This may sound esoteric or eccentric for a guitar player. But after watching Aerosmith's Joe Perry playing his 6 string bass in "Back in the Saddle, I realized this might help 2 or 3 of the songs of mine. A cool twist... Now for my question...When tuning the six bass, I'm assuming the two highest pitch strings are higher in sound, while the low strings are the usual bass tuning, right?? I know there is a plethora of different ways this could be tuned, but it's my belief that is how it may be. At least I'm hoping so, as this is what I have in mind. It's said that the cheaper versions have a "tinny" tone due to cheap ass pickups. I'm thinking an EQ or two could band-aid this. Hell, Tony Iommi uses three EQs in his rack for his sig tone on guitar. I'm really interested in this, as it opens up more possibilities for my creation. Any thoughts? I've noticed in newer vids, Joe uses 4 or 5 stringers now. Maybe with just higher strings?
The currently accepted 6 string bass is a 4 string with an extra low string and an extra high string. The classic 6 string bass like what Joe Perry uses is tuned E, A , D, G, B, E like a 6 sting guitar down an octave. EQ can get rid of some tinnyness if used correctly. Personally I prefer a semi parametric EQ over a graphic. The difference is that a graphic EQ and a parametric/semi parametric EQ is this: A graphic EQ has sliders at set frequencies that boost and cut those frequencies and a little bit of the frequencies in between those sliders. A semi parametric EQ has sets of knobs in pairs one knob is a sweepable frequency knob, the other is boost/cut. The frequency range on these knobs is fixed in width. A parametric EQ has a third knob in each range that controls the bandwidth of the frequency. I prefer as semi parametric and parametric because they give more precise control over what is being done. Now here's what I learned about EQ in my production classes. Generally there are 2 EQ strategies Additive and Subtractive. Additive EQ means that you go through frequencies and boost what sounds good. In doing so you are also adding gain, volume and noise. Subtractive EQ means that you go through the frequencies and subtract the ones that sound bad leaving what sounds good. Subtractive EQ is preferred as it cuts out/helps prevent gain spikes, gives more head room, and is less noisy. With me so far? Good. Here is how I use EQ in my signal chain. I play a 6 string Fender Jazz (B,E,A,D,G C tuning) it's active and I prefer the soloed single coil bridge pickup and onboard EQ set flat. Then is a TC Electronic Spectracomp Multi Band Compressor That is always on. Then a Pigtronix Bass Envelope Phaser for those Bootsy Collins P-Funk type of sound. The Compressor and Envelope Phaser combined with the soloed single coil pickup are really noisy. So the next pedal in my chain is old Boss PQ3B (currently out of production found one online for about $80 you can usually find the guitar one on e-bay for about $150). I set it by turning on the 2 noisy pedals and the EQ. Starting with the High Band Knob I boost the level all the way and without playing sweep the frequency knob and when the sound gets the most obnoxious I leave the knob there and turn down the level until it is either gone or not as obnoxious, I repeat that process with the Mids and Lows. I hope that was a clear explanation. Here is a picture of me with my bass: C/S, Rev J
I was just thinking about it and here is another option that is cheaper than buying another instrument: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGeUG8sWyPg I actually have one of these too and like to mix a little octave up in with the octave down function to get a really huge sound. C/S, Rev J
Yes. On a lot of recordings guitarists use the old school 6 string bass. John Lennon used one on "Helter Skelter" by the Beatles. On a lot of country recordings from the early 60's they had what was called "Tic Tac" bass which was the original bass line doubled an octave higher with either an old Fender Bass VI or Danelectro 6 string bass played with a pick to make it more audible on the radios and record players of the day. As a matter of fact the old school 6 string bass is based on a Mexican instrument called a Bajo Sexto. C/S, Rev J
