Best low-midrange six-string bass?
 

I recently got a job at a music instrument retailer, and I'm thinking about coming back to the bass after almost ten years. I've always been a fan of extended range instruments, and a six-string bass is one that I've had a constant desire for.

Due to my employee status I can get some pretty hefty discounts on instruments, which is why I'm thinking about pulling the trigger sometime soon. I was looking at the Ibanez SR506, and someone I was talking to suggested the ESP LTD B206SM. I was also considering the Schecter Hellcat VI (short-scale six-string tuned like a guitar but an octave lower). I wanted to know what you guys thought of these options, or if there was something else you'd recommend instead. I can't get into specifics about pricing, but the Schecter and the Ibanez are both going to come in the sub-$500 range.

As far as style goes, I'm not currently a bass player, but on my main instruments (guitar and sax) I'm mostly a blues, jazz, folk/indie rock bedroom warrior/solo artist.

Well my vote would go to Ibanez ;) I'm not ''the right person to ask'' since I dig Ibanez a lot, you know what I'm saying? :p

If possible, look on Ebay if you can find a use Ibby SR 406. That bass gives a bit more low and sustain then the 506.

The Ibanez SR206 is the ticket. Played one in a pawn shop. nice bass, inexpensive way to get inot 6 strings. It might be a GR206???

What other lines do they carry?

I know I am in the minority here. But, I don't like the looks or build quality of the Schecter. I think the Ibanez is well built. But to me, both of them feel and sound flat, sterile and lifeless.


if it were me and those are the only options, I'd go Ibanez and swap out the electronics..

Get the ESP LTD B-206SM. I've got one, and LOVE it so much I bought a similar one (B-336SR) and want to buy another B-206SM and have it defretted (ESP don't offer a 6 string fretless). Dial in pretty mucha nytone you want, great neck, easy to play. You will NOT be sorry - ask anyone who plays them. Stupid good bass guitars.

All of the major brands. I mean, it's pretty much the same selection as Musician's Friend: Fender, Ibanez, EBMM, Schecter, ESP, etc.

I can deal with it sounding "lifeless." As I said, my ear is probably not developed enough to really tell the difference, at least on bass.

I think Ibanez makes very good instruments in that price range.

Looking at what MF sells... I would be inclined towards the Ibanez and eventually swapping the electronics.

Or maybe if you could get a deal, a conklin.

That said, you might be patient and wait for that perfect one to walk in, off the street, used and snatch it up. maybe a Warwick or other cool piece to happen in. That is what I used to do.

I think if you are considering both a bass vi type instrument and a traditional 6 string bass you might want to try a 7 string with the standard 7 tuning beadgcf. It takes a couple days to get used to the massive neck but it feels normal to me now. They have all the range the bass vi instruments do plus a low B. they also have dedicated bass pickups and stringspacing that is normal. The bass vi is more like a guitar string spacing and they are tons of fun or tapping so I wouldn't mind one (especially the new one that has EMGs) but because of the string spacing and no low b I it would be pretty difficult to play any of my bands songs with it. I bought a groove tools gt7 for 700 used. Mines tuned down to G#beadgc (yep not f#)so my higher 6 strings are tuned like a 6 and when I'm playing with guitar players I find that's as high as I need to go. But of your going to doing the solo two hand tapping thing like jean baudin does the higher strings are helpful.

I've seen a lot of people say they wouldn't want to pay for strings for erb. But I pay less for the strings on my 7 than I was for the strings on my 5s. On the 5s I was using dr high beams and there were like $45 but for the 7 I order from juststrings.com and get a daddario xl nickel 6 string set then buy either a .145, .020 or .018 single string depending on if I want to tune with a low g# or a high f.

For some models, I would agree. For the Premium and Prestige lines, it's just a matter if you like Nordstrand or custom Bartolini's :p