6 string Bass

[Trevge1]

I am wondering which 6 string bass’s do you guys consider great sounding and playable? I own a few bass’s;
Fender ultra, Yamaha, Ibanez fretless, Ibanez 5 string, Ibanez 6 string. I always find myself going back to the 6 string.
I have been looking at the Dingwall Afterburner II, Fedora and F bass.

 

[Standalone]

Those are all well regarded. I recommend enjoying your Ibanez six or perhaps upgrading it — if it is a lower model

 

[Trevge1]

Those are all well regarded. I recommend enjoying your Ibanez six or perhaps upgrading it — if it is a lower model

I have an IBANEZ SR506EBM, while it has been great to play, I know there is better out there. I want to upgrade but I am not sure as to which one. I am looking for recommendations/input on ergonomics, sound weight, over all feel of other 6 strings that the people on here have tried and really liked.

 

[Standalone]

My recommendation is just that. If it’s great to play, it is.

 

[Loring]

Bongo is another great 6.

 

[Winston H]

 

[hasbeen]

These two are my main basses and have been for many years

 

[CJC6]

A Dingwall six string is a fantastic choice, I’ve had an ABZ and a NG3 sixer. To be honest, I wish I still had one of them, as my current Dingwall has 5 strings.
My favorite six string, because of the playability /comfort / tone / appearance is a 33” Skjold sixer. It is perfection! I’ve had three skjold sixers and currently have the two below.
Once I played a Skjold, it changed what I look for in an instrument. They really are that good. The Skjold on the left is a catacomb (chambered) and resonates like no other bass, it’s remarkable and what a bass should be.

 

[Mechanical]

If you're looking at a Fodera 6er, you're probably not going to get better than that.

 

[Need Gigs]

I like my Afterburner very much, check the link in my signature for 31 videos covering a broad range of the tones this bass can produce

 

[Trevge1]

If you're looking at a Fodera 6er, you're probably not going to get better than that.

I guess it all depends on what my budget is allowed to be. Lol. They are my top three. Mostly because I’m not familiar with a lot of other brands.

 

[Trevge1]

A Dingwall six string is a fantastic choice, I’ve had an ABZ and a NG3 sixer. To be honest, I wish I still had one of them, as my current Dingwall has 5 strings.
My favorite six string, because of the playability /comfort / tone / appearance is a 33” Skjold sixer. It is perfection! I’ve had three skjold sixers and currently have the two below.
Once I played a Skjold, it changed what I look for in an instrument. They really are that good. The Skjold on the left is a catacomb (chambered) and resonates like no other bass, it’s remarkable and what a bass should be.
View attachment 4461376

A Dingwall six string is a fantastic choice, I’ve had an ABZ and a NG3 sixer. To be honest, I wish I still had one of them, as my current Dingwall has 5 strings.
My favorite six string, because of the playability /comfort / tone / appearance is a 33” Skjold sixer. It is perfection! I’ve had three skjold sixers and currently have the two below.
Once I played a Skjold, it changed what I look for in an instrument. They really are that good. The Skjold on the left is a catacomb (chambered) and resonates like no other bass, it’s remarkable and what a bass should be.
View attachment 4461376

Are your basses the same model as each other? I like the looks of the one on the left. They don’t look too chunky either. What electronics are in them?

 

[Trevge1]

I like my Afterburner very much, check the link in my signature for 31 videos covering a broad range of the tones this bass can produce

Thank you for sharing. I will be watching the videos.

 

[Trevge1]

I like my Afterburner very much, check the link in my signature for 31 videos covering a broad range of the tones this bass can produce

Dingwall bass’s manufacturing plant is about a five hour drive one way, from where I live. I might have to drop in there and see what they have.

 

[B-Mac]

I am wondering which 6 string bass’s do you guys consider great sounding and playable? I own a few bass’s;
Fender ultra, Yamaha, Ibanez fretless, Ibanez 5 string, Ibanez 6 string. I always find myself going back to the 6 string.
I have been looking at the Dingwall Afterburner II, Fedora and F bass.

I bet @gebass6 can make a suggestion or two.

 

[CJC6]

Are your basses the same model as each other? I like the looks of the one on the left. They don’t look too chunky either. What electronics are in them?

They are both Drakkar’s but the chambered one (the third pictured is a chambered five string) is thicker by a decent amount, more than just the top and back woods. There is a divider in the cross section of the bass too on top, to create 5 chambered pockets. (Upper horn, above pickups and a cavity below.) The catacomb bass guitars Pete makes today are slightly thiner still. All three of the bass guitars have Skjold deluxe preamp which is incredibly versatile. The mid range control and tone knob are very special. There are threads on TB where the deluxe preamp is tied to John East and while comparable, it’s better.
Being closed body / not having a vented hole keeps the resonance in the instrument, instead of pouring out of it like an acoustic.

A couple more pictures here.
No longer available - Skjold Drakkar

 

[alembicbones]

Ultimately I determined I'm 4 and 5 string player. However, when I owned a 6 string, it was a Modulus Quantum 6. It was a very nice bass, sounded great and played very well. I sold it mainly because of my first sentence.

Bones

 

[MonetBass]

How about the Yamaha TRBJP2? One of the few 6-string basses I've had in my hands, and it was so easy to play and sounded great.

 

[Winston H]

I guess it all depends on what my budget is allowed to be. Lol. They are my top three. Mostly because I’m not familiar with a lot of other brands.

Well to give you an idea on budget, I asked Warwick what it would cost to replace my bass, for insurance purposes, and the reply from the CEO himself was $11kUSD, plus freight, tax and import duties. Top level 6s aren't cheap.

 

[Keger Jupti]

Well, here's a fedora...

...& here's a Fodera...

...but I couldn't find a picture of someone with a fedora, playing a Fodera!