Choosing a 4, 5 or 6 String Bass

[@itsv1p3r]

1:04 E, A, sports. Its in the game

[@tanakamawere]

This comment doesn't have enough likes

[@eric_kiragu]

Started with the 5 as a beginner.I do not regret it.Most music today if done with a 4 string, you'd keep moving from it's default EADG tuning, but the 5 for me works like Magic.The 6-string, is basically for those who want to explore more into soloing and complex harmonics/melodical playing.

[@martinleithe8251]

That was really short video.. feel like he could have talked a lot more about and showed some examples. But in short the reason a regular 4 strings is bad, is because of songs that plays in Eb standard, D Standard, Drop Db, C standard, B standard (Alestorm, Arch enemy ...) All which you need a deeper tone. and you dont' want to loosen up all your strings to get in that tuning, that messes up everything you know about scales and where every note is and such. it's much much easier to just get another string and get used to that strings while everything else remain exactly where you know it was. The B string solves so much. 5-6 strings is the way to go!. Of course depends on what music you like to play .. But 5-6 strings can play whatever the 4 strings can, but not other way around as easy. Of course it's some negatives but does not need to be true. A 6 string tends to be bigger and heavier than a 4 string.. More exhausting in longer sessions. Also bigger to maneuver on, challenges your finger game to be more on point. More stretch... It is harder to play It's also more technical to play with more strings, especially that you have additional strings to mute, otherwise you'll get that low vibrating tone in the background you don't want.. from strings ringing out. Could have mentioned that in this video. It is self explanatory but, it's easy to just look at it as a 4 string bass with extra strings.. while yes it is. Those are not just extra for the lowest or higher notes. But very usable to learn and put into your arpeggios and stuff.. You'll also find higher notes easier accessible with the added C string on 6-string. ( Instead of like you need the A3?. or 14th fret on the G2 string.) Instead of going all the way up to the 14th fret, you'll find A3 on the 9th fret of the C string aswell. Use the C string! But don't overuse it.. it's addictive in it's nice and easy sound to go wild soloing on it.. :D ) Anyway I think that's the most important when choosing what to go for. Find out what you want to play and what tuning it usually is in. if you never find yourself wanting to play a song in E flat or deeper. You don't really need those extra strings.. might just go for the lightest most easy maneuverable bass, 4 string.

[@b3at2]

Martin Leithe well from The way Thundercats music sounds.. he plays the 6 string bass like its an electric piano.often times thundercats playing sounds like a rhodes piano.... and its amazing. He plays real hight and then goes super low. Like an 88 key piano.

[@austinstyles6393]

I’ve had 5 and six basses. I always end up selling them because rarely do I need the extra low or high notes when I’m playing. I do have a 4 string that I leave tuned in D standard. I do use it when I need that lower note. I use 105-50 gauge steel strings and they stay tight.

[@houserhouse]

Damn I desperately want a 5 or 6 string now. I always figured they added higher strings, didn't realize they added a lower B. I gotta check one of these out at the music store ASAP

[@instrumentalistjade8367]

i use a 3 stringed bass... and still does the job 👍

[@robfriedrich2822]

Balalaika Bass?

[@hlokomani]

I really hope you’re joking 😂

[@martinleithe8251]

I use a 1 string bass. I play Djent

[@MKEbeatz]

3 strings is not the way to go

[@AS-Stardust]

@@MKEbeatz Steve Digiorgio says otherwise.. Though he does use 6 string and 5 string fretless most of the time, and occasionally a fretted 4 or 5 string rickenbacker. But he sometimes uses a 3 string bass BEA.

[@dewindoethdwl2798]

Beware transitioning from 4 to more. I played a whole gig rhythmically bang on, chord shapes perfect BUT one string out - the B was still E in my mind’s eye. Practice a little before playing where it matters 🎉

[@robsantorobass]

Started on a 4. Been a 5 string guy for majority of my playing. Personally the perfect instrument for me, I love having the option to go to the lower register when needed. Even if I’m performing with someone where the music doesn’t call for a 5 I may not use the low B but I just like knowing that it’s there. Or even better, use it for a repeating part and it’ll just add that much more impact when you do use it. Opposite side of that, play the song the same and use it in a bridge of the song for some extra impact. And sometimes just the shapes on a 5 are nice because you can play a lot without having to do any unnecessary hand movements/shape changes because those same notes you’d need to move for are right there. If I’m doing something with a more palm muted finger style I may prefer that fretted low E instead of an open E just to have that consistency throughout the piece I’m playing. Can still do it with the open but a fretted sounds better IMO for situations like that. And if the low B isn’t needed for something I just won’t use it. It’s a tool and use it as such.

[@dyngbld]

I love the low B it adds so much. The problem I have is the church I play in is to small to really develop the note. The low D works great but that B just doesn't develop well. I believe it is 31Hz, that takes some room to really enjoy the rumble. I stepped up to a five string several years ago, honestly I think it hurt my playing at first. I liked that low D so much I forgot there was another one, and it kind of limited my playing. I have sense rediscovered the other strings on the bass and have improved my playing. My trouble now is going back to a four string. I play a four string acoustic from time to time, and I have constantly remind my self that the top string is an E not a B. I should just get a five string acoustic.

[@kikodasneves1]

The thing is, and this is a common misconception, in those super low notes the fundamental (moreless 30hz for the B) isn’t relevant nor audible anymore for a few reasons: human earing requires sound at that frequency to be EXTREMELY loud to be heard and bass cabs just don’t go that deep. They usually high pass at around 40hz. The bulk and meat of the sound you are hearing in those notes is the second harmonic (x2, so 60hz) which is also a B (it’s the octave above). So maybe it doesn’t develop well but it’s not directly related to the fundamental given it’s probably not reproduced at all, probably has more to do with room acoustics.

[@Dimka267]

I used to own a 4 and a 6. 6 is sweet for studies and playing classics lika Bach, awesome for pumping up your technique. But when I joined a rock cover band my 6 has long been really an overkill, since I almost never used my top strings. 4 was lighter and more handy, but it lacked both lower range and availability of notes in a single position. When I moved to a 5 it was pure joy! So now I have 5 as a main instrument, 6 as an advanced tool for my development as a musician plus a 4 for slap. If I'd need to get rid of something, it'll be a 4 in the first place.

[@vincentm614]

The guy who used to be a bassist says " everybody is playing a 5 string these days". Its not true. Guy on utube play 5,6, 10 and 20 string basses. But Im a member of No Treble on facebook and most of its members play 4 string basses.

[@mchalehale6213]

For me if you are a session bass it really helps 5 string because of the songs that the singer tranpose the chords

[@arnlmndza]

I would agree with why he uses a 6 - because it's difficult to read charts and play up and down the neck. For me, it's a matter of what "feel" I would like to bring to the music, and taste. God bless.

[@gflow8357]

I'm surprised he didn't mention how the low B is so useful when playing slow worship music that holds notes for a while (it really fills up the sound; which he did mention).

[@solkvist8668]

Personal experience for me was that 4 strings was unsatisfying when looking for a lower note when the song was a key that doesn’t match a bass so well, and the higher string is largely useful for specific scenarios. Arguably the most common place to see a 6 string is in church for gospel bands, but it would stick out like a sore thumb in CCM bands (if the player knows what they are doing this isn’t an issue). 6 string basses also allow bassists to fill gaps for smaller bands like trios, or even just more complicated music (gospel, jazz, etc). In the end though, what the instrument is suited for is unimportant. I’ve seen a Flying V play jazz and a 4 string p bass shred metal. The player is what dictates tone, sound, and intention of the music. If you come at it at the right mindset you can absolutely support a band in any genre if you know your role, regardless of what you play. Use what you have, find what you want, and fulfill those goals if possible.

[@MalachiMaroko]

Growing up I used to look up to Abraham Laboriel bass, Don piano and Lenny acoustic guitar.

[@bustabass9025]

Joon, In most cases, those nebulous "greatest bass players" you refer to (which in and of itself leaves your conclusion open to considerable debate), more than likely started with a four string, before electric basses exceeded that inaugural minimum number of strings. Consequently, I would argue that's what they were most comfortable with, that's what they stayed with; which is fine. Contrary to your statement however, there are many incredibly talented and highly respected bassists who have excelled with both the five and six stringed iterations of this remarkable instrument. The additional strings greatly enhance the bass' range of harmonic and melodic expression; something greatly appreciated by those of us wishing to take our bass playing to a much higher level. The "basics" of playing the electric bass are not found in the number of strings it has, just as the basics of playing the piano are not determined by whether it has a keyboard of 88 or 75 keys! Basics determine how to best play the instrument as it is constructed, not how it is or should be constructed. If I follow your logic, there would be no 12 string or steel guitars, no banjos, no mandolins, no electric piano, clavinet, etc., etc., etc. These are all variations on a basic theme as old as the Scriptural references to stringed instruments; just as the electric bass is a variation of the double bass, which is a variation of the cello, which is a vari...........get my drift? Number of strings notwithstanding!👑🎸🎵

[@hperez2016]

Busta Bass I think you misunderstood the way he said about the word "basic" 4 strings. Every bassist know that the core of every bass guitar is those 4 strings, no matter how many strings more they have. But I understand your explanation.

[@bustabass9025]

H Perez I don't think so. If you start out on a 5 string as I did, the "basics" are "BEADG" or on a 6 BEADGC, generally. Like I said basics has nothing to do with the number of strings.

[@DJMerck]

Peter Green played a 6 string bass around 1970 on The Green Manalishi and that got me interested in looking these up...

[@AndrewBalanga]

What name type of Yamaha is Jason using for the 4 string?

[@woreyour]

didnt expect to learn it here good to know

[@robfriedrich2822]

The double bass has 4 or 5 strings and I guess, when developing the bass guitar, they copied the electric guitar design but only the 4 lowest strings and these one octave lower. 5 strings came, when keyboard players began to play the bass part and playing much lower. And 6 strings are helpful, when the bass player wants to play solos without moving the fingers too far. When a fretted string instrument has few strings, the fret hand has to move. Ever seen a Balalaika solo? Seems, he could take mileage allowance for his performance.

[@AlbertJasonAlburo]

In my Church I play 5 string bass. Last 2012 my mentor let me borrowed his 6 string bass.

[@jojo-fj7lw]

So which do u prefer?

[@AlbertJasonAlburo]

@@jojo-fj7lw looks like the 5 string would be for me since the 6 string bass is expensive

[@JonDeth]

I have a 6 string, formerly had 2, a 4 string bass and so very bizarrely, an actual 10 string bass in a 34" scale. What's strange about it all is as much as I have played all kinds of guitars and am primarily a 6 and 8-string lead and rhythm guitar guy, 5-string bass is the most ideal IMO. 6-string bass makes it easy to noodle around more like a lead guitarist than a bassist. Rather than compose, you run the risk of constantly experimenting and "shredding". In that, 6-string bass can be counterproductive especially in that timing on bass for the same BPM a guitar is playing to is significantly different or always has been for me anyway.

[@Lord_Hiram]

I think there’s songs that need that B string especially the open B for that extra thickness but there’s songs where’s it’s not needed. Me personally for the musicians that I play with they prefer that B string so that’s why I like the 5 string especially if you have a good cab. I think your setup is very important because I’ve seen musicians with 5 strings and you can barely feel it because they haven’t done the proper investment when it comes to the cab. If you are looking to buy a 4 or a 5 imo 1 talk to your Pierce and see what do they prefer 2 just as much as a bass please invest into your cab and get something that compliments not only the look but the sound of the bass Blessings

[@proffapologetics]

All these for free, thank you Don Moen

[@ednalectura348]

Hello Sir Jason, just wondering why you no longer play with the Don Moen Worship Band since after the pandemic..hope all.is well.with you..God bless you..

[@Driftuner]

i started on a 5er, dont regret it..

[@mostafazendedlan]

thank for like commet and share video

[@GODLEN]

Off the subject, what is Jason using the Ipad that's on the floor for? I assumption is self recording, lead sheet reading or sheet music......

[@jediknt6470]

This would have been more helpful if you hadn't have stated the obvious, this has 4 strings which is standard...,this has 5 strings with a low b for lower notes,and this has 6 string with a low b and a high c strings...

[@nschive]

love your denim shirt - may i ask where u got it? :)

[@bunong8419]

Hi, Jason how are you? Long time don't see you since I lost my yahoo

[@Black_Gold_Saw]

Hey there Bu, yeah I dont know man. Kinda sick at the moment. XD sorry mah dude, Just had to respond

[@thelifeofpewpew3290]

I use a 1 string bass 💁🏻‍♂️

[@bruhwhy8359]

Wait so you’re this guy? kzbin.info/www/bejne/e2mrXmltfrGUp8U

[@thelifeofpewpew3290]

@@bruhwhy8359 holy shit! Hahahahaha

[@SnarkyRC]

Nice. I play a negative 1 string bass.

[@jeffpaguinto9082]

o.o i didn’t know a 6 stringed bass existed...

[@DaltonPepple]

They make a 20 string lol

[@maraviyoso8473]

I've played a Hamer 12-string bass

[@randyclere2330]

Those Warrior basses are BUTT UGLY!!

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

damn, I choose 5 string bass for a Nu metal.

[@DaltonPepple]

I plan on getting a 5 string Yamaha

[@Rusli1659LPSoldier]

@@DaltonPepple nice, Have fun spending money to buy that Yamaha.

[@Wynisnyge]

Do you have Davie504's permission to slap?

[@chuckfinley3152]

You know, you can always put the B, E, A, D, on a four string 🤷‍♂️

[@alexhdz8956]

Is like the wrong title I guess, because he didn't explain nothing there,nothing new. So what's the main purpose of this video???

[@earnestthompson5136]

Morphine used a 2 string bass...It ain’t the bass so much ....as it is the bass player ... in my humble opinion.