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6-string bass
- Thread starter Strych9
- Start date
I have a BTB576FM and it is a very nice bass, with a nice flat fretboard. The SR506 has a 400mm radius fretboard while the BTB576 has a 1000mm radius fretboard which means it is far flatter. It is neck through, and has bart pickups and 18v active pre. The scooped away upper horn lets you get at the upper frets very easily. Plus the transparent grey finish is very cool, it sort of changes color in different light, from a grey, to a purplish, to a greenish depending on fluorescent, incandescent, sunlight, etc... The looks of it are more artistic than the SR series, when you see them next to each other, but thats just my opinion. I've never held a bass that felt better however...
I jumped from my 1st 4 to a 6. Neck was too wide for me. Ended up going to 5, which fits me perfectly.
I don't know, maybe I should have sold the 4 & handcuffed the 6 to myself. But I do feel there are physiological factors to playing a 6 versus a 4.
I don't know, maybe I should have sold the 4 & handcuffed the 6 to myself. But I do feel there are physiological factors to playing a 6 versus a 4.
Also, not to rain on your parade, but you sound like you're just starting out, and setting a goal of playing ALL of Dreamtheater is rather lofty. I know this only because I did the same thing with Primus; I bought a bass, looked up some Claypool tabs, and realized that I had alot to learn before I even got started. Les Claypool was actually my inspiration for getting a 6 string. Just dont limit yourself to Dreamtheater, in the 3 years I've been playing (teaching myself, learning technique from learning songs) I've got a huge musical catalogue in my mind now of songs I can play, and that gets your ear training down pretty well. It also makes you versatile; eg. I play in a death metal band, jam with a classic rock cover band, my buddies I jam with in my building are blues guitarists, and my roommate loves Dave Matthews on acoustic so I play along to that. Guitarists are more known for getting locked into a genre, try to branch out and be able to do anything and you'll find you can have alot more fun and have more worth.
That's some pretty good advice you got there Toastfuzz, but I already figured that out, it's just that it's my main goal, apart from that I'm learning to play blues and I play some old school songs, for that I have no limit.
It's just, after I have learned all these genres and techniques and playing styles and such, I hope I will be able to play those songs, it's my goal and it's my motivation to play as much as I can, I'm playing 2-4h a day and I'm a pretty young bassist (16).
I'm just hoping to become good or at least a decent bassist in the end, I got my motivation at least! =D
//Strych9
P.S: I've started studying theory and I downloaded some DVDs and E-Books, I also tend to visit the library every once in a while.
It's just, after I have learned all these genres and techniques and playing styles and such, I hope I will be able to play those songs, it's my goal and it's my motivation to play as much as I can, I'm playing 2-4h a day and I'm a pretty young bassist (16).
I'm just hoping to become good or at least a decent bassist in the end, I got my motivation at least! =D
//Strych9
P.S: I've started studying theory and I downloaded some DVDs and E-Books, I also tend to visit the library every once in a while.
Pfft.
You really don't need that many strings...
just kidding. I love my 7-string.
Fail on an attempted joke.
But 6 string is something everyone should try. I did, and found out it wasnt for me.
I recently picked up a used Carvin LB76 off ebay for $558. Absolutely love it. I strongly recommend buying used, but that's just my preference.
That is gorgeous!
What is the string spacing on that beast?John Myung inspired me to move up to a 6 string lol. I now can't play a gig without bringing one or both of my 6 string basses. I have a BTB and an SR. For playing Dream Theater like bass lines I prefer the SR because of the 34" scale which is the scale he uses. I like my BTB for it's deeper low end though but with it's 35" scale it makes some bass lines into quite the finger stretchers. If you are short on money or not completely sure about going to a 6 string Ibanez just put out the GSR206 which is going for $300 everywhere I've seen and should play similar to the higher SR series. The tone probably won't be the best though. You can always upgrade the pickups and EQ though. Hope this helps.
Although I don't have anything else to compare it to, I JUST got the Blue Douglas WOB826 ($179US+shipping), and I freaking love it. Plan on a new set of strings though; the stock string are total junk. I use D'Addario Half Wounds ($38US - Lights, .130-.30) and the B in plenty tight on this 34" scale bass. YMMV, but I'm pretty happy with this, and would certainly buy another if anything happened to this one.
the rbx 6jm (not the new version which in my opinion is not as good) goes for about 600 nowadays. if your willing to wait for one to pop up on ebay or something similar. it was my first real bass, after my shatty starter. when i bought it i compared it to the sr506 (or what ever it was about 8 years ago) and it blew it out of the water.... completely! no contest, both basses in the same amp and completely flat, and the myung killed it big time.
you won't be upset with this bass. i would strongly consider it. there is a lot of songs you can start with on the four. erotomania is a good starter song. and anything from the first album should be doable on a 4. i think he recorded with a stingray back then
you won't be upset with this bass. i would strongly consider it. there is a lot of songs you can start with on the four. erotomania is a good starter song. and anything from the first album should be doable on a 4. i think he recorded with a stingray back then
what ever you do i would buy used. that way if you don't like playing a 6-string you can always sell it for close if not the same price you bought it.
