(Sort of) weird Bass VI question

[gunslinger_burrito]

I know this is kinda random, but....

I've tried finding this on the internet with little success..... I'm sure 99% of you play your VIs with picks, but for my own info, do any of you play your Bass VIs with your fingers? Or know of anyone that does? Is it a pain in the ass? Are the strings too close together?

[Chankgeez]

Pretty sure Wes just used his thumb on this:



I think the strings on Bass VI type instruments are generally too close together to play with fingers.

Maybe with fingers for just short periods, but most of the time using a pick'd be easier.

Why, what were you thinking?

[gunslinger_burrito]

I can't play right handed with a pick anymore, but fingerstyle bass seems to work alright. Fingerstyle guitar, while I haven't given it a solid try yet, doesn't suit my guitar-playing style at all.


viewtopic.php?f=188&t=54252

[Chankgeez]

Yeah, I saw that thread and meant to respond. I couldn't really think of any suggestions.

Sorry to hear of your troubles.

Have you tried playing with just a thumbpick?

I don't think it'd work too well for Bass VI, but might be worth a shot on regular guitar or a low-tuned instrument.

[gunslinger_burrito]

i've messed with thumbpicks, but you can't really alternate pick with them. I ought to experiment with them though. Thanks for the idea. I'm terrible about missing the obvious....

[Mudfuzz]

I know this is kinda random, but....

I've tried finding this on the internet with little success..... I'm sure 99% of you play your VIs with picks, but for my own info, do any of you play your Bass VIs with your fingers? Or know of anyone that does? Is it a pain in the ass? Are the strings too close together?

It isn't bad…

[Chankgeez]

I don't think Jack Bruce used the Bass VI for very long though.

[Mudfuzz]

I don't think Jack Bruce used the Bass VI for very long though.

true, but still relevant. Actually what they really excel at is Entwistle typewriter technique'

NSFW: show

[BoatRich]

I use my fingers pretty often for mine with ambient stuff, but I haven't really practiced fingerpicking enough to be good at it. Playing it with your fingers like any other bass is kinda hard though.

[Bon Hoga]

Have you tried playing with just a thumbpick?

I don't think it'd work too well for Bass VI

In fact, nothing else works quite as well

[gunslinger_burrito]

from the little I've been able to see of it, it seems like it's doable, but only for particular styles of playing

[Chankgeez]

Have you tried playing with just a thumbpick?

I don't think it'd work too well for Bass VI

In fact, nothing else works quite as well

That's good to hear. (I've never really tried playing Bass VI with a thumbpick.)

In any case, gunslinger, you'll have to adjust your technique in some way to make some progress. You could come up with something really innovative.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I don't do it a lot because it's not what I use my vi for, and I prefer playing with a pick because of the string spacing. But it's completely doable

[gunslinger_burrito]

Cool. I'll have to track one down at a local store (hopefully) and mess with it. Probably going to pick up a thumb pick or two to see if I can use that for guitar as well. I'm still going to continue to practice lefty though. May as well. Thanks dudes!

[Bon Hoga]

Probably going to pick up a thumb pick or two to see if I can use that for guitar as well.

Get some with a big blade, them's heavy strings.