Wanted: Advice on Basses

[Katriel]

I’ve been trying out many 5- & 6-string basses, looking for a versatile bass with the widest range of sound qualities to play many styles of music. Though I do not have large hands, I enjoy playing the 6-string basses—perhaps from playing notes across the fretboard on a guitar and a keyboard.

I would like to find a 6-string bass (or perhaps a 5-string) with:
--2 double coil humbucker pickups that allows all of the possible combinations of pickups, and single versus two coils
--Active versus passive pickups
--3 EQ, and any other controls
--Slim neck (front to back) and narrower fretboard.

Most basses that I have tried out are only a partial match.

While I have not found most of the following basses in any store to try out, their specs might be suitable:
--Ibanez SR1426B Premium, SR606E, SR306EB, BTB1836 Premium, BTB1936 Premium
--Schecter CB-6, SC-6, Stiletto Studio-6
--Sire Marcus Miller F10, F10 DC, M7; they appear to have the controls that I am looking for, though the fretboards appear to be a little wider than the other basses listed above.

I would appreciate any insights and advice—Thanks!

 

[Katriel]

I am loving my S.Martyn 5 string 32” Blade SC with 17.5mm spacing. It checks all the boxes you described and weighs in at 6.3 lbs. The neck is strong and thin with a 20” radius. She plays like a dream.
View attachment 7523456

Thanks for your suggestion--I'll take a look at it!

 

[Katriel]

Joined TB today. Hmmmm.

If you’e not a BOT, this Ibanez will be the flattest neck front to back. Single cuts have very rigid necks, so they can accommodate a thin front to back profile. The extra rigidity of the design makes em like granite. Feels very different than a double cutaway.

has 2 humbuckers, passive & active, and 3 band.

Also comes in a 6, but only on the used market.

Thanks for your suggestions--I appreciate it!

 

[Katriel]

Narrow fretboard on a 6'er? Is there such a thing?

As a fan of the Ibanez SR lineup, I agree that something in their catalog will probably fit your needs. I've never seen one of their 6 strings in any music store, however.

Thanks for your suggestion.

 

[Katriel]

Looking at those choices, I would add an LTD (by ESP) B-206 to that list. It's an excellent 6er, especially for its price. If I still played 6ers, I would have one (since I've played/loved several LTD basses over the years and when I tried a B-206 in a music store, it played super nice).

And depending on your budget, there are some nice 6ers in the TB classifieds.

Thanks for your suggestions--I appreciate it!

 

[Katriel]

I know, I have one on order. As I own a bunch of SRs (and a BTB and EHB) I know I like the shape and neck and how they fit on me - not perfect but the closest to a production available bass, I know what I'm getting into. I ordered it for the SR-ness and the close spacing. However, I know what I like tonally and whilst the Barts are functionally adequate and more than good enough for what I might see myself ever using live, my preference is for something else. Hence it'll get EMG E5W (to go with the Aguilar OPB3 preamp) and just because I like them, Gotoh Res-O-Lite tuners. That'll make it about $1600 total.

The reason I mention this is the base bass is close to what I want and I'll tweak it to my specific tastes, much cheaper than a custom and I know what I'm getting which you never know with something bespoke. My suggestion to you is try and play lots of basses, find one that speaks to your hands, even if to your ears it's not quite there, then modify it to what you exactly want.

Lets say you like an Ibanez SR, like my 706 (or and LTD, or a Fender or a Sire or whatever) and tweak it. In my SR706 example which cost about $400 used with OHSC a few years back. I think it looks great, great woods and construction and stable as hell.
To put most of the PUs I like, it needs a small rout to fit EMG45 shape which I can do myself, but is maybe $100 to have done, then choose the PUs, pre and switching that you really want which installed, is another few hundred. Add a great set up, even a PLEK is $250 and for $1200 min you could have exactly what you want. With Ibanez SRs, there are lots of models in all sorts of constructions, equipment and finishes over 3 decades for you to choose from. With my own pre, EMG45DCs, my own pre and Gotohs, I'll have change from a grand.

If you're an instrument flipper, this doesn't make sense as you'll lose money on a modified instrument on resale. But if you want something for a long time, then it makes a lot more sense. If you chose a common shape like the EMG45/P4 then if your PU tastes change later, they're an easy fit.

I'm not offering an exact solution, just offering an option for consideration.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and your solution to having the right features!

 

[Katriel]

Music Man John Myung Signature Bongo 6 has a very narrow width neck. 6 strings on a 5 string neck.

Thanks--I'll take a look a the Bongo 6.

 

[cataract]

THANKS THANKS THANKS

 

[Solipsistik]

Honestly, what you're looking for is exactly what I just bought a while back.

Here is my Maruszczyk Headless Frog. They're all custom-built to your specification and they're reasonable, this was just a bit more than half the price of a Teambuilt Warwick Thumb or a Spector Euro LX! You can spec multiple curves of necks, multiple string spacings and multiple finishes. You don't have to get it headless, that's just one of the options in the ordering configuration tool.

The neck is fairly thin even though it's a C-shaped neck and the string spacing is spot on for me. Mine is painted but with a matte finish. I have medium-sized hands. The Delano XTender / Sonar preamp is great and it is absolutely bang-on the passive sound if you have the controls at neutral. This is a very versatile and beautiful instrument.

 

[BassicJazzy]

Honestly, what you're looking for is exactly what I just bought a while back.

Here is my Maruszczyk Headless Frog. They're all custom-built to your specification and they're reasonable, this was just a bit more than half the price of a Teambuilt Warwick Thumb or a Spector Euro LX! You can spec multiple curves of necks, multiple string spacings and multiple finishes. You don't have to get it headless, that's just one of the options in the ordering configuration tool.

The neck is fairly thin even though it's a C-shaped neck and the string spacing is spot on for me. Mine is painted but with a matte finish. I have medium-sized hands. The Delano XTender / Sonar preamp is great and it is absolutely bang-on the passive sound if you have the controls at neutral. This is a very versatile and beautiful instrument.

View attachment 7523760

View attachment 7523761View attachment 7523762View attachment 7523764

That is a beauty!

 

[Katriel]

Honestly, what you're looking for is exactly what I just bought a while back.

Here is my Maruszczyk Headless Frog. They're all custom-built to your specification and they're reasonable, this was just a bit more than half the price of a Teambuilt Warwick Thumb or a Spector Euro LX! You can spec multiple curves of necks, multiple string spacings and multiple finishes. You don't have to get it headless, that's just one of the options in the ordering configuration tool.

The neck is fairly thin even though it's a C-shaped neck and the string spacing is spot on for me. Mine is painted but with a matte finish. I have medium-sized hands. The Delano XTender / Sonar preamp is great and it is absolutely bang-on the passive sound if you have the controls at neutral. This is a very versatile and beautiful instrument.

View attachment 7523760

View attachment 7523761View attachment 7523762View attachment 7523764

Thank you for your input--Beautiful bass, and I will look at the Maruszczyk line!

 

[JoeyFab]

Peavey Cirrus 5.

 

[Katriel]

Peavey Cirrus 5.

Thanks for your advice.

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I recently got a Sterling by Music man Stingray 5 HH and was suprised by all the usable coil switching and usable sounds . It only has a 2 band EQ but it checks most of your boxes except it's a five string . The US made Stingray 5 HH has a 3 band EQ and might be an option but mine is a very fine player . Slim neck though .

 

[Solipsistik]

Thank you for your input--Beautiful bass, and I will look at the Maruszczyk line!

Because you'd have to search for it, not knowing the name of the company, here is a link to their bass lines:

Basses

Custom Guitar & Bass Configurator | Public Peace Custom Shop

public-peace-customshop.de

Whatever bass you eventually decide on, good luck and enjoy it in good health!

 

[Katriel]

I recently got a Sterling by Music man Stingray 5 HH and was suprised by all the usable coil switching and usable sounds . It only has a 2 band EQ but it checks most of your boxes except it's a five string . The US made Stingray 5 HH has a 3 band EQ and might be an option but mine is a very fine player . Slim neck though .

View attachment 7523781

Thanks--I've played some Music Man basses and will look into these!

 

[Katriel]

Because you'd have to search for it, not knowing the name of the company, here is a link to their bass lines:

Basses

Custom Guitar & Bass Configurator | Public Peace Custom Shop

public-peace-customshop.de

Whatever bass you eventually decide on, good luck and enjoy it in good health!

Thanks again--Same to you!

 

[Wyvern]

THANKS THANKS THANKS

Totally not bot behavior eating up power, land and water.

 

[Katriel]

Totally not bot behavior eating up power, land and water.View attachment 7524494

Thanks, and I appreciated everyone’s experience and advice!

 

[Pirate Captain]

Thanks, and I appreciated everyone’s experience and advice!

Have you tried taking taking clothesline and stringing it across a washtub with a broom handle...I've found that this is every bit as good, IF NOT BETTER than buying and expensive brand like Fender, Sadowsky, or Tesla