Author Topic: Five, Six, Seven, Eight ... etc., ... Strings ... Why? (Read 823 times)

exploiterplayer · « **Reply #30 on:** May 06, 2005, 08:52:07 AM »

After playing a 4 string bass professionally for 18 years......I've tried 5 string basses but I just cannot get the hang of playing them. Truthfully......Its hard to teach an old dog new tricks.

dannobasso · « **Reply #31 on:** May 06, 2005, 01:38:20 PM »

Having 4,5,6 and 1 7 stringer, I have to say because:
1. They are really cool.
2. I went from a 4 to a six because of Anthony Jackson.
3. 5's because my sixes were not the thing for a dark rock band.
4. 7 because I wanted something totally different in a fretless Alembic.
5. Why the he double hockey sticks not?
I had a 10 string stick and an 8 string stickbass, but I never had occaision to play them live.(save a few times playing big time PG and shock the monkey in a cover band) Life is too short to compromise on your desires (provided no one gets hurt), explore your abilities and discover something new. Sometimes it's just an extra string away!
Danno

hb3 · « **Reply #32 on:** May 06, 2005, 01:54:14 PM »

Tell us about the Stickbass! I've been thinking about buying a Stick. Any other Stick players out there?

palembic · « **Reply #33 on:** May 06, 2005, 03:56:18 PM »

Well ...iff I had the money this wopuld be siomething I would go for: http://www.bassnw.com/Used%20Basses/conklin_sidewinder_7FL.htm
Of course I would try to get a lower price.
Fair chance that I would get completely lost on it but well ...life IS about trying no???

Paul the bad one

and about having the right stocking in the right bank of course.

Bradley Young · « **Reply #34 on:** May 06, 2005, 06:39:54 PM »

My current bass is a 6-string.

I play in church against a Hammond (with Leslie), and I need the extra depth that the B string affords me (we play lots of songs in Eb). I'm seriously considering going to an F#BEADG tuning.

The six happened because I was in the market for a five and found a good deal on a six (Warwick Corvette). Plus, the six had active electronics, where the fours and fives have passive.

I feel deficient on anything less than a five. I'd really like to try an eight, tuned C#F#BEADGC. You'd have to have some serious amplification on that open C#. I'd really consider it on my current custom, but since it'd be available the sixth Tuesday of December, 2015, I decided I couldn't wait that long.

Danno, where can I see pics of your fretless 7-string Alembic?

Brad

dannobasso · « **Reply #35 on:** May 06, 2005, 07:35:06 PM »

If you look in the archives and find Danno's rig, there are a few along with my ridiculous amp set up. I traded the stickbass to Oggydoggy.
Danno

Bradley Young · « **Reply #36 on:** May 06, 2005, 08:16:10 PM »

Danno,

An impressive collection of pursuaders! Is the 7 strung with a high F (looks like) or a low F#?

Brad

dannobasso · « **Reply #37 on:** May 06, 2005, 09:47:12 PM »

Spoilers, Distillate, SC Deluxe, Excels, BEADGCF Lined fretless, deluxe neck cocobolo Spoiler. Love em'all.
Danno

locutusofborg10 · « **Reply #38 on:** May 07, 2005, 10:07:06 AM »

i had a 5 for a while but got rid of it becdause i kept making mistakes thinking the b was the e. i'm going to stick with 4's so i don't keep making mistakes. also, i didn't find the need for the low sound of the b. i guess i'm a traditionalist at heart so playing a 4 fits right in.

bassdr · « **Reply #39 on:** May 11, 2005, 09:38:05 AM »

My solution to getting the notes below E is an octave doubler- obviously an octave below. My hands are so used to 4 strings after 38 years that I don't think much about them and I'm too lazy to relearn on a 5. I do admire the players like Victor (I've seen him live in the Ann Arbor area 4 times) who play them. Flame Koa Essence and Mr. Ric are both 4s with similar feeling necks and easy to switch between. Lazy me! Michael

willride3 · « **Reply #40 on:** May 12, 2005, 07:49:58 PM »

This is great, I enjoy this! Great comments! The first time I thought about a 5 was when we played a song I had a solo in in D. I really wanted that bottom the 4 didn't have in that range. The Essence I now have has it, for sure with the B string available. I also have small hands, had trouble at first with processing the thought that the lowest string was not an E, also have made some adjustments for muting the B, and I am an older dog that has learned the new trick. You can get used to it! It's a fun instrument, that's the name of the game for me.I play lefty, and had to fill in on an emergency on a 4 upside down a couple of times at church, once with a broken A string. My bass was at home. Talk about a brain cramp! I used to play upside down a long time ago. Barely remembered how. Well, after that, I bought a 4 that I practice on to keep my brain in shape.It really is a good thing for me to switch occasionally to stay in focus, and not get too comfortable with the same playing patterns. Also get some new ideas. Bottom line is they are all good. P.S. I don't leave my Alembic Essence out overnight anywhere. Is this a common sickness around here? Tom

willride3 · « **Reply #41 on:** May 12, 2005, 07:52:27 PM »

hey, bassdr. you in ann arbor? i'm in detroit. tom

mint_bass · « **Reply #42 on:** May 13, 2005, 08:02:07 AM »

its already been said but my need for a six is simple the band i jam in use alot of dropped tunings including dropping the E string to a D and to a C with the other strings down one step as well. We also play in regular tuning and other tunings. We do this as we feel it suits the song better i got a six sting so i would not have to keep tuning up and down between songs. Thats why i have a B string but for the C i play a lot of chords and use wah and the extra high notes sound better than lower when playing wah and allow me to play more chords.

andrew

bassdr · « **Reply #43 on:** May 13, 2005, 01:54:37 PM »

Hey Willride- I'm in Dexter 426-2321 land line. Call me, Ill call you back- Michael