ML94 Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 So I've had a 6 string bass for about 3 months, jumping from a standard jazz. I have to say when I first got it, it was brilliant. There was so much versatility as in playing in different places, being able to play up the octave and having a 2 octave neck. The active pickups and circuit produces any sound that I would like. Now after the 'new bass' phase, I started to get into making sure I knew the bass in the back of my hand. Again I've learnt it all. So I know my way around the bass, all the 6 strings and what not. I just keep feeling that yes sometimes the low B string is nice to go down the octave instead of going up but I'm not using the high C at all. Which brings me back to my 4 string bass which i Had sold. I just feel like more strings isn't really better. Just wanted to know if anyone else had gone through what I'm going through and what you did. ML Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 19, 2014 Share Posted January 19, 2014 I posted the other day about my thoughts regarding the low B string. When people say that they don't use the low B, then in my opinion they're not using the bass properly. The benefit of having a low B isn't just the new low notes, it shifts everything up so you can play everything up from the 6th fret onwards. Making position shifts unnecessary, and following charts or scores easier. The high C is personal. I've spent the last couple of hours transcribing one of Janek Gwizdala's songs. It's a lot easier having the high C string. I've only just started transcribing it, but there's a lot of high A's, B's and C's (9th, 11th and 12th fret on the C string). It's also really useful for chordal playing. I think it's best to have the string and only use it occasionally than not have it and miss it. If you're comfortable playing a 6 then why change ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML94 Posted January 19, 2014 Author Share Posted January 19, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1390158387' post='2342132'] I posted the other day about my thoughts regarding the low B string. When people say that they don't use the low B, then in my opinion they're not using the bass properly. The benefit of having a low B isn't just the new low notes, it shifts everything up so you can play everything up from the 6th fret onwards. Making position shifts unnecessary, and following charts or scores easier. The high C is personal. I've spent the last couple of hours transcribing one of Janek Gwizdala's songs. It's a lot easier having the high C string. I've only just started transcribing it, but there's a lot of high A's, B's and C's (9th, 11th and 12th fret on the C string). It's also really useful for chordal playing. I think it's best to have the string and only use it occasionally than not have it and miss it. If you're comfortable playing a 6 then why change ? [/quote] I guess the reason why I want to change is that I don't feel like I'm utilising it as well as I could be. Learning on a 4 string as many others do I always had the thought of more strings = better. But after experience, I can say it if you are utilising the extra strings well enough then yeah its the bass for you. Regarding your opinion on making some things easier, I've just performed the Laurence Cottle piece 'Quite Firm' and having the full 6 string range playing it effortlessly is a doddle. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topo morto Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 I prefer 4 strings because I can thrown in all sorts of techniques without having to think too much about the muting. With a 5 I have to play more conservatively to keep everything under control. If I wasn't rubbish that would help, but I think with any given level of talent the same thing applies. I often don't like B strings because when a string is that thick compared to its length it sometimes seems to act more like a gong or chime than a string, you can get all sorts of weird metallic overtones. The B string also needs a different technique with all that extra weight, needs a gentler touch. I don't like C strings because they don't have any notes on them that are bassy, and I picked up the bass 'cos I wanted to play [i]bass[/i]. Agree that it's nice for chords though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 (edited) [quote name='topo morto' timestamp='1390178398' post='2342408'] I prefer 4 strings because I can thrown in all sorts of techniques without having to think too much about the muting. With a 5 I have to play more conservatively to keep everything under control. If I wasn't rubbish that would help, but I think with any given level of talent the same thing applies. I often don't like B strings because when a string is that thick compared to its length it sometimes seems to act more like a gong or chime than a string, you can get all sorts of weird metallic overtones. The B string also needs a different technique with all that extra weight, needs a gentler touch. I don't like C strings because they don't have any notes on them that are bassy, and I picked up the bass 'cos I wanted to play [i]bass[/i]. Agree that it's nice for chords though. [/quote] It's all just practice and working on technique. I use a 125 B string, so it sounds balanced with the rest of the set. It all depends on what you play. If you play in a blues or soul band then I guess learning to play and develop your technique to play a 6 string is a bit pointless. If however you play music that's a bit more out there then it's probably worth the extra effort. I think a 5 string is indispensable, at least to me. I admit I hardly ever have to play anything lower than an E, but it's a positional thing. I tend do do most of my playing from the 6th fret upwards. Low F's, G's etc are played on the B string. I do like the high C string though. Edited January 20, 2014 by ambient Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topo morto Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1390179047' post='2342415'] I admit I hardly ever have to play anything lower than an E [/quote] Oddly I quite often feel the need for a low D or C but I quite like the discipline of trying to make the bassline work and "stay bassy" without it, throwing in an extra arpeggio or chord here and there (I love using chords and double stops as a way to thicken things up timbrally). An example of a technique I use that I'd find hard on a 5 or 6 is using thumb, index, middle, ring on E, A, D, G, each basically muting the strings unless they are plucking them. It allows the string to be deadened really quickly directly over the pickup which is great for use with gated fuzz and tracking effects. I'm not down on sixes or anything, would like one again, more so than a 5 actually - I'd string the 6 like a guitar, E-e, or maybe B-b would be cool too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 20, 2014 Share Posted January 20, 2014 [quote name='topo morto' timestamp='1390181480' post='2342425'] Oddly I quite often feel the need for a low D or C but I quite like the discipline of trying to make the bassline work and "stay bassy" without it, throwing in an extra arpeggio or chord here and there (I love using chords and double stops as a way to thicken things up timbrally). An example of a technique I use that I'd find hard on a 5 or 6 is using thumb, index, middle, ring on E, A, D, G, each basically muting the strings unless they are plucking them. It allows the string to be deadened really quickly directly over the pickup which is great for use with gated fuzz and tracking effects. I'm not down on sixes or anything, would like one again, more so than a 5 actually - I'd string the 6 like a guitar, E-e, or maybe B-b would be cool too. [/quote] Funny, but I was transcribing an Anthony Jackson bass line earlier - 'what I'm said' by Steve Khan from the 'suitcase' album. All of a sudden there's this huge low C thrown in from out of nowhere. Sounded amazing but totally unexpected , the there's a high bit followed by another low C. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ML94 Posted January 20, 2014 Author Share Posted January 20, 2014 [quote name='ambient' timestamp='1390187850' post='2342436'] Funny, but I was transcribing an Anthony Jackson bass line earlier - 'what I'm said' by Steve Khan from the 'suitcase' album. All of a sudden there's this huge low C thrown in from out of nowhere. Sounded amazing but totally unexpected , the there's a high bit followed by another low C. [/quote] Well Anthony Jackson is a beast himself and I've noticed whatever he plays sounds AMAZING ! His stuff with Chaka Khan. Ooooohhh . If I could even become half as good as him I'd be over the moon. Time to shed now ... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 I think it is important to note that a six string bass, whilst having 50% more strings, has only about 10 more notes than a conventional bass. Bearing in mind they are at the extremes of the instrument, it is not surprising that the core of the instrument remains the notes on the conventional bass. Six-strings remain a specialist instrument rather than a must-have. I got rid of my 5s and 6s years ago as they were just wall art. Not much time for chordal playing on the bass. Just never liked the sound that much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
topo morto Posted January 21, 2014 Share Posted January 21, 2014 [quote name='Bilbo' timestamp='1390310109' post='2343812'] Not much time for chordal playing on the bass. Just never liked the sound that much. [/quote] Buy more effects! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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