Guitarist looking to learn bass - # of strings

[swimrunner]

So, I'm looking to pick up a bass and all that. Long story short, is there any reason to not learn how to play on a 5 or 6 string bass? My musical tastes go everywhere, but I aspire to play progressive metal. I was thinking the extra range particularly lends itself to the genre, but if it's hard to learn on such a bass I can live with a 4 string.

[RickC]

On "modern" 5 and 6 string basses, the open strings are not exactly the same notes as on guitar; usually it's a low B and a high C added. On the early 60's style 6-string bass (used successfully by Jack Bruce in early Cream, and Roy Babbington with Soft Machine), the strings are the same note values as guitar, though obviously lower in pitch.

You're probably thinking of the modern style. Not necessarily hard to learn, but the substantially bigger neck size will make it physically more difficult to play. As a guitarist, you'll already have to adjust to bigger strings and longer scale even with just the 4-string, so going to 5 or 6 will add to that.

/rick

[Bryan T]

When I started playing bass it was on a 5 string. Personally, I find the increased range and the ergonomics of the instrument to be a better fit. Ergonomically, you get a wider nut, narrower string spacing, and a place to anchor your thumb when playing on the low E string.

Bryan

[Dr Git]

I'm a guitarist too, and I play a 5 string Bass from time to time. Its not too bad, but yes the neck is a bit wider. If your like me, you'll get cramps in your wrist from time to time. I owned a 4 string earlier and never got wrist cramps. Truthfully, if I did it over, I'f probably get the 4, cause its so much easier on the wrist. I also have small hands, so that doesn't help


On "modern" 5 and 6 string basses, the open strings are not exactly the same notes as on guitar; usually it's a low B and a high C added. On the early 60's style 6-string bass (used successfully by Jack Bruce in early Cream, and Roy Babbington with Soft Machine), the strings are the same note values as guitar, though obviously lower in pitch.

You're probably thinking of the modern style. Not necessarily hard to learn, but the substantially bigger neck size will make it physically more difficult to play. As a guitarist, you'll already have to adjust to bigger strings and longer scale even with just the 4-string, so going to 5 or 6 will add to that.

/rick

[RickC]

When I started playing bass it was on a 5 string. Personally, I find the increased range and the ergonomics of the instrument to be a better fit. Ergonomically, you get a wider nut, narrower string spacing, and a place to anchor your thumb when playing on the low E string.

Bryan

Bryan brings up a good point. Neck widths and string spacing vary, especially on 5 and 6 string instruments. As a default bass player, I'm more comfortable with wide (the wider the better), but if you shop around you can find basses with narrower spacing that make the adjustment easier.

/rick

[The Golden Boy]

I've never been comfortable on a 5, and more often than not when I'm playing a 5 that B sits unused.

When I was doing a metal band, we used Drop D a lot and having a 4 string dropped to D probably made a lot more sense than transposing down an octave to the B.

[Dave Orban]

Learning bass is NOT the same as learning guitar... especially if you want to do it right. ;)

I'd start with -- and stick with -- a four-string bass.

[shally]

Learning bass is NOT the same as learning guitar... especially if you want to do it right. ;)

I'd start with -- and stick with -- a four-string bass.

+1 on that


i depends what your goals are. if you are just going to fill in while your regular bassist does shots or tries to pick up the girl in the front row, then buy a short scale cheap bass and just slog your way through.

if you are serious about it, do it the right way and get a good quality
4 string instrument and take some lessons from a BASSIST, or a guy for whom bass is his primary instrument. you can eventually go on to upright or 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 string based upon how serious you are. and if you decide that bass is not for you, it will be far easier to sell a 4 string than a 5...

[lalaland]

So, I'm looking to pick up a bass and all that. Long story short, is there any reason to not learn how to play on a 5 or 6 string bass? My musical tastes go everywhere, but I aspire to play progressive metal. I was thinking the extra range particularly lends itself to the genre, but if it's hard to learn on such a bass I can live with a 4 string.

4 string.

It'll be easier to learn, easier on your neck, easier on your left hand, easier on you when you go back to playing guitar, you can get a better one for cheaper.

IMHO.

[swimrunner]

4 string.

It'll be easier to learn, easier on your neck, easier on your left hand, easier on you when you go back to playing guitar, you can get a better one for cheaper.

IMHO.Well, from a cheaper perspective, I was looking at these...

http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SR500-Soundgear-4String-Bass?sku=515055
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SR505-Bass?sku=517942
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Ibanez-SR506-Soundgear-6String?sku=515058

$550 (4-string) / $580 (5-string) / $630 (6-string) for the same bass, hardly a big deal.

Thanks for the responses. I'll have to check at a music store to see if I think I can handle extra strings or not.

[otaypanky]

For what it's worth ~~~
I've been playing guitar a long time and got a bass 15 years or so ago to do some home recording. It got very little playtime and lived in a closet. Last year I got the bug again, got it out and started playing a bit. Ended up going out to get a good bass in place of my 'starter'. I tried 5 string and they felt surprisingly good. But I opted for a 4 string Amer. Jazz and that's a lifetime of bass right there. Regarding Ibanez, I bought an Ibanez acoustic a few weeks back. It was inexpensive, had Fishman electronics, but sounded awesome and played well. Sold a Martin after that 'cause the Ibanez sounded so good. Now the bad part ~~~ Ibanez has virtually zero regard for customer support in my opinion. Within 2 weeks I started getting severe fret buzz. My trusted guitar tech checked it out and determined the relief and action were on spec, but the frets were raising in several places along the neck . The dealer was more than happy to exchange it, 'trouble was all of the other 3 they had sounded worse with the same problem in all the same spots.
Ibanez's response to the situation was that I could send it to them and they would send another one. So I get to pay shipping and they send out another guitar that from the looks of the 4 I played, will more than likely have the same problem? My other alternative was take it to their authorized repair center, the only one in Pa, about 4 hours away ~ They wouldn't even consider the tech I use, who's across the street from the shop I bought the guitar in, and who they use for all their repair work. They're also authorized for Fender, Marshall, and many more ~
Nor would they consider my suggestion of perhaps using this as an opportunity to explore expanding their authorized service network. Especially considering that they are right across the street from a dealer that's really strongly supporting Ibanez with considerable inventory and that they only have one in a very large state.
So rather than pay the shipping, wait for weeks, and get another fret poppin' guitar, I'm paying for it instead. But I'll NEVER buy another Ibanez product ~

[Thor]

If prog metal is going to be your primary style, I would actually recommend a good 5 string. The low B provides a little bit of extra range down, but more importantly, it gives you a lot more range without having to change positions. If hand size is not an issue, I like 35" scale, but there are plenty of great 5ers with 34" scale as well. The difference is not too signficant (to me) between the 4 and the 5, but once you get up to 6 strings, that fretboard starts getting pretty darn wide.

All that being said, you can do just fine with a 4 string. Best to get your mits on some good examples of both and see what fits best for you. Do a quick search on the threads for some ideas of some great options.

Welcome to the deep end of the pool!!! ;)

Cheers,

Edward

[guitarstan]

Go for 4 string, learn it well, you'll be glad you did later in life. Spend that time you would have dedicated to learning the other string doing something that will actually help you make a living.

[ghoti]

Go for 4 string, learn it well, you'll be glad you did later in life. Spend that time you would have dedicated to learning the other string doing something that will actually help you make a living.

Something non-musical?

Seriously, play what you like. My 6-strings basses are much more comfortable than 4-stringers ever were...except for upright contrabass of course.

[The Eristic]

I mostly play 7-string basses, as I find most 4s, 5s, 6s to be uncomfortable and unnatural to my fretting hand, as well as being rather limiting for certain aspects of my musical vision. I started seriously learning and playing bass on a wonderful Roscoe 5 that I lucked into; though it was and still is one of the best basses I've played, I sold it some time ago because I always felt restricted by it, like the neck was supposed to keep going (regardless of the string number). Ran into the same problem with the other fives and sixes I've had, so when I had the chance to try a 7, I jumped on it and voila! It's what works best for me, and I wish I'd had the chance to play one since the day I started. I keep other basses around (primarily very large-necked, wide-spaced fours) for specific purposes/gigs, but they're auxiliary instruments.

Try different instruments and find what works for you. Along the same lines as what I tell students (and parents) deciding between acoustic and electric, choose the instrument best suited to your needs, musically and physically.

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Figure out how many strings you'd like to end up playing, and start with a bass with that number of strings. It's bad advice to start out on a 4-string and "work your way up" to a 5 or 6-string. All that will do is get you accustomed to playing an instrument that will be different than the one you'll end up playing and make the transition that much more difficult. Guitarists aren't advised to start out on a guitar with 4 strings before they move up to 6; bass should be no different.

[Thor]

Figure out how many strings you'd like to end up playing, and start with a bass with that number of strings. It's bad advice to start out on a 4-string and "work your way up" to a 5 or 6-string. All that will do is get you accustomed to playing an instrument that will be different than the one you'll end up playing and make the transition that much more difficult. Guitarists aren't advised to start out on a guitar with 4 strings before they move up to 6; bass should be no different.


Great wisdom in these words. I found that the transition from 4 to 5 was much more difficult than it should have been for me. I am finally comfortable playing and thinking in terms of a 5er. I also think that it's easier to wrap your mind (and hands) around fewer strings if you are already comfortable with more. As with all things TGP, YMMV.

Cheers,

Edward

[Flyin' Brian]

I played bass for years, first in 60s rock bands then later in jazz piano trios.
Since I was primarily a guitar player, I found it much easier to wrap my head around the idea of a 4 string bass, since it was an easy transition and it made sense.

After many years, I recently played bass on a demo CD and I used a borrowed 4 string. A 5 string was available, but for that particular gig, I would have really had to think about how I was going to use the 5th string. I guess I'm saying that you might want to consider the way in which you're going to apply your bass playing, then keep it as simple as possible for yourself.

[Zim]

for metal? They use all kinds of tunings. So with that said, I am playing in a metal band now, I had to go get a 5'er to make it work right for the tuning we use. I got an Ibby too, i think it is the SR535. Great bass.

I got the 5 so I would have to abuse my beloved Fender P-Bass, the low tuning just was too flubby on a reg 4. Now on the 5, I start at the B but the rest is tuned UP to the tuning instead of down. The strings are tighter and no flub. Had to tweak the bass a bit, but its much better that way.

The 5 is tuned B,F#,B,E,A or is it C? No matter, I still don;t use the last string much. I am now, making myself do so. But thats what happened going to 5 from playing 4 for 16 or so years. Looking back, I should have just got a 4 and put a 5 string set on it and made the tweaks from there.

[dpeterson]

if you are only buying one? i'd get a 5. if you are playing funk (slap)? i'd get a 4. the b gets in the way for slapping.

dave

[Randaddy]

I'm a guitarist, but my primary instrument for 8 years was the bass. I gigged on bass exclusively.

My main instrument was a 4 string frettless. But I switched to a 5 string fretted because of the needs of the band. I was completely comfortable on either instrument. Moving to 5 string took a little time to get used to, but it was easy really. Not a problem at all.

Having said that, and emphasizing that 4 or 5 string bass is equally easy for me, I prefer a 4 string! The added string (low B) only adds 5 notes...B, C, C#, D, D#.
Of course, that string is used effectively in the upper positions also.

*** The sound of the low string is the most important part! If you want a big, phat, thick sound, the low B gets it. But if you want a focused, tight, defined sound, a 4 string can't be beat! I enjoy playing 4 string much more, and I prefer its sound.

Just my opinion.

[2 Loud 4 You]

Starting on a 6 as a guitarist may be a bit much depending on the neck but I'd at least start with a 5. I play a Roscoe 6 which has a 35" scale neck and it's fairly wide. My hands are "medium" according to my gloves so people constantly comment they're surprised I can play it. To me a 4 string just doesn't feel comfortable and a 5 string is a little better so I only own 6 string basses for that reason. If you're just looking to pick up bass I'd avoid starting on a 4 and working up as they just costs extra money. It's been said before but needs to be repeated, bass is NOT guitar so don't think like a guitarist when you play, learn from bassists. As someone who started on bass and didn't pick up guitar until 10 years later I found my bass skills really helped me as a rhythm guitarist and I could really lock in with the bass and drums.

[BigDoug1053]

I like 5-strings and think they are more versatile instruments. I would agree that for prog or metal, the finger positions for any complex patterns on a 5-string will be more accessible and easy to play. And the extra low notes are great - though you might need better cabs to take full advantage of the lower B. I believe that most bass playing should stay in the lower register pocket, so higher strings like on a 6-string - unless you are Victor Wooten or Anthony Jackson - are just not as useful as a low B.

Regardless of which bass you get, I do think you should plan on doing some simple scale and arpeggio practice up and down the neck until you get good note sounds in all positions and a feel for how the bass responds, and to master some bass fundamentals. Once you are are used to a 5-string, it's not a problem switching between guitar and bass, but you do need to train the hands.

[Sir M]

Scrap 4-5 strings... go 7 string!!!

http://i39.photobucket.com/albums/e156/Mattwilliamson1/2-4.jpg

[khromo231]

It is no harder to learn to play bass on a five string as opposed to a four, unless you have small hands, in which case the reach to the B string can be a chore.

Six strings tend to be a lot harder for most people to learn on and play because the width of the neck makes it very hard to reach the E and B strings. A six string offers all of five extra notes over a five, the highest five notes on the C string. Not many bass players ever go near those notes outside their bedroom. If you are Joe Soloist, they may be somewhat important, but otherwise that sixth string is more in the way than anything else.

Some players, especially in worship or metal bands, will consider you a loser if you don't have a five, even though many four strings can be detuned to capture a few of those five lower notes (that's right, there are just five), or strung BEAD to capture all five lower notes at the "expense" of the five highest notes that most guys never use anyway.

On the other hand, many players from all genres will immediately suspect a wanker in the house when you break out a six string.

There are a lot of "great deals" out there on sixes, because in my opinion the market is getting hip and guys are realizing that a crazy price on a six string is probably not a good deal for them at all, so beware. If you want to work, go ahead and break in with a five, because a lot of music is being written with them in mind these days, and they are becoming more and more expected.

Remember that a decent five string is generally going to be noticeably more expensive than a decent four, so budget for that. Also note the comments about amps, but don't be put off by them. Take a few lessons from a real bass player so you can understand the difference between playing the bass and playing guitar, and have a ball!

[Bryan R. Tyler]

It is no harder to learn to play bass on a five string as opposed to a four, unless you have small hands, in which case the reach to the B string can be a chore.

Six strings tend to be a lot harder for most people to learn on and play because the width of the neck makes it very hard to reach the E and B strings. A six string offers all of five extra notes over a five, the highest five notes on the C string. Not many bass players ever go near those notes outside their bedroom. If you are Joe Soloist, they may be somewhat important, but otherwise that sixth string is more in the way than anything else.

Some players, especially in worship or metal bands, will consider you a loser if you don't have a five, even though many four strings can be detuned to capture a few of those five lower notes (that's right, there are just five), or strung BEAD to capture all five lower notes at the "expense" of the five highest notes that most guys never use anyway.

On the other hand, many players from all genres will immediately suspect a wanker in the house when you break out a six string.

Remember that a decent five string is generally going to be noticeably more expensive than a decent four, so budget for that. Also note the comments about amps, but don't be put off by them. Take a few lessons from a real bass player so you can understand the difference between playing the bass and playing guitar, and have a ball!

Very few people play a six for those five extra notes. Many six-string players never even play those notes. It's for the different tones the notes on the high C provide, the added clarity when playing chords, and the ability to play across the neck that are the benefits of extra high (and low) strings.