Which 6 string??

[GUI101]

Hi all,

Have recently decided to move onto a 6 string bass, as I'm playing more funk and R & B, with only ever having played a 4 string I'm not looking to spend a great deal on my first 6 string but would like to get a good mix of quality and value.
Budget wise I have between £300-£500ish.
I would really appreciate it if any of you could give me some recommendations.

Cheers.

[voxpop]

Spend a little more and you could have a beautiful Shuker that is in the for sale section.

It's my old bass and if you are looking for a six string that will last, it's the one.

[GUI101]

Definitely a lovely bass, just out of my budget I'm afraid.

[Chris Horton]

I would highly recommend checking out the Yamaha TRB6ii bass guitars.

They are just fantastic instruments for the money with massive tonal possibilities

[chrismuzz]

Peavey and Ibanez too! Both very affordable and good sounding as well as having comfortable necks

[ezbass]

According to this month's Bass Guitar Magazine the Shine SB26 Extreme @ a mere £169! Über bang for buck apparently. At that price it's hard to argue with their logic.

On a more mainstream vein, if the Ibby SR506 is as good as the 505 you won't go too far wrong IMO. One on evilbay for your budget right now it seems http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/IBANEZ-SR506BM-/251153734628#vi-content

Edited September 30, 2012 by ezbass

[chrismuzz]

[quote name='ezbass' timestamp='1349024411' post='1820801']
According to this month's Bass Guitar Magazine the Shine SB26 Extreme @ a mere £169! Über bang for buck apparently. At that price it's hard to argue with their logic.
[/quote]

This was my first 6er, and yeah, they're incredible! £30 for a pro setup including a neck shim and it was one of the most comfortable playing basses I've ever had my hands on

[GUI101]

Cheers guys,

Hadn't considered yamahas until you mentioned them, but have just read some reviews and they come highly recommended.
Will be off to try out both yamaha and Ibanez (SR5006e looks stunning - tad pricey though!),

Has anyone got an opinion on/played an ESP Ltd B206sm???

Thanks again.

[Delberthot]

Shockwave used to own the ESP so you could try asking him or find the for sale thread.

Best 6er I had was an Ibanez SR1016. Similar to the SR506 but made in Japan and I think a forerunner to the Prestige series.

[Kongo]

[quote name='Chris Horton' timestamp='1349022290' post='1820770']
I would highly recommend checking out the Yamaha TRB6ii bass guitars.

They are just fantastic instruments for the money with massive tonal possibilities
[/quote]

This.
My best 6-string is a Yamaha TRB6II.
After that, Ibanez BTB cater well for what you are after, and these days come with very fancy woods, electronics and thru-necks.
As for the ESP LTD, you can't really go wrong. For some reason, being a B-series, those are 34" scale. Doesn't seem to effect the playability however.

Edited September 30, 2012 by Kongo