How much range do you need out of a bass?

Dexterzol

Dexterzol

Apr 11, 2019
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Sweden
#1
So, as everybody knows the bass guitar has seen a fair share of evolution since it's inception only upwards of seventy years ago. In recent years, with the seven-strings arriving, some basses now possess a range almost equal to that of a piano, an impressive feat.

Now I'm asking - how much range do you TB'ers need? I get by with 4, occasionally 5 strings, a 22-24 fret minimum and that's about it. There's a huge amount of versatillity to choose from, so do you guys stick with the classic 4-string 20-fretters, (maybe some of you don't even use the full range), or do some of you play symphonic range 7-string 36-fretters? I'm quite interested to hear.
 
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#3
Just to get things started, I like playing flashy stuff so I appreciate a good amount of upper register notes, so 20 frets or less isn't gonna work for me :laugh: I prefer 4 strings, and play in E - perfectly balanced. I need the 4 string for my personal comfort, I can thumb 75 percent of the fretboard after all ;)
 
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#5
Dexterzol said:
Wait. Isn't 24 the full 2 octaves? One octave is 12 frets and 3 octaves is 36 right?
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On a 24-fret 4-string bass, you can play a full 3 octaves in the keys of E, F, F#/Gb, and G. But you can't play a full 3 octaves in the other 8 keys.

I personally like the symmetry of being able to play equally well in all keys. You said you prefer to play in E most of the time, so different strokes for different folks. :)
 
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#6
Mushroo said:
On a 24-fret 4-string bass, you can play a full 3 octaves in the keys of E, F, F#/Gb, and G. But you can't play a full 3 octaves in the other 8 keys.

I personally like the symmetry of being able to play equally well in all keys. You said you prefer to play in E most of the time, so different strokes for different folks. :)
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No, i was just saying - a 24 fretter has 2 octaves per string, 20 falls a note or two short. idk if I misunderstood you post or something :roflmao:
 
#8
Despite my efforts to the contrary, I feel "limited" with anything less than 5 strings, 24-frets.

To be clear, when I say "limited," I mean when I'm sitting around playing, I find myself frustrated that I can't play certain things that come to me. I'm currently in a punk band where I play a 4-string Fender J and I feel just fine.
 
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#9
I played my Gould 6 string on a gig yesterday and used the low B a few times and recall getting to the Eb 3 frets above the octave on the C string (that was during a solo). I use a lot of it but.............mostly I just play across the fingerboard in a position suited to the key of the tune.

For me, the 6 string just makes it easier to play because so many notes are under my fingers in any position.

That said, I play upright a lot....4 strings and that suits me just fine too.
 
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#11
Higher range doesn’t translate in equally playable ways up the neck, so even though I rarely play higher than what would be on a 24 fret 4-string, I find 6-strings an easier way to access those higher notes. I also use all the added notes of a low B, so they’re pretty necessary.
 
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#12
Dexterzol said:
Now I'm asking - how much range do you TB'ers need? I get by with 4, occasionally 5 strings, a 22-24 fret minimum and that's about it. There's a huge amount of versatillity to choose from, so do you guys stick with the classic 4-string 20-fretters, (maybe some of you don't even use the full range), or do some of you play symphonic range 7-string 36-fretters? I'm quite interested to hear.
Click to expand...

I don't generally play fretted basses much at all, especially "classic" ones, but even on those instruments there are plenty of higher available notes than where the fundamentals on the fingerboard end.
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So on both my primary 4-string fretless BG and my EUB, a slide and/or bow can already get me pretty far above what most would expect from a 4, I think.
 
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#18
I get by fine with my 22 fret 4 string Ibanez Mikro bass, but would prefer 24 frets really.

Have no need for going deeper than the low E string, but seriously ponder on getting a 5 string Mikro bass and stringing it E-A-D-G-C, for additional upper range and improved functionality for chord work.
 
#19
SpazzTheBassist said:
Sometimes it's not about range but about comfort......six string basses allow sight readers to keep their fretting hand in a minimal fretting range, allowing for less error
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Precisely! Reading, and playing in general, requires far fewer position changes on as six. Also, a six string allows for wider intervals when playing chords, which can really clean up the sound. A six is also easier for playing two parts simultaneously by tapping with both hands, which really comes in handy when playing in a three-piece setting.
 
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#20
My primary inst is a 24 fret six, so four octaves and a semitone, I do use all of it. Can squeeze out another two octaves out of it on a good day, using false harmonics. Now that I don't use often.

I like having a large range available it give me more options. I don't sit at a piano and limit myself to only a section of the keyboard, I play the whole thing. Same with bass.
 
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