6 string players

[Sibob]

Considering a 6 and thought I'd do a little canvassing for what people are using with regards to:

String Spacing?
Scale Length?
What reasons for the above?
What type of playing/techniques are you using that above choices help with?

Thanks

Si

[Dad3353]

I've a 6-string fretless, 5-string fretted and a 4- string fretted. I've never bothered about details such as scale length, spacing etc. I just play them. I may be odd, but I find it easy to adjust to the instrument, rather than try to find any particular set-up. There are extremes, of course, but millimetres are not a concern of mine. When playing other people's instruments, it's the same. I adapt. It's rare that I find anything unplayable.
Sorry if this doesn't help much. [size=4] [/size]

[chrismuzz]

My Peavey Grinds have a 16mm spacing and 35" scale length.

I like the tight spacing to make the neck less chunky, and because I never use slap it doesn't restrict my technique. I can't dig in as much as I like to with my 4 stringers but it helps me play a bit cleaner!

35" scale length certainly helps keep tension when tuning lower than B, though it can make playing on the lower frets a bit of a stretch if you're going up any more than two frets, so for standard tuning, 34" should be plenty!

[Geek99]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1413294283' post='2576792']
I've a 6-string fretless, 5-string fretted and a 4- string fretted. I've never bothered about details such as scale length, spacing etc. I just play them. I may be odd, but I find it easy to adjust to the instrument, rather than try to find any particular set-up. There are extremes, of course, but millimetres are not a concern of mine. When playing other people's instruments, it's the same. I adapt. It's rare that I find anything unplayable.
Sorry if this doesn't help much. [size=4] [/size]
[/quote]
It does , and I agree. You should be able to play most instruments within reason

[Doddy]

I don't know much about string spacing because generally I just go by feel,but I know that my Ibanez BTB
is wider than my old Tobias. There is plenty of room on both basses to slap, but still comfortable enough
to be able to play chords in the upper register. Both are wider than something like the Ibanez Gerald Veasley
which isn't the most comfortable for slapping, for me.
Just had a look at the specs and the BTB is 17mm and the
Veasley is 14mm. I'm guessing the Tobias will be about 16mm or somthing.
The Ibanez is a 35" scale which I don't mind, but I feel more comfortable on a 34", just like when I play 5 strings.

[eude]

Si, you know that kind of specs I like on a 6er.
I think a lot of the advice above is good though, probably best not to over think it and if you are at all concerned with anything being weird, then go with something that you know will feel familiar.
If you want something to challenge you and to perhaps take your playing in a different direction, then maybe you should go a bit wild

In my experience, a shorter scale, 33", and tighter string spacing, 16.5mm, lend themselves well to 6 string playing, the neck isn't overly wide, your fingers don't need to stretch too far to cover the range of the bass. This kind of set up won't stand too much down tuning, if you like that kind of thing, simple physics, but the slightly shorter scale seems to sweeten the upper register and fatten up the skinnier strings.

As far as techniques go, unless you have massive or really fat hands, I think you can get used to playing any technique on any spacing, its all about practice.

Just my 2p

Eude

[BassBus]

I used to have a Yamaha six string which was just too big for me. Weighed a ton and the neck was wider than the Amazon delta. It had 19mm spacing I think, 35" scale as well. That made the neck very wide. I'm using fivers these days with 16.5mm spacing at the bridge. The neck width on those is just right for my smaller hands. I wasn't sure about 16.5mm spacing until I tried it. Have no problem going back to fours with 19mm though. The longer scale lengths are usually there to tighten up the B string. Not always as clear a tone from that on a 33" or 34" scale. It's easy to say try some out but sixers aren't that common but it would be worth seeking some out with wider and narrower spacings.

Edited October 14, 2014 by BassBus

[Annoying Twit]

[quote name='Dad3353' timestamp='1413294283' post='2576792']
I've a 6-string fretless, 5-string fretted and a 4- string fretted. I've never bothered about details such as scale length, spacing etc. I just play them. I may be odd, but I find it easy to adjust to the instrument, rather than try to find any particular set-up. There are extremes, of course, but millimetres are not a concern of mine. When playing other people's instruments, it's the same. I adapt. It's rare that I find anything unplayable.
Sorry if this doesn't help much.
[/quote]

This is pretty much what I was thinking.

[Sibob]

Hi guys,

Thanks for the input.
Absolutely, this type of question will always be subjective, and I agree that most people will adapt to an instrument. Nothing wrong with researching an initial spec though huh .

I largely gig Fender 4s, so a 19mm spacing is what I'm used to 80% of the time. That's not to say I'm looking for a 19mm 6string, because I don't think that would lend itself to chords?!
I'm not fussed about slapping.
I've been borrowing a Carvin Bunny Brunel, which was setup as 17mm. Seemed comfortable, but did notice the difference between it and 19mm.

Scale length I'm less fussed about I think, however I'm still not sure I enjoy 33"

Agreed that I need to try as many as I can, however as someone mentioned, not loads of them around

We'll see, ongoing project.
There's a lovely Shuker Jazz 5 for sale here, but 35" scale and 19mm spacing, could be a toughie

Si