KebabDestroyer Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Hi guys. I'm looking at getting myself a new bass. At the moment I have a P-bass and an Overwater Aspiration, both 4 strings, but there's a few songs I'd like to learn that require 5 and 6 strings to play. I'll guide you through my train of thought thus far. I don't want to jump straight into a 6 string as I'm useless with a guitar and, while I appreciate that a bass isn't played the same as a guitar, I don't fancy forking out for something that'll be left to gather dust until I can get rid of it somehow. I feel it's important to point out that I don't consider myself a "musician" as such. I can read tablature and play Rocksmith and with other people if I know the song etc but my knowledge of scales and the "theory" side of playing bass is somewhat lacking. I've been at it nearly 3 years. So I was thinking about getting a 5 string. Given my lack of actual skill and the knowledge that there's not a huge amount of songs I want to play that require 5 strings, I have my doubts as to whether it's worth it. Then again, I'd like to work my way up to 6 (Dream Theater <3). So my question is, should I bother getting a 5 string? Since I want to work up to 6, should I just get a 6 and skip the 5? Agh!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 If you want six strings then get a six string, in my case I just wanted the low B so five was what I got and I have no desire or use for extra strings. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Don't mess around. Get the 6er and keep playing it until it feels comfortable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Shouldn't the title be 5v6 ? Anyway, you want a six, get a six. Besides, it's one louder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil Adams Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 As a learner player I wanted a 5 string, despite starting on a 4, I felt that if I was learning anyway, might as well learn 5 string. Just to make it easy on myself I went for a 5 string fretless........ Admittedly, playing both wasn't a smart idea, but I found it took a while to be sure "where i was" on the 5, and whilst I love the sound of the bottom B, it was all too much and I reverted to a 4. Trouble is I'm now always looking for notes below bottom E. If you are seriously committed to playing a 6, and willing to practice, then what are you waiting for? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Don't see it makes any difference, if you're gonna learn to play a 5 you may as well learn to play a 6. Get a few lessons too, correct technique is vital. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I went straight from a 4 to a 6. It's a little more to get used to, but once you do you can play all the 5 string stuff on it too so you might as well I only own a 5 string because there was one going cheap and I needed something with a low B... my 6 was tuned to A! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lw. Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Be prepared for a lot more plankier experience - even from 4 to 5 the difference is like a whole 'nother instrument. I played on a 6er thumb bass for about 30 minutes and just couldn't handle it at all (though it was nicely put together). If you really want 6 it makes sense to just go for it otherwise you'll need to re-learn twice. Edited January 23, 2014 by Lw. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ambient Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 The thing with a 6 is there's a symmetry that's missing on a 5, you still have a normal 4 string bass inside the 2 new strings, for me that makes the transition a bit easier. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oggiesnr Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 I have to confess that I've never understood 6 (or more) string basses. I can understand going lower but as soon as you go higher you start hitting the guitars, keyboards etc. For an extra two and a half tones of already crowded soundspace I've never seen the point in the money it costs to get a decent one. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Damonjames Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 Just jump in. I procrastinated for ages before recently getting my first fiver, and I'm not going to say its a nothing transition, it just takes a little planning and thought. I have 2 4 strings, and I find that if I play on one for a while and then swap to the other to play the Same songs, it feels a little awkward and takes a little while to settle back in. It's the same with the 5, if i spend all my time on it I'm fine, if I jump back on a 4, ill hit the A instead of the E just silly stuff. I now have songs for certain basses, so when I run through my bands set list I swap out throug my practice so I know what to expect. Playing a 6 should be no different, unless you build it up to be something huge in your own head. Just do it and get on enjoying it!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JapanAxe Posted January 23, 2014 Share Posted January 23, 2014 [quote name='oggiesnr' timestamp='1390512838' post='2346365'] I have to confess that I've never understood 6 (or more) string basses. I can understand going lower but as soon as you go higher you start hitting the guitars, keyboards etc. For an extra two and a half tones of already crowded soundspace I've never seen the point in the money it costs to get a decent one. Steve [/quote] As with the 5 (only more so) you can reach all the notes you want by going across the strings rather than up and down, thus achieving greater economy of effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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