 string bass 'cause it's looks the best to me, and by looking the best I'm sure I'll feel more comfortable with it; to me the 5 and 6 string just don't appeal to me and anything with 6+ strings is ugly.
@MrSpider1967 I play there but very carefully because i want to be able to play everything i play on a 5 or 6 on a 4 as well, albeit with more effort. And i hardly think what Stu Hamm and Victor Wooten and (More 4-stringers) do could be called inefficient. Im only trying to say its not a measure of skill either way, but with your choice of words as "More to Master", "you don't know what I'm talking about" your more trying to be macho about your 6-string it seems :3 play what you prefer but don't
@CobaltSpieder777 It would be best to find a five string player. If you've heard of the band Korn, their guitarist uses a seven string and the bassist uses a five string, and they play in A standard. Not to mention how much easier it would be on the dudes bass.
so i have a question, im trying to decide wether or not to get a 6 string bass. it looks like an all around better deal, if you can play everything a 4 and 5 can do but im afraid im going to buy it and it be so incredible different that itll be a waste of money. so my question is, if i play a four string, will the switch from a 4 styring to a 6 string be huge? plz reply but
It's interesting to note that in standard tuning on a guitar, the interval after the G string is only a 3rd and the next string/note is a B, but a 6 string bass doesn't conform to such an idea.
i have been asking this question for a while now and no one gives me a answer can i strum a base like a 6 string guitar or do i have to pluck the strings on a base
I like six strings because you can standard tune them to a guitar and play chords. I could never play a guitar because my hands could never fit a guitar. Anyone that tunes there six string standard guitar tuning wanna show me how to sounds and what the chords sound like with that tuning? Thanks
@Crazymofoinamajikbox The F# on the bass would be an octave lower than the F# on the 8 string guitar, which is almost impossible for the human ear to hear. I've seen som people tune their basses with a low F#, but wven the low B on a 5 string is difficult to hear.
@edgarpoefan The initial post by hellerm stated that even though he has a 5 string bass, he feels more creative playing his 4 string bass (even 3 string) and in a 'smaller range'. Claiming also, that extra strings, particularly the C, is a distraction. It makes no sense to me, if you have access to a 5 (or 6) string why you would want to figure out 'weird' more difficult ways to play it on a 4 string? I am not saying that 4 string players are not creative, there are lots ! (to be cont.)
"Now I'd like to show you some differences between the 4, 5, and 6 string bass" I was convinced he was gonna point out that a 6 string has a more strings than a 4 or 5 string in a manner that made him sound like we couldn't figure that much out.
I have watched about 3 videos with this guy in them. He hasn't blinked in any of them.
I didn't notice but now you've pointed it out it's really freaky.
... Satan...
Holy shit thats true
SomthingWorng Russ Rodgers is not human, no one can go that long without blinking. It is just unnatural you know.
***** i heard that he sleeps with his eyes open.
I've played 6-string for 14 years. I'm not a frustrated guitarist, I'm a foundation bass player. I spend 90% of my time on the middle four strings, a little time on the B, and a tiny amount on the C. I find that it keeps me from having to migrate all over the neck to play and gives me tonal options that I don't have on a 4-string. If you like the extra strings, fine. If you don't, fine. Just don't act like people who prefer extra strings have a problem.
Low notes are not the only reason to use an extended range instrument. Hand positions are also very important. If you're playing in an odd key, it's very advantageous to have quick access to notes that would normally be farther apart.
Got a six string for my band (Progressive Metal), and I love the hell out of it, especially since I started out as a guitar player and love being able to play clear chords.
you can always tune a bass in 4ths from E-F in a 6 string Ive done this before and its much better in chordal techniques because the chord shapes stay the same in the higher register its like a 7 string bass tuning minus the low B if you play chords a E-E tuning is not needed at all and makes chords on bass much more difficult
I went from 4 to 6 strings when I started getting some more versatile gigs. The ability to play in D down low, and solo up the neck on the high C, has allowed me to be a MUCH more versatile bassist which, in turn, has allowed me to be hired a LOT more. This video helped me make the decision back in 2009. Thank you.
Lovely video, Mr Rodgers,
Bought a 5 string on a whim, and now look forward to learning funk like I grew up with. Very informative, and easy to follow
Thank you, Sir.
Mario
hearing that background white noise
+Grapez he's in the beatles ^
Awesome video! Made me think in a whole new way about the advantages of 5+ string basses, like being able to play the same riffs further up the neck, etc.
I have a 4, 5 and a 6. As a guitarist I started on the 6 mainly to strengthen my fingers to play a bass. After I became accustomed to the thick strings I switched to the 4. I transposed and simplified my 6 string ideas to the 4 string bass so that my bass playing didn't sound so busy. The 5 string just basically collects dust.
i own a 4 ,5 and a six string bass...wen i started im on a 4 string...as i advance and started to love the much low sound i bought a 5 string...wen i was into dream theater music and doing solos i end up using 6 string...but in general the best bass for me is a 5 string...
I would recommend a 4 string because jazz was originally play with upright which is 4 stringed and funk doesn't usually go as low a a b string. but that's just my opinion.
Russ,
Great job. You are an excellent teacher.
With no prior string experience but 7 years of wind playing under my belt, I started on a 6 string and have done just fine; my Schecter Stiletto Studio 6 is my baby and I love it. I play mainly jazz, so the high C is nice for solos. I also play praise music where I like to crab pick. Having the high C is good for that too. Also I find that the closer string placement on six strings allows for faster playing. The larger neck doesn't bother me but maybe that's cause I have big hands lol
five string with a high C is awesome!
I prefer the 6 string
well, it's more expensive but if I had the money I'd choose a 6 string too
6-string bass ftw! I think to progress music further, especially in rock, a 6-string should be used. The ease of playing complex rhythms and fills is markedly easier on a 6...I can make my bass lines more melodic as well (for those who are into that). This guy brings up a lot of great points!
Quite a quantum leap between the 4 and 6 string basses you had in the video! Sweet Ken Smith.
I play mostly "4-string" rock songs, but like having the B string there as you describe between 4:15 - 5:11 or so.
I feel like if I keep looking in his eyes that he is going to steal my soul to increase his bass power level
4:12 Isn't that the bass line from Matt Bianco - Get out of you lazy bed? At least that's where I know it from.
*Hears "G string"* Gigity!
I started 4, continued with 5 and I'm currently on 6 strings eheh
Thank you Russ. Excellent rational for 5 vs 4 in terms of song coverage and stress. I found the points for 6 string applicable to very advanced bass playing styles. I'd rather leave that to a capable guitarist. My conclusion is a good tight 5 string most well rounded of the 3.
regards,
Thanks !!!! Absolutely helpful....buying my six string now....!
I've been playing 4-stringed basses for about 6 years until this year I finally bought a 5-string. Its like learning another instrument in my opinion. I think I will wait a while before I get a 6-string.
I would recommend any beginners to check out Ibanez. They are the basses I wish I had when I was learning to play. So easy to play, I just wouldn't go any cheaper then the SR300 range if I were you. I own an SR500 and it's the best bass I've ever owned and I've owned Fenders and all that expensive junk. Do yourself a favor and try out an Ibanez.
Today I tried an ibanez srff805 fan fretted five string and an ibanez tvb five string.I agree 100% with you.they are really good instruments.
I want to begin playing bass I'm gonna take your advice.
Lucky that I bought a SR506
I will always have a place in my heart for Ibanez, but when i got my first Schecter bass, it was all over. Schecter is now my primary, but i have a nice Ibanez 5 string that i still love to pick up and play often.
I've tried them all. I love six for funky/jazzy lines. Also, you can use really harmonical chords on a six. I find four strings best for slap. They're kind of compact, and I get the best feeling while slapping them. And then there's five.. It's a bit of both but not quite as good as those in their branches. In my opinion 6>5>4. But that mostly depends on the style you are willing to play.
Excellent demo on this subject.
@MrSpider1967 (continued).. you want, they are usually right beneath your fingers or nearby. And what you said about playing in a smaller range can go the other way too, if creativity is about the range you must master then Organ players are the most creative Musicians of all hands down. I see nothing wrong with extended range, and will get a 6-string in the future, but if i ever pick up 4-strings and feel like i dont have enough to play/solo/write in, im taking a serious break from extended...
Thank you very much. I am going to buy my first bass (I play guitar a bit) and I was wondering which bass to get. So this clarified things a bit (I'm saving for a nice Ibanez six-string).
@BassandLongboardguy Sure you can tune it to standard guitar. It may not be the bass standard but for someone that wants to play chords but need the extra length for the hands, why not.
Victor wooten is an iffy one in that set of names, because he has two basses, one tuned standard, another tuned tenor, stanley clark has up to piccollo. From what I've seen, it's mainly based on what is most comfortable. I personally love the thickness of the neck of my 5 string but hated the double humbucker setup, since it took up all of the room in the playing area, so I sold it but I'm thinking about a B-106 ESP (or a thumb... maybe a vette warwick *drool*). but yeah its all about comfort.
I wouldn't suggest you doing that until you've familiarized yourself with a tuning in fourths. The first reason is that sometimes you will have problems playing some more common songs. The second reason that it requires modification of your guitar. The truss rods (usually double rods on 6 string basses) needs adjustment and the nut must be replaced to hold thinner strings. Lastly, a bass string designed for a high E would probably be bespoke and costly.
Hope it helps. If not please clarify.
You CANNOT get any better.
Me and my friends are going to start learning to play instruments because its been our "dream" to start a band (Punk pop genre) what bass should i start to learn in this instance?
I'd recommend 4 or 5? You'll never need that top C string for punk.
Good Charlotte’s bassist uses mainly 5 string basses. Advantage to using 5 string in a pop punk band would be the fact that you don’t have downtune as much as you would need to because the drop D is already in the low B.
the only switch will be size between 4 to 6 but it is a tad hard to get used to.
He should have demonstrated on each type bass so we could actually see what he's talking about.
Yea, its all about what you make yourself used to. When I got my 1st 6 string, I don't think that I was ready for it. I got over the neck width
If you're starting bass playing i'd say start on 4 string. Get the basics dow then when you're good and ready bump your self up to a 6 if your hands are big enough or a 5.
In order to tune in E-e you should change the nut and adjust it for this type of tuning as well as you will have probably to adjust the bridge. Of course the B-C set of strings is not good for you you should change it with something like that:
a typical 4string set 105-045 and add a 0.32 and 0.25 strings.
In my opinion though you should try the original tuning and spend some time to discover the B string and its aspects.
5 string for life! Woot! Oh, and blinking is good too.
Carlos, you brought the bassin bacon! Nice rig, have fun
I have one of each, the 6er being fretless. What's the problem?take the one you like most, I like all of them.
PS: The 6 string bass is designed to use the B string so the tension is just right, on the other hand by puting thinner strings to get the E-e tuning you better see a luthier before to do all the the proper adjustments and to decide which set of strings to use, maybe would be better to use the 110-050 of the 4 string and then add a 0,35 0.27
@felporocker Yes I just got a 5 string fretless, and this is my first 5 string bass, its worth it.
@JLAudio7 Thanks for the info. I've never seen those basses before. They have a six-string version on their website. Maybe this bassist's six-string is also a GSR.
Very well articulated 👊🏿
On my opinion and experience...the 4strings bass it's a "must play"...I mean, every bassist should have played a 4. But I use a 5strings bass because a like the lower sounds and it gives a bigger range of sounds. In my case, my 5 has the neck thiner than the standards, and that have the adventage to play faster, but with slaps it's a hell, it's very hard to hit just one string. So if you choose a 5 or 6 you should have that in mind. So I'm looking for a new bass with the standard dimensions
very informative and as a fresh new beginner, i still think it will be best to start with 4 to get the fundamental down. i must also say, when i read the demonstrators name, i 1st read it as duck dogers...
@ObeseK1tten Thanks for finding out. I haven't played bass in years nor do I plan on going back to it but I was just curious. Thanks again!
Sean, I don't know you. I've never met you. But your comment had me laughing my ass off on a particularly shitty morning. The beauty of the internet - thanks brother.
@BassandLongboardguy You can tune a bass however you like. *Standard* bass tuning is all in 4ths, but there's nothing that says you HAVE to tune it like that. You can tune it like a guitar and play chords all you like. I know guys that do.
@spoddie I'm not into those very low tunings. I think there are some places in some songs where bass chords would fit really well. I'm not saying that whole song must be played very high on bass and with chords. It's like you don't use distortion on your guitar always. There are places where you really don't prefer to use it.
good lesson.thanks.
i would recommend a 5 string, but if you wanna get technical, it's awesome with six strings
very well done thanks from Italy!
@1above2 It's just a common simple bassline. It's actually used in a LOT of songs.
i'm a guitarist and thinking of starting bass and i can't decide which one to start with between 4 string and 5 string. i usually play groove/funk/fusion jazz. what do u think?
Thanks Russ
for dreatm theater u need a 6 string bass but for the metalcorestuff and the disturbed a 4 string bass , its the best for this kinda music :)
Go 7, Ibanez btb7 is a really nice option.
Thank you sir for the insightful lesson. i would love to see an in-depth review of that six strings bass it sounds awesome "is it an Ibanez ?" !!! anyways, I've been playing guitar for 10 years now and i want to explore more.
PS: i'm sorry for all the stuppid, rude, and informative comments % and they wonder why they were murdered brutally !!!
@ObeseK1tten It doesn't look like any of the SRs on their site either. Maybe it's custom?
If I would like to play:
Dream Theater,disturbed and some other metalcore bands
should I get a 5 or 6 string bass ?
omg what a nice sound ya bass's playin'! :D
Thanks 4 the video AND the homepage :) !!!
hello, i'm a classical guitarist getting in love with bass. i just got a six string bass and would like to tune it as standard guitar tuning, e-a-d-g-b-e it would save me lots of trouble and i can also use some guitar technique on the bass... you said in the video some people tune the bass that way, but i wonder if they tune it a 5th up or down, which would either cause too much tension the the neck of the instrument or making noises on the frets....i will appreciate your answer, thanks!
I've only known the 4 but I'm thinking a 7, maybe even an 8. I want to have it tuned standard, and the essential 1 or 2 low C and B, or D
@MrSpider1967 I DIsagree. It is indeed a wider range to master, (im going to assume that in what im saying the players know there music theory) but thats it, more to master and a wider range to use, not more creative. The 6 string version of Moonlight Sonata (For Bass of course) is much easier to play physically then the 4 string version . when you have more strings it makes notes your looking for much more accessible and thus you dont have to figure out "weird" ways to get the notes (to be con)
If you are an experienced guitar player then you can tune it as a guitar so nothing changes except you are tuned an octace lower than a guitar.
You have to consider though that 4string bass player jump to 5string bass because they need the low notes of B string, on E-e tuning you dont have them either.
Some 4string jazz players turn to 5 string and tune it E A D G C, in order to have more high notes, by tuning it E-e, this 'e' string is still not usefull at all.
so in your case it's more of a choice of taste and of being satisfied. nothing bad with that! i just thought you were claiming that 6 strings suck in general ;)
@MrSpider1967 His comment doesn't make no sense it just may or may not apply to everybody. It makes sense that it takes more work to get fewer string to be impressive, but of course that does not make 5+ string playing less impressive. Aram Bedrosian (4 string bassist) and Jean Baudin (11 string Bassist) are equally impressive, but i cant help but feel that Aram has to use more technical "flurry" to get his sounds out. nontheless they both have amazing songs
russ GOD bless you
@spoddie that's actually not right. playing chords on bass is very interesting and it adds an interesting feel to a song because it sounds different than the guitar. and one question, why is that so guitar players sometimes tune their guitars lower? Is it wrong too?
The pickups on my brand new Squire Jazz are being replaced with Bartolini's.
I play funk mostly the red hot chili peppers and i am curious about 5 strings.
Should i get one?
@CobaltSpieder777 it would be easier for them to have a 5 string bass, that way they wont have to tune down, cuz if they want to use the E string they can without having to tune it back. id find someone with a 5 string, but if they prefer 4 string than they may have to tune, or use a different bass for different stuff!!
With a 6-String Bass would you use all of your fingers on your right hand the same way you would on say, a classical Guitar?
@dalarana For indie/alt rock,I'd reccomend a 4 string, as chances are your not going to be doing really complex things, but if you DO want to stretch your legs a bit, I'd still recommend getting a 4 string first, find you way around it so that your comfortable playing it and then maybe move onto a 5 string.
Hope this helps :)
plizzz how can a chose the right string for my bass guitar i mean what king of sting shold i use for my bass guitar??? thx u
@killer599347 P basses are generally puncher and brighter, while a jazz bass has a smoother, shyer sound
I'd go for a p bass 5 string just because i like them more than jazz,
but if you want a REAL techno bass but also an all-purpose get a STEINBERGER, i have one and the the tone%sustain is outstanding!!!
I'll go with the 4 string bass 'cause it's looks the best to me, and by looking the best I'm sure I'll feel more comfortable with it; to me the 5 and 6 string just don't appeal to me and anything with 6+ strings is ugly.
@MrSpider1967 I play there but very carefully because i want to be able to play everything i play on a 5 or 6 on a 4 as well, albeit with more effort. And i hardly think what Stu Hamm and Victor Wooten and (More 4-stringers) do could be called inefficient. Im only trying to say its not a measure of skill either way, but with your choice of words as "More to Master", "you don't know what I'm talking about" your more trying to be macho about your 6-string it seems :3 play what you prefer but don't
@CobaltSpieder777
It would be best to find a five string player. If you've heard of the band Korn, their guitarist uses a seven string and the bassist uses a five string, and they play in A standard. Not to mention how much easier it would be on the dudes bass.
that is a beautiful 6-string
so i have a question,
im trying to decide wether or not to get a 6 string bass.
it looks like an all around better deal, if you can play everything a 4 and 5 can do but im afraid im going to buy it and it be so incredible different that itll be a waste of money.
so my question is,
if i play a four string, will the switch from a 4 styring to a 6 string be huge?
plz reply
but
Cool, thanks!
What brand of bass is this guy playing?
It's interesting to note that in standard tuning on a guitar, the interval after the G string is only a 3rd and the next string/note is a B, but a 6 string bass doesn't conform to such an idea.
Octaves....it's all about octaves..
@@wildizer damned right.
i have been asking this question for a while now and no one gives me a answer can i strum a base like a 6 string guitar or do i have to pluck the strings on a base
It's like watching Mr. Rodgers' bassberhood.
I can't wait to get a 6 string!
Hey man, can you tab out the 2 octave scale on a six string for me? My eyes are terrible, and it's hard to follow fingers these days.
if i mostly play heavy metal music wat bass should i get 4,5 or 6
I wish you could take out the high c string for say one even bassier above the B string >:)
I like six strings because you can standard tune them to a guitar and play chords. I could never play a guitar because my hands could never fit a guitar. Anyone that tunes there six string standard guitar tuning wanna show me how to sounds and what the chords sound like with that tuning? Thanks
@Crazymofoinamajikbox
The F# on the bass would be an octave lower than the F# on the 8 string guitar, which is almost impossible for the human ear to hear. I've seen som people tune their basses with a low F#, but wven the low B on a 5 string is difficult to hear.
@b4ss4to7string well i kinda want to get a 4 stringbecause i never played a bass before. would a 5 string be good for a beginner?
@edgarpoefan The initial post by hellerm stated that even though he has a 5 string bass, he feels more creative playing his 4 string bass (even 3 string) and in a 'smaller range'. Claiming also, that extra strings, particularly the C, is a distraction. It makes no sense to me, if you have access to a 5 (or 6) string why you would want to figure out 'weird' more difficult ways to play it on a 4 string? I am not saying that 4 string players are not creative, there are lots ! (to be cont.)
"Now I'd like to show you some differences between the 4, 5, and 6 string bass"
I was convinced he was gonna point out that a 6 string has a more strings than a 4 or 5 string in a manner that made him sound like we couldn't figure that much out.
it took me like 2 minutes to get the joke and I also have to thank Sean for making me laugh on a particular shitty sunday afternoon!
great channel :)