6 String Recommendations

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Hort Elvison, Jun 30, 2020.

  1. Hort Elvison

    Hort Elvison

    Nov 19, 2012
    Kentucky
    I'm looking for a decent but not overly expensive ($800-$1200) 6 string bass for a jazz fusion project I'm involved in. I regularly play Sandberb, Suhr and Sadowsky so I'm used to high end, boutique instruments and so I'm wanting something that I will actually play. So far I've found little in that price range and right now I'm looking at Ibanez basses, in particular the BTB846SC and the BTB846V (the V interests me because it's a 33" scale with 16.5 spacing but I love the shape of the SC).

    I have beginning issues with arthritis so wide necks or baseball bat necks don't work for me, I need something thin.

    Anyone have experience with the basses above or have other suggestions?
     
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  2. B-Mac

    B-Mac Happiness is a warm puppy and a great bass Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    Dean 6 string basses usually have thin and narrow necks.

    I don't own any 6 stings basses, but I do own 4, 5, 8 octave course, 10 octave course and 12 octave course Dean basses, so I have to assume their 6 stringers follow suit.

    Check out used.

    Here's a late 90's Dean Edge 6 string (passive)


    Here's a Dean Edge 6 from 2017
    This is based on the 2017 Dean Edge 4. Flame Maple top on Mahogany as opposed to Basswood body. Active with B M and T plus a Mid scoop switch in addition to Vol and Blend.

    Discontinued in this format and Country of origin manufacture (MIK) but still selling on Amazon old new stock and elsewhere for $899

    614xBYnUzgL._AC_SL1500_.jpg
    https://www.amazon.com/Dean-Guitars-Flame-String-Electric/dp/B07957YCH8

    You can probably find a used one for $600

    New 6 string Dean MIC rather than MIK and Passive but $300 Mahogany

    Dean Edge 1 6 String Vintage Mahogany
    e16vm.png
    Edge Select 6 Burl Poplar top Mahogany body Active around $800 new Made in Indonesia
    Dean Edge Select 6 String Burled Poplar SN
    e6selbrl.png Edge 6 Pro Walnut top Swamp Ash body Made in Indonesia around $800 new The pro series is no longer a through neck design, which is a shame
    Dean Edge Pro 6 String Walnut Satin Natural
    ep6selwal.png Edge 6 Active discontinued Basswood body basswood top. Can still find these as NOS for around $500 MIK
    Dean
    e6tbk.png
    Their older Edge 6 models also included a quilt top 6 string and a fretless 6 string that are gorgeous but hard to find because those that have them tend to hold onto them.
    Here's a TB post giving an older Edge 6Q woderful praise from way back in 2003 from @alembic5
    edge 6Q Praise

    Here's another TB-er's ( @Draculea ) Edge 6Q
    edge 6Q

    Discontinued 6 string fretless
    Bass-Guitar-DEG16-E6FRLS-TBK-detailed-image-1.jpg
    Dean Edge 6 Fretless 6 String Electric Bass Guitar - Trans Black (E6FRLS TBK) - DEG16-E6FRLS TBK
     
    Last edited: Jul 1, 2020
    Randy Ward and Hort Elvison like this.
  3. Hort Elvison

    Hort Elvison

    Nov 19, 2012
    Kentucky
    Wow, thanks man! I've not looked at those but they look like some really nice basses. I will definitely do some research on them.
     
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  4. B-Mac

    B-Mac Happiness is a warm puppy and a great bass Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    I like Dean's if you didn't notice. Especially the Deans from the oughts
    I also have some catalog info that does specify neck width at the nut
     
  5. Hort Elvison

    Hort Elvison

    Nov 19, 2012
    Kentucky
    I don't know if any store around my area sells them but I'm in Nashville a lot, I'll look at one there. Thanks for the recommendation, I haven't considered them at all. Nice looking basses!
     
  6. B-Mac

    B-Mac Happiness is a warm puppy and a great bass Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    I also own a few Ibanez basses (SoundGear and Artcore), and I'm sure the BTB basses are fine as well.
     
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  7. B-Mac

    B-Mac Happiness is a warm puppy and a great bass Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    You might also want to post your question here: 6 String BASS Club (Guitarists keep out!)
     
  8. I would personally recommend Yamaha or Tune basses if you can find a 6 string available anywhere. Used Yamaha TRB1006 basses can be gotten for well under $1000.
     
  9. B-Mac

    B-Mac Happiness is a warm puppy and a great bass Gold Supporting Member Supporting Member

    He's looking for thin and narrow necks though.
     
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  10. Ah. Missed that. My bad.
     
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  11. WillyW

    WillyW l’art pour l’art, fonction de baise Supporting Member

    Dec 10, 2019
    My 94 corvette is nice but it weighs more than my mother in law...

    I play standing even when I practice, and this is definitely a sittin’ bass

    wenge neck and maple body, active Bartolini’s

    35E9D1FA-4EF1-4112-9829-70E71CDC1719.jpeg
     
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  12. I assume that those wear marks are from playing? ;)
     
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  13. For your needs, I would recommend either the BTB846V or one of the Ibanez SR Models. I own several SR 6 strings and the SR876 is my favorite, but out of production I think. I also have a BTB846V, and while the scale is 33, the neck doesn’t feel as thin as the 6 string SR’s that I own. The BTB also has a flatter radius. I tune mine EADGCF, so keep in mind I can’t speak to the tension of the B-string.

    You can hear several examples of my different Ibanez 6 strings on my YouTube page for reference.
    YouTube

    I would also recommend Schecter Stiletto 6’s except that they are all 35 inch scale.

    Good Luck!