If your going to get a 6 string....just mke sure that it is really high quality, you dont want to get a cheap 6 string because they suck.

And make sure you have an amp that is capabole of the 6 string.

yeah, don't wanna be rippin' no cardboard with that low B goodness

The best cab that handles the low B is the Ampeg410hlf...Great low end...Anyways I never liked 6 as much as I like 5's and 4's and 8's...The neck is too wide for me...

The 6 is a beautiful instrument.
I've been playing a 6 almost exclusively for six years now. We have very different musical styles but I'll let you in on what I can.

Please tune your bass B_E_A_D_G_C
Altered tunings on a 6 are just about useless because you have TONS of range to BURP BASS and TWEET TREBLE.
I use the B string to add a fatness to some of my low-register grooves. It works best when you need a FAT BASS BOMB to flatten someone's hair with. Don't try fast articulated 16th note legatos on your B-string because it almost always sounds like MUD.
I use the C string mainly for articulated phrases, legatos, double stops and chords. You need to be aware though that the mid to upper register on the C string isn't really in the bass clef anymore; don't forget to support your band.
Don't be disappointed but... The vast majority of your playing (85%) will still be concentrated in the E_A_D_G strings because that is the normal range of the bass. Don't succumb to the temptation of using your "extra" strings too often! Your band will just end up sounding lopsided.
Think of the 6 as an extended 4.

Your 6-string bass idols will be:
Alain Caron
John Myung
John Patitucci
Anthony Jackson
(who am I forgetting?)

PROBLEMS with the 6:
Re-stringing is a longer (and more expensive) process.

EQ can be a problem. You'll need to pay special attention to your EQ setup because you need to be able to reproduce tones both lower and higher than a "normal" bass with accuracy. Good accurate speakers and tons of power are KEY.

Tuning all of those strings can be a problem. Keep a tuner handy ALWAYS.

Get a decent instrument! All of those strings and all of those different string tensions place additional structural demands on your neck.

Good luck...

great info buddy, although i don't love 6 strings but it was so useful ;)
kass

Could you be forgetting Nathan East ? Haven't seen him for a long time though.

I've never tried a 5 or 6 string. I use a P-Bass and if I need extra range at the bottom end I can just about get away with tuning down the E string to D.

Damn. Now that's thorough. Thanx a buncha lotta.

Jehov

There's no problem in going to a six string unless you are used to using a pick all of the time.
There are more muting problems involved with a six string,which in my opinion,requires using both hands to keep under control.

Four,and five string basses don't seem to have as many muting problems,so playing them with a pick works out allright.
I haven't seen a six string player yet that uses a pick,but that's just me of course.
I use my fingers,so my 6 string seems to be very
easy to play to me.

An excellent point!

All those strings tend to want to vibrate spontaneously!
One of the first things I noticed when learning 6 was how much effort I had to invest into keeping all of those strings in check all of the time.

i really didn't like the thickness of the neck when i played one. It is a matter of personal prefereance really

pi

Not a prob for me. My hands are huge. Just ask my girlfriend (wink wink). lol

Jehov