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Ibanez SR 506

B

bassman_rob

Dec 23, 2006
70
0
Bend, OR
#1
Walked into friendly local music store and saw this 6 string beauty sitting there. I picked it up and not having much experience with 6ers, it played remarkably easily.:cool: I make a habit of playing a bass before I look at the pricetag, and when i did, my jaw hit the floor!:eek: I'm quite enamoured with it. I'd love to get some opinions on it and/or other great 6 stringers for around $600.:D
 
#2
If you read a bit more on this forum, you'll find that it's hands down THE BEST 6 stringer at the price point and even higher. Most would put it down as the best 6 stringer under a grand.

I've come very close to buying one a few times, I love 'em so much.
 
#3
bassman_rob said:
Walked into friendly local music store and saw this 6 string beauty sitting there. I picked it up and not having much experience with 6ers, it played remarkably easily.:cool: I make a habit of playing a bass before I look at the pricetag, and when i did, my jaw hit the floor!:eek: I'm quite enamoured with it. I'd love to get some opinions on it and/or other great 6 stringers for around $600.:D
Click to expand...

That's exactly what happend to me. I had never played 6s before and almost bought the thing on the spot.

If only I had money...
 
#5
let me tell you a short story:

I purchased an SR 506 a few years ago becasue my teacher had a 6-string and it intrigued me, so i got one....i bought it off ebay for $350 with a hard case..

my teacher had a custom 6er that he was using and when i brought mine to his house he started playing it and asked hw much i got it for..so i told him...

next week he came to my house with an SR 506 that he bought witht he money he got from selling his 2000+ 6er...

this bass is AMAZING for the price and playability...slim neck fast playability, bartolini electronics and stock elixer strings...u cant do better than that my friend...GET THAT BASS (if you're looking for 6)

:hyper: :hyper:
 
#7
I've got a 506. It's my main bass, I abuse the hell outta that thing, have been for about two years, but it's still one of the best basses I have ever played. If yer lookin' for a sixer, that's definitely one you should go for.
 
#9
The pots still work great, bridge is perfect, tuning machines are still fine, there's no warping in the neck, as long as you are careful about how long youj leave the cable plugged in, the battery lasts forever.

The finish has taken some hits. Being an oil finish, it isn't quite to durable as a gloss or other painted finish, so scratching it isn't the most difficult. But those kinds of scratches add character, IMHO.
 
#10
mjolnir2730 said:
The pots still work great, bridge is perfect, tuning machines are still fine, there's no warping in the neck, as long as you are careful about how long youj leave the cable plugged in, the battery lasts forever.

The finish has taken some hits. Being an oil finish, it isn't quite to durable as a gloss or other painted finish, so scratching it isn't the most difficult. But those kinds of scratches add character, IMHO.
Click to expand...

I figured that the finish wouldn't be terribly tough, but thats no biggie. I totally agree that a bass need a few scratches. I once read that a luthier would rather see a guitar with a few dings than in perfect condition, 'cause it shows that its been used for its intended purpose, not as a museum piece. Heaven knows, my bass sure has a few dings. Point of curiousity: is it a 1 battery bass? or an 18v system? How do you like the 34" scale? Does the low B suffer much from it? If my memory serves me right... its pretty light for a 6er, isn't it? OK for long gigs?
 
#11
It is a 1 battery system. 1 9v in that thing will last it (with care about how long you leave in the 1/4" cable) about 8 or 9 months.

The low B is a tad floppy, but it's not terrible. I've enjoyed the scale just fine, but that also could be because I use the high C string much more often than I use the low B.

It is an incredibly light bass. If you got a good strap, this thing wears just fine.
 
#12
Wow! That is way longer than my peavey lasts with two batteries!

sounds like the 34" scale is not too big of a problem, thanks for the info.

I've got a great neotech gel strap... if you don't have one of these, get one now.

Thanks a bunch for sharing your experience!
 
#13
tplyons said:
If you read a bit more on this forum, you'll find that it's hands down THE BEST 6 stringer at the price point and even higher. Most would put it down as the best 6 stringer under a grand.

I've come very close to buying one a few times, I love 'em so much.
Click to expand...

Everytime I go to GC I see that Ibanez 506 there!

Anyway, I own one of those things, it IS the best 6 string for the price. If you were to defret the thing, and turn off the front pickup completely, turn up mid and bass boost, and mess around a bit with the treble, you get a sound EXACTLY like Claypool's rainbow 6 string. Definitely something you want to try.
 
#15
It is a great bass, although at first sight it might look dull (in color) but after you play it for a week or two, the oil on your arm will make the bass very shiny! I have personal experience. Then I realized how much it looked with oil on it, so I took off all the strings, and rubbed my hand and arm oil all over the bass. It looks great =)
 
#16
htotheh said:
It is a great bass, although at first sight it might look dull (in color) but after you play it for a week or two, the oil on your arm will make the bass very shiny! I have personal experience. Then I realized how much it looked with oil on it, so I took off all the strings, and rubbed my hand and arm oil all over the bass. It looks great =)
Click to expand...

Lol! thats pretty funny! I'll have to try that when i get it!
 

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