thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 I'm looking at dropping maximum of £3k on a 6 stringer and a Ken Smith Black Tiger that's for sale locally will be my first port of call. I'm usually very trigger happy and just buy stuff but I'm going to try to fight that urge this time - I'm fully aware that I really need to gain some self control and spend some time to get the right one. I really want something I can use in almost any situation - something very, very versatile. I'd love and appreciate some recommendations from personal experiences. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 £3k is a sizeable budget for any bass and you could get pretty much any used sixer you wanted for that outside of Foderas... I have only ever played one Ken Smith and it was a fiver, wonderful quality instrument that could hold it's own with the best of them. Then again with that sort of budget everything is going to be of the utmost quality. It's a good idea to try everything out you can as there is quite a wide variation between manufacturers. You could also have an instrument built if nothing out there takes your fancy and you don't mind waiting... UK builders include ACG, Status, Overwater, Wal to name but a few. Loads of good sixers come up here on BC all the time... there is a lovely Fbass in the marketplace at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) As for a personal recomendation... If I had a choice of any bass in the world (which you pretty much do) it would be a Wal sixer. But obviously taste is subjective and what works for me may not be what works best for you Edited November 6, 2014 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) You've hit the nail on the head RE the Foderas - I really fancy one but don't want to try it because I know what I'm like. I really should stick to my £3k budget. ...I've even considered buying two passive Fender Jazz 5 strings and having one BEADG and the other EADGC. One white and one sunburst so they're instantly recognisable on a dark stage. Edited November 6, 2014 by thebassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) [quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1415274812' post='2598608'] ...I've even considered buying two passive Fender Jazz 5 strings and having one BEADG and the other EADGC. One white and one sunburst so they're instantly recognisable on a dark stage. [/quote] If I was in the market for a new jazz sixer I'd be looking at this from Xotic... never played one but think it looks great. To be honest I'd personally try and avoid having two basses instead of a single sixer... I'm trying to get down to carrying as little as possible to gigs. In truth I could get away with a fiver for 90% of what I do with bands, but I do need the high C for a few tunes so I decided that a sixer was the way to go. My aim is to get down to one fretted sixer and a fretless. Edited November 6, 2014 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bilbo Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If I had £3K, this would be at mine right now!! http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2344&type=Bass%20Guitar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415275282' post='2598626'] If I was in the market for a new jazz sixer I'd be looking at this from Xotic... never played one but think it looks great. To be honest I'd personally try and avoid having two basses instead of a single sixer... I'm trying to get down to carrying as little as possible to gigs. In truth I could get away with a fiver for 90% of what I do with bands, but I do need the high C for a few tunes so I decided that a sixer was the way to go. My aim is to get down to one fretted sixer and a fretless. [/quote] Yeah, this is entirely my thinking as well - to get down to carrying just one bass, my Aguilar TH500/SL112 and pedalboard for gigs. And again like you, I reckon I could get away with a 5 string for 90% of what I do - the difference is that I use the high C a lot and only need the B for a few pieces. Hmmm.... http://www.thebassgallery.com/product_details.cfm?ID=2716&type=Bass%20Guitar Edited November 6, 2014 by thebassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415275282' post='2598626'] If I was in the market for a new jazz sixer I'd be looking at this from Xotic... never played one but think it looks great. [/quote] You need to stop posting pictures of this all over the place or I may sink into deep depression because its not mine! Edited November 6, 2014 by Painy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1415283285' post='2598740'] You need to stop posting pictures of this all over the place or I may sink into deep depression because is not mine! [/quote] ha... yeah I posted it somewhere else yesterday I think... Sorry about that. I found it the other day and have been thinking about it ever since. Fortunately there doesn't appear to be any for sale in this colour anywhere... Edited November 6, 2014 by CamdenRob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 Bass Direct have one of those Xotic J 6's inside your budget >> http://www.bassdirect.co.uk/bass_guitar_specialists/Xotic_XJ6_Ash_maple.html Just sayin' My only concern with the Ken Smith is that they have a pretty modern sound, which might limit your applications. You might want to consider something a little more versatile?... Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cameronj279 Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 If I had 3k burning a hole in my pocket I'd be looking at another Dingwall or an ACG uber spec bass (so with the multi coil pickups and the Dual Filter Preamp. I'd certainly be leaving towards the custom route with that amount of money...get it exactly how you like and all that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1415285007' post='2598760'] ...ACG uber spec bass (so with the multi coil pickups and the Dual Filter Preamp. [/quote] That's not a bad shout. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='Cameronj279' timestamp='1415285007' post='2598760'] ACG uber spec bass [/quote] +1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 I'll be going second hand I think. For two reasons: 1. I turn basses around quite regularly - apart from 2 basses I own, I generally switch every 1 to 2 years. 2. I'll lose less money if/when I do move it on for something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1415285234' post='2598767'] I'll be going second hand I think. For two reasons: 1. I turn basses around quite regularly - apart from 2 basses I own, I generally switch every 1 to 2 years. 2. I'll lose less money if/when I do move it on for something else. [/quote] Yes there is alot to be said for going secondhand... Especially when you suffer from GAS as much as I do Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415285668' post='2598782'] Yes there is alot to be said for going secondhand... Especially when you suffer from GAS as much as I do [/quote] GAS is a terrible affliction... yet, I love it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 This is what keeps me up at night but as a 6er rather than a 7. About 1/3 the price of the Xotic though so you could have 3 of them in different colors (although just this one in white would keep me pretty happy). Only thing is they're only available as an import from the US so a bit tricky to try before you buy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='Painy' timestamp='1415287942' post='2598815'] This is what keeps me up at night but as a 6er rather than a 7. About 1/3 the price of the Xotic though so you could have 3 of them in different colors (although just this one in white would keep me pretty happy). Only thing is they're only available as an import from the US so a bit tricky to try before you buy. [/quote] I looked into getting one of those a little while ago, a few emails back and forth. Someone off here bought one and I seem to remember the reports were pretty positive. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3][b] [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?app=forums&module=forums§ion=findpost&pid=2598815"][/url]Painy, on 06 November 2014 - 03:32 PM, said:[/b][/size][/font][/color][color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3] This is what keeps me up at night but as a 6er rather than a 7. About 1/3 the price of the Xotic though so you could have 3 of them in different colors (although just this one in white would keep me pretty happy).[/size][/font][/color] [color=#282828][font=helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=3]Only thing is they're only available as an import from the US so a bit tricky to try before you buy.[/size][/font][/color][quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415288399' post='2598827'] I looked into getting one of those a little while ago, a few emails back and forth. Someone off here bought one and I seem to remember the reports were pretty positive. [/quote] Go on...... buy it.... you know you want to... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MOSCOWBASS Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='CamdenRob' timestamp='1415275282' post='2598626'] If I was in the market for a new jazz sixer I'd be looking at this from Xotic... never played one but think it looks great. To be honest I'd personally try and avoid having two basses instead of a single sixer... I'm trying to get down to carrying as little as possible to gigs. In truth I could get away with a fiver for 90% of what I do with bands, but I do need the high C for a few tunes so I decided that a sixer was the way to go. My aim is to get down to one fretted sixer and a fretless. [/quote] I have 2 5 string versions and they are best all-round basses i've played. Again subjective to taste....I'd visit bass direct and try one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CamdenRob Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='MOSCOWBASS' timestamp='1415289294' post='2598845'] I have 2 5 string versions and they are best all-round basses i've played. Again subjective to taste....I'd visit bass direct and try one. [/quote] It looks fantatsic... no bass buying for me for a while though, I'm in selling mode over the next year or so to pay for the pair of Wal sixers I have coming Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebassist Posted November 6, 2014 Author Share Posted November 6, 2014 (edited) Wow, check this out... [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/ursa2mn6bk.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/product6141.html[/url] Edited November 6, 2014 by thebassist Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Painy Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 [quote name='thebassist' timestamp='1415295108' post='2598941'] Wow, check this out... [url="http://www.rondomusic.com/ursa2mn6bk.html"]http://www.rondomusic.com/product6141.html[/url] [/quote] I have looked at those and I reckon they'd be a good starting point for a decent bass with a few upgrades. It's the shape of the headstock I struggle with though although there was a thread on talk bass about a guy who's reshaped the headstock on his. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Black Coffee Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 There's a really gorgeous dingwall sixer on ebay at the minute. If I had the money, £1400 it'd be on its way to me now, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eude Posted November 6, 2014 Share Posted November 6, 2014 ACG are doing a 6 string J Type now >> Ridiculous value for money too. Eude Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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