Who makes an 18mm spaced 6 string bass with stainless steel frets?

I’m intrigued by your requirement for no zero fret? You insist it have a nut, it can’t have a zero fret, just curious about that.

 

If you can tolerate a zero fret, I'd recommend an MTD kingston AG6.

 

Interesting! Perhaps a little leveling of the zero fret would fix that?

 

Does Warwick have anything like that?

 

I think Ibanez BTBs are 18mm. Unsure if any come with stainless steel
Frets though.

 

The sixes are 17mm.

 

The second generation Yamaha TRB6 is 18mm, I am pretty sure it does not have a zero fret. These turn up pretty often on eBay.

 

If you make the zero nut with a taller stainless fretwire (taller than the other frets), it'll last a REALLY long time before you need to change it. Decades, maybe a lifetime.

 

I'm not aware of any widely distributed brand (ie not boutique) coming stock with stainless steel frets.
It certainly restricts your options. You need to find a builder willing to work with stainless steel frets and agree on a 6 string model.

 

I’m confident Tom Clement could make that for you. Tom Clement Instruments | Specializing in Hand-Crafted Lightweight Basses and Guitars

 

If you go to pretty much any notable luthier and provide your specs, they'll build whatever you want.

 

Dingwall six string basses are exceptional. Light weight, awesome sound, extremely playable. 18mm string spacing.

Dingwall uses a very hard mandolin or banjo size fret wire.

The fanned fret multi scale (37”-34”) really shines with the six string. Both the B and C strings are clear and present, super balanced volume and string tension.

 

Refretting an instrument is routine work for any competent luthier or tech.
Therefore, I would strongly suggest finding a bass that suits all your other parameters (looks, weight, feel, tone, price point etc.)
and then get it refretted with your choice of fretwire. A good refret on a relatively clean/new instrument shouldn't break the bank.
This approach will substantially open up your options - as noted above, very few production instruments are made with stainless frets at the moment.
A custom builder could certainly make one for you, but why dramatically limit your choices with such a specific parameter when it can be retrofitted later on?

Cheers,
Martin

 

I find this suspect. my MTD was my main bass for 15 years and played hundreds of gigs and played for hours a day even when not gigging and have zero wear. it is static, you are not pressing on it or moving it in any way.

 

Nino Valenti offers stainless... and has made a 6-string or two before. Reach out to him.