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Good quality six string, at a reasonable price.

#25
I would heavily reccomend you look at ibanez. I literally went through your exact situation about a year ago, I obsessed over 6 strings and specifically a Carvin and build dozens of them on the online customization site, but then came up a little short on cash. I found a b stock ibanez BTB1406e bass for $900 (almost half off) and ordered it. Awesome quality 6 string with 24 frets, neck through, and high quality nordstrand pickups/ active electronics. While I can't tell you to go find a deal like mine, I would say that you could definitely check out ibanez's 6 string offerings. They have those new PJ's with nordy's under a grand, and also if you have 3,500 to spend you could 99% of what ibanez makes with enough extra coin for a quality amp as well.
 
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#26
spanndrew said:
I would heavily reccomend you look at ibanez. I literally went through your exact situation about a year ago, I obsessed over 6 strings and specifically a Carvin and build dozens of them on the online customization site, but then came up a little short on cash. I found a b stock ibanez BTB1406e bass for $900 (almost half off) and ordered it. Awesome quality 6 string with 24 frets, neck through, and high quality nordstrand pickups/ active electronics. While I can't tell you to go find a deal like mine, I would say that you could definitely check out ibanez's 6 string offerings. They have those new PJ's with nordy's under a grand, and also if you have 3,500 to spend you could 99% of what ibanez makes with enough extra coin for a quality amp as well.
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This. Unless having an ebony board is an absolute must for you, go and try out some BTBs. I owned a mid-2000s bolt-on model for a few years and to this day it is one of the best basses I have ever played. I decided to step away from bass for awhile in 2011 and ended up selling it; definitely one of those "wish I didn't sell that bass" scenarios...ah well...:meh:

I think I tried out the BTB model (a Premium I think?) that spanndrew describes; that particular one didn't work for me playability-wise...I think they may have changed the neck radius or something over the years. But it sounds like it works for him, and it may be a great fit for you too. They also offer the single-cut 686SC Terra Firma model, and a double-cut model with a poplar burl top; I'd love to get my hands on one or both of these and give 'em a whirl. If they ended up being as comfortable to play as my bolt-on was, I'd be tempted to pick up one of each!:D:bassist: (And this is coming from a guy who has a huge preference for maple boards these days...)

I have been very tempted over the years to spec out a Carvin, but most of their newer models don't do it for me, and I prefer a 35-inch (or more) scale, which only applies to the XB model, and I find that bass just too generic-looking. I was actually thinking of a Bunny Brunel despite the fact that it only came with a 34-inch scale, but they recently discontinued that one, as Bunny has moved over to ESP. If Carvin would come out with a single-cut, extended-scale sixer, I'd be on it like stink on you-know-what...even with the exchange rate between Canada and the USA being what it is, and having to pay a $200 (USD) shipping charge...

OH! And a couple of people have mentioned the Peavey Cirrus. I can also recommend that bass, as I bought/received a used USA model from a fellow TBer several weeks ago. I had a hunch that it would be as comfortable (if not more so) for me as my ol' Ibanez was, and the hunch paid off; I've been loving this bass! There is, I believe, at least one Cirrus 6 on TB right now if you are interested...
 
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#28
I picked up a Carvin LB-76 used for $500 (left handed and I suspect harder to sell for that reason), and its great. If you want a Carvin, which you should be happy with, then there is no reason to spend $3500 and in fact since they tend to lose resale value it makes sense to look for a used one since they hold up just fine. If you want to spend $3500 on a boutique or custom bass then by all means, I think most of the options in that price range are going to sound good. I just don't know if they'll sound thousands of dollars better than a new or used Carvin or one of the other options people are suggesting here.
 
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#35
Bassic Playing said:
Yea, I wouldn't really call $2.5 k 'affordable' (on a relative scale of production basses). You can get some seriously nice bass for that.
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Yes I'm looking for high quality, the money I can get, I should change the tittle. I'm going to scrimp and save as I had, only I'm going to actually get it this time, my dad helped me fix the car(saved like $600, thank you dad!) and he's going to cover costs if anything else happens to the car.(I'm 19, don't judge, Ive had a job for a few mouths)He was as sad as me that I couldn't get my bass, he's a good guy:D
 
#36
He_Who_Hops said:
Schecter stilletto 6.
35' scale
Ebony fretboard
Decently tight spacing (don't have a number)
And unlike the carvin extended scale the schecter has 24 frets!

Can be had for around 1,000$ as I recall.
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Schecter uses rosewood pal ;) The 22 frets isn't that big a deal to me, sure 24 is optimal but mtd only uses 21 on the high end customs, so I'll take why I can get.:smug:
 
#39
hjschwartz said:
I picked up a Carvin LB-76 used for $500 (left handed and I suspect harder to sell for that reason), and its great. If you want a Carvin, which you should be happy with, then there is no reason to spend $3500 and in fact since they tend to lose resale value it makes sense to look for a used one since they hold up just fine. If you want to spend $3500 on a boutique or custom bass then by all means, I think most of the options in that price range are going to sound good. I just don't know if they'll sound thousands of dollars better than a new or used Carvin or one of the other options people are suggesting here.
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Yep I hear you. I'm just looking to do some research really. Really liked the demos I've heard of carvins stuff, a bit on the brighter side tone wise, and I like that.:bassist:
 
#40
Roy Vogt said:
Sounds like the XB76 Carvin is just what the Doctor ordered.
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If you MUST have a 6 to play right now and have limited funds due to said car taking a dump, this could hold you for a bit.
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I've thought about picking up one of these, but I'm a quality whore. So I think I'll hold out, it's gonna be tough:sorry:
 

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