tall_martin Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 Hi, My bass playing has been languishing since leaving my band a couple of years back. I've been thinking about buying a 6 string bass as a kick start to get me practicing again, and once I'm up to speed looking for a new band. Any suggestions as to where to start with 6 strings? I've tried an ibanez SR306-EB which is the only 6 string I could find in Nottingham city center. It was fine and sounded OK. Neck was lovely. I would prefer 2nd hand as I'm not convinced I'll keep a 6 string forever. Any suggestions? Start budget, start premium? Advice on necks or string spacing? My current based are a g+l tribute, '79 music master and a yamaha rg from the late 90's. My guitar is an ibanez js. Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 25, 2018 Share Posted September 25, 2018 I bought my first six string about a month ago. I went for a new Ibanez 506, just ordered it on line and have been very pleased with it. Played 4 or 5 gigs with it, my only problem is that I have felt no inclination to play any of my four strings since it arrived! I even have a lovely Alembic just hanging around doing nothing now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 There is a Yamaha TRB6 first generation for sale on here for a grand or under at the moment. Not a six string comes close for that money. Imo 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 This has recently popped up at Bass Direct: http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Ibanez_SR1006_EFM.html at just under £600 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 3 hours ago, bubinga5 said: There is a Yamaha TRB6 first generation for sale on here for a grand or under at the moment. Not a six string comes close for that money. Imo ^ this. String spacing is all down to personal preference. I have stumpy little fingers but I'm far more comfortable on my beaten up old Ibanez BTB sixer (string spacing 20mm) than on any of the narrower ones I've tried. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ebenezer Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 ibanez btb imho......for the money, little comes close and if you get one with the nordstrand pickups .... result 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CameronJ Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 25 minutes ago, Rich said: ^ this. String spacing is all down to personal preference. I have stumpy little fingers but I'm far more comfortable on my beaten up old Ibanez BTB sixer (string spacing 20mm) than on any of the narrower ones I've tried. The Ibanez BTBs are great basses. HOWEVER, the trade off of that 20mm string spacing is that the fingerboard is incredibly wide as a result. I think you should definitely try before you buy, just to be sure the ergonomics work for you. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 I’d be looking at the Yamaha TRB6, as others have suggested. They’re solid, quality basses. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 4 hours ago, anzoid said: This has recently popped up at Bass Direct: http://bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Ibanez_SR1006_EFM.html at just under £600 That one sold today. I know this for a fact as I was the buyer, and the bass is just a few feet away from me in my house as I type! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 7 minutes ago, FinnDave said: That one sold today. I know this for a fact as I was the buyer, and the bass is just a few feet away from me in my house as I type! You have scored big time, I had a 5 string version of it and was a great bass! Almost pulled the trigger on it yesterday, but already have 2 Ibanez Prestige six string basses so common sense prevailed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 It's a lovely bass, though neck, and fitted with John East preamp, looking forward to getting the round wounds off and stringing it with a set of LaBellas, like my 506. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bubinga5 Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) I don't there is a 6 string for a grand that is as good as these. Unless a certain Shuker is still for sale. I had the 5 string version and The TRB 6 II version. both amazing instruments.. Piano like tone with a growl. Edited September 26, 2018 by bubinga5 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lownote Posted September 26, 2018 Share Posted September 26, 2018 (edited) Hohner B Bass VI - yesterday, now and forevr... neck through, lovely wood OK electronics, lovely tone with the right strings and £250 on average. Come up on here about once a three month. Edited September 26, 2018 by lownote12 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tall_martin Posted September 26, 2018 Author Share Posted September 26, 2018 Thanks for the suggestions! I'm a bit wary of buying internationally, so I'm looking for something in the UK. There is a BTB on here for £700, any opinions on it? Is the neck likely to feel like the ibanez SR306-EB I tried? Neck dimensions for the sr Scale :864mm/34" : Width54mm at NUT b : Width83mm at 24F c : Thickness19.5mm at 1F d : Thickness21.5mm at 12F Radius :400mmR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anzoid Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 16 hours ago, FinnDave said: That one sold today. I know this for a fact as I was the buyer, and the bass is just a few feet away from me in my house as I type! That one went quick!! When I looked it still had the price rather than the usual "SOLD" they stick up when something is... um... sold Four strings is my absolute limit these days, but that was a sweet looking bass, and the John East preamp did seem like an interesting addition over the usual Ibanez preamps which, from my experience, can be a bit "meh" at times. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 24 minutes ago, anzoid said: That one went quick!! When I looked it still had the price rather than the usual "SOLD" they stick up when something is... um... sold Four strings is my absolute limit these days, but that was a sweet looking bass, and the John East preamp did seem like an interesting addition over the usual Ibanez preamps which, from my experience, can be a bit "meh" at times. Yep, the East pre-amp is much better than the Ibanez one in my 506. When time & funds allow, I'll get one in that as well. The mid-range sweep is very impressive. The listing is wrong about which pre-amp it is, though, it is not the U Retro, but its replacement, the uni pre, so its even better than the ad suggested! The Bass Direct listing still says the bass is on hold for some bloke called Dave 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassbora Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 18 hours ago, Paulhauser said: You have scored big time, I had a 5 string version of it and was a great bass! Almost pulled the trigger on it yesterday, but already have 2 Ibanez Prestige six string basses so common sense prevailed. Common sense is boring. You should have gone for it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paulhauser Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 35 minutes ago, bassbora said: Common sense is boring. You should have gone for it. Yes, I know 🙂 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 51 minutes ago, bassbora said: Common sense is boring. You should have gone for it. He obviously knew the bass was meant for me, this time! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 These 3 basses are all good choices and in the UK (the Shuker used to be mine and is really terrific) : Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
therealting Posted September 27, 2018 Share Posted September 27, 2018 I have three six strings, a Ken Smith Design 6-string Jazz, a Yamaha TRB6 Mk I (upgraded with a Glockenklang pre) and a Yamaha RBX6JM (upgraded with a Schack pre). The Yamahas are fantastic instruments especially for the money. The first model TRB6 in particular is as good as pretty much anything out there in the same price bracket, but they are both great albeit very different beasts. The TRB6 has wide string spacing and shorter scale length (33 7/8”) and the RBX has narrow string spacing and longer scale length (I have it capoed at the first fret). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lemmywinks Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 On 26/09/2018 at 06:54, bubinga5 said: There is a Yamaha TRB6 first generation for sale on here for a grand or under at the moment. Not a six string comes close for that money. Imo Absolutely spot on, the MIJ Yamaha TRB is still the best 6er I've played bar none and is the benchmark I judge others by, if wide spacing is for you then it should be the first bass you try. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Marcoelwray Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 IMHO, Yam or Ibanez. I Don't know enough about Yam but I know that newest SR5005 model is really an outstanding bass, with quality electronics (Nordstrand), excellent woods, a good recipie to me. I had an SR405 for almost 20 years, never had one problem with it. The only problem nowadays is that low cost models are like stinky poo. You have to buy premium/prestige models. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tall_martin Posted September 28, 2018 Author Share Posted September 28, 2018 Thanks for all that Some ace options there :-) Is there a particular reason basses get passed round bass chat? The shuker looks a lovely thing, the multiple owners makes me wonder if there is something up with it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FinnDave Posted September 28, 2018 Share Posted September 28, 2018 1 hour ago, Marcoelwray said: IMHO, Yam or Ibanez. I Don't know enough about Yam but I know that newest SR5005 model is really an outstanding bass, with quality electronics (Nordstrand), excellent woods, a good recipie to me. I had an SR405 for almost 20 years, never had one problem with it. The only problem nowadays is that low cost models are like stinky poo. You have to buy premium/prestige models. My Ibanez SR506 is a standard model and is surprisingly good. Compared to a Mexican Fender (and I have had plenty of Fenders!) it is ore than twice the guitar for a bit less money. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.