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I need help choosing a 6 string bass! Yamaha, Dingwall, Ibanez?
- Thread starter J_Bass
- Start date
If you look on reverb, you can find a Japan made TRB6 for around 2 to 2500. I would get those instead. 34 scale. A 34 can have a great B, Stingray and Yamaha have proven it can be done and many others. Anyways I voted Yamaha TRB1006
I feel like I can pick up any four string bass and get along with it quickly. With five and six string basses it a bit more hit and miss depending on the string spacing, neck shape/size, pickup placement, etc. I find it hard to find an instrument in those ranges that just feel right. The worst is when you buy something that you're really excited about and then you have to try to convince yourself that you like it. So to echo some others here, try some out before buying if you can.
I was looking at picking up a six string lately. I know it won't be my prima
I was looking at picking up a six string lately. I know it won't be my prima
Ok, thank for all the input.
I have read all the opinions and thought about what I want and need from the new bass and decided to go for a five string.
It was an opportunity for a good deal. It’s a trade deal. I can do the one in, on out and just give a small amount of cash.
It’s a Spector NS Dimension 5 multiscale in a beautiful red.
37” to 34” and I don’t have to worry about a flimsy C string and I get a solid B.
So I’m thinking I can do chords with the Spector in the middle of the neck to the 20th fret or so, and have the B for the tone note.
Instead of going up with a C string and only having the E dropped to D.
I don’t need the low B to E so much, although it will be nice. I need the B to sound good all over the fretboard.
I have read all the opinions and thought about what I want and need from the new bass and decided to go for a five string.
It was an opportunity for a good deal. It’s a trade deal. I can do the one in, on out and just give a small amount of cash.
It’s a Spector NS Dimension 5 multiscale in a beautiful red.
37” to 34” and I don’t have to worry about a flimsy C string and I get a solid B.
So I’m thinking I can do chords with the Spector in the middle of the neck to the 20th fret or so, and have the B for the tone note.
Instead of going up with a C string and only having the E dropped to D.
I don’t need the low B to E so much, although it will be nice. I need the B to sound good all over the fretboard.
This is so wrong IMHO. I use my 6 string to play ALL genres of music. It is sort of a Swiss army knife bass. It is a 4 string, it is a 5 string and of course it is a 6 string. You can also do a lot more with it than any 4 or 5.
Whatever 6 string bass you choose, welcome to the dark side.
Edit: I just saw your post about getting a 5 string. I think you are missing out, but enjoy your new bass.
Thanks. This was a really good opportunity to sell a very custom bass I was trying to sell for over a year. It was almost a clean trade. I’m still thinking about the six string. Have another bass on sale and when I sell it, I will go for it.
I have read good things about the MTD basses, but can’t afford a USA one. How is the MTD Kingston z6?
I'm not sure what ones are the best. I built both of mine. I've played a Yamaha TRB, an Ibanez 6 and a Zon 6 string and all seemed pretty nice.
I just tried a squire 6 today and was impressed with the quality to price ratio. Sounded great plugged in, comfortable neck, only $329. I’d start there and see if it works for you, what you like, don’t like it and go on from there.
Those are all very different basses. For me, ergonomics and playabilty are most important for choosing a 6 string, including the neck shape, size and string spacing. Different strokes for different folks, depending on your playing style. Pickups, electronics and hardware can be changed.
I've had my Yamaha TRB6 for a long time, but It's somewhat of a beast to play with the wide, flat fretboard and full string spacing. The 34" B string is decent, overall quality is excellent, but it's a lot more bass to handle than your average 6 string.
I've had a couple Ibanez 6 strings which were nice basses and easier to play with thinner and shallower necks, but the narrower string spacing didn't suit my style so well - better suited for a pick player.
Nothing sounds or plays like my Dingwall 6 but it's an entirely different animal, like any multiscale. Playing 4 string chords high up is hard, but other things are easier like adding extra flavour to a 3 note chord with your pinky. I think the Dingwall has the best sounding B string with the longer 37" scale.
My favorite of all is my MTD KZ6, albeit heavily modified. It feels just right, and the 35" scale asymetrical neck is super comfy for me, a little meatier on top and slimmer on the bottom. The string spacing is a little tighter, but more than adequate. Nothing terrible about the stock pickups, electronics, bridge or tuners, but I liked the ergonomics so much that I figured it was worth the investment to turn it into something even better.
I built my first string from scratch back in the early 80's as they were few and far between back then. I had to make my own bridge and used 3 halves of P-bass pickups to cover the 6 strings. It's amazing what's available today and you can get a decent 6 string ranging from a ridiculously low price or spend as much as you want on something really special.
I've had my Yamaha TRB6 for a long time, but It's somewhat of a beast to play with the wide, flat fretboard and full string spacing. The 34" B string is decent, overall quality is excellent, but it's a lot more bass to handle than your average 6 string.
I've had a couple Ibanez 6 strings which were nice basses and easier to play with thinner and shallower necks, but the narrower string spacing didn't suit my style so well - better suited for a pick player.
Nothing sounds or plays like my Dingwall 6 but it's an entirely different animal, like any multiscale. Playing 4 string chords high up is hard, but other things are easier like adding extra flavour to a 3 note chord with your pinky. I think the Dingwall has the best sounding B string with the longer 37" scale.
My favorite of all is my MTD KZ6, albeit heavily modified. It feels just right, and the 35" scale asymetrical neck is super comfy for me, a little meatier on top and slimmer on the bottom. The string spacing is a little tighter, but more than adequate. Nothing terrible about the stock pickups, electronics, bridge or tuners, but I liked the ergonomics so much that I figured it was worth the investment to turn it into something even better.
I built my first string from scratch back in the early 80's as they were few and far between back then. I had to make my own bridge and used 3 halves of P-bass pickups to cover the 6 strings. It's amazing what's available today and you can get a decent 6 string ranging from a ridiculously low price or spend as much as you want on something really special.
Hello!
Once again, thank you for the opinions!
As in many things in life, even the less important or superfluous ones like this example, things changed quickly!
I spent the weekend searching and listening to all examples I could and I decided to go with a brand that I was always curious about, but never had the chance to try.
I made a move on 2 Spectors, made offers on Reverb that I thought wouldn't be accepted, but to my surprise, they were!
In conclusion, coming my way are 2 basses:
Spector NS Dimension 5 strings multiscale 37"-34". Clean trade for a bass I was trying to sell for over 6 months. One in, one out.
Spector NS Pulse ii 6 strings 35". Brand new, from the EU, with a great discount.
I am very happy about the way things turned out. Now I just have to sell My Epiphone Jack Casady to keep the number of basses under control.
I now have a 2 P basses, 1 P bass fretless, 1 Jazz bass (all 4 strings all long scale), a 5 string ms, a 6 string super long scale. And my main instrument, my lovely double bass.
Thank you all for all the input, it was very, very valuable.
If I come to conclusion that the 2 Spectors are too much, I'll just sell one of them. For the price I got them, I think I can sell them at the same value.
Thank you!
Once again, thank you for the opinions!
As in many things in life, even the less important or superfluous ones like this example, things changed quickly!
I spent the weekend searching and listening to all examples I could and I decided to go with a brand that I was always curious about, but never had the chance to try.
I made a move on 2 Spectors, made offers on Reverb that I thought wouldn't be accepted, but to my surprise, they were!
In conclusion, coming my way are 2 basses:
Spector NS Dimension 5 strings multiscale 37"-34". Clean trade for a bass I was trying to sell for over 6 months. One in, one out.
Spector NS Pulse ii 6 strings 35". Brand new, from the EU, with a great discount.
I am very happy about the way things turned out. Now I just have to sell My Epiphone Jack Casady to keep the number of basses under control.
I now have a 2 P basses, 1 P bass fretless, 1 Jazz bass (all 4 strings all long scale), a 5 string ms, a 6 string super long scale. And my main instrument, my lovely double bass.
Thank you all for all the input, it was very, very valuable.
If I come to conclusion that the 2 Spectors are too much, I'll just sell one of them. For the price I got them, I think I can sell them at the same value.
Thank you!
Here’s what I learned about playing six string: all the others have to go away. She’s going to be a demanding squeeze. You are either all in, or she’s just going to sulk in a corner and be totally frustrating when you do try to play her.
Muting is the first challenge. A Gruv gear fret wrap is your friend, so buy one that looks great with your new sixer. They love to accessorize. The neck is wide and there’s a lot of strings to keep quiet. I would slide it up for chording and melodic stuff, and push it back over the nut for open strings.
You’ll want a shorter strap, because wearing it higher will make it easier to mute with your left hand. And slap is easier if it is up higher.
It’s a major brain rewire, but super fun. Todd Johnson has a great book called “fishing for grips” to get you chording and thinking about harmonizing lines.
I eventually parted with my Dingwall 6, and the five strings and went back to playing four strings. But I sure enjoyed the ride. (I liked the five strings E-C).
It’s a long journey, the basses come and go.
Congrats on the new basses, remember to post pictures!
Muting is the first challenge. A Gruv gear fret wrap is your friend, so buy one that looks great with your new sixer. They love to accessorize. The neck is wide and there’s a lot of strings to keep quiet. I would slide it up for chording and melodic stuff, and push it back over the nut for open strings.
You’ll want a shorter strap, because wearing it higher will make it easier to mute with your left hand. And slap is easier if it is up higher.
It’s a major brain rewire, but super fun. Todd Johnson has a great book called “fishing for grips” to get you chording and thinking about harmonizing lines.
I eventually parted with my Dingwall 6, and the five strings and went back to playing four strings. But I sure enjoyed the ride. (I liked the five strings E-C).
It’s a long journey, the basses come and go.
Congrats on the new basses, remember to post pictures!
I got a 6 string NG3 a couple months ago. It's awesome and I highly recommend. Playability is the best part and it was perfect out of the box. The electronic setup is really versatile too. It has the metal rep but it's far more versatile than one genre even with the darkglass preamp.
I also personally never had a problem adjusting to fanned frets. I haven't played the other 6 strings so I can't compare but dingwall for sure holds up to their quality.
I also personally never had a problem adjusting to fanned frets. I haven't played the other 6 strings so I can't compare but dingwall for sure holds up to their quality.
I was in this dilemma recently having to decide between Ibanez BTB806MS, BTB1836 and Yamaha TRB 1006. I eventually went for the Ibanez BTB1836. I currently have the Yamaha TRB1005 and I wanted a bass more versatile with active/passive option. I would have gone for the BTB806MS but i figured I might not get the used to the fanned frets and get the Multiscale strings. On my Yamaha TRB1005, I couldn't conveniently get access to the upper frets but the tone is great...
Those are all well-built basses at their price point. IMO the Ibanez offerings lack personality in the tone.
Sadowsky has finally built a 6-string. They aren’t quite on the market yet and when they are they will initially be offered as a German Metroline (IIRC) and will be in the $3500-$4000 range. Sadowsky has said they plan to offer the 6 string as an RSD bass (their Asian-built line) and I bet it will come in around $2000 - $2250. Might be a while.
Someone mentioned the Yamaha John Patitucci signature bass. These are around $3600 new and maybe $1500 less than that used. Very large body and rather heavy but impeccably built and they sound really cool. Take a minute to check out Patitucci on YouTube playing them. You won’t play like him but IME the bass actually does sound like the one he plays.
Yamaha used to also make a TRB6, which like the JP was Japan-built and similar in design. Those had different electronics and a simpler neck approach, and a more straightforward body top design than the JP. Oddly they are not much less expensive on the used market than the JPs, which makes me wonder why a guy would buy one and not a JP. That said, they are also very well built, very heavy, and sound great. The TRB1006 is a later incarnation of that bass that moved production to Indonesia (I think) and compromised a bit on materials. Not bad basses either, but not as good as the earlier Japanese models.
If you have the inclination, Pete Skjold builds incredible 6 string basses. I’ve been fortunate to own one for almost 20 years. Not long ago I made this recording that features it, along with another Skjold I also have. At this point his instruments are in high-end territory cost-wise as new. Preowned models appear here and there.
Sadowsky has finally built a 6-string. They aren’t quite on the market yet and when they are they will initially be offered as a German Metroline (IIRC) and will be in the $3500-$4000 range. Sadowsky has said they plan to offer the 6 string as an RSD bass (their Asian-built line) and I bet it will come in around $2000 - $2250. Might be a while.
Someone mentioned the Yamaha John Patitucci signature bass. These are around $3600 new and maybe $1500 less than that used. Very large body and rather heavy but impeccably built and they sound really cool. Take a minute to check out Patitucci on YouTube playing them. You won’t play like him but IME the bass actually does sound like the one he plays.
Yamaha used to also make a TRB6, which like the JP was Japan-built and similar in design. Those had different electronics and a simpler neck approach, and a more straightforward body top design than the JP. Oddly they are not much less expensive on the used market than the JPs, which makes me wonder why a guy would buy one and not a JP. That said, they are also very well built, very heavy, and sound great. The TRB1006 is a later incarnation of that bass that moved production to Indonesia (I think) and compromised a bit on materials. Not bad basses either, but not as good as the earlier Japanese models.
If you have the inclination, Pete Skjold builds incredible 6 string basses. I’ve been fortunate to own one for almost 20 years. Not long ago I made this recording that features it, along with another Skjold I also have. At this point his instruments are in high-end territory cost-wise as new. Preowned models appear here and there.
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To my surprise, it’s not heavy and it balances well on my leather straps. The neck is another level, but I mainly play double bass, so the size doesn't scare me. First impressions are really good.
