6 string bass advice needed

[DiceSociety]

To cut a long story short, I've decided to go over to the dark side and get a 6 string bass.

The sort of stuff I (attempt to) play is sort of king Crimson crossed with Miles Davis, with a healthy dollop of funk, and a smattering of metal when we're in the mood.

My budget is around 1500 quid and I've narrowed it down to either the Sire F10 6, or perhaps a Yamaha Trb; does anyone have any opinions/advice on either of these?

[PaulThePlug]

Ibanez not on your look at list?...

 

[DiceSociety]

Yeah, did initially look at a Btb 806, but seems very difficult to get any clear sound examples which aren't heavily processed. The ones I have heard didn't sound as good to me as the Sire. But this is going by you tube videos though, so hardly scientific. Would you recommend them then?

[nige1968]

Haven’t played a TRB but if they’re anything like other Yamaha basses they will be well made, sweet sounding, and pretty heavy. The 35in scale may also be good or bad, depending upon your own dimensions 

[DiceSociety]

45 minutes ago, nige1968 said:

Haven’t played a TRB but if they’re anything like other Yamaha basses they will be well made, sweet sounding, and pretty heavy. The 35in scale may also be good or bad, depending upon your own dimensions 

Cheers for that. The weight doesn't really bother me to be honest. I think the 35 scale would be preferable, but I've no personal experience to verify this.

[Burns-bass]

Im about to sell a Pedulla 6 which is a hand made mega bass but its fretless.

[BassApprentice]

Would throw in MTD Kingston to your list.

 

I had the most basic Kingston model and was really impressed with it. Sad I sold it tbh.

[DiceSociety]

35 minutes ago, Burns-bass said:

Im about to sell a Pedulla 6 which is a hand made mega bass but its fretless.

That's a bit of a curve ball. Would be rude not to have a look, could you send me some details please?

[Burns-bass]

17 minutes ago, DiceSociety said:

That's a bit of a curve ball. Would be rude not to have a look, could you send me some details please?

Of course, just being set up at the moment. I collect tomorrow. 

[jonno1981]

Yamaha trb6 is brilliant. Pickups don’t sound hugely impressive outside the context of a band, but in a mix they just work so well. 

[Hellzero]

There are plenty of excellent sixers in your budget, but you'd better buy a second hand model as you'll get a higher range one for the same price.

 

The Yamaha TRB-6P is certainly a great bass, with piezo pickups, a through neck, ebony fingerboard, 33 7/8 inches scale length, often around 5 kilos and is the basis of the John Patitucci model, so, certainly ticking all the boxes and was also used by Abraham Laboriel as a fiver.

[Hellzero]

At the moment, here in the classified are these basses in your price tag, in order of appearance:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[DiceSociety]

cheersd for allthe help guys, really appreciate it.

[neil___lien]

The RMI is awesome! Used to own one! Loved it.. 

[crazycloud]

Ibanez SR from the 206 and up, both new and secondhand.

 

Ibanez BTB

 

Cort A6 FMMH.

 

I own all of them in one form or another.

More detailed answer when not typing on my phone.

[bassmayhem]

The thing that makes most six string basses feel unfamiliar and awkward is that the string spacing often differs a lot from a four or five string bass. Personally, I prefer the same string-to-string spacing regardless of number of strings. Unfortunately, that is a specification that more often than seldom is left out in the info when you google different bass brands. I prefer 19 mm, but 18 will do. My six string is 18 mm with the possibility to adjust out to around 18.5 mm. Try different basses! Also, the neck profile is of importance, as well as the balance of the instrument.

[Cosmo Valdemar]

😁

[Hellzero]

As I've owned so many sixers which are my go-to basses, I can maybe help you find the bass you really want/like just as @binky_bass can too.

 

He is on the fretted side when I'm on the fretless side.

 

It's up to you @DiceSociety 😉 

[DiceSociety]

41 minutes ago, bassmayhem said:

The thing that makes most six string basses feel unfamiliar and awkward is that the string spacing often differs a lot from a four or five string bass. Personally, I prefer the same string-to-string spacing regardless of number of strings. Unfortunately, that is a specification that more often than seldom is left out in the info when you google different bass brands. I prefer 19 mm, but 18 will do. My six string is 18 mm with the possibility to adjust out to around 18.5 mm. Try different basses! Also, the neck profile is of importance, as well as the balance of the instrument.

Yeah, that makes total sense, I hadn't really considered the string spacing. It's a bit of a rabbit hole really. The difficulty for me is that where I live there aren't any music shops that have 6 string basses, so have to go largely by advice from fellow bass players and you tube videos. 

[DiceSociety]

20 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

As I've owned so many sixers which are my go-to basses, I can maybe help you find the bass you really want/like just as @binky_bass can too.

 

He is on the fretted side when I'm on the fretless side.

 

It's up to you @DiceSociety 😉 

Cheers for that! I've messaged Binky...