Shopping for 6 String Basses

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Administrator Since: Apr 03, 2002

So, I have the itch to upgrade from a 5 string, to a 6 string...went out shopping today and came to a few conclusions;

1- Peavey, while being known for cheap gear at times, makes nice bass guitars and amps I've always thought, and today confirmed it, the Peavey Grind 6 string has really nice, and reasonably priced.

2- Ibanez is good gear, even their low end stuff, is quality built stuff, cheap components, perhaps, but still well built instruments...their higher end stuff only gets better.

3- I totally want Bartiloni but really have a hard time justifying it as I dunno if the coolest features of them would ever be used...I've never seen a "balance" knob between pickups...SWEET!

4- The ESP 6 string is as nice as my ESP 5 string, and well worth considering.

Anyone have any experience in the area of decent, but, economical 6 string basses that would like to add to my little knowledge "bass" (punny, huh)?

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http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Jul 09, 2011 07:23 pm

i can only throw in my bassist has 2 Ibo's, given they are a little old and he doesnt take care of them, they really suck, they sound like turd too, just thought i would chuck that at you.

Peavey seems to be good atm.

ESP are always good.

were you going 2nd hand or new?
IMO, you could get something unbelievabley nice for the same price 2nd hand. Me i would go that way.
I just bought another ESP Baritone for 650aud with new lockable machine heads etc etc, no chance if it were new.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 09, 2011 08:00 pm

New or second hand, as long as it's good is all I care about. There are a couple ebay auctions I am watching now that look promising, but it's always the last 2 minutes that those things go to hell.

The Ibanez's I played were new, Peavey was used, there is another in a local hock shop I gotta go check out closer tomorrow.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Jul 09, 2011 08:31 pm

sounds good. i guess the only problem is you cant play them first ey?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 09, 2011 08:44 pm

Yeah, my wife just said the exact same thing.

I would never buy a guitar from eBay unless I knew the exact model being sold and have played before.

http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007


Jul 10, 2011 12:00 am

yeah, then tho you have the whole has it popped any frets or is the neck warped etc.

speaking of popped, i, just right this second, popped my F key out on my lapy. oh there it goes popped back in again. cool.

Typo Szar
Member
Since: Jul 04, 2002


Jul 10, 2011 11:59 am

I dig peavey, like Dematrix said, Ibanez doesnt have amazing quality control in my experience. Some of their gear is tops, while the others not so much, thats my experience with them.

Suggestions, Yamaha? I haven't checked the prices, but Yamaha should cover the price range, and I really like most of their gear, even their low end stuff always has a "get the job done" type quality. The dream theater guy, John Myung? uses a six string by Yamaha and u see most of the 5 string and upper dudes using Yamahas (apart from the many using Tobias and Musicman)

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jul 10, 2011 12:04 pm

Funny you should mention Yamaha, that is one brand I have kept my eye open for, but have not found one yet...stores seem to not stock 6 string basses much, understandably...not as much call for them. I am going for a little drive today, going to stop by a couple shops while on the road...hope to find one.

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Jul 11, 2011 05:33 pm

I was looking for a bass about the same time you were. I've been digging Sublime-esque tones and wanted a 5 string with a humbucker pickup. In particular, the recordings of April 29th 1992 and Sugar Ray's song Every Morning had the tone that made me want that Stingray vibe. I decided that I prefer passive electronics...and might avoid active electronics in general (I want to choose how the EQ is boosted during recording, I don't want to be stuck with a preset. I might be full of it...but eh...what else is new). Anyway, the OLP MM-2 is what I settled on. Passive humbucker in the bridge position. Upgrades a possibility if I don't like it...but seems like owners are really happy.

They made an OLP MM-5 six string. If you find one...might be worth checking out. I'm buying a 5 string MM-2 off clist for $175

http://www.unitedmusicians.info
Contributor
Since: Nov 11, 2007


Jul 12, 2011 02:10 pm

Picked up the OLP last night. Buy an OLP. Wowwee!

Just saw that OLP stands for "Officially Licensed Product" hahaha...those Chinese have a talent for awesome branding. My old audio interface power supply was branded "Golden Profit".

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