Hello! I've been interested in buying a 6 string for a while now, I'm not looking for anything super crazy but looking to start for a cheaper price. After some scouring I found a Used Rogue LX406 for a decent price that I was considering buying (Mainly chose this bcs it was one of the cheaper actives that had mostly good reviews). I figured I'd post here asking about personal experiences and if anyone had any recommendations that they'd like to share!
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Considering Buying 6 String
- Thread starter Tom Foolery 117
- Start date
I started on a 6 with my very first bass. I figured I would only need 1 bass to cover everything... Suffice to say it did not work out that way so its a good choice to start small with the investment and see how you adapt to it
A new or used Ibanez GSR206...mine was only $349 new but they are also available used.
I jumped to 6 on a great deal on a used Kiesel Icon. I grew to really like the extra string - it takes more effort to adjust to the B string from a 4 string bass than it does adjusting to a 6.
I always prefer to go the route of buying something good the first time around. Buying a cheap instrument May turn you off of 6's and it might be more about how uninspiring the instrument is than it actually being difficult.
I say look for a used Carvin 6 string in the $600-$800 range. If you decide to sell it it should hold most of its value, but it will probably be a better experience than an Ibanez or Rogue.
I always prefer to go the route of buying something good the first time around. Buying a cheap instrument May turn you off of 6's and it might be more about how uninspiring the instrument is than it actually being difficult.
I say look for a used Carvin 6 string in the $600-$800 range. If you decide to sell it it should hold most of its value, but it will probably be a better experience than an Ibanez or Rogue.
And what's wrong with Ibanez? I've been playing (even professionally) for over 45 years. I've owned 4,5 and 6 string basses over the years of all makes and models (including a Conklin 7 string).
My GSR206 was inexpensive but there is nothing about it that is "cheap". It's a damned good bass that sounds and plays beautifully.
I always do my own setups on my basses and my GSR206 has extremely low action (with no fret buzz) and is a great bass in every way.
Other than that, I agree with not starting out with a poor quality bass that needs high action, won't stay in tune, or sounds/plays horribly. I certainly don't put Ibanez in that category. Most Ibanez basses are of higher quality these days and I wouldn't say they are anything like Rogues or such.
I mean no disrespect but I've never played an Ibanez that was better than my Kiesel and Carvin basses. I also recently bought an Ibanez headless 6 string multiscale new and it was a fine instrument. But for the $ I could have bought a used Kiesel that would definitely have felt and sounded better - which is exactly what I did - sold it for a Kiesel.
I had an Ibanez Prestige SR-5006 for ages. Beautiful instrument and sounded amazing. The string spacing was compact so the 6 didn't feel too much like a log. Ended up moving to a SR-5005 5 string as I felt more comfortable with that number of strings.
I've wanted a 6er forever but never could convince myself I'd put one to use beyond the initial GAS induced noodling.
I always encourage folks to try one, the urge has not left my system in 25yrs of playing mostly a 5er. Pretty sure the only way is to see if it's right for yourself.
I always encourage folks to try one, the urge has not left my system in 25yrs of playing mostly a 5er. Pretty sure the only way is to see if it's right for yourself.
For an entry-level 6, as others have said, the Ibanez GSR-206 is a darn good bass. I have a friend who gigs and records regularly with one through a Markbass CMD-102P and gets great tones.
Yep Ibanez all the way. The SR line cannot be beat for the value IMHO. Started off with the 200 and a couple years later upgraded to the 370E. Super happy with both. Thin fast necks, with better electronics then you would expect at that price point.
What's great is that nowadays it's possible to get affordable 6-string basses that are still very good.
I think the LTD (by ESP) B-206 is an excellent starter 6. B-206SM
And because 6-string basses are still more of a niche instrument, you can find sweet deals on the preowned market.
I think the LTD (by ESP) B-206 is an excellent starter 6. B-206SM
And because 6-string basses are still more of a niche instrument, you can find sweet deals on the preowned market.
I went Ibanez multi scale for my 6. If you can afford it i would suggest one of those.
The lower-mid soundgear 6 strings with the powerspan pickups and coil tap option sound surprisingly good. I actually prefer them to the upper-mid offerings with the Korean-made bartolini mk1s or bh2 pickups. And they're only a few hundred bucks.
Another thing I want to add about the LTD B-206M. ESP's stock electronics are rather good. ESP house brand soapbars are their take on EMG-HZs and IMO, the ESP stock pups blow the HZs out of the water. (I've had LTD basses with EMG-HZs and ESP pups mated to the stock 3-band preamp, and the stock ESP soapbars were really good).
And, as others said, Ibanez offers the greatest number of 6-string basses at various price points, so they're an excellent place to start if you're looking to begin a 6-string bass journey.
And check the TalkBass classifieds. You may find some deals on solid 6ers.
What kind of bass do you play now?
There are two major considerations IMHO when looking at 6 stringers.
First, and for me most important, string spacing. Most 4 string basses are 19mm at the bridge. Many 6 strings are only 16.5mm - 17.5mm. This may not be a problem for you, but it is for me. The Ibanez SR series is a great value, but they have about the most narrow spacing of any bass made.
The other consideration is neck profile, particularly the thickness from front to back. Some people prefer the feel of a thin neck, like a Jazz bass or Ibanez SR.
Others prefer a chunkier profile, like a P bass C neck profile, or a Warwick.
I would definitely keep these things in mind, and try a few before you buy.
Good luck with your decision!
There are two major considerations IMHO when looking at 6 stringers.
First, and for me most important, string spacing. Most 4 string basses are 19mm at the bridge. Many 6 strings are only 16.5mm - 17.5mm. This may not be a problem for you, but it is for me. The Ibanez SR series is a great value, but they have about the most narrow spacing of any bass made.
The other consideration is neck profile, particularly the thickness from front to back. Some people prefer the feel of a thin neck, like a Jazz bass or Ibanez SR.
Others prefer a chunkier profile, like a P bass C neck profile, or a Warwick.
I would definitely keep these things in mind, and try a few before you buy.
Good luck with your decision!
Excellent points made.
Having learned to play guitar and doing a lot of chordal work when composing/recording I prefer the narrower string spacing and flat neck of my GSR206.
But everyone's wants/needs are a personal preference and the spacing and feel of the neck are probably two of the most important things to look for.
One can always swap out pickups/electronics if you prefer a different sound, but you can't do much about the neck.
Last edited:
Lots of good Inputs already. Still I'm going to add my 0.02$
String spacing: the Ibanez SRs are 16.5mm
Some may find it too narrow. My personal experience: I own an SR506 and it's a great bass, but a real pain for slap.
But please let me suggest you to consider something different as well: squier jazz bass VI
Slightly larger string spacing (17mm), good looking (IMO) and a very good bass overall.
Just to put things in context: the reference I use to judge my 6 strings is my Sandberg Classic 6 - not a boutique bass but a decent one for sure
String spacing: the Ibanez SRs are 16.5mm
Some may find it too narrow. My personal experience: I own an SR506 and it's a great bass, but a real pain for slap.
But please let me suggest you to consider something different as well: squier jazz bass VI
Slightly larger string spacing (17mm), good looking (IMO) and a very good bass overall.
Just to put things in context: the reference I use to judge my 6 strings is my Sandberg Classic 6 - not a boutique bass but a decent one for sure
Ibanez makes killer basses very inexpensively.
A few years back I had gas for a 6er and found one at the local Guitar Center. It was a demo and a bit beat up, with scratchy pots. I got it for $100 WITH a semi-hard RoadRunner case! I touched up the wood, dropped a $10 Chinese 3 band preamp in and it was pretty darn nice. I sold it for a bit over $200. But later just wanted another 6er. I found an SR506 that I think I paid $275 for. But honestly, with the cheap but new preamp the thing sounded really good.
Below is a nice looking one for $350. The going used rate is around $500. I THINK you can return used gear to MF, but I'm not sure.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
A few years back I had gas for a 6er and found one at the local Guitar Center. It was a demo and a bit beat up, with scratchy pots. I got it for $100 WITH a semi-hard RoadRunner case! I touched up the wood, dropped a $10 Chinese 3 band preamp in and it was pretty darn nice. I sold it for a bit over $200. But later just wanted another 6er. I found an SR506 that I think I paid $275 for. But honestly, with the cheap but new preamp the thing sounded really good.
Below is a nice looking one for $350. The going used rate is around $500. I THINK you can return used gear to MF, but I'm not sure.
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
