Need insight on affordable 6-strings.

[Blademaster Dez]

Since many folks have used the wise people at Talkbass for help in choosing "this gear" or "that gear" I shall call upon them as well.

I am looking to make the jump from 5-string to 6-string. A lot of the music I'm doing lately requires me to slide on the G on the upper recesses of the fretboard a lot, and the extended range would be great- like another tool in the shed.

As for what music I play, it varies a lot. Since I teach kindergarten, I play the melodies of a lot of Disney stuff and cartoon themes. Otherwise, I play all kinds of stuff from jazz to pop to rootsy rock/ hard rock. I like to keep myself versatile. My main musical ambition is creating children's music that's more grown-up and less saccharine/annoying. So warmth with a touch of bite are my broad tonal goals.

The dilemma is that money's tight by me, so I can only feasibly sink about $700 into a new bass. So I've narrowed it down to these two:

-Stuart Spector Legend 6. Basswood body, 35" scale, EMG pickups, 5 year warranty. Advantages: Spector brand name, EMG pickups, 35" scale.

-Ibanez SR506. Mahogany body, 34" scale, Bartolini pickups, 1 year warranty. Advantages: arguably the best tonewoods of the lot, Bartolini pickups.

(I'm also semi-considering the Ibanez BTB406 and the ESP 206LTD, though the snob in me prefers brand name pickups over stock ones. Though the BTB does have a nice monorail bridge, a wider neck than Soundgears (a plus) and a Neutrik jack. The ESP is quite inexpensive and has a lifetime warranty.)

If anyone has insight into any of these basses and/or components, let me know. I'm definitely looking for something reliable with good build quality. If you want to know more about me and stuff, let me know also. If there are any other good 6-strings in that price range you can recommend to me, I'm all ears.

 

[OrionManMatt]

Spector if they are the EMG-HZ pickups

 

[Figjam]

Yup, Spector.

 

[Blademaster Dez]

According to Spector's website, they are the EMG HZ's. I'm leaning most toward the Spector myself and luckily for me, the music store nearest me is an authorized Spector dealer

 

[adam on bass]

The Spector for sure. And according to the Spector factory they will be arriving late next week. I am ordering a natural bubinga!

 

[supernaut]

I played a spector legend 5 and thought it was real nice, you might try looking for a used Peavey Cirrus 6 string.

 

[Funkize you]

Ibanez BTB 406QM 6 string.

Used Peavey Cirrus 6.

 

[5stringDNA]

The Spector kicks teh pants off the ibanez soundgear, no question. Spector's out of warranty service is excellent as well. I have had them replace parts via express shipping for free on an old bass I bought used. The quality on teh new 2004 legend line is really top notch for an asian factory bass.

the cirrus 6 is nearly impossible to find used for under $700.

The Ibanez BTB is a much different story from the Soundgear- the BTB is excellent quality and is well worth checking out, It rivals the Spectors in the same price range.

 

[Funkize you]

ohh, I didnt see the price limit...


Well, about $800-$900 could find one (Cirrus) and IMHO the one or two hundred would make an Increadible difference.

 

[5stringDNA]

Agreed Funkize- the Cirrus is an amazing bass, but sometimes that extra $100 just doesn't show up.

 

[thadood]

One of the cheaper 6 stringers I've seen (with decent specs) is Peavey's Grind NTB-6.

 

[Philbiker]

Check out the Peavey Grind if you have a Peavey dealer near you. I played one and was pretty impressed, but it weighed a TON!!!

I recently got a Brice from Rondo Music (check out the Essex megathread ) and I'm pretty impressed. It's a good solid work-a-day bass. Not nearly comparable with what you're looking at.

Another brand name to look for is Dean. Their Edge 6 strings are really really nice, I have an Edge 5 and it's fantastic. Probably on par with the Spector you're looking at. Far superior to my Brice.

 

[DDXdesign]

Notice how everybody's mentioning Spector - I found myself really digging a Spector Q6 at Guitar Center last week, and it was only 700 bucks (used of course) - If I ever go back to six, that's a great neck shape/size. I didn't have time to plug it in to hear though.

 

[Blademaster Dez]

Thanks for all the great help, insight, and suggestions everyone.

 

[Josh Curry]

Well, I'm a little biased, but I prefer the Spectors. I own 3 Euro series basses. I've personally never played the model you are referring to, but if it's a Spector I'm sure it rocks.

 

[adam on bass]

 

[adam on bass]

You can get a Spector Q6 for $599 right now on Musicians Friend. That gives you and extra $100 for the case.

 

[DDXdesign]

well hell, that means the one at GC was *new* cuz I believe the sign said w/case for that 700 bux. Wild.

 

[adam on bass]

MF had black ones for $399! But I think they had 5 in stock because I wasn't on the phone for 10 with my wife to get the OK before they were gone.

Live and learn.

 

[Mud Flaps]

For sixes I'd go with the bass with the widest string spacing possible. My ideal six would be a Yamaha TRB because I would not spend the money for a Fodera.