4 string or 5 string bass?

[ekwatts]

Sort of a baritone, really. Danelectro and Fender called them six-string basses back in the day but they're almost always grouped under the baritone title nowadays.

They're placed under baritone lately due to how they're often played, but, they're in the bass frequency range. It's just a 4 string bass with a high B and e added. The top four strings play the exact same frequencies as the strings of a standard bass... It's a bass instrument. It was also designed as a bass instrument, playing bass lines along with stand up basses, adding sharper attack... but, we players have used them differently through the years
To make a VI a standard baritone, you have to capo at the 5th or 7th fret.

Danelectro baritones are the same scale length as the Bass VI but are set up from the factory to be tuned B to B, which is why it can be a little confusing. In terms of the aesthetics, pickups and setup for most "six-string" basses though, they're much closer to guitars. Throw in the fact that most modern guitarists now instantly conjure up an image of one of those horrible melted "organic" looking Warwick-style basses when they hear the words "six string bass" and the old Bass VI's and friends are much happier sitting in the Baritone camp alongside extended scale guitars with 27" necks and so on as they can be used either as a classic six-stringer bass or as a "true" baritone tuned to A-A or B-B.

[Bacchus]

Sort of a baritone, really. Danelectro and Fender called them six-string basses back in the day but they're almost always grouped under the baritone title nowadays.

They're placed under baritone lately due to how they're often played, but, they're in the bass frequency range. It's just a 4 string bass with a high B and e added. The top four strings play the exact same frequencies as the strings of a standard bass... It's a bass instrument. It was also designed as a bass instrument, playing bass lines along with stand up basses, adding sharper attack... but, we players have used them differently through the years
To make a VI a standard baritone, you have to capo at the 5th or 7th fret.

Danelectro baritones are the same scale length as the Bass VI but are set up from the factory to be tuned B to B, which is why it can be a little confusing. In terms of the aesthetics, pickups and setup for most "six-string" basses though, they're much closer to guitars. Throw in the fact that most modern guitarists now instantly conjure up an image of one of those horrible melted "organic" looking Warwick-style basses when they hear the words "six string bass" and the old Bass VI's and friends are much happier sitting in the Baritone camp alongside extended scale guitars with 27" necks and so on as they can be used either as a classic six-stringer bass or as a "true" baritone tuned to A-A or B-B.

Hmm, this reads a bit like a bit of Not True Scotsmanism here, Eric.

[BoringPostcards]

Would this be your first bass? If so, I'd say go for a 4 string. 5 string basses can be fun, but they can also be a big pain in the ass seeing as they typically have really wide necks and the low B is only really useful for certain music styles. I borrowed one once and got bored with the low string after a day or two and just found it cumbersome and tiring, but hey maybe you'll love it.

[BillClay]

All that and hardly a solid answer, thanks guys.
Cons - I'll look like a fag, got it...

The comment on parts/repairs being harder to find/less universal was decent, the rest was ignorant shite.

Seriously, what do you want from us? You're totally acting like a 5 string bass player right now, you need to cut that shit out.
Low B doesn't really add anything, the neck width will probably break you, and you'll start thinking "man, why have I been hating on Korn all these years? Their actually kind of cool, I never realized just how innovative and original they were. Hell, I should really learn to play Freak on a Leash or something, lemme just go find some kickin tabs for it"

[brainfur]

Sort of a baritone, really. Danelectro and Fender called them six-string basses back in the day but they're almost always grouped under the baritone title nowadays.

They're placed under baritone lately due to how they're often played, but, they're in the bass frequency range. It's just a 4 string bass with a high B and e added. The top four strings play the exact same frequencies as the strings of a standard bass... It's a bass instrument. It was also designed as a bass instrument, playing bass lines along with stand up basses, adding sharper attack... but, we players have used them differently through the years
To make a VI a standard baritone, you have to capo at the 5th or 7th fret.

Danelectro baritones are the same scale length as the Bass VI but are set up from the factory to be tuned B to B, which is why it can be a little confusing. In terms of the aesthetics, pickups and setup for most "six-string" basses though, they're much closer to guitars. Throw in the fact that most modern guitarists now instantly conjure up an image of one of those horrible melted "organic" looking Warwick-style basses when they hear the words "six string bass" and the old Bass VI's and friends are much happier sitting in the Baritone camp alongside extended scale guitars with 27" necks and so on as they can be used either as a classic six-stringer bass or as a "true" baritone tuned to A-A or B-B.

I met a guy who plays one of those Danos as a Bass 6. Had never heard of one until this year. I think his band is just bass VI, drums and vocals (and probably a lot of effects?)

[Berto]

if anything is gonna give you carpal tunnel, thats it

[iCEByTes]

if anything is gonna give you carpal tunnel, thats it

his face is something like oh jezus i screwed

[brainfur]

if anything is gonna give you carpal tunnel, thats it

barf

[endsjustifymeans]

You only need 2.

[youtube][/youtube]

[Gabriel]

If that looked less metal I'd totally rock it

[BillClay]

If that looked less metal I'd totally rock it

For it to look less metal you'd have to lose two of those strings.

[Haze]

eight strings = uncool, got it

I've got a buddy that plays 8 strings exclusively now, he's VERY talented and knows tons of theory and how to implement it into his writing and his instrument.

and my question was from a learning point of view. If you're going to learn an instrument from scratch, why not pick the one that might challenge you and learn new techniques that I can put towards my music. Sincere apologies for thinking a more versatile instrument, which is plainly is, could bring new things to music for me.

my bad guys

[Nick]

I've got a buddy that plays 8 strings exclusively now, he's VERY talented and knows tons of theory and how to implement it into his writing and his instrument.

and my question was from a learning point of view. If you're going to learn an instrument from scratch, why not pick the one that might challenge you and learn new techniques that I can put towards my music. Sincere apologies for thinking a more versatile instrument, which is plainly is, could bring new things to music for me.

my bad guys

Still confused by your mentality. For the general discomfort of a wider neck on a heavier bass, plus having to adapt your playing style from the "standard" if you ever have to go back and forth or use someone else's bass etc, you're gaining 5 extra notes. Big whoopity doo.

4 string and 8 string mandolins don't play much differently. For that matter neither do 12 string and 6 string guitars - most even have the same size neck. But electric basses, as big and clonky as they usually are, only get bigger and clonkier to hold and play the more strings you add. Makes them look as weird as they feel (yes I know you're tired of hearing this argument).

I will say though, if it's what you're out to do, then just go out and try one, and buy it if you like it. No need to get shortscale's approval on every move. The thing about electric bass is that in terms of the history of the instrument, it's rather young, so there is no "standard" way of playing it. Use your fingers, use a pick, slap it, run it through effects, etc. If you want that extra string don't let us tell you otherwise.

[Haze]

I was hoping to hear some advice from the learning side, not whats cool

[hotrodperlmutter]

what do you think is easier to learn on matt?

4 strings or 5 strings? technique is not the first thing you learn. the initial focus should be on your fingers navigating the metal strings beneath them. not PUSH PUSH GO GO

[gaybear]

from the learning side, i think it always makes sense to start with the standard for whatever instrument it is. you can always go with extra crap later on down the road, but you have a good base to start with

you seem already convinced of what you wanna get though, anyway

[Haze]

Im not convinced, that is why I made a thread to get some good opinions.
Cons being
-More to learn
-Wider neck, heavier instrument
-Adjusting to standard bass

All that for an extra five notes. I tend to write in lower tunings, down to A or B for baritone stuff, so the low B would be like a baritone/extended scale instrument. Also, I've already got a pretty good feel for 4 string basses. The heavier instrument is not something i'm excited about My Jag is about as heavy as I can go for a 45 min set. Not that I couldn't stand a bass for that long if i had to.
fuck me, carl
[exclamation, not the verb]

[Nick]

I was hoping to hear some advice from the learning side, not whats cool

What part of that post comes across as NOT advice from the learning side?

-5 strings are harder to learn
-learning on a 5 string makes it harder to switch to playing a 4 string bass if you have to
-5 strings are heavier and more cumbersome than 4 strings
-The wider neck on a 5 string might not be a good fit for your hands

Here's one I haven't mentioned yet - On a 4 string bass, your lowest note is a perfect octave down from your guitarists' lowest note (if he doesn't play a 7 string).

As I said, just go to a shop and play one, because obviously my opinion isn't going to change your mind. It really is a thing for most bassists (even many of those in metal bands where that sort of thing is seen more often) where the drawbacks of a 5 string bass outweigh the benefits. I know bass players that own or have owned 5 strings and it never ends up being their preference mainly because of comfort of playing.

As it is you're just trolling.

[Nick]

Sorry, posted that before reading your last post there.

Guess the "standard tuning" point is moot.
I'm sure someone must make a lightweight 5 string bass

[Nick]

but I'd be scared of that wooden bridge where intonation is concerned