Custom Bass: 5 or 6 string?

[Benjamin]

A local luthier can build me a custom bass. I am planning ahead and have a few questions. This bass would be predominantly for studio use, with occasional gigging at special events.

 

1. Body shape will most likely be Gibson/Epiphone. Either another Ripper (the shape works well for me, lots of wood for resonance). Another nice shape is Les Paul. Not after a modern shape.

 

2. Neck through. No compromise.

 

3. Equipped with Bartolinis, possibly active. Bearing in mind the studio bent. Dual humbuckers, or humbucker/jazz. Thoughts?

 

4. Minimum 5 strings, therefore scale of 35"?

 

5. Here's the biggie! 5 or 6 string? 10 string methinks not (an 8 can come later).

 

I would like an extended range fretted bass. My fretless works a treat with BEAD. I don't mind 5 string, wonder if I should just go 6 while I am at it. Any opinions against 6?

 

The local luthier has made some truly spectacular gear. A mate of mine is my city's 'session man', immensely talented. 5 string neck-thru fretless with EMGs, 5 string semi-acoustic upright. He makes sick electric banjos!

 

My current Black Epi Ripper will become my live bitch

[bassplayer7770]

I don't have any opinions against 6-string, but I don't personally need the high C-string. Do you?

[Benjamin]

 

Originally posted by bassplayer7770 I don't have any opinions against 6-string, but I don't personally need the high C-string. Do you?

 

 

Never really tried. I consider myself melodic and use some higher arpeggios often. A 4 string sometimes doesn't make it easy. But that comes down to whether a 6 string would promote 1st position, or 5 string will promote 2nd or 3rd position, no?

[birdboy7007]

 

Originally posted by Benjamin Never really tried. I consider myself melodic and use some higher arpeggios often. A 4 string sometimes doesn't make it easy. But that comes down to whether a 6 string would promote 1st position, or 5 string will promote 2nd or 3rd position, no?

 

 

The feel of a 6 string is different than that of a 4 or a 5 even. A lot of it comes down to personal preference. The slightly larger neck, or different string spacing could make or break a great instrument.

 

Its probably worth trying out different instruments if at all possible to find out if you like the feel of a 6er

[hawkhuff]

 

Originally posted by Benjamin Never really tried. I consider myself melodic and use some higher arpeggios often. A 4 string sometimes doesn't make it easy. But that comes down to whether a 6 string would promote 1st position, or 5 string will promote 2nd or 3rd position, no?

I would play a six string or two beforehand to see if you would like one. Only you will know that for sure. You may not like the size of the neck, for example.

 

If you do the melodic stuff you will find the 6 will afford you many more possibilities.

 

I have read that a 35" scale will provide better B string tension although opinions will vary on this. I like the 24 or 25 fret neck, which are 35's because on the 5 or 6 string you have more octaves with which to play. For example, the e scales become extended to 4 with more than the conventional 20 fret bass. The 20th fret ends at E flat (D#) on the G string which was always a frustration for me.

 

My $0.02.

[FINGERFUNK]

Have you ever played a 6-string before? The only opinion I have against a six is, if you haven't payed a 6-string before, you may pay alot of money for something that you end up not liking.

 

If you haven't played one, go try some out to figure out if that's what you like or not.

[Benjamin]

Word. *goes looking for friends with 6ers*

[BoundandBlocked]

If you

[Benjamin]

Everything he produces is handmade. He is even experimenting with some interesting pickups.

 

String spacing will be something I can slap on reasonably comfortably, but not too wide as to make a strumming or technical line difficult. I have average width fingers.

 

Can anyone suggest some common necks to look out for? I have a chance to try Washburn, Warwick and maybe Ibanez 6ers locally.

[BoundandBlocked]

 

Originally posted by Benjamin Everything he produces is handmade. He is even experimenting with some interesting pickups. String spacing will be something I can slap on reasonably comfortably, but not too wide as to make a strumming or technical line difficult. I have average width fingers. Can anyone suggest some common necks to look out for? I have a chance to try Washburn, Warwick and maybe Ibanez 6ers locally.

 

 

 

It sounds like he can play with the string spacing, but if you want to slap, you'll want some space in there and you probably can't really slim down the neck too much.

 

 

Try going to different manufacturers websites and finding the nut width and trying the basses all along the spectrum of widths.

[Fitty]

Being the bass player i am, i'de say go with a 5. the high c would be great for chords, soloing and being able to stay in one position for longer. but watching you play you move around a fear bit, i'd go a six string only if i was playing chords or if i was the lead guitarist. hehe

 

plus not that this has anything to do with the price of coffee in china, but remember how you will look because the neck is fatter you will have to have the bass sitting around you ears the play the thing or you wont get through 2 bars. i don't know about you but i like it covering my man hood in case a chick is wearing a low cut top. but looks don't make you play better.

 

anyway thats, my $0.02

[RSBro]

If you're gonna wile out and get a fully customized bass, you need to go ahead and step up to a 6. Even if you wouldn't use it as much, it's much more difficult to find an incredible 6 banger as opposed to a 5er.

[Benjamin]

Originally posted by Fitty anyway thats, my $0.02

 

{censored}, that was great value for money!

 

I spoke to Gibbo last night, and he raised an interesting point. 35" scale for a 6 string still doesn't yield a good high C string sound. You'd need to go to 38" or thereabouts.

 

I do wonder if I move around too much. A 6 string can bring me back in line a little.

[Darkstorm]

Votes fiver unless you really really want a bass designed to be played like a guitar and octave lower. And only if your comfy useing a pick and with string spacing that encourages a more strumming type approach. Otherwise your stuck with a very wide neck. If you dont absolutely love playing a fiver, you wont like a sixer imo.

[niomosy]

Give the 6 a try. I've got a 5 strung EADGC and quite enjoy it. Having the high string opens up some fun options.

[Benjamin]

I like melody and dipping higher and lower into the registers. I don't know why but I do. I am not particularly chordy, because that would take too much space in my current band.

 

I would be happy if my head were to say 5 string. Curiosity and experimentation wants 6 strings. If weight is an issue, I will opt for a semi-hollow/channelled body, and laminate on the top

 

How much heavier than your average Fender P or Ric are 6 string basses?

[RSBro]

Originally posted by Benjamin I like melody and dipping higher and lower into the registers. I don't know why but I do. I am not particularly chordy, because that would take too much space in my current band. I would be happy if my head were to say 5 string. Curiosity and experimentation wants 6 strings. If weight is an issue, I will opt for a semi-hollow/channelled body, and laminate on the top How much heavier than your average Fender P or Ric are 6 string basses?

 

 

I'm not sure about "high" quality 6'ers, but I've had a both a great Ibanez Custom 3006 and Dean Edge Q6 and they were both relatively light. The heaviest guitar I've played was my old Spector 5, which had a LOT of lacquer on it and was heavy as all get out!

[Fitty]

I agree with Gibbo on the the 38" having a better sounding C. as for moving around a 6er would give you one more string to stuff around on.