If I get a good overhead throw, I could probably chuck one about 35-40 feet.
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Believe it or not, I have needed the low low Bb and A before when doubling piano left hands. Makes my kinda wish my 5 had a drop tuner on the B string.
I think I just got invited to play in a band where I'll be on a good ol P bass. With flats, even.
I'm currently in another group, putting arrangements together, using a 7-string bass with 24 frets on the top 3 strings, 23 on the others (interesting aesthetics heh). And all four and a half octaves get put to use...obvs for much different things than just traditional bass parts, though I've got a few of those too.
There's stylistic impetus behind keeping fewer strings, since going up high necessitates motion that can be executed with very sonically appealing slides, and I think the "making a lot out of limited means" approach to classic bass appeals to lots of us in general as a human characteristic.
But even without my pedalboard, I can make a lot of noise on the 7-string, and with it, I'm a small army. Given that the guitar is 6 strings, a 7-string extended-range bass is still very much a variety of "bass guitar", and an eminently more useful one in my humblest opinion.
I'm currently in another group, putting arrangements together, using a 7-string bass with 24 frets on the top 3 strings, 23 on the others (interesting aesthetics heh). And all four and a half octaves get put to use...obvs for much different things than just traditional bass parts, though I've got a few of those too.
There's stylistic impetus behind keeping fewer strings, since going up high necessitates motion that can be executed with very sonically appealing slides, and I think the "making a lot out of limited means" approach to classic bass appeals to lots of us in general as a human characteristic.
But even without my pedalboard, I can make a lot of noise on the 7-string, and with it, I'm a small army. Given that the guitar is 6 strings, a 7-string extended-range bass is still very much a variety of "bass guitar", and an eminently more useful one in my humblest opinion.
It crossed my mind to go with, "Depends on the weight", but honestly I need to do more push ups before my throwing range would be anything impressive
I prefer five strings, 24 frets, but I can do fine with four and twenty. (Why am I hearing Steven Stills’s voice in my head?)
I think it depends on the music and on the other instruments involved, and their range.
A more direct range is better for a busier mix
A more full, wide range is better for a more minimal band setting, like a trio, where more space kinda has to be filled.
Of course this isn’t a strict rule. But I think it definitely helps in order to make the mix sounding even
A more direct range is better for a busier mix
A more full, wide range is better for a more minimal band setting, like a trio, where more space kinda has to be filled.
Of course this isn’t a strict rule. But I think it definitely helps in order to make the mix sounding even
I'm sold on the six string bass. I do need the low B string, but the high C is nice for solos and position playing.
Numbers of frets is a different thing. I like my 21ers and 22ers just fine because I rarely go all the way up there. I'd rather have an extra string than five more frets.
Numbers of frets is a different thing. I like my 21ers and 22ers just fine because I rarely go all the way up there. I'd rather have an extra string than five more frets.
I’ve got a single-course eight string, which I use for certain songs or projects. My main bass is a 24-fret six-string though and I use it far more often.
Way I see it, I can use a six anywhere for any type of music and in any ensemble as all the range is useful in pretty much all settings. I can go super high and pull out partial chords or melodic lines, there’s enough low range to play with guitarists in any tuning either by playing an octave down or doubling the octave, and all the most common notes are central and easy to reach for.
I use my eight when I’m doing more techs stuff and need the ability to play fuller chords cleanly or fly about the neck without needing to run all the way up the fretboard, or skip strings or whatever. But the dimensions are a bit more challenging so I tend to only use it when I need that extra range, rather than all the time.
At the moment I haven’t picked it up in weeks; I guess it’s much more like a tool to use in the appropriate situation.
Way I see it, I can use a six anywhere for any type of music and in any ensemble as all the range is useful in pretty much all settings. I can go super high and pull out partial chords or melodic lines, there’s enough low range to play with guitarists in any tuning either by playing an octave down or doubling the octave, and all the most common notes are central and easy to reach for.
I use my eight when I’m doing more techs stuff and need the ability to play fuller chords cleanly or fly about the neck without needing to run all the way up the fretboard, or skip strings or whatever. But the dimensions are a bit more challenging so I tend to only use it when I need that extra range, rather than all the time.
At the moment I haven’t picked it up in weeks; I guess it’s much more like a tool to use in the appropriate situation.
Four strings are enough for me, and I never* play above the 12th fret.
* Well, hardly ever.
* Well, hardly ever.
ehh?? Why would the added mass restrict the range? Never heard of that...
By the way: it is not the size that matters it is what you do with it....
Yeah? I didn't realize that 4-string/20fret was the absolute essence of bass4 string 20 fret is Bass need I say more...
Bodies get bigger, necks wider and they get a lot heavier. So the range gets tough to access for some
That's not the problem or limitation of the bass that's the problem of the person who is playing it....
IMO, after a certain point, where the general majority of players find it difficult to play, I'd say it's a limitation of the bass itself. This is coming from a guy who can thumb chord a full 5 string neck, so I'm not exactly disadvantaged in that area
IMO, after a certain point, where the general majority of players find it difficult to play, I'd say it's a limitation of the bass itself. This is coming from a guy who can thumb chord a full 5 string neck, so I'm not exactly disadvantaged in that area
Haha... I agree there is a limit. But most six strings are perfectly playable. After that I don't like it anymore.
