6-String bass with small neck size

[Veldar]

Hi all

I've been playing 5-sting for a year now and wanted to get a 6-string with a small neck. I've tried a few but the necks are allways suited to the soloing, tapping and slappping of a solo bassist rather than one in a band,I play in a metal band and jump around a lot and like to have an easy neck to hold when i'm playing.

Sam

 

[svp]

Try a Modulus Q6

 

[SteveC]

Roscoe makes an very nice 6 string.

 

[PlungerModerno]

Hey! there are a few options... but some of the more extreme models have limitations...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Bass_VI

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

But there are more traditional options... Link Removed do shortscales, and you can get very ergonomic options from most makers that do custom work.

 

[spade2you]

Small how? Scale length, nut/string spacing width, back thicknes, all or a combination of these?

 

[TigerInATrance]

Ibanez Soundgear has one of the more user friendly sized necks on a sixer. It feels to me like a five string neck with an extra string. Very easy to do chords on that neck. For a bit more cash, the Modulus Q and TBX. Played both, and, compared to my Ibanez, they have a little more girth on the back of the neck which actually felt a bit more comfortable than the flatter backed Ibby.

 

[BassmanM]

I will not get tired recommending the Cort A6:

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

A Carvin has a string spacing of 16.5mm, I believe old Yamaha 6ers use that, it is what John Myung prefers.

Ibanez has a Gary Willis (?) signature with a 14.5mm string spacing, making it pretty well a guitar.

To say a 16.5mm neck vs a 19mm spaced neck is suited for one thing or another is pretty incorrect thinking though, just because you cannot play it that way doesn't make it bad for it.

I have popped, slapped, tapped, finger-styled, and picked on every 6 string bass I owned, I don't think any one of them was more suited for solo bass than a group environment. It is just an instrument, you are the musician.

Also, why are you holding the neck? Your bass sounds like it has nasty neck dive, your strap should do the holding, you should do the playing.

 

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Ibanez has a Gary Willis (?) signature with a 14.5mm string spacing, making it pretty well a guitar.

That's the Gerald Veasley signature you're thinking of. Similar initials though

 

[Jazzkuma]

Hi all

I've been playing 5-sting for a year now and wanted to get a 6-string with a small neck. I've tried a few but the necks are allways suited to the soloing, tapping and slappping of a solo bassist rather than one in a band,I play in a metal band and jump around a lot and like to have an easy neck to hold when i'm playing.

Sam

It shouldn't be hard to hold a neck of any bass... if you are looking for a short scale 6 string with short scale I would go with the previous ones mentioned or if you have the cash get a callowhill OBS6. Its a short scale 6 string.
"soloing, tapping" basses are usually small... So I don't see why the ones you have tried wouldn't work.
Are you looking for a short scale with larger string spacing? or a long scale with shorter string spacing? There are many different ways a neck can be small.

 

[nillawaffa]

+1 on the callowhill. Tim does great work.

 

[Veldar]

Are you looking for a short scale with larger string spacing? or a long scale with shorter string spacing? There are many different ways a neck can be small.

I was going for a 24 fret neck with shorter spacing between the strings, but I wanted the rest to stay pretty much the same.

 

[jasper383]

Ibanez Soundgear.

Super slim necks, and lots of price points.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

Ibanez Soundgear.

Super slim necks, and lots of price points.

+ 1

Maybe the Gerald Veasley signature model is something for him : 14.5 mm string spacing, smooth SR neck and a heck of a sound

 

[Stealth]

LTD basses have a very narrow string spacing, close to 15mm. I'd recommend those.

 

[Lo-E]

Modulus, Ibanez (except the BTB series) and Carvin all tend toward narrow necks and tight string spacing. Older ESPs had very narrow necks, too.

 

[Woodchuck]

Modulus, Ibanez (except the BTB series) and Carvin all tend toward narrow necks and tight string spacing. Older ESPs had very narrow necks, too.

These, and the Cort.

 

[_jojo_bass]

SX 6 string. The neck is almost too tiny. And not bad for 200 bucks.

 

[bongostealth]

+ 1

Maybe the Gerald Veasley signature model is something for him : 14.5 mm string spacing, smooth SR neck and a heck of a sound

I will second that. The Ibanez Gerald Veasley should do the trick. If you don't want to spend $5K, then you can get the Ibanez GVB36 which is a significantly less expensive version at only $1100.

 

[Thomas Kievit]

I will second that. The Ibanez Gerald Veasley should do the trick. If you don't want to spend $5K, then you can get the Ibanez GVB36 which is a significantly less expensive version at only $1100.

Ah yes I mentioned the import model of course. Forgot to tell that, silly me