Hey, all.

A couple of years ago, I switched from my Lado 5-string, to my Ibanez SR406 6-string for one simple reason...I could never make up my mind whether I wanted a Low-B or a High-C for the 5th string. Since then, I've found that (after an initial 3 month period of adjustment) my creative abilities have vastly improved, along with my playing technique. But now I'm curious, are there any more 6-string bassists here? If not, have any of you found the same sort of results from moving from a 4-string to a 5-string? Conversely, have any of you ever played a 7-string? I've only ever seen one being used, and was intrigued...

This is the first thread I've started, so be gentle with me...lol

Cheers

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I'm not, a six string is kind of pusing it, it's harder to move around on a six string than it is on a 4 or 5 string for me anyways, but bassist like John Myung And Steve DiGiorgio are amazing on 6 strings.

Does anyone play a 5 string fretless bass?

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Hey, Zionist.

Actually, playing a 6 isn't as hard as you'd think. If you position your thumb on your fretting hand right in the middle of the neck, it's quite easy to reach all the frets on all the strings. It took me a little to get used to looking at the strings and remembering where I wanted to be, but as for the fretting, that is fairly simple.

Cheers

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I use that technique on my five string. What brand of 6 string do you have?

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Good to hear, Tulvox. You find a lot of people that play with their thumbs up on the top of the fretboard, and unless you've got monstrous fingers, it limits your reach.

I'm playing on an Ibanez SR406 6-string w/active pickups, through an Ampeg Classic SVT head and matching SVT 4x10 cab. I love the neck on the bass, but hope one day to replace the electronics in it with a set of active EMG's and an active onboard pre-amp and eq. What about you?

Cheers,

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When I switched from 4 to 5 string, I did find it really helped improve my writing and playing. Surprisingly, did mean playing very low stuff at times, but it actually resulted in me playing high stuff more often. Why? I could play high up on the neck without having to move back down to play lower stuff. It's been especially useful for classical oriented stuff. If that wasn't clear here's an example: one Bach violin piece that I play moves from the lowest G (3rd fret E string) to the highest G (or second highest if you have 24 frets like me) in a relatively fast progression. It's very hard to move up the neck that fast, but with my B string the low G is on the 8th fret, making that song easy.

I once picked up a 6er in a music store - it wasn't much harder to play than a 5. You just have to get used to the strings being closer together. One day I will get a 6 stringer. I'd also like to try fretless. But that's all many dollars in the future.

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True enough, Rattlehead. I play most of the stuff (when in standard tuning) instead of from the open E, I'll play the E on my B string, and I find it tighter in tone, not to mention a lot easier to move up in notes vertically as opposed to climbing up the neck all the time.

As for the strings being closer together, yeah, that was the hardest part in making the transition...not so much for playing, but visually. When you look down at the neck, it gets a little confusing for right-hand/left-hand coordination. But after a short while, it just becomes second nature. Pick one up, you'll definately enjoy it.

Cheers,

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I'm actually planning on getting a 6 string fretless towards the end of the Summer. It took me a little while to understand the usefulness of the added C. I've had the opportunity to play with an 8 string Conklin which was pushing it for me, but wasn't that bad. I also had a chance to play a Conklin double neck (7 fretted and 7 fretless) which was a beast.

Check this one out.

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How is that thing tuned? It looks like a seven string with three higher strings added. I think the two highest strings don't even have coils around them ... like the high 3 strings on a guitar. How is it tuned, do you know?

Also where are the volume controls and such? Man that's one funny looking bridge.

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I want to say F# to Ab. For reference, I think Meshuggah does the low F# with their new 8 string guitars.
I know Adler made one as well which was low C# to Eb...low C# is actually below the human ear's frequency perception...I believe it's 17.0 Hz or so. .198 thickness on that string
Adler also made a 12 string tuned low C# to Ab with the fanned fret system.
http://adlerguitars.com/index.html

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aehm ... 12 strings ... that's too much for me.

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92 different notes. Wow.

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Is that bass really practical?

I dont think so... I get the job done fine with 4 or 5 strings.

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He says he uses it as a piano also. Weird.

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Well I guess a 12 string bass would be better suited for piano music than a guitar, considering all the different (and lower) octaves you would get on a bass like instead of a guitar.

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dude steve digiorgio plays a esp 5 string fretless these days.hes never played 6 string officially ie its not mentioned anywhere,even on his website...he earlier used to play a 4 string fretted,then fretlewss then ulimately a 5 string fretless

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i would at the max move on to a 6 string bass nnot more than that.i dont think you need the other strings then....i earlier had a local made 4 string bass.now have n aria pro 5 string bass which is awesome

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Mostly two hand tapping. Sort of like the Chapman Stick.

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I know that, I meant to say in this forum.

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I might one day pick up a 7-string, but those 8, 10, and 12 string basses are too much for me. Looks interesting, though, but I can't see the practicallity of it. Each to their own, though.

Cheers

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I played on a cheap 6 string in my local music store the other day, wasnt bad! it was the second time ive played a 6 string, and felt more comfortable on it, i would never buy one for gigs or anything, maybe for shits and giggles, to just piss about with now and then, but definitely not for a gig, im too used to a 4 string and its not really necessary for the music,

But i definitely wouldnt mind having one, just to pick up now and then and fiddle around with, like a fretless..

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what exactly is the point of all those 6, 8, 10, 12, etc stringed basses? seems kinda pointless to me

Its not really pointless at all, if bassists want to play with more strings then what should stop them..

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i have nothing against it, i just dont see the point. what exactly are the advantages?

Different octaves...more notes etc.

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The advantages are blatant, like tulvox said.. octaves, higher notes, more possibilities, better harmonies, generally just you can do anything..

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