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Struggling to find what I'm looking for


Hector
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Hi all,

Getting a bit frustrated with my mid 90s yamaha trb6-II. Great sound, but the 35 inch scale length kills my hands. I do a lot of little 3 note chordal comping, and love to solo up on the high C, but everything's a bit more of a stretch than I'd like.

I'm looking for a 5er to string E-C (I have a different bass for situations in which the low B might be handy), either 34 or 33 inch scale, preferably with 24 frets and a decent cutaway. I can only really afford to spend about £100 more than whatever my yamaha might get second hand (just bought a different bass for more 'traditional' playing situations).

Any thoughts about something that might fit the bill?

There are lots of 5 strings out there at 35 inches, but 34 is rare and 33 is out of the question as far as I know.

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I believe that the whole Ibanez SR range is 34".

The ones I have are all 34" and all fantastic. The SR1206 I have is a beauty and the SR1205 is the best bass I have ever played. Note that they are the 90s versions that are neck-through, not the new line with the same model numbers.

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Thanks JimBob will have a read about the older Ibanez ranges.

BT: I would actually prefer a bit more freedom than the TRB allows me at the moment if possible - I have a thumpy old p bass and a bright snappy jazz bass in the stable to cover the classic bass sounds, but I would use a replacement for the 6 for less of a traditional bass player sort of role - higher melodic playing and chordal comping in the upper register. It's not totally a dealbreaker though.

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This might well be just the thing, although I suspect a lot more expensive than what you had in mind:
http://basschat.co.uk/topic/241270-overwater-scott-devine-signature/

Also worth a look are shorter scale ACGs, which occasionally come up for sale 2nd hand on BC. From what I have seen he has a real knack with shorter-scale extended range basses. But again I suspect that these too will fall outside your budget. TBH I think you'll struggle to find what you are looking for at used TRB prices, but good luck with it anyway and let us know if you find 'the one'!

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[quote name='JimBobTTD' timestamp='1406274284' post='2509932']
I believe that the whole Ibanez SR range is 34".

The ones I have are all 34" and all fantastic. The SR1206 I have is a beauty and the SR1205 is the best bass I have ever played. Note that they are the 90s versions that are neck-through, not the new line with the same model numbers.
[/quote]
This is the logical reply. I tried extremely hard to live with the Yamaha trb basses but the 35 scale on this model felt so wrong. I found exactly what I wanted with the Ibanez sr1205.

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You may actually find that it's the string spacing that's affecting you more than the scale length.

34" to 35" is only an inch spread across the fretboard, I don't notice switching from 34" scale to 35" and back again, but I did find the spacing on the TRB6 that I had to be somewhat awkward, and the fingerboard radius is very flat.

I've said many times that you need to try as many 6's as possible before buying one.

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Graft spec ACGs start at £875 (£795 for passive) for a 33" 5er with 2 band EQ, tuned E-C if that's what you want.
All models have 24 frets and good access to the dusty end.

I can wholeheartedly recommend Alan's basses :)

Eude

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[quote name='GrammeFriday' timestamp='1406296146' post='2510320']
20mm? Whoa, that is super-wide! I always thought MTD 6ers (like mine) were considered to have fairly wide spacing at 18mm!
[/quote]

What MTD have you got ?

I'd love one of the Andrew Gouche Kingston models.

The Yamaha TRB6 was truly an amazing bass, I was really loathe to sell it. I had it advertised 2 or 3 times and changed my mind, the spacing was too wide though.

Edited by ambient
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I have a Kingston Andrew Gouche 5 string and absolutely love it - it's been my main gigging bass ever since I bought it. Hands down the grooviest sounding bass I have ever heard or played, with an astonishing number of different (but equally good) funk and slap tones. But very versatile, too - it can do almost anything except a Stingray sound (and I have a Ray for that anyway!). And the asymmetrical neck I find is a revelation - so comfortable, and it really does promote good technique by keeping your thumb lower down on the back. Highly recommended.

My sixer is a secondhand MTD KZ6, upgraded with Nordstrand Dual Blade Neos (as recommended by Mark at Bassdirect). Awesomely powerful sound!

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