5 or 6 strings?

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rob

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Hi,
i was just wondering about something: i started playing bass a few months ago (with a 5 string) but since i have become a warwick addict i wanted to have a bass built in the CS. The most "sexiest" bass for me is certainly a 6string broad neck Streamer...but i was just asking myself the question if i would ever need this 6th string or not. The style of music i am in is a kind of jazz, funk, fusion and soul... What do you think? Would you go for a 5string or for a 6string?
Thanks 4 your help
Rob
 
I'd most likely go for the 6 string. Might as well! For jazz you would be able to make a ton of walking lines without having to change position all the time and chords will definitly be easier to play too!
 
If you're into jazz, it could go both ways: many amazing jazz and funk players play 4-stringers, but many solo-ists like the possibilities of a 6th string (or even a 7th, for that matter...)

So go with what you like... not very useful advice, I know, but that's all I can say!
 
This is tricky. I went straight from playing a 4 strings to playing a 6 strings and the change was really hard to adapt to. After a while, when I stopped playing all the progressive style music I stopped using that 6th at all. And now, even though my 6 strings is one of my favorite basses in terms of sound, I find myself not using it as much as my 5 strings.

5 strings are starting to become the standard. They are just as versatile as a 4 strings with the added lower notes which a great extra feature.
 
You can play any style, on any bass, no matter how many string it has.
My feeling about this, after playing many years on 4 strings and many years on 5 strings, and trying some 6 stringers is:
More strings, more possibilities, less balls.
Basses with 6 strings are far mor difficult to control/ mute than 4 stringers. And they just not sount the same. Even if they are the exactly same model, same pickups, etc, the 4 stringers seem to me to sound punchier.
Also, with a 4 stringer you can make a "meatier" sound than with a 5 stringer. Because, you have to be careful vith lows, so the low b not to be boomy.
So my advice here is to use the minimum number of strings your style and abilities is REALLY demanding. If 4 strings are not enough for you, buy a 5 stringer. But remember, you will gain a low B, and you will lose something else... just a feeling :-)

I have no choice, must play with 5 strings, but I really miss my 4 strings days. Rock And Roll!!!!

Markus Setzer told me once: " Well, it is simple, there is 4 strings music, 5 strings music, and 6 strings music :-) " He has a very clear way of seeing things .
 
Florin said:

I have no choice, must play with 5 strings, but I really miss my 4 strings days. Rock And Roll!!!!

Markus Setzer told me once: " Well, it is simple, there is 4 strings music, 5 strings music, and 6 strings music :-) " He has a very clear way of seeing things .
Click to expand...

There's also 8-string music and 12-string music, you know...
And there's fretless music...

(oh, and if you need that B on your new bass, and yet you love 4-stringers, why not go BEAD on that new buzzard of yours? :twisted: )
 
and do you think changing from a standard 5string to a broad neck should be a problem?
 
GO FOR IT!!

hey rob,

follow your heart. when it says 6-string: GO FOR IT!!!

kindest regards,

markus
 
JanVanHove said:
Florin said:

I have no choice, must play with 5 strings, but I really miss my 4 strings days. Rock And Roll!!!!

Markus Setzer told me once: " Well, it is simple, there is 4 strings music, 5 strings music, and 6 strings music :-) " He has a very clear way of seeing things .
Click to expand...

There's also 8-string music and 12-string music, you know...
And there's fretless music...

(oh, and if you need that B on your new bass, and yet you love 4-stringers, why not go BEAD on that new buzzard of yours? :twisted: )
Click to expand...

oh yes 8)
 
man buy what you want to buy, it's not supposed to be up to us to choose what bass you want. And btw, 6 strings in jazz fusion could be useful and if you play mostly jazz and stuff like this, don't think a bass that have that much punch
 
Re: GO FOR IT!!

markus_setzer said:
hey rob,

follow your heart. when it says 6-string: GO FOR IT!!!

kindest regards,

markus
Click to expand...

I told you Rob, always listen to Markus :-) Anyway, if your dream bass is this one:

That's his Custom Shop special SSI. And he developed those special J pickups, together with Mr Hansal. The bass sounds amazing, really clear and warm.
 
Why won't you check out some basses in a shop..........

Just hold them in your hands and just experience the instrument. Maybe you really feel at home with a 6 stringer...................or maybe a 5 stringer will feel better............ 8)
 
rob said:
Hi,
i was just wondering about something: i started playing bass a few months ago (with a 5 string) but since i have become a warwick addict i wanted to have a bass built in the CS. The most "sexiest" bass for me is certainly a 6string broad neck Streamer...but i was just asking myself the question if i would ever need this 6th string or not. The style of music i am in is a kind of jazz, funk, fusion and soul... What do you think? Would you go for a 5string or for a 6string?
Thanks 4 your help
Rob
Click to expand...

hey mate... just be aware that the broadneck Stage 1 is... well... BROAD. definitely try one first!
 
Lex said:
rob said:
Hi,
i was just wondering about something: i started playing bass a few months ago (with a 5 string) but since i have become a warwick addict i wanted to have a bass built in the CS. The most "sexiest" bass for me is certainly a 6string broad neck Streamer...but i was just asking myself the question if i would ever need this 6th string or not. The style of music i am in is a kind of jazz, funk, fusion and soul... What do you think? Would you go for a 5string or for a 6string?
Thanks 4 your help
Rob
Click to expand...

hey mate... just be aware that the broadneck Stage 1 is... well... BROAD. definitely try one first!
Click to expand...

Try it out as Lex says. I have pretty short and chubby fingers myself but I can manage pretty well on that broad neck.

A 6er has been in my scope for a loong time.
 
Lex said:
hey mate... just be aware that the broadneck Stage 1 is... well... BROAD. definitely try one first!
Click to expand...

you might not realise how wide the SS1 6-strings neck actually is until your sitting down playing it
 
yeah, now try playing it fretless! :)
 
Lex said:
yeah, now try playing it fretless! :)
Click to expand...

Haha

In all honesty i've found 6 string more useful for jazz fusion due to the high c being amazingly useful.

I though after breaking my left arm twice and having progressively bigger plates put it each time means that the biggest bass i can physically handle is a 5 string...and i prefer 4 stringers with hipshot tuners, they give me all the notes i'll ever need and if i need more i'll just tune differently :)

Also like florin said 6 stringers don't have as much punch as a 4 string, infact i think it make them perfect for jazz and latin where a more smoother sound imo is better, if you try the broadneck streamer and get on with it i'd say go for it. I have this thing about the high c though, ofc if you can;t and prefer 5 strings don't discount tuning it EADGC, but then high c is imo far more useful imo than the low b as it was not needed (d tuning 4tw) for jazz/fusion and some funk stuff but thats just me :lol:
 
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