Think of these African Brothers when you strap on a (5) or (6) String Bass...
 

 
Anthony Jackson - (left)
 
In 1975, at the age of (23) years old,
 
was first to be inspired to commission, and own the first (6) String Bass in the world
 
by Luthier Carl Thompson. (It was Anthony's Idea!)...
 
Tony Bunn - (right)
 
In 1977 at the age of (20) years old,
 
was first to be inspired to commission, and own the first (5) String Bass in the world
 
by struggling Luthier Paul Reed Smith. (It was Tony's Idea!)...
 
Peace and Love,
 
 
 
Hal-

I played a 5-string upright bass off and on for a couple of years before then.
 
Fender made a 5-string electric bass in the '60s.
 
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FENDER_BASS_V_view.JPG
 
John
 
(Message edited by 811952 on July 19, 2011)

there are articles out there that state differently... here's one from The History Of The Modern Bass Guitar at UltimateGuitar.com
 
In 1959 Danelectro created the first 6 string bass, tunes E A D G B E, and Gibson and Fender used this idea to make the Gibson EB-6 in 1960, and the Fender VI in 1962. Fender created the first 5 string in 1964, with the Fender V.

Here's a link to the article on Wiki that John refers to with the Fender V image referenced above.

The 5 string upright bass has been around since Beethoven's time (late 1700's).

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tony_Bunn
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthony_Jackson_%28musician%29
Contrabass
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 19, 2011)

Nobody was playing the FUNK in 1700 - 1960.  
 
Also it would be great to know of any real recordings to support such claims.
 
Furthermore, the Banjo is older than the acoustic bass, and yet there were sting instruments even in the earliest periods during the times of the great periods of Africa's Egyptian royals in the East, West and South Africa which spanned before the 1700's.    
 
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 19, 2011)

The Fender Bass V (Five String) has only 15 frets and created with a High C???
 
The Six String created in 1959 was E A D G B E???
 
Who uses those string configurations anyway?
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-

EverythinG is Overrated.

Hal,  
 
Here's a pic of Frank (otis) w/ mine~ E to E.....  
 

That's a Gorgeous maple Frank has...
 
But give me the Contrabass B-E-A-D-G-C slam!
 
Frankly, I wouldn't go any other way. Anthony Jackson way is a better bass configuration, and it's become the standard for the pro's I know.  
 
Peace and Love,
 
Hal-
 
(Message edited by toma_hawk01 on July 19, 2011)

doesn't Jackson tune his basses F#-B-E-A-D-G ? either way, i agree with the tuning in fourths.. i don't really get why you would tune your bass like a guitar.

Maybe you would tune it that way if you were a guitarist taking up six string bass. Less time spent re-orienting yourself with the notes layout.  
 
 
Jazzyvee

Harps have as many as 48 strings and date back to ancient Sumeria.  The range is from a low Cb1 to a high A. Check out Cheyenne Brown getting funky on the harp on you tube :-()
 
Harp for the win!

Harp for the win!
 
My keyboard is now full of coffee.  
 
John