6-string Bass: Hard to learn?

[THF2]

Get proficient on a 4 string as most of the “greats” felt no no need to go beyond ( i.e. Jack Bruce - RIP, Sir Paul, Jack Cassidy, John Entwistle, Tim Bogart - RIP, Chris Squire - RIP, Victor Wooten, Geddy Lee and the great James Jamerson - RIP ) just to name a few.

if you think you then want to expand your playing, go for a 5, 6(or beyond) string

 

[Mystic]

My first guitar loooooog ago was an electric bass. I currently have an acoustic (both 4-string).

A local guy is selling this bass...


View attachment 1498989

"Custom Ibanez Gio GSR206 6-String Bass Guitar Black
EMG 45JX pickup (bridge)
EMG 45PX pickup (fingerboard)
Scale: 34" (864mm)
Maple Neck
2 Truss Bar cables
Bridge pins tuned perfectly
Plays very easily (no pain)
Custom poplar bass ramp
Aftermarket tone/volume knobs
Just a few minor scratches
Brand new D'Addario EXL170-6 6-String Nickel Wound, Light Gauge
Very clean sound, low punch, and crystal clear highs
Hear it recorded here:

https://mosstone.bandcamp.com/album/hubbub "

It looks like a good deal, but how much harder are they to learn? Four string seems difficult enough nowadays.

John

I've never played other than a 4-string, so cannot say from experience, but it reminds me of an on-stage quip during a Metallica concert when exbassist Jason Newstead joined the boys, including (still) current bassist Robert Trujillo for a guest stint:

Hetfield: "So are you guys ready?"
Both: "Yeah"
Robert: "Hold on, I have to change a broken string."
Hetfield: "C'mon, Robert. Jason only needs fours strings."

I found it amusing.

 

[BOUXY]

My first guitar loooooog ago was an electric bass. I currently have an acoustic (both 4-string).

A local guy is selling this bass...


View attachment 1498989

"Custom Ibanez Gio GSR206 6-String Bass Guitar Black
EMG 45JX pickup (bridge)
EMG 45PX pickup (fingerboard)
Scale: 34" (864mm)
Maple Neck
2 Truss Bar cables
Bridge pins tuned perfectly
Plays very easily (no pain)
Custom poplar bass ramp
Aftermarket tone/volume knobs
Just a few minor scratches
Brand new D'Addario EXL170-6 6-String Nickel Wound, Light Gauge
Very clean sound, low punch, and crystal clear highs
Hear it recorded here:

https://mosstone.bandcamp.com/album/hubbub "

It looks like a good deal, but how much harder are they to learn? Four string seems difficult enough nowadays.

John

Not really that hard if you have it in you,try an 8 string Bass now that is different

 

[arts]

Not really that hard if you have it in you,try an 8 string Bass now that is different

I have an original Hagstrom 8 string. Very unique tone. Good luck finding strings in the proper gauge and length....

 

[THF2]

I have an original Hagstrom 8 string. Very unique tone. Good luck finding strings in the proper gauge and length....

You lucky guy. If this was your 1st bass, you cut your chops on a Hagstrom 8 string which would have been a very unique experience. Wow!

Hagstrom’s were considered a 2nd or even a 3rd rate bass by those that had Fender’s, Gibson’s, Rick’s, etc.

I had a 4 string Tiesco that cost around $80 at that time. I recently saw a similar bass on EB selling for $1500!

Besides having that unique experience, I can’t imagine what your bass would sell for today!

 

[Jack Keck]

What those of you who are not familiar with the Hagstrom 8 string bass is that it is like a 12 string guitar. It has 4 pairs of strings. It does not increase the range of notes that the bass can play like the 5 or 6 string basses do.

 

[THF2]

What those of you who are not familiar with the Hagstrom 8 string bass is that it is like a 12 string guitar. It has 4 pairs of strings. It does not increase the range of notes that the bass can play like the 5 or 6 string basses do.

Right! Thanks for reminding us!

I remember that which reinforces my statement about it being a “unique experience”!

 

[markd51]

One thing I'll say about 5 and 6 string basses. I've owned three 5 string Basses in my life, two Alembics, and one Modulus Quantum 5.

I have relatively small hands. It's quite a stretch for me. But some people are more flexible in this regard. I liked my Modulus with a 35" scale, because it had one of the best sounding clean B-Strings there was that didn't sound like mud. And I've toyed with the Pedulla's.

Mostly found the B-String was great for resting my thumb on. Seemed I always came back to Fender, and my best love was the Precision. I've owned 4. These 2 I still have.

 

[THF2]

One thing I'll say about 5 and 6 string basses. I've owned three 5 string Basses in my life, two Alembics, and one Modulus Quantum 5.

I have relatively small hands. It's quite a stretch for me. But some people are more flexible in this regard. I liked my Modulus with a 35" scale, because it had one of the best sounding clean B-Strings there was that didn't sound like mud. And I've toyed with the Pedulla's.

Mostly found the B-String was great for resting my thumb on. Seemed I always came back to Fender, and my best love was the Precision. I've owned 4. These 2 I still have.

Ya’ know, welcome to the “guys-with-small-hands-club-where-palming-a-basketball-or-throwing-football-are-challenging-let-alone-trying-to-play-a-full-scale-bass-neck”

I too tried many basses over the years (4,5,6 strings) one of which is a Tele bass ( 4 stringer) that I soooo loved the sound of but, it was unplayable for me.

For a while, I played a Gibson EB-3 which felt great but it had that classic strong bottom end.

I went back to my trusty 69 Jbass with a 1/4 diameter neck which always plays well for me.

I recently picked up Music Man reissue with a J/P pickup config with a short scale neck. I am in love all over again!