Recommend a six string bass under $1500

[India_Sierra]

That sort of budget could see you pick up a really great used bass from the classifieds. As always, your cash goes further when a pre owned bass. I bagged this Manne 6 string from Reverb recently for less than $1500 including insured shipping from Italy. Just an example of the sort of thing that's out there.

 

[Dincrest]

Judging by that demo, I’d avoid this bass!

Yeah, his tone isn't that good. I mean, it works if you're in a doom/stoner metal band like Sleep, High on Fire, or Electric Wizard, but some fresh strings would have livened things up and not made it sound so rubber-bandy.

For better or worse, it's the only vid I've seen demo-ing the new for 2020 D-series basses. And it must be a thing that, if I'm to believe the Internet, people actually like and use LTD D-series basses (particularly the previous versions with the merbau body) but most every video on Youtube demo-ing them sounds awful.

My main bass is an LTD and I think ESP/LTD puts out quality stuff in the mid to upper price points.

 

[gwangi]

Here's a couple of demos of the LTD B-206SM:

 

[Watchootognbout]

Judging by that demo, I’d avoid this bass!

Grabby right hand technique doesn't makeit a bad bass.
He likes to lay into that B hard.
Think Geddy.

 

[Jazzjames]

Grabby right hand technique doesn't make a bad bass.

You are quite right. But I have also played enough LTDs to know that they’re nothing special. They’re well made and playable instruments, but due to their generic modern sound plus pretty dodgy headstock design, I’d look elsewhere. My preference would be for a Yamaha or maybe MTD Kingston.

Many have suggested the Ibanez basses, but I just can’t agree with the (to me) toy-like neck size and string spacing. But neck shape and string spacing are personal to each player.

 

[Tim Schnautz]

Yes I’ve played it. My evaluation is “I’d avoid it.” Seriously.

The you need to tell them the 'red' one is a POS and try a different one.

 

[Gorn]

The you need to tell them the 'red' one is a POS and try a different one.

What you prefer and I need to do are different things.

 

[Dincrest]

At the end of the day, it's still pretty great that we live in a time where you can get a good quality, gig-worthy 6-string bass for a working-stiff's price, brand new.

While I would recommend stretching your dollars further with something preowned (used Carvins are some of the best values on the market), if it had to be new I'd still +1 the LTD B-206. I liked its playability when I tried one in a store, and gwangi's post shows that it can sound good in myriad musical contexts.

 

[Tim Schnautz]

What you prefer and I need to do are different things.

What I need is an MTD KZ-6, but until then I'll settle for my Ibanez's and LTD

 

[MMiller28]

I very highly recommend that you consider a Peavey Cirrus. They are in your price range and are superior instruments.

Yeah, you're not gonna get a better 6 under $1500 than a used USA Cirrus.

 

[MarkA]

Yamaha TRB, used, should be a solid bass. A friend has played and toured with one for well over a decade. I think my friend's bass (TRB 1006J, I think) is 34" scale, though the Pattituci signature model is 35" scale (and likely over your price range, even used). Spacing is wide-ish, body maybe a bit on the big side compared to some instruments (my friend isn't a big dude, though, and manages it well).

Some of the higher-end Ibanez models are nice -- SR series are 34" scale with slim (16.5 mm) string spacing. Volos (I've not played one) are 33" spacing, while the "regular" BTBs are 35" with wider spacing. Another friend played one of the 35" BTB sixers for years before picking up an MTD.

Only had my hands on a USA Cirrus once, but it played and sounded great. 35" scale felt a hair big for me -- and I might have preferred a slightly longer top horn, ergonomics-wise (would have to have it in my hands again -- it was years ago), but it was solid, even, articulate, and fast. Distinctive tone.

There are all sorts of other basses you can find in that range (you mentioned $1500 and under), particularly used -- everything from small-luthier builds (used) to six-string Jazz-style basses.

I've spent some time on six-strings, but not a ton (don't currently own one -- maybe again someday). Still, I agree with the comment that scale length, string spacing, and other ergonomic considerations push themselves to the fore more with sixes than with fours or even fives.

If you don't know what you like, there, it's worthwhile to experiment. If you do know, then it would helpful to share. Even if you haven't played sixers much, it would be helpful to share what preferences/limitations you are aware of -- for instance, if you felt regular P-bass necks were big and awkward and felt more comfortable playing short and medium-scale four bangers, I probably wouldn't recommend one of the 35" scale BTBs. If you've played and enjoyed a few 35" scale fivers with 19mm spacing, I might. If you really don't know and are in the explore-everything phase, that's cool, too. Knowing might help folks to make more pertinent recommendations.

In any case, good luck.

EDIT: Tune basses were mentioned -- I borrowed a friend's made-in-Japan Tune six string for awhile (while he borrowed my amp). Very solid and articulate instrument. Ebony board, I remember. Some early Primus stuff was recorded with one, I believe.