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Gospel Instruments => Bass Guitar => Topic started by: bradleymoorer on May 19, 2010, 01:55:53 PM

Title: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: bradleymoorer on May 19, 2010, 01:55:53 PM
Someone told me this after a concert a couple of weeks ago, kinda got upset about it, I don't think that just because you have a six string you are automatically a good bass player, I will prolly eventually get a six string, but for now I am pretty comfortable with the five, kinda like I was with the four. I think I should master one before I move in to the next.

What do guys think?
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: phbrown on May 19, 2010, 02:02:27 PM
Whomever said that solos too much ;)
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: DWBass on May 19, 2010, 02:15:30 PM
Nah! A six string is not for everyone. Certainly not for me and I've been playing since the early 70's! A 5 string is all I need to make a joyful noise!
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: bradleymoorer on May 19, 2010, 02:25:19 PM
Whomever said that solos too much ;)

nah worse, he don't even play

Nah! A six string is not for everyone. Certainly not for me and I've been playing since the early 70's! A 5 string is all I need to make a joyful noise!
I tell I can do a lot with a 5 so until God gives me the anointing to move the six I am staying put!
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: ddwilkins on May 19, 2010, 02:32:13 PM
I'm working on my 6 string right now!!!! ;D
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: Da_Drumma on May 19, 2010, 02:32:56 PM
I play a 6 string bass, and ive only been playing for 8 months. Dont get me wrong for only playing 8 months i am truly blessed, but the only reason and i mean only i play a 6 string is because I was in GC playing around with different basses and i happen to pick up a six, and ever since then i couldnt drop it. The feel of the neck felt so natural to my fingers, and my hands. It felt so, so comfortable, and still today i play my 6 just because of its feel...i hardly ever play the C string. I have a 4 and a 6, i skipped over the 5 just because i loved the feel of that 6. So in saying that....there are different reasons people play different basses, so all in all....just do you.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: kevmove02 on May 19, 2010, 02:42:14 PM
One of the things that is frightening consistent is that no matter where you are or what you are doing, there is always someone who isn't doing anything trying to tell you how to do it better. I have to admit that I was astonished how good it felt to play a six string bass. I had to pass though because it felt like G.A.S. (no pun intended). Right now, my fiver sits in the corner, cause I'm loving the 4 string!
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: Da_Drumma on May 19, 2010, 02:48:21 PM
G.A.S???
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: kevmove02 on May 19, 2010, 02:52:12 PM
Gear Acquisition Syndrome
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: phbrown on May 19, 2010, 03:00:57 PM
G.A.S???

Gear Acquisition Syndrome: The feeling you get when you want to buy new gear just because you feel you need it when you don't really need it.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: cordney on May 19, 2010, 03:14:59 PM
I have a 6er but right now I'm focused on my 5 string.  I use the six to try improve my flexibilty on the 5.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: Da_Drumma on May 19, 2010, 03:15:29 PM
Ahhhhhh.....gotcha!!!! I get that sometimes, not often but sometimes!! Lol!!
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: Da_Drumma on May 19, 2010, 03:21:22 PM
Im going to the 5. I love the feel of my 6, but not using the C string can get aggrivating just sittin there takin up space, but i hope i find one that feels the same as my 6. Im really lookin at a Jazz V.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: BPforChrist on May 19, 2010, 05:29:34 PM
I started with a 4-string but I don't play it anymore, I play a 5-string most of the time ... I have a 6-string that I really like, I have it because, when I was starting out, most of the bass players I saw in performance around D. C. played a 6 ... I've found a role for it, and I take it to church when the songs being played allow me to take advantage of the C-string ... I try to use it with really quiet songs and I try to play a melody with the C ... I don't play lead bass so, I haven't found other uses for the C yet.

Can anyone offer additional ideas for using the C-string.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: SavnBass on May 19, 2010, 10:18:55 PM
I play a 5 and will probably stay there.. I prefer the 5 over the 4 and there are practical reason s for making that switch IMO... but the 6...  I dunno... For me there is just no need to switch other than wanting something new.. and I am at the point where if I got another bass.. 4, 5 or 6.. I wouldn't want a cheap one.. I would want a quality instrument.. and right now I just cannot justify it on any level other than a purely selfish one.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: floaded27 on May 19, 2010, 10:20:45 PM
i love my 6 string. i also love my 5's as well. its not about how many strings but about the bass itself. was playing on a friends Ibanez SR506 just a few hours ago. its ok, but not the same as my MTD Z6, which is the reason i didnt make the jump to the 6 until i got that MTD. to me its not about the number of strings. its all about the neck!!!
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: Mysteryman on May 19, 2010, 11:08:17 PM
i love my 6 string. i also love my 5's as well. its not about how many strings but about the bass itself. was playing on a friends Ibanez SR506 just a few hours ago. its ok, but not the same as my MTD Z6, which is the reason i didnt make the jump to the 6 until i got that MTD. to me its not about the number of strings. its all about the neck!!!
Maybe it's about the hands.  :D I love how the SR series necks feel thin. I played some mtds at guitar center and the neck was ok but the SR neck feel better. It's almost aa easy to play my five as my four. I'm thinking it may be a difference in choices base on large or small
hands, short or long fingers. Schecter was pretty much the same as the SR series in feel. I might not have the ear for the major differences in sound yet. 
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: floaded27 on May 19, 2010, 11:37:55 PM
Maybe it's about the hands.  :D I love how the SR series necks feel thin. I played some mtds at guitar center and the neck was ok but the SR neck feel better. It's almost aa easy to play my five as my four. I'm thinking it may be a difference in choices base on large or small
hands, short or long fingers. Schecter was pretty much the same as the SR series in feel. I might not have the ear for the major differences in sound yet. 

well i mean in playability. of course its a subjective thing. what feels great for me may not necessarily be that way for the next person and vice versa.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: jeremyr on May 19, 2010, 11:54:02 PM
I've gone through about 4 6'ers with all of them being my main for at least 2 months and getting player EVERY single day and I got rid of every last one of them.

I'm a 5 and 4 string kind of guy and I've learned that works best for me.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: dhagler on May 20, 2010, 12:24:50 AM
I haven't played a 6 yet, not even tinkering around in GC. I just haven't felt inclined. I own two 5's and a 4, and all of them get their share of use.

To the OP: I haven't ever had anyone come up and tell me I should be playing a 6. Although I have heard many other suggestions--but that's for another thread. ::)
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: blacklw234 on May 20, 2010, 01:29:48 AM
The C string on the 6 to me is not useful for my style of play.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: bradleymoorer on May 20, 2010, 02:07:10 AM
I feel like most of you guys, I just don't see the need unless you are in an atmosphere where soloing is what you will be doing a lot of, I think about the stuff that Thaddeus Tribbett does with a four...ridiculous!
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: ddwilkins on May 20, 2010, 08:41:30 AM
When I finish my baby, I'm going to love hitting that high B string (i tune half step down). With 18 mm string spacing, it will be very versatile. I'll have to get used to it because I haven't played a six in about 4 years and it was an SR506. I should have never sold that bass. It was the older model. The one that wasn't a mahogany body, it had the natural finish.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: hands5 on May 21, 2010, 02:00:09 PM
I've gone through about 4 6'ers with all of them being my main for at least 2 months and getting player EVERY single day and I got rid of every last one of them.

I'm a 5 and 4 string kind of guy and I've learned that works best for me.
Same here jeremyr, A LOT with the 4 as of late with my Jazz/P bass
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: BassbyGrace on May 21, 2010, 04:44:22 PM
I love 6 strings even though I dont own one at the moment.  They are just "Fun" to play to me.  I will eventually get one (I love Yamaha sixes) but lately Ive been crushing my Marcus Miller 4.  It just sounds so good, and is very easy to play.  Ive had no problem covering anything gospel or otherwise.
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: malthumb on May 21, 2010, 07:34:54 PM
It's all a matter of preference and style.  I had two hers for a couple years.  One fretted, one fretless.  Found that I wasn't really taking advantage of the additional range.  They became more like 5 stringers with an extra string.........that sometimes got in the way.  So for me, not the best thing.  Loved both basses because they were very well constructed, sounded great, and had the best neck profiles I'd. Ever played.

Sold both of 'em.  To the same guy, a month apart.  Had a 5 string built with the exact same neck profile and now I'm happy as a clam. I have no idea what that means or why clams would be happy, but folks say it a lot
Title: Re: You gotta get a six string.....
Post by: stix_clgi on May 23, 2010, 10:54:05 PM
I love 6 strings even though I dont own one at the moment.  They are just "Fun" to play to me.  I will eventually get one (I love Yamaha sixes) but lately Ive been crushing my Marcus Miller 4.  It just sounds so good, and is very easy to play.  Ive had no problem covering anything gospel or otherwise.

Yeah, that MM 4 sounded great at the shed last year, plus you crush anything you play anyways....

I agree with just about everything that's been said, although I don't six string basses are better suited for soloists. As has been stated, bassists like Thaddeus, Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, Billy Sheehan...etc...play 4's and will demolish any number of cats who play 6'ers. And I think a tasty chord here or there in the music is cool. I owned a BTB 6'er and it was my main bass for 3 years until I got my Schecter Stiletto Studio-5. Now I want a Studio-6 or Spector Legend 6, I miss my six string lol