Next Bass?? 5/6 strings

[Raze]

I have been playing bass for a few months and it was my first isntrument, in the mean time I have bought an electric guitar, an acoustic and even a violin but I am certain bass is the real instrument for me, the others don't compare in the slightest.
Now it is coming up to christmas and I would like a second bass, now I do play mainly metal and the bass I have at the moment is a 4 string (squier P bass, you probarbly could have guessed though) and I have been looking at 5 strings for this reason.
whilst I was searching the ESP 5 strings I found the EDP LTD D-6, a 6 string bass for about £250...
What I would like to know is would this be a good buy for my needs and situations (I would LOVE to tune it to f#beadg) and if not, what would you suggest...
Now I do play other forms of music, and my Squier is fine for this, so looks are fairly important to the D-6 isn't fantastic in that aspect (where as the F5E by ESP excels, but is a bit too much money) it isn't that 'metal' but other than that it seems amazing.
I was originally going for a rickenbacker 4003 but it would be far too much money, hence the lowering of prices...
if you need any more info just ask...
Thanks
-Raze

 

[Wild_Cat]

If you're looking at a sub-500€ (new) price range, you're already gonna have trouble finding a bass with a good low B, so one that handles a low F#? Forget about it. Those are usually custom jobs by high-end luthiers or at the very least boutique brands.

What I can tell you though, is that if you're looking at getting a 6-string, go for an Ibanez SR 506. It's above your price range (Thomann lists it at 679 euros), but bang-for-buck-wise, you won't find a better sixer.

ESP/LTD probably makes some nice 6-stringers too (in the same price range as the SR 506), but I sincerely doubt that the D-6, if it's as cheap as you're saying, will be any good.

 

[Systolic]

If you want a reasonably priced 6, I would suggest a used Peavey Grind 6 BXP. I was recently in the market for a 6, and after playing most of cheap(er) options, including the Ibanez Sr 506, I ended being sold on the peavey. I like the one piece construction, 35" scale, and string-thru bridge. I very much like my B string. Especially with some quality string on there.

 

[MNAirHead]

I'd opt against the grind

 

[john9]

It’s still up in the air。

 

[SoVeryTired]

From reading lots on the web and asking lots of advice, I'd say the best thing is... try lots. If that means travelling to a really good specialist shop with lots of stock, then that's what it takes. I realised I had no idea what I really wanted, no matter what other people said, so I had to go travel for an hour or so to a decent bass shop. And what I ended up buying was not at all what seemed right in my head, proving that you've really got to try some basses out. Particularly if, like me, you're a relative beginner.

(I notice you talking in £ - if you're anywhere near Warwick, get to Bass Direct. Lots of very expensive basses but some very good ones around the £500-600 range.)

 

[Blue_Whistle88]

Ah, you're making the move that I did about 10 months ago. My advice, ESP make good 4 and 5 strings in the LTD line (the top of said line at least), and obviously the Made In Japan ESP's are great too, but their 6-strings aren't too great. The necks are too thick, not too badly so but just that combined with a neck profile that overall isn't great, plus the weight, makes them not very comfortable basses to play, which isn't the kind of result one aims to achieve when looking more at Japanese-designed basses rather than American.

My advice? Do what I did; get an Ibanez for the 6-string. Conversely, I like Ibanez's 5 and 6 string basses, but not their 4. Their 6-string basses do the flat-style neck profile much better. Plus, Soundgears are getting some pretty nice woods these days and the electronics on the SR506 (which is what I go), while not as good as top-end Barts, Duncans, etc, are still very good pickups, and the accompanying preamps are quite powerful too. That all said, I still prefer my ESP LTD B-1005 as a 5-string, but for a 6-string? Wouldn't personally go with ESP, not until they redesign the neck.

EDIT: the ebony fretboard on the B-1005 really is good though, it'd be interesting to see a fretted Ibanez with an ebony board to compare. Either way, god knows the Gary Willis signature (the proper one) is an amazing instrument.

EDIT2: Also, *cough* *cough* Musican Bongo 6 HH (if you can extend your budget) *cough* *cough*, and as mentioned Warwick do some nice ones (though the necks are a tad thick, and would involve more budget-extending). Spector make great basses, but their 6's aren't a good enough blend of tone and comfort for me. IMO, YMMV, not that me saying that will matter of course....

 

[Raze]

Thanks for all the advice guys There is a place fairly close to me I have found out called GuitarGuitar (HUGE guitar shop) so I am going to go there and see what they have... I will keep a look out for the ones mentiones here aswell