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Searching for a budget 6-string bass

#21
Vooter said:
I totally understand. But in case you want to check it out, there's a Curbow 6 up for sale on eBay right now for $499 OBO, and they quoted a $110 shipping charge to Greece. They did mention that import/custom fees would be handled at checkout, so I don't know how much they are, but this would certainly be one way to get a 6 in your hands within a couple of weeks. Here's the listing:

Cort Curbow 6 Six String Bass Guitar Metallic Blue Finish | eBay
Click to expand...

when I put it in my basket i get this :
label value
Item (1) US $499.00
Shipping to 16345 US $110.66
Import charges US $156.62


Total US $766.28

And this is WITHOUT some surcharges with the customs office when it arrives. It can easily reach 850 which is about the price a get a Cort A6 Artisan brand new(Invalid Link Removed)

And it also is 300 euros over my budget and
What about the Cort C6 which is at 530euro?
 
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#22
I have a B206SM that was de-fretted, and I love it. The biggest complaint people seem to have about these is the weight, so if that’s a concern for you, you may pass.

I don’t believe I have ever played a bad Ibanez (at least not with a decent setup), and the SR506 gets a ton of love when you’re talking bang for the buck.
 
#24
Out of your listed options my preference would be the SR506. They're easy to play and not too big or heavy. The stock electronics are OK - they don't sound amazing, but are definitely good enough to gig with.

It's too bad you don't have access to a used market as I've seen them go as low as $300. But even new, they're worth the money.
 
#28
I have an LTD B-206SM and love it. It's a solid, heavier bass, but I don't mind as I sit down when playing. You can always get a wide, padded strap.

20180801_134928.jpg
 
#30
I just picked up an Ibanez SR656 that is amazing. Standard style 3 band EQ Ibanez uses, but it's got P and J pickups designed my Carey Nordstrand. They Rock. I use it about 90% of the time in passive mode. They can be had for about $500. Great bass for the price!
 
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#31
I have the SR506, I believe the same one as the poster on pg 1.

Mine has not been modded. The neck is very flat and thin, which makes the breadth manageable. I think the spacing is 16.5mm. I find it an ideal compromise - you can chord nicely on it, but it doesn't feel or play guitar-like at all.

Mine has a hot signal, no problem with output. It is a MUCh higher output level than my passive P/J.

I'm glad the bass is not 35". There is nothing wrong with how the low B performs, and I would hate to have more tension on the high C, for which I have been using a 0.28w.

It's a lot of fun. Great instrument, very wide range of sound. The neck pickup solo'd sounds like P-bass. One of my favorite things to do with the 6-string is loop.
 
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#33
I have an LTD B-416, not the 206. It was my first venture into 6 string bass, and it sounds amazing to my ears. The neck is easy to work on, and the string spacing makes easy transitions from one string to the next. Very fun transition from 5 to 6 string. I played an ibanez 6 string, can’t remember the model, but it didn’t feel as nice to play. I have fairly large hands, and it almost felt like a boat paddle compared to my LTD. I’m looking at a Spector legend soon, as those seem to play well.

So another vote for LTD for me
 
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#34
DaBassman said:
Google Rondo Music.
Click to expand...
Ι did and it has some Brice basses that seem very nice. Nevertheless it is very hard to import these to the EU. The taxes transport and custom fees will be crushing.

When importing something from non EU countries we pay : price for the goods+ shipping (typically 120-150$) + VAT tax in the US + 24% VAT tax in Greece + 7% to 11% customs on the whole ammount + another fixed custom fee that I believe is about 50 euros. Maddening , isn't it?

This cheap instrument of 350 dollars would be about 650+ euros when it reaches me with no warranty whatsoever as even if it is not good I cannot return it half a globe away. So it is out of the question.

I need European retailers unfortunately
 
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#36
I own this Ibanez 406 with Claro Walnut top:

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I paid close to 500 bucks and the pickups and electronics had been upgraded to all US made Bartolinis.

One of the sickest bass deals ever! This instrument still plays and sounds better than some 6 strings that cost nearly 3 grand.

I can't say enough great stuff about Ibanez. The prices are great, the sound and feel are usually incredible, and they are light as a feather.
 
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#37
Cort makes nice ones. I don't personally like the Curbow at all, but their real-wood models are quite nice IMO. LTD also makes a nice 6 in budget range. Ibanez is always good, they make a quality product thats always hard to beat in its price range.

Of course a Ken Smith 6 is never a slouch either....but thats another price range entirely.
 

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