entry level 6 string basses

[Monsterman]

good morning. I am a new to this board, (but been following for a little while), and new to basses lefty just getting started and i am chasing my dream of learning bass. I have a four string and am learning on that but really want to try my hand at 6 string and need to know some ideas for getting into the 6 string world. I have a chance o get a Schecter Stiletto custom for around 450 or go with a cheaper brice for a hundred less. Or is there a better way to go thats reasonable. I just really want to learn but have no inspiration to be gigging or anything. Thanks for your responses and for having a place for lefties to hear from others.

[Addison]

Welcome!

You're on the right track with the Schecter... those are great basses for the money, and you can get them for practically nothing on the used market.

Other options would be Ibanez or the MTD imports... but, I honestly think that Schecter has them beat in terms of quality and craftsmanship.

I'd stay away from Brice... some people dig them, but from what I gather they can be pretty hit and miss.

[Frenchy-Lefty]

+ 1 Schecter

[Matt R.]

Yeah, Schecter basses are scary good, considering the price. I had a sixer for a while and loved it. Played perfectly out of the box

[gravesbass]

+2 on Schecter basses. They are great for the price.

[Jeroen]

I don't have first hand experience with Schecter, as they're not a very common sight here in the Netherlands, but I highly recommend the Ibanez SR506 and SR606, if you can find one (both have only been in production for limited time). And there's the GSR206, but with the GIO-range I kinda feel they're really beginners instruments. They're among the best entry level instruments you can find out there, mind you, but I'm afraid you would outgrow them sooner or later and start looking for something better.

[Lefty007]

One thing to consider is scale length. Schecter are 35", and that combined with a somewhat small body, the reach to the first position can feel long. If you are of normal stature and have normal to long fingers, you should be fine with the 35" scale, but if you have short fingers, there is a good chance you will fell more comfortable playing a 34"-scale bass, which Ibanez are. So, my vote is for Ibanez as well. They are very comfortable and light. I'd keep away from Brice. (I think they are garbage and will need a complete setup and fret dress just to make them playable.)

Only problem with Ibanez right now is that they are not making the SR506 anymore, so only the GSR206 is available.They are really cheap and they play and sound really good. I had a GSR205 for a bit and thought they were excellent. If you could find a used SR506, that would be my first choice. A Schecter Stilletto will probably sound better than an Ibanez GSR206, but just consider the ergonomics before buying. Playing 6-string is difficult as it is, so you don't want a bass that you'll be fighting because it's not comfortable. BUT, not to scare you, if you can try the Scheter before buying or if there is a return policy in case you find it uncomfortable, then you should go for it.

[Monsterman]

thanks for all the good advice so far.
I am not worried about scale since i'm 6'8 and make a 34 inch scale bass feel small. I like how the six string feels in my hands, the first bass not to feel like a ukele. I was going to start a thread originally about longer scale basses but the earlier thread posted in the forum about 35 " scales kind of took care of that.

Since i am buying it used i do get the chance to try it for a month, I just want to make sure its a long term bass since i have changed four string basses twice in my first month and a half and want to change again.

[jersey bluesdude]

Here's a used Schecter Studio 6 for $450. http://www.gbase.com/gear/schecter-stud ... y-2010-nat

[Addison]

"Description: Gold Hardware, set neck, slick looking wood, lots of knobs, EMG's. 2 more strings then [sic] there should be."



There's nothing better (worse?) than someone trying to be a condescending smart-ass and making a massive grammar fail in the process.

[jersey bluesdude]

[quote="Addison"]"Description: Gold Hardware, set neck, slick looking wood, lots of knobs, EMG's. 2 more strings then [sic] there should be."



There's nothing better (worse?) than someone trying to be a condescending smart-ass and making a massive grammar fail in the process.

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=gra ... tedIndex=1

[Monsterman]

thank you one and all and especially jersey bluesdude. I went ahead and bought the schecter studio. Now comes the hard part of learning to play this thing and not suck.

[jersey bluesdude]

thank you one and all and especially jersey bluesdude. I went ahead and bought the schecter studio. Now comes the hard part of learning to play this thing and not suck.

You are quite welcome. Glad to have helped. Good luck with it.

[AzWhoFan]

thank you one and all and especially jersey bluesdude. I went ahead and bought the schecter studio. Now comes the hard part of learning to play this thing and not suck.

Awesome choice!

[fivebass52]

I've never owned a Schector bass, but from you all have said over the years about them, they are indeed a quality bass for the money. Lefty007 brings up a good point regarding the 35" scale length, so keep that in mind...

Here is a thread I posted reviewing the Ibanez SR206 I bought awhile back. (viewtopic.php?f=16&t=3556&hilit=+ibanez+sr206) I didn't play it much after first getting it, but I've been using it for the past two months, playing on average three gigs a week, and I can honestly say I'm in really enjoying it! There are two Volume knobs, a Tone knob, and a Bass-boost knob, so it took me awhile to figure out how I wanted to EQ the bass ( I play a variety of classic/contemporary rock and blues). It sounds surprisingly good, and for what I paid for it, I couldn't be happier!

The neck is not that wide for a six-string, and has a flat profile, so it is very comfortable to play; and my hands are only average size. I have to say a feel somehow more liberated having that "C" string, although I don't feel like I overuse it, most likely because my mind is still geared towards playing five-strings...

The SR206 is a keeper, and I feel this bass is solid enough, and was bought cheaply enough, that I may consider upgrading to a better EQ/pickup system one day. But, it sounds just fine stock, so I can take my time as far as upgrading, as my bandmates have all complimented me in its sound.

The going price from what I see on the 'net right now is $299, so a lefty has got to be the same, or very close to that. And for that price, you will be hard-pressed to find a better six-string bass! You'll just have to do some hunting to find one! have fun with whatever six-string you buy!

[fivebass52]

I did a search on eBay for Ibanez sr206L left hand, and there are several that came up, with this one being the cheapest, with a buy-it-now price of $251.99... that's good! http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ibanez-GSR206L- ... 2c8c12d857

[Sec-Def]

I own a fame baphomet 6 and am very pleased with it.
Warwick kind of a feel to it.
high quality build standards of the mayones shop.