6 string bass players?

[CrazyDuck]

I got my first 5 string this year, I'm going to get into some lessons again, with a pro level 5 string player while I get used to it. Eventually though, I can see where this is going. I just started learning 6 string guitar, and I'm sure the six string bass ain't all that far off. What 6-bass do you guys like best? What sort of music do you play with it? I tried a mahogony Ibanez that was sweeeeet. I think it was a Soundgear model. Feel free to post axe porn lofu

[devnulljp]

I always lusted after one of these but couldn't afford it, even when you could pick them up in junk shops for $300.
Shergold Marathon Six (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shergold_Marathon)
More info (http://www.shergold.co.uk/models.html#Marathon)

http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/9462/shergoldpc2.jpg

Mike Rutherfold played a bunch of these, as did the guy from Twelfth Night.

Here's some more pics:
http://www.shergold.co.uk/images/gallery/hpc_mar6_1.jpg
http://www.shergold.co.uk/images/gallery/mar6nat1.jpg

[Fajah]

I just started learning 6 string guitar, and I'm sure the six string bass ain't all that far off.

Playing bass and guitar in general are uniquely different. The tuning of a six string bass is different than a guitar because of the low B and high C strings. There's a huge difference between playing a 6 string bass and a guitar.

What 6-bass do you guys like best? What sort of music do you play with it?

I use my 6 string only for jazz and I chose a fretless because of the tonal qualities. I prefer my 4 string for all other styles. As far as make and models, it's purely personal taste and budget as most equipment is.

Lawrie

[devnulljp]

Playing bass and guitar in general are uniquely different. The tuning of a six string bass is different than a guitar because of the low B and high C strings. There's a huge difference between playing a 6 string bass and a guitar.Agree totally - I've met so many otherwise great guitar players that haven't a clue about playing bass.
Those Shergolds were usually tuned like a baritone guitar though, which is kinda cool.

[Fajah]

Agree totally - I've met so many otherwise great guitar players that haven't a clue about playing bass.
Those Shergolds were usually tuned like a baritone guitar though, which is kinda cool.

What's interesting is that when I first got my six, I tried tuning the C to a B like a guitar because I happen to be a long time blues/jazz guitar player as well. I couldn't play it. After a few years of playing the bass more than guitar due to musical circumstances, my brain just kicks into "bass mode". The opposite happens when I play guitar. It kind of weird how the brain works this way.

[james on bass]

I play a 6er. Same as Fajah but with frets. I owned a neck-thru Warwick Thumb 6 string a number of years ago as well and it's one of a couple basses I wish I had never parted ways with.

I feel lost without a low B string and enjoy the nice wide flat neck of 6 string basses. I like the high C for walking bass lines without much position shifting and the odd 9th chord. I'd be just as happy with a nice 5 string bass, but for the price, features and looks of my 6er, I just had to get it. I'm keeping my 4 string fretless jazz, but just got rid of my P-bass, something I figured I'd never do. The 6er quickly became my main go-to bass.

[SinCron]

I have a crappy plywood bass that I got for 15 bucks but I want a 6 string just because I love bunches of strings and loads of options. I was looking on eBay and I see some for just over $100 and some for just over $200. Anyone want to comment on them?

[james on bass]

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitar6.html

Fajah and I both have one of these WEB846 basses and they are surprisingly good basses for the price. Moreso since they dropped the price from $179.

[Hamm Guitars]

My Credit Card just jumped out of my wallet... I couldn't build this out of popsicle sticks for $100.00...

http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/web846tg5a.jpg

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitar6.html

Fajah and I both have one of these WEB846 basses and they are surprisingly good basses for the price. Moreso since they dropped the price from $179.

[james on bass]

My Credit Card just jumped out of my wallet... I couldn't build this out of popsicle sticks for $100.00...

http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/web846tg5a.jpg

No doubt.

Speaking of building... any 5 strings on the horizon? Perhaps something like your 4 stringer? Just wonderin'. :wink:

[Hamm Guitars]

There will be, for sure. I have a few other half done projects to get out of the way first though.

I was on the fence about buying this six string a few months back because I wanted a five, too good of a deal to pass on though.....

[SinCron]

Holy F**king GAS batman. Cheap AND GC approved. Anywhere in Canada one can order these? Even though I could only afford to get one of the 179 ones, that Bubinga is beautiful!

One I will probably get. .... and one I would love to have

http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/wob826na1.jpghttp://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/hxb406natb1.jpg

[Hamm Guitars]

Holy F**king GAS batman. Cheap AND GC approved. Anywhere in Canada one can order these? Even though I could only afford to get one of the 179 ones, that Bubinga is beautiful!


The trans blue and green (my fav) are only $109.00!!! I'll be amazed if it comes with all six strings!

[devnulljp]

I'd love one of those fretless 6s to play with...anyone sees a source in Canada I'd be happy to hear about it.
I'm guessing form the price they're made in Asia somewhere, so importing one would mean the duty + tax + brokerage runaround, which would quickly make the cheap price moot no?

[CrazyDuck]

Yeah, the prices are low to the point of strange. The cheapest Ibby 6 string I've seen was about $700. I wonder if any retailers carry them too, but if you can mail order, you might keep the price lowest...

[james on bass]

Holy F**king GAS batman. Cheap AND GC approved. Anywhere in Canada one can order these? Even though I could only afford to get one of the 179 ones, that Bubinga is beautiful!

One I will probably get. .... and one I would love to have

http://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/wob826na1.jpghttp://www.rondomusic.net/photos/bass/hxb406natb1.jpg

There is no Canadian source. Have to order from Rondo. Duty and taxes are calculated right on the Rondo ordering site, so you should not have any surprises.

I owned that first bass a couple years ago. Same exact neck as the $109 models, but with the humbuckers, they are a bit louder and punchier.

[Fajah]

http://www.rondomusic.com/bassguitar6.html

Fajah and I both have one of these WEB846 basses and they are surprisingly good basses for the price. Moreso since they dropped the price from $179.

I echo James' sentiment on the 846 and have really been enjoying mine. I've put a little more work into it as opposed to my SX 4 banger, although nothing major. Still need to settled on strings.