• 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.

I've been converted to 6-string basses...which one to get?

F

Fassa Albrecht

Feb 18, 2007
7,818
26
38
Tyneside, UK
#1
As a thank you for a favor I did, I was lent an Ibanez 6-string bass by a friend of mine. Now, in the past I've never had much luck with any 6er, partially because it killed my wrists, but also because I never really understood the point in a high C string.

But time and better understanding of music theory has really changed my mind, and having an actual 6-er in my hands has pretty much converted me to the point where I actually want a 6er of my own.

Anyone got any suggestions for 6ers? I've looked around and there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of choice around my local area. I'm also a little worried about being lumbered with a bass with the same floppy B string issue as my present 5er.
 
#9
Fassa Albrecht said:
As a thank you for a favor I did, I was lent an Ibanez 6-string bass by a friend of mine. Now, in the past I've never had much luck with any 6er, partially because it killed my wrists, but also because I never really understood the point in a high C string.

But time and better understanding of music theory has really changed my mind, and having an actual 6-er in my hands has pretty much converted me to the point where I actually want a 6er of my own.

Anyone got any suggestions for 6ers? I've looked around and there doesn't seem to be a huge amount of choice around my local area. I'm also a little worried about being lumbered with a bass with the same floppy B string issue as my present 5er.
Click to expand...


There have already been some great suggestions, let me help you narrow down based on your original post.

You mentioned that you tend to have wrist pain when playing a six, and that generally (in my experience) comes from a thicker neck. With that being said, I primarily recommend Ibanez SR series and the Peavey Cirrus. Both have very slender, easy to play necks. I've never played the EBMM Bongo 6, but they do sound fantastic. My biggest issue with both Warwick and Schecter is the chunkiness of the necks, and it might prove to be an issue for you. I've never played a Carvin, so I can't really talk about that.
 
#12
.
.
The least expensive bass I have ever purchased is my Yamaha TRB-6 and it has turned out to be a fantastic instrument for me. Got it used for way under a grand. The build quality is excellent and the bass speaks beautifully in all registers with very even tone across the strings. In my opinion it is a near master grade instrument. I've had it for about 4 years now and I am just about to switch out the preamp with an Aggie OBP-3.

I tried a couple of Ibanez models, though not the Bongo that is being recommended. Those Ibbies just don't hang right in my opinion, with the SR 6-string being downright wacky it is so out of balance.

A student of mine has had one of the neck-through Brice models for quite a while and in my opinion it is a very good instrument. The lines look to be an almost exact copy of the TRB-6, which itself is basically a copy of what Fodera was doing back in those days. Then again, he changed out the pickups and preamp right away for a Bartolini setup to the tune of $500 extra bucks. He is a lefty and plays the Brice and also a Roscoe 6, but he says my TRB-6 is the "perfect" 6-string.

This all depends on your budget and your physical needs as a player. On the other hand, it may also depend on your patience as well. When I first got mine I complained for a while about the extreme width at the nut and the full string-spacing at the bridge, but no more. I might go to 18mm at the bridge for my fretted in the future if I get more into chordal playing, but the TRB feels great for the time being...as long as I don't try to get too acrobatic!

My recommendation is to take your time with test driving various models and don't be shy to spend a little extra money as long as you are serious about committing to the instrument.

Good luck and cheers to you Sir!
.
.
 
#15
Thank you for all the suggestions, I'll be sure to take a look.

Righteous Thunderer said:
There have already been some great suggestions, let me help you narrow down based on your original post.

You mentioned that you tend to have wrist pain when playing a six, and that generally (in my experience) comes from a thicker neck. With that being said, I primarily recommend Ibanez SR series and the Peavey Cirrus. Both have very slender, easy to play necks. I've never played the EBMM Bongo 6, but they do sound fantastic. My biggest issue with both Warwick and Schecter is the chunkiness of the necks, and it might prove to be an issue for you. I've never played a Carvin, so I can't really talk about that.
Click to expand...


I play a Yamaha RBX series 5er without problem, because the neck is a decently flat U shape. My Shergold 4er has a neck on it like a baseball bat and I find it difficult to use this bass for long periods of time for that reason.

I've had a decent amount of physio work on my wrists over the last couple of years too, which means that wrist problems shouldn't be too much of an issue now as long as I'm careful.
 
#18
OPINION... don't buy soly on price.

1-"Clarity" Many basses aren't clear enough for use... Ibanez has some comfortable ones... Cirrus is a good USA bet

2-7String... don't overlook a GT7 for extended range... they are a great value compared to many other basses (yes I own several mfg and brands)... if planning on chords, a 7 kind of makes more sense.

3-Hire a chiropractor... seriously... when getting going down the ERB road, someone suggested... for $20 the chiropractor helped me with holding the instrument etc.... After he worked with me, I began getting audience members walk up and ask about my hand technique

4-Strings... don't buy cheap strings... blaance and clarity are your friends.
 
#19
Righteous Thunderer said:
You mentioned that you tend to have wrist pain when playing a six, and that generally (in my experience) comes from a thicker neck.
Click to expand...

unnatural posture is the culprit ... sometimes it's pressing too hard... sometimes it's warm up... sometimes it's too much playing

I probably own TB's largest collection of pencil neck basses -- the chunky and thick ones are the ones I notice hand fatigue with first.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back