💥Does 6 string bass have any real value, especially in Metal? (Metal Bass Monday Ep.64) 

I needed a 6 string to play a lot of the stuff when I joined a well known Prog-Metal band back in my 20's. After getting a couple of them, I figured that I could thin the herd and got rid of a bunch of my 4 string basses. Finally, that band split, I picked up one of my remaining 4 strings and found that I could fly all over the neck and that for most music, I didn't really need the extra range. I then started missing some of the killer 4 stringers I had sold off. So...... I ended up getting rid of the 6 string basses I had acquired to focus again on my 4 strings but could never find a few like the ones that I sold off. Years later, I now have all of these ideas that would fit perfectly on a 6 but don't have one. Moral to the story: Don't ever get rid of a bass that you think you don't need! You'll end up missing it!

I play a 6 because I already use the higher register, it just makes it more convenient. Also I started with a 5 for my first bass, so a 6 was the logical next step. I love my Stiletto Custom 6 to death, the neck just feels right and every time I look at it I am inspired to play. When playing it, stuff just flows better. Even if it is just jamming to a Chordify, I love the accessibility the 6 gives me for higher stuff (still within a 4s range lol).

I’ve been eyeing up a 6 string for a long time, but I think I might finally pull the trigger. I’ve been looking for a reason other than “it looks cool” and “I like the wider neck”, and I think I found a couple. 1) sometimes while shredding around and doing fills, I feel like I ran out of strings to early, and have to move up or down the fretboard. It take a bit more effort on my part to slide up and think about where to continue. 2) I love chords, but on a 4 string tuned to BEAD, I have very few options for chords, and a lot of them are low and sometimes muddy. 3) they look cool as hell

One nice advantage of a six string is less shifting which makes going from a low to high range a lot smoother.

As many of you know, I moved to 6 string due to nerve damage that causes my left hand to go numb while playing. Playing on tighter frets with no feeling in my hand doesn’t work very well for me. The 6 allows me to basically keep the same finger spacing and patterning on the fretboard without tripping over myself. That said, I say play whatever you want to play. I’m having a guitar-scale 3-string built as a travel bass 🤘

I went right from 4 to 6 and I always looked at it the same way. Since I never played guitar, I tend to tune AEADGC as I don't have a B sting's notes memorized the way I do the usual 4. But I drop the E to D when necessary, change the low A to B if needed and go from there. But I'm glad I went right to 6. Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

I would absolutely love to see you do an interview with Anton Zhikarev, also known as Insane Death Machine on RU-vid. Would love to hear about his influences and technique. His picking hand technique is insane, and I’d love a breakdown of it

Another good video 🤘. 6 to me is great if you're in a 3 piece with no guitar player, like piano/bass/drums. It allows you to do a lot of those things the guitar player would do while still bringing the thunder. Being mainly a 4 string player, it's always nice to see people bring something different and unique.

I agree with you! For me...the music I play! Having a five string really works for me! Plus I love the feel of five!

I remember a guy who played in a "metallic" hardcore band, he played with an Ibanez gio. B and C never used, the same for another band he played with (lacuna coil style). In the end he became a "collector" of equipment... 6 strings are useful in power, prog, djent extreme metal... in a context with many tonal and harmony arrangements that work with guitarists who use 7 8 or 9 strings. There are many people who buy aesthetics and not something utilitarian..

I first jumped from 4 to 5, and then to 6. The first transition was nearly immediate, as it was a logical progression for me. But when I grabbed a 6, it TOTALLY screwed me up for a bit. I was making a ton of string change mistakes and things when starting out. It was a harder transition for me at the time. I share the same thought with you on the rationale for using a 6 (or lately, my 7); more note range in a smaller area. It's very apparent when I'm playing musical theatre gigs, where the bass parts are written by keyboardists most of the time, having the extra range in a smaller area makes things so much easier. And fun fact; a couple of tunes in the musical "Big Fish" had me use the entire range of the 7st I was using. I can't imagine the amount of jumping I'd have to do with a 5st.

I've been a guitarist for 14 years, and I've been playing bass for about 4 years. For some of the stuff I write, it's primarily on 4 strings depending on what I'm doing. Stylistically, I've had a 5 string for a bit, but I felt like I was missing out without a higher string on top of what I'm doing. The low notes add range, but I sold my 5 string 7 months ago. I know that when I get another bass, it's going to be a proper 6 string bass. To me, what I want to do on an extended range bass, a 5 string falls short on some upper chord extensions. At the end of the day, I still have both my 4-string basses to cover the "meat and potatoes," but sometimes it's not what I want to achieve on the instrument.

The way that I see it is an instrument is a tool to produce what someone wants. Whatever works for the individual is what that individual plays. For me, I played four. I have still not mastered the four. It is super cool to see someone tap and get the high octave / low octave notes with the six string.

I have 3 answers to the question. Steve DiGiorgio, Dominic 'Forest' Lapointe, and Jared Smith. If that's what you're doing, it's a fuck yes.

So I used to bash 5 and 6 strings when I was a young elitist teenager. Ended up needing a 5 for a band years later and dug having the extra range and dynamics. When that band stopped and I joined another project I wanted to upgrade my 5. Ended up going down the rabbit hole of 6 strings and found a good deal. I personally love it. It just gives me more options and helps me think differently about my lines. I am by no means a soloist. But I do like to incorporate chords a decent amount as well as the option of playing things in different spots around the neck. The lower and higher octave options are a big plus to me. Its an obvious observation, but I treat it as an extension of what I had with a 4 or 5. Nothing wrong with extra range and options. Although, I respect and understand being opposed to it. When you limit yourself in range, it can force you to come up with more creative ways of expressing your lines. As you have stated, there is no wrong answer! But I'm a strong supporter of 6 strings as it opened up a lot of options and got my creative juices flowing more.

I'm a drummer and I love the bass I have a 4 sting but I just had to have this for more sting and u r right

@McG. Great point about tuning your 6 string bass the same as your guitar been meaning to try that. And that's the reason why I have 4, 5, and 6 strings basses. It allows me to be creative differently. Listen for me I like tools that allow me to try different things and open up my mind to different ideas. It's like the reason why I own Fender, Alembic, Ibanez, Schecter etc basses. They all have a different voice, a different sound and personality. I pick the right tool for the job, If I am writing a tune I will pick up my 4 string, then a 5 string and a 6 strings and see which one gives me a creative Idea for that tune :) I may even use a combination if the different bass in the tune to add some really different flavor to the song.

Beautiful TL-6! I picked up a first gen with the iridescent swirl finish in 2019 and absolutely love it. Your video covered everything I learned in owning my 6 string in that time. I really started finding value in it as I began singing more in my band. I describe playing 6 vs 4 like playing revolver vs shotgun, and that by being able to cover so much ground in one hand position, I can assume a better body posture for singing. Were I on a 4 string, I'd be watching the neck much more, putting my windpipe in less efficient singing and breathing postures.

This is an awesome idea!! That really makes me want to do my first Patreon I think that would be super cool!

I meant more of an explorer and you are a lot of help and thank you so much for healthy realize how how much this helps me learn more

I added my vote on how to pick the Round Table peeps on SubStar. Hope it sparks some ideas. I have a 6 string. I wanted to learn on hard mode. Then use what I want to use for what ever the job my be. Not a dramatic reason. But it works for me. Learned that keeping strings quiet and string skipping is a pinch point. So I thought that I should get it out of the way as fast as I could. My 6 gives me a good workout and I have fun tone options. If I could do the work needed with a 4, then it would get used. No reason to carry a plank if you can carry a dowel.

Thank you for this video. I do get a lot of flak from other bass players in the metal scene about my six string bass. I have been tuning my bass to the guitar, which is drop C, for years now. My guitarists use 6 strings & our music would best be described as melodic tech/death metal, or as I like to call it "anti-djent" lol. Nothing wrong with it, as I love me some Meshuggah and other djent bands. It's just that our music has a lot of solos and high-speed arpeggiated Rhythm parts and fast tempos. When I use 4 and 5-string basses, the distance between the Frets for sweeps and fast picking parts is just a bit too much. The 6 is so comfortable. Quite the opposite of intimidating in my opinion. Again thank you and you just got a new subscriber LOL

Amen to everything you said!!!

Just got my first 6 a few weeks ago. Your right about the US Peavy's. I worked at a music store in the early 90's that had a TL-6 that I would plunk around on when I got the chance. Loved the string spacing on those. A lot of "modern" 5 and 6 strings have a really tight string spacing at the nut that I'm not a fan of. The Harley Benton BZ-6000 I now have isnt quite as wide as the Peavy, but I'm adapting and the thing sounds great. Currently I have it tuned down a whole step (A standard) and being a 35' scale that low string is nice and tight.

I recently acquired a 6 sting thumb broadneck. It’s interesting that all of these 6 string videos are coming out now. A lesson would be great. I’m looking forward to your future videos. Keep up the hard work.

I went from 4 to 6 as well. It helps me more with creativity in a way. I dont always use the extra strings, but I still use them more often than not. I still have a 4 string and I still play it, but tone is a big part of if for me too. It kind of depends on my mood. Plus a 6 string is good a composition tool in the studio too. I can genre hop too. I can have deep crunchy tones or clean low notes complimenting chords and stuff of the higher strings. Plus it saves from sliding all up and down the neck. Sometimes I play on my short scale 4 string. I haven’t bought a 5 string because it seems redundant. I’d rather just get another 6. I’m used to the larger neck now too, so when that extra space is taken away the neck feels a little to small, and this is coming from a dude with little baby hands XD I’ve never had the issues people talk about with muting either. I see that being something a lot people say in YT as a reason not to buy a 6 string. I find it harder to mute on things like guitars because the strings are so close together. Also, yeah, the slim necks are my favorite, I usually stick to Ibanez, been wanting to try out some Schecter basses because the neck one my Demon 7 is nice and slim too and I want to see if the basses are the same. I’d say the neck is the only thing I’m really picky about. And I have nothing against 5 strings, I’d easily have a ball jamming on one, but if there’s a 6 string model I’m choosing that because generally they’re not that much more expensive for a bit more instrument.

I am totally down for doing some round table discussions

Zoom panel sounds like an interesting experiment. I have a friend who *I think* plays a 6 for metal. I don't call him a soloist, but I do think of him as very versatile. I will try to get him to review this and comment.

Rodney. I use a Yamaha RBX 6JM and my 5 string basses for anything i do live or band work. I don't use a 4 string for anything but practicing around at home or learning new skills/techniques. Love the feel of the usually bigger instruments and the deeper tone that seems to accompany them.

I think this is going to end up a novel... I agree with most of what you are saying. Different tools for different styles etc. I have been playing 4 since 1981 and got my first 6 in the late 90's. That one did have the issue you have mentioned that the 34 inch scale low B was a wet noodle. I used that for a few recordings but ended up selling it. A few years ago I got a multi-scale 6 and love everything about it. I never liked 5 strings with the low B though and originally wanted to get a Hamer in the 80's that was tuned to high C. I never ended up getting one though. Last week I literally got a new Ibanez 5 with a 33 inch scale and tuned high C and absolutely love this thing!!! I also have 2 different 4 sting fretless basses, again tools for different styles. Speaking of Jaco I really do get annoyed about the 4 stings is enough BS, and I think if he was still alive he might be playing more. (His son plays six). I'm not sure I agree with you about mentioning Jaco and drugs and alcohol though. He was bipolar and had a lot of issues that weren't really being addressed and I think a lot of that was the problem. Also a lot of the Jazz greats like Charlie Parker were addicts but made some great music :P I also hate the whole thing about playing with picks somehow being wrong. I play slap, fingers, pick whatever works for the sound of the song. Again the tools... Sorry for the long rant, I think I OD'd on energy drinks.

HELL YEAH! My 6-string has 2 extra strings. #6/B->DEEPER #1/C->HIGHER 4 & 5 string basses CAN’T GO LOWER or HIGHER! & ZERO travel to crawl to higher octave! I just go to higher strings💡 4/5-string has to move 12 frets😖 6-string DESTROYS all others, in punk/metal. As, -SPEED KILLS! in -PUNK & METAL🤘🏽

You made some good points

I play a 6 string cuz the wider range of notes i can play with... also string spacing is closer and perfect for shredding lol

Went from a Fender Japanese Jazz with a kahler (Randy Coven inspired) to a used solid Red pre Gibson Tobias Basic 6 in 92. I've been using my 89' Musicman 5 (with a huge and heavy through body metal bridge 90's) in a metal band because it cuts, but as you said, that asymetrical neck on the tobias is super comfy. I have unmarked Bartollini's in the Tobias and before I take your recommended EMG P's (Live chat) I'm looking into a/b ing the Darkglass X and the SansAmp. Since the Tobias has the passive available maybe I can get away with my tone bone and one of those without changing the pickups. I'll let you know. Thanks Rodney, you're a gift to us bassists

A D&D shirt. Yout coolness factor jusr went up for sure 😁

Awesome stuff, great channel. Im subscriber now, looking forward for tomorrows vid. Keep up awesome work. Never played 6 string tho, my hands are not that big so i would probably struggle with this wide neck. I'll just stick to my 4 and 5 strings, but i understand why people would use 6 string, everyone have their own preferences, thats great thing about music in general.

I have a 6 string because I play in a very low tuning and had to get custom gauge strings. Even though I play mostly on the lowest 3 in my band I really enjoy playing the higher notes and strings with that extended range.

Great show. I love low 4 bass. BEAD is all you need. G Strings are for strippers.... lol

That's a rad shirt G. The 5 string is just right for me as a drop tune guitar player. My music would probably sound the same with a 1-sting bass honestly. I need to up my game which is why I'm here

Excellent. Thank you. I play in church mostly, finally found a Cirrus 5 about 4 years ago, which I had wanted since they came out. I also have a fretless BTB 5. I couldn't agree more with you, the positioning and note access is the greatest benefit. I also need at least one lower than normal note every time I play. I appreciate your respect for Peavey gear, it's a shame more people don't. With that, I almost bought a TL6 in the mid 90's, l have lamented for 25 years for not doing so. Also, if Linus Klausenitzer can play a 7 in your genre, how can anyone complain about 6?

I've played 4 string since the late 90s. I just bout a 6 string, thats on the way to me. I've tried 5 string basses but haven't ever kept em. I have a P Bass and a Jazz Bass, each are 4 string.

I really want to get a six string but I am a little torn because I think I only want it because I am a guitar player and it will make it easier for me to figure out what to play. I don't think I will necessarily play that much on the lower strings but having the extra string will help me transcribe my guitar parts onto bass and figure out what to play...

I have a 6 string fretted and am looking for the right 6 fretless to take a gamble on since local options for trying out instruments are way slimmer and haven't recovered, really, to what they even were before. I feel like I kind of want to make the fretted one that I bought into a fretless because as soon as I started playing it I had this weird urge to try it fretless and it persists... My selection for instruments is driven and expanded by the music I listen to that I would like to learn to play and perhaps compose my own someday. The number one thing people need to realize that more strings doesn't complicate the instrument technically, in fact, it opens up walking space, but it is literally a *handful* and if you haven't learned everything else, while it can be a great chalkboard to reveal musical forms to you it can also be overwhelming and visually confusing when you're really trying to learn where your harmonics are, for instance. The location of your harmonics don't change regardless of 1 or 20 strings unless your intonation changes, or more practically your relative string length bridge to nut/zero fret. That's also why it's more than just putting your fingers on the board a little differently with multiscale, because your harmonics are also staggered relative to each other rather than straight across the instrument laterally. But here are two great examples of bands who have songs that I want to learn and play like, but they have 6 string fretted/fretless bass players... First Fragment - Dominic LaPointe - Fretless 6 Los Lonely Boys - Jojo Garza - Fretted 6 I also need a 7 fretted bass to cover Asterism tunes, but that's an edge case. I already have my hands full learning the guitar parts for a while. It's not the pitch you're trying to copy, it's the structures and voicings. I am probably going to end up tuning some of my guitars to 7ths or even 9ths because they're such short scale (24.75 - 25.5) that while I do not have large hands they still feel cramped - instead of getting rid of instruments I love to play, I'll just learn to tune them different, once my ear and fingers are skilled enough to make it work. As far as basses, I like playing the 5 at jams because then if a tune comes up where I need something more than B standard tuning, that's a good time for me to break/pee/get a drink. Damn bro, I was watching a red TL6 for a long time but just couldn't get the cash together...you can tell bc triangle markers. The sig model is ovals/eyes... And it's the craziest thing - I really want a double P bass and the TL6 is literally a 6 string neckthrough P bass...so good. BUTTTTTTTTER.

I have 5 string and I use it to have one extra higher string. Using drop B made more sense having extra high string rather than extra low string. That works for me and Im never going back!

I really wish more TLs made it to Europe, especially one of those TL6’s 😍 I started on 4 and moved to 6 as well, a JM Yamaha. Really liked being being able to reach 30 different notes with minimal stretch, same reason I play mainly 5. I’m lazy and want to reach as many notes as possible without moving my hand to cut down on unwanted noise, minimise fatigue and not have to look at the bass to know which notes are under my fingers

cool idea :D

and YAY, Fretless!!!!!!!!!

I used to play covers on clubs and bars every weekend and songs ranged from rock to the heaviest death metal, so I bought a 5 stringer since it helped with not having to downtune, but now that I don't do that anymore, I only rehearse with my band and we only play drop d tunning, the 5 seemed irrelevant, so now I'm saving to get a 4 string Solar baritone bass lml btw you should check those bASSES out haha

See I'm interested in playing a 6 because my guitar player got an 8 string and i want to be able to play an octave lower for f standard and retain my higher notes or i might try a 5 string in all 5ths tuning. Gotta figure out what I want to build for myself. Being a luthier its kind of option paralysis of what approach to go with.

My first bass whas a 4 string and i decided only one year after i have my 4 string i decided to go all the way to 7 string whit a crazy low tuning Gauge. Tuning 222. C#0 166. F#0 135. B0 105. E1 85. A1 65. D2 45. G2 Yes i know it crazy but i love it and it just crazy

I have used 6 string (I still have a fretless). The neck is too wide for my hand. It strains my index finger, so I primarily go to 5. I have lost my love for 4. A 4 neck as become too narrow and uncomfortable.

John Myung would definitely be my favorite 6 string player, then Conner Green of haken ive only played a 6 a few times when I used to play in a church band that didn't last long tho I would love the John myung signature bongo 6 its a 5 string bingo neck and body so spacing is tighter but I'm not a big slap guy

I don't want to sound ridiculous here. Mine has five, but I think tiny strings allow more picking motion, for example sweeping. But perhaps 6-strings can't deal well with rhythm lines? I vote for high-action and bending necks, so the less strings the better this way... The neck design is also important, that triangular shape is too ugly...

I bought a 300 $ Ibanez sis sting and I can't find any other bass that sounds like it and it's really deep sounding like it is curious

Thought you were in an accident and had a neck brace on for sec 😂

I play 6 strings cause it makes me look impressive

Simple, mean 6 string? Sounds like the Alpha Omega Demo by Jon Stockman (Karnivool - Goliath) :-D

But yeah... After 10 years of nylon guitar I miss 6-strings... I don't bother with scales anymore...

Does the fear of dropping the bottom out going high increase in a group setting? Haha half joking as I know it’s situational but I think we’ve all been there.

I wish I could play a six, but unless I play it vertical, it is not hobbit friendly

Six sting

Like you say.. its metal bass theres no rules.

Bass guitar....lol

Don’t complicate your life? Ha ha Ha