Do 6-String Basses release your WIDDLE Monster? 👹

Playing a 6-string bass can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it can also be a double-edged sword. With the added range and flexibility of an extra string, many bass players find themselves wanting to solo or "widdle" a lot - playing fast, flashy lines with lots of notes.

[mynameisciaran]

I have a 6 string and I WISH I could widdle like this.

[Shred_The_Weapon]

That’s why there are so many videos of people that grab up the Fender or Squier Bass Six and do exactly what you’ve done here, Scott. They think because it’s got the extra strings on it that they shouldn’t play it like a bass. I’ve always seen mine as an instrument on which to play traditional stuff with “extra-added harmonic augmentation”. It has kind of help me to tap into the side of my bass playing which abuts my guitar style while also reflecting on the influence I’ve drawn from Victor Wooten. Two of my favorite tracks from the Béla Fleck and the Flecktones album *Three Flew Over the Cuckoo‘s Nest* are compositions Victor wrote on his tenor bass, “At Last We Meet Again” and “Peace Be Still”. Although he didn’t compose either on a six-string bass, the material speaks to me as though he had.

Yes I know, my comments are so long-winded.

[Fantastic_Timez]

"Don't widdle too much around the neck" - ah, something I can use in both my Brazilian jiujitsu classes AND bass playing practice

[Wyman.Adams]

“It is very easy to get on a six string bass and fail at imitating Les Claypool.”

[K.J.]

Great tone! I agree that too much widdling is a problem (& it can be downright frustrating when you have to widdle in the middle of the night.) 🤟😬❗

[johnrichmond]

I use my 6-string Ibanez at church. I love how the low B sounds and feels. I use the C and G strings for baritone guitar like stuff

[mmmHardstyle]

I bought a 6 string the other day, but sadly had to return it. So I went back to my 4 string and it felt like I could play 100x faster than before lol. I can't undo the widdling bc now I can do it faster.

[politicalsmell]

I purchased my first six string bass Ibanez standard....love it.

[fretworks]

I widdle even more on my 7 string. No regrets.

[bmstylee]

It definitely makes you want to noodle. I can play piano as well and I can't help myself to not noodle on that one either.

[JMGilberto]

Why 6? Yes, you can widdle, and when it's time to solo, it can make it easier to play "outside" in a Jazz context (the further from the root you get, the sillier you can be).
You can also think vertically on the neck, not just horizontally, and it makes it easier to play amazing 3 octave licks on turnarounds like Anthony Jackson.

[erikavery]

I’d retune it Low B to ‘high’ B and do chordal things. No need for the widdly things. 😁

[MelkorMischief]

Andreas blomqvist of Seventh Wonder sweeps five strings on a 6er without a pick
Dudes a legend and they are all so underrated

[professorweedington]

Yeth it tones me into a widdle monstow

[deathmetalmachine]

when I pick up my 6 string bass guitar I just wanna hit the low f# 190 gage on the 6 string also I really don't do any widdley on it unless I use my bass whammy bar 😊

[FalloutUrMum]

I have a Bass VI, it's different

[bolillo]

When I pick up a six string bass I just play some metal 0s lol

[juniorvigolvino]

You have to know Nico Assumpção's work

[BobWilliam]

Just choose the right tool for the right task...

[gorillareaper]

Every 5 string bass should use a 6 string set. even playing metal the low B is the loneliest string on a bass. the High C and tons of distortion or Fuzz is amazing soloing. it puts you in a touch of guitar range and still has balls to thunder or down tune to low b if needed