6+ String Electric Bass

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Many casual music fans may not even be aware that Six and Eight String Electric Bass guitars exist. Contrary to popular belief, not all bass guitars are four string instruments. Offering their own unique spins on classic rhythmic sounds, six and eight string electric bass guitars are great options for bass players looking to take the next step on their musical journey.

Six string bass guitars are generally tuned to B, E, A, D, G, C, while eight string basses are strung with paired strings, tuned octaves apart, not unlike a 12-string guitar. When you’re looking into purchasing a new six or eight string electric bass guitar, it’s important to keep a few things in mind. First, you’ll want to take note of the different scale sizes these bass guitars offer. Simply put, the scale of the bass is its length from bridge to nut. The longer the scale, the further apart frets are spread on the neck. With this in mind, musicians with larger hands may be more comfortable playing with a longer scale bass, while novice performers or players with smaller hands may be better suited to shorter scale bass guitars for easier maneuverability.

As well, six and eight string bass guitars come with a choice between active and passive pickup systems. Passive pickups offer warm, punchy tones, a sharp contrast to the bright, snappy sounds produced by active pickups. In the end, the pickups you’ll want are simply the ones that sound great to your ears. Active or passive, it’s all personal preference.

Whether you’re a fan of the Cure’s Robert Smith and his iconic brand of atmospheric goth rock, the Seattle sound provided by Pearl Jam’s Jeff Ament, the power pop of Nick Lowe and Cheap Trick’s Tom Petersson, or the metal assault of Sepultura’s Paulo Pinto, they all have one thing in common – six and eight string electric bass guitars. When you want to take your rhythms to the next level, these versatile instruments are just what you need.