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Buying a 6 string

T

Trevor Morbid

Jun 1, 2007
18
0
www.myspace.com
#1
Hello! I'm a 4 string player who occasionally plays 5 string and wants to make the jump to a 6 string. However, I'm not sure what I should buy as a good "first step". Has anyone got any recommendations?

I need something that is quite versatile and can give me a good metal tone since I play things like Dream Theater, Dragonforce, Iron Maiden etc, as well as normal "rock"

thanks...:bassist:
 
#2
I used to have a 6 string Peavy Axcellertor. It was very nice, 18 volt actives in it, dual humbuckers, and tone for miles.

I could snatch up just about any tone with that bass.

They pop up here every now and again for great prices (around the $300 mark).

Peace

-Benny
 
#4
Saetia said:
I used to have a 6 string Peavy Axcellertor. It was very nice, 18 volt actives in it, dual humbuckers, and tone for miles.

I could snatch up just about any tone with that bass.

They pop up here every now and again for great prices (around the $300 mark).

Peace

-Benny
Click to expand...

I picked one up on eBay about 2 years ago. It was nice, but mine needed some work. The neck was nice and smooth, not massive like a warwick. It was nice for what it was, but just wasn't my thing. It also needed a new nut and there was a damaged pot, but I got around it for a year or so.
 
#5
Sean S said:
I picked one up on eBay about 2 years ago. It was nice, but mine needed some work. The neck was nice and smooth, not massive like a warwick. It was nice for what it was, but just wasn't my thing. It also needed a new nut and there was a damaged pot, but I got around it for a year or so.
Click to expand...

I got mine for $300 and was in near mint condition... right here on TB actually.

BTW to the OP these basses haven't been made for awhile so I can see why Sean S's was in the condition it was, but it's not impossable by any means to find one that is in good condition.

If I'm not mistaken one sold on here not to long ago, and then a few months further back there was also a matching set of 5 and 6 string that sold for relatively low prices.

I'd also add a second suggestion in, I used to also own an Ibanez SR506 what was quite nice. The neck was nice and thin and flat which was appealing... I wasn't too hot ont he stock electectronics/ pickups though... sounded to hollow for my liking. In my opinion the Peavey was a better bass at a better price as well.

Food for thought

Peace

-Benny
 
#6
Saetia said:
I'd also add a second suggestion in, I used to also own an Ibanez SR506 what was quite nice. The neck was nice and thin and flat which was appealing... I wasn't too hot ont he stock electectronics/ pickups though... sounded to hollow for my liking. In my opinion the Peavey was a better bass at a better price as well.
Click to expand...

Haven't tried the Peavey, so I can't comment on that.

I bought an Ibanez SR506 a few months ago, and I am absolutely impressed with it. I consider this bass quite cheap in comparison with my Hot Wire and Sandberg basses, but it's my number one bass right now (and I'm not shure if I would pay much more money again in the future, when I can have a bass this good for only half the price - or less - than many other basses).

Yes, it sounds a bit hollow, but personally I like this sound. It's nothing you can't overcome by tweaking of the Bartolini electronics if you need to. The stock Bartolini MK-1 electronics are just fine for this bass, but that's only IMHO... :)

As for the original question: the playability of the SR506 is superb! It's perfect as a first sixstringer.
 
#9
I also bought a used Peavey Axcelerator, I paid $400 for mine (including shipping) and it was in new condition (not "like new" but completely 100% mint). It is a great bass, but they are somewhat rare, I waited months for one to show up. If you're in a hurry and prefer new, the Brice basses from www.rondomusic.net are very good for the money, the Douglas ones are servicable. My fretless six is a Brice and I'm very happy with it. Also, keep on the lookout for a Dean Edge 6, they are excellent basses for the money.
 
#10
I've got the BTB Prestige 6, and absolutely love it. Perhaps mine is different than the one mentioned a couple of posts up, but mine has a fantastic B. Tight, focused and sounds great. I personally prefer it quite a bit over the SR series models I've played. It's a bit heavy, but definitely managable.
 
#11
Forcemaster said:
I tried one once and I really didn't like it, AWFUL B string, especially for a 35"er, not bad playability but I prefer the SR506 to it.
Click to expand...

You know... I'm really thinking of buying the BTB556 also :)
I like the SR506 so much that I'm convinced that the BTB556 is equally good but probably different in sound a bit (different neck woods and different preamp), a bit more traditional? I think I prefer the 556 over the 1206 Prestige because of the bolt-on neck. For a sixstringer, that will be more my cup of tea...
 
#12
Pierrot said:
Anyone tried a Ibanez BTB556? I played the 4 string equivalent the other day and liked it even better than the SR500 I'm usually playing.
Click to expand...

the BTBs are really nice, but their string spacing is too wide for me, i have a prestige SR 1006EZW, and its the same spacing as any of the SRs.

OP: for a first six, id consider checking out the ibanez SR506. its a very good bass for the price, ive played several of them, and they sound great as well as playing awesome and looking good too.
 
#13
When I heard "6-string" and "metal" I immediately thought of the Yamaha John Myung signature, but if you want one of those new you're looking at a $1600 bass. You might be able to find a good used one in the $600 range, especially the older incarnation (the older RBX6JM has 2 soapbars, the newer RBX6JM2 has 1 MM-style bucker).
 
#15
The Ibanez is a good recommendation for a low to middle price 6 string bass. If you have a few bucks i highly recommend the 6 string i play ... A Modulus Quantum. You can't get a more stable neck for a bass then the Modulus graphite necks ... no dead spots, they're beautiful and they aren't effected by weather or moisture.
 
#16
Liko said:
When I heard "6-string" and "metal" I immediately thought of the Yamaha John Myung signature, but if you want one of those new you're looking at a $1600 bass. You might be able to find a good used one in the $600 range, especially the older incarnation (the older RBX6JM has 2 soapbars, the newer RBX6JM2 has 1 MM-style bucker).
Click to expand...

I thought the same thing too. I was in the same boat as the original poster a few months ago, and I ended up getting buying the RBXJM (first version) about a week ago. I must say I'm pretty pleased with it. I still have to set it up and maybe get a thicker B string (I guess thats what you get with a 34" scale), but it plays nicely right now.

Btw, the new ones (RBXJM2) don't cost $1600 new, (if you can find them) they cost like $1000. I got my RBXJM for $690 but I think I overpayed a bit. I could have probably waited and gotten one for like $600-$650 but I was impatient.
 

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