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6 Strings for Metal

E

EmptyTheEarth

Jul 11, 2012
21
0
Tampa, FL
#1
Hi, just for starters, I'm new here. I moved up to 5 strings about a year ago and I really want to move up again. I play super melodic/proggy/thrash/deathy sort of stuff. I want something that goes well with distortion but you can make out notes easily. Another thing, I'm asking with is most suggested, I know that it can be different for everyone. Thanks
 
#10
EmptyTheEarth said:
I want something that goes well with distortion but you can make out notes easily.
Click to expand...

Moving past all the 'best bass for metal' jokes, I think this would probably have more to do with your amp than your instrument.

As for a bass, Ibanez is great if you like the 'springy' kind of tone you get from their SR pickup placement. ESP also makes a nice metal-geared 6 at a nice price
 
#11
Soapbar pup bass as the start. Theyve allways done much better for me with overdrive and distortion then either P or J pup basses. Active eq onboard also helps a lot as they give better low note difinition then passive to me. Even when the active preamps tone controls are at flat. P pup bass with neck and bridge P pup and onboard eq as 2nd best in my experience.
 
#12
I jammed with a guy once who had a six-string Ibanez bass - I was on guitar and we were playing progressive rock. I had a play of his bass during a break and the neck felt good and the sound was punchy, although it was back-breakingly heavy [at least for me].
 
#14
Corbeua probably played a BTB and Epitaph is probably used to SR, the former famous for giant bodies and heavy weight the latter for small bodies and light weight.

My Ibanez BTB 676 is offensively heavy and my SR 506 was light as a feather... though I doubt the weight had anything to do with it, the two basses were not even comparable in my opinion, the BTB was superior in every department but weight.

OP there is no best bass for anything by the way, whatever you find suits you best is all there is... only you know what bass is best for you, everybody else is a liar.

In fact, there is no "best" anything... ever...
 
#16
Prepare to see everyone's personal favorites. Without more info, there's no way we can know if our suggestions will work for you. Personally, I own an Ibanez SR706. Light, sounds great, feels great. Tight string spacing. Bongos are also super cool - wider string spacing than a soundgear, and they have a unique and awesome tone. Epic versatility with the 4 band EQ. Also check out Carvin - almost fully customizable, great quality, American made (if that matters to you), and the price is extremely reasonable. 6 string models have fairly tight string spacing. There are a million other options out there until you help us to narrow down your preferences.
 
#19
EmptyTheEarth said:
Nothing over 550, but it can change if needed, and the best way for me to explain would probably be Animals as Leaders old bassist but would also sound well distorted
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmfzWpp0hMc
Click to expand...

$550 and under you won't find much of a difference in quality or playability. There's probably an Ibanez out there with your name on it, as every other suggestion so far is at least twice your budget. Maybe an import Spector, those seem popular with the metal guys.
 

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