I started playing bass about 6 months before and I'm already thinking about shifting to a 6 string as I practiced about 10 hours everyday since last 6 months and I think I'm ready for an upgrade. Currently I have a Yamaha RBX 270J. I need a 6 string bass and it MUST have 24 frets. I don't know much about what basses are good out there. I can spend up to $500. (at the most 550 if I can get a really much better bass by adding 50 more. But no more than that.) Im kind of short and slim so it would be better if you recommend a not 'too heavy' bass. Still again if it is a really good bass then I can manage the heavy downside. I mostly play progressive rock. Think Rush, Yes, King Crimson, ELP, Pink Floyd. So I want my bass to sound as much closer to such type of music. I don't slap. I'm still learning tapping but I won't be tapping much either. Please recommend at least 2 basses(or 3) and it would be great if you give a small review about them(your experience with it or just the general specs why you are recommending it). I don't want a second hand so don't recommend that. Also see if you can recommend a nice bass amp under 400. Thanks you.
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Looking for a 6 String bass
- Thread starter Pawns
- Start date
If you can go up to $600, you can buy yourself a beautiful Schecter Stiletto Custom 6
This bass can handle any situation.
This bass can handle any situation.
Roy Vogt
Supporting Member
- Sep 20, 2000
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- Endorsing Artist: Kiesel Basses, Ampeg Amplification, Hotone Ampero II effects
These aren't too bad. A couple of my students have had these and they are pretty good-they may need some fret dressing and will certainly need new strings.
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I might also see about getting a used Ibanez SR506. There are some good used deals to be had on CL or Ebay from time to time.
New, this Ibanez SR256 looks like a pretty good deal, but I haven't played one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-sr256-6-string-bass-guitar
Finally, at the top of your range would be a used Carvin LB76 if you can find them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carvin-LB76...A-/121124995321?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c339cc0f9
Oops, sorry, didn't see that about not wanting used. Besides the Rondo and the SR256 try this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/esp-ltd-b-206sm-6-string-bass
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I might also see about getting a used Ibanez SR506. There are some good used deals to be had on CL or Ebay from time to time.
New, this Ibanez SR256 looks like a pretty good deal, but I haven't played one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/ibanez-sr256-6-string-bass-guitar
Finally, at the top of your range would be a used Carvin LB76 if you can find them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Carvin-LB76...A-/121124995321?pt=Guitar&hash=item1c339cc0f9
Oops, sorry, didn't see that about not wanting used. Besides the Rondo and the SR256 try this one:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/esp-ltd-b-206sm-6-string-bass
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Best sixer to be found in price range imo. ESP Ltd B206sm/ Just $439 at internet stores.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/esp-ltd-b-206sm-6-string-bass
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/bass/esp-ltd-b-206sm-6-string-bass
I agree with all these options. I own almost all of them.
SX-6 is dirt cheap Fender clone 6 string. EXCELLENT after a few mods like strings, shielding, maybe some fret filing. The Brice basses are also great basses too. They are active modern soapbar kind of basses. Usually owners talk about swapping electronics but loving the rest.
I've got a Ibby SR506. Got it used for $250. Deal. It does it all. Really nice bass. I also like my GSR206 which I bought first for about $200 used. Has a couple of construction issues (volume not even over all strings) but killer tone and playability. As soon as I had it in my hands I knew I had to own it! Even new these are not huge expense.
The SR256 seems to me like a version of my sr206 with the problems fixed. Looks like a great buy, but I've also not had a chance to play one yet.
Carvin's can be great deals used, but you don't want used and new is over your limit.
And lastly I own an ESP LTD B-206SM. An Absolutely killer sounding, playing and looking bass for not too much coin (a bit over $400)
It's really up to you. Here you have the three classic bass sounds. The SX-6 is the classic Fender jazz in a 6er. The Ibanez SRs are ALSO classics in their own way but nothing like Fenders. Soapbar fat tone, light weight, thin necks, and easy playing. And lastly there is the ESP LTD which is a looker and the very essence of what is called a "modern"
bass. Bright tone. Excellent electronics. Killer neck. And very modern coffee table wood look.
Believe me a person could fall in love with ANY ONE of these 6er basses for just what they are even though they are all quite different. That choice is up to you.
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Thank you guys for all your replies! I checked ALL the basses mentioned by each one of you. I think I like Ibanez SR506. I read some reviews about it and they were good. It looks good, I saw some videos and it sounds good, not too heavy either, people say that it has a fast neck and it also fits into my price range. One thing I read about it was that it has some intonation problem when it comes from factory, but it can be fixed. Can it be fixed really? I didn't knew anything about intonation before this so I tried to find out and I see I will have to get it fixed by doing something to the bridge. I have no experience in this so if I buy this bass I will have to take it to some guitar shop and get it fixed from there. But would it be worth? How do they fix this exactly? I don't want the guitar shop guy to make it worse. Do they have to remove any parts to do that? I don't know how serious is this problem so I need some opinion about this.. Once again thank you everyone
And SR506 is an excellent bass. Intonation is part of the setup. It's done with screws on the bridge. And a setup includes that and action height and truss rod tension etc. All of these things are just normal bass adjustments that you really should learn how to do yourself. But for the first one, paying to have it done is instructive especially if you can talk the tech into letting you watch. After that try your hand at tweaking the bass back in if it should drift a little from weather or seaons.
As to how a bass comes from the factory, some factories do a great setup. Some don't bother and let the dealers do it. Unfortunately some dealers don't bother either! Point is a new bass should come with a decent setup but it's no guarantee. No setup should require any new parts unless something is actually broken.
OK. JUST FOR YOU, I've now got my SR506 in my hands. I've got a tuner here and I'm checking the intonation of each string. Each is perfect. I'm checking the intonation screws on the bridge and while the C string is sort of out at the end it's still got some adjustement range left. Same for the others which have more and more adjustement range. The action is quite low but the saddles are not bottomed out. I'm checking the relief and it is very slight (about the thickness of a credit card) but a nice smooth curve. This thing plays like a dream and has tone to spare.
What can I say? That's mine. I hope you find one this nice too!
