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BrianVW
05-05-2011, 04:53 PM
Hi, Everyone;

As I mentioned before, I'm a long time guitarist who is new to this bass stuff. So please forgive me for asking a silly question...but what is the difference between a 4, 5 and 6 string bass? Should I consider getting a 5 or 6 string model? Is it easier to learn on 4 strings and add additional strings later, or should I start out with 5 or 6 strings? Or should I stick with 4 strings. I look forward to your thoughts...

Thanks in advance,
Brian

Elmeaux
05-05-2011, 05:36 PM
I would love a five-stringer, but the bass I fell in love with had only four.

If you're just starting out and have never tried one, I would recommend going to the music store and hanging a five-stringer around your neck just to check out that awesome B string. If she talks to you, think about it instead of the four.

Just remember though, that Roy's lessons are done with a four-stringer, so you'd have some extra work ahead of you. The people here who already play fives will be better at telling you how the lessons go with a fiver.

Six would be a bit much for me, though.

donniehurt
05-11-2011, 04:32 PM
I like the 4string myself and until i can make it sound as good as Roy im fine with it:cool:. theres really only 4 extra low notes although u can cover more range without moving around so much.

TobiasMan
05-11-2011, 09:12 PM
I play 4, 5 and 6 string basses.

The four is my old 72 Fender P bass. Learned on it many years ago and still my go to bass for blues. Roy does use a 4 string for the TMBG lessons, but he certainly does not only play a 4 stringer.

My 5 string is a 35" scale, MTD fretless and that is quite a different critter, but I love the sound and feel of a solid B string. Right, there are only four more notes below a 4 string, but it is so easy to drop down to a solid low D or even a thundering C if necessary. I don't go down there often during a song, but do use it for effect at appropriate points in a song (often near the end or the climax point in the song).

My 6 string is a Tobias Killer B and the upper C string adds highs that are available by just walking across the neck instead of pivoting or sliding up the neck. With extended range basses it is important to make sure that the pickups are set properly to get a similar volume from each string.

As far as the lessons go, you can play things on the middle four strings, just like Roy does in the lessons, but you need to extend the range of your scales, arpeggios, and chord work to include the upper and lower strings.

Both my MTD and the Tobias have Michael Tobias' asymetrical shaped necks, so they are thinner on the treble side and are therefore very easy to play in spite of the width of the necks, but still difficult to reach across and play the low B string above the 12th fret (but there are many options for playing those same notes elsewhere on the neck that its not an issue).

Extended string basses are not terribly difficult to play, but do give you a wider palate of places to play. If you want the mid neck tone, you can play the entire piece up there and that can be more difficult with only 4 strings. ;)

Elmeaux
05-11-2011, 10:01 PM
Great info, TobiasMan. Thankee!!!

DONNIE B
05-25-2011, 10:55 PM
four for me please

Bassplayer4ourGod
11-22-2011, 10:50 AM
I play 6 myself, Ibanez SR506

ArtLiestman
11-22-2011, 04:28 PM
At this point, I'm good with 4 and don't anticipate going to more strings. You never know, though. I am not philosophically opposed to more strings.

rmiddle
11-25-2011, 09:20 AM
Right now, I have a 4 string and a 5 string. I play the 4 string pretty much all the time. I'm just starting out (less than a year) and when I play the 5, I found myself getting lost. But I will get htere.

Mekana
12-03-2011, 10:57 AM
My main bass is a 5 string, with a low B. I'm just starting TMBG (lesson 1 so far!) so I'm also curious how the lessons will go with a 5er.

Anyway, I appreciate the ease of being able to play without a whole lot of shifting hand position on the neck, and my band plays a couple drop D songs that I don't have to tune down for. :)

Carlos
12-06-2011, 01:38 PM
Well, in my opinion if you are not reeeeally good is not necessary to have more than 4 strings... and even if you are 4 strings is mainly the best option (i.e. most professional bass players uses 4 strings like Victor Wooten, Stanley Clarke, Marcus Miller, etc).

Of course, the 5 and 6 strings have their advantages but if you are not really good, as I said, what you will do is just play in a more confortable way because you will have "more notes" toguether.

I had a Warwick 6 strings Thumb Bass neck thru and I sold it with the Warwick Thumb Bass 4 string because I wanted the "bass of my life". I had some conversations with Jerzey Drozd (the famous luthier) and when I said him that I was in doubt about 4 or 5 strings he made me this reflection: "Are you a professional bass player o a high level one?, If not, go for the 4 strings".

I'm very grateful to him because the 5 string is more expensive than the 4 and is his bussiness... so he takes care of his customers first, money in second place...

Of course, I'm not opposite to 5 or 6 strings. If one day I'm good enought to make the most of this kind of bass I will buy one again ;)

Shane
12-19-2011, 09:19 PM
As soon as I heard that low B I knew I had to have a 5-string, but I'm finding it pretty hard to play a stringed instrument whose top string isn't an E string. But I'm working on it.

My vote is for both. Get one of each if you are able.

line6bassman
12-19-2011, 09:29 PM
As soon as I heard that low B I knew I had to have a 5-string, but I'm finding it pretty hard to play a stringed instrument whose top string isn't an E string. But I'm working on it.

My vote is for both. Get one of each if you are able.

You'll get used to it!! And you won't be able to live without a five string!! And then you'll play a 4 and it feels weird.

Line6bassman

TobiasMan
12-19-2011, 11:20 PM
I don't believe that you have to be a pro to play 5 or 6 strings. With practice the added strings just become part of the platform upon which you play - chording becomes a bit more manageable and the high and/or low strings just give you more places from which to choose to play notes.

I find I keep reaching for non existent strings when I play my Fender Precision. There is just too much versatility with the extra strings on the 5 and 6 stringers.

Then there is that low "B". :D

I actually use the low D more than the B and the fact that it sits there, right under the G makes it very, very handy. ;)