Author Topic: 6 String Bass (Read 150 times)

mike1762 · « **on:** November 01, 2008, 05:12:16 PM »

I'm thinking about getting myself a 6 string for X-mas. I don't know if it will stick or not; therefore, I want to try something more economical before considering an Alembic. I don't want to spend too much (definitely less than $1,000), but I don't want to get something that is unplayable either. Any suggestions for a brand/model???

hieronymous · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2008, 05:34:05 PM »

I was in your situation this past year as well. I bought an Ibanez SR 506. It's a great bass for not too much money. I'm not 100% thrilled with the sound of the active Bartolinis - as far as active pickups go, Alembics are the only one's I've played that I really like, otherwise I prefer passive. But it's a minor complaint. The neck has an interesting profile - it's obviously wide to fit all the strings but from front to back it's shallow and fun to play.

After owning it for a while, I realized that I really just don't use the low B string at all but the high C was a revelation! So I bought an Alembic 5-string and had a new nut and saddles installed at the mothership.

Good luck with your experiment!

3rd_ray · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2008, 07:34:37 PM »

There are usually a few Carvin's on eBay. I've always been happy with mine. I have a Carvin LB76.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carvin-LB76-Sunburst-6-string-Bass-Guitar-w-Case-LB-76_W0QQitemZ250318197888QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item250318197888&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C240%3A1318&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

http://cgi.ebay.com/Carvin-6-String-LB76F-Custom-Bass-Pristine-Condition_W0QQitemZ270295453775QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item270295453775&_trkparms=39%3A1%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A3%7C240%3A1309&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14

Mike

mike1762 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 02, 2008, 11:44:00 AM »

Thanks for the advice. I had a chance to noodle around on a 506... it played OK, but I didn't like the sound either. The Carvin looks interesting... neck through and an ebony fretboard. I like the looks of the white fretless... but it's fretless. What's a reasonable price for a used LB76???

3rd_ray · « **Reply #4 on:** November 02, 2008, 12:41:04 PM »

I haven't kept up with the used prices on Carvin's very much. The one here with frets seems a little high to me, but only because it looks a little old. They started making rounded body sides maybe 10 years ago, so this one might be that old. But even if it's 10 years old, it looks like it's in good shape, and $695 isn't that far out of line. A new LB76 can be anywhere from around $1000 to $2000 depending on the options.

Mike

mike1762 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 02, 2008, 01:20:45 PM »

I just went to the Carvin site... it looks like you can get a really nice bass built to your specs for not too much more than my price range. It's not an Alembic, but it would be a nice bass to see if 6 string will be my thing or not. I'll marinate on it a while.

rami · « **Reply #6 on:** November 02, 2008, 01:58:42 PM »

Mike, the rounded body sides are an option ($40, I believe). That one may be as recent as this year's. I feel a little awkward about plugging another brand on the Alembic website, but the sound, quality, price and tons of options are unbeatable. I've always been curious about Carvins, and I must confess to owning an LB76 as well. I cannot say anything negative about it. It's not an Alembic, but it's not $6000+ either.

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** November 02, 2008, 03:54:57 PM »

I have a couple of Carvin neck-thru Alembic influenced guitars: an all Koa DC-127 and an insanely flamed Koa top DC-400. I bought both used, so they're not to my specs, but they are wonderful guitars for the money. Getting something less expensive to try out a new style instrument makes a lot of sense IMHO. At the Northern California Alembic gathering last March, Mica & Ron brought down a baritone guitar. It was kind of cool and got me thinking about a baritone. I bought an Eastwood Sidejack Baritone for less than $400 and messed around with it for a bit. Once I decided that I liked it, I wound up picking up a club member's Orion Baritone. If I had bought the Orion first, and then not liked the Baritone size, I would have been less than ecstatic. By the way, anybody want to buy an Eastwood Sidejack?

Bill, tgo

3rd_ray · « **Reply #8 on:** November 02, 2008, 04:06:24 PM »

That's okay Rami, I've plugged Alembic on the Carvin forum Well, actually what I wrote was that I've owned both and I've been happy with both.

I don't think I'm qualified to make comparisons between Carvin, Alembic, or any other bass. So it is what it is. Maybe there's a better bass out there at the same price, but with Carvin you can order exactly what you want (within what they offer of course), and if you don't like what shows up at your door you can send it back (I'm not sure what the international rules are).

You're right about the rounded body sides option. I was making that assumption because it seems that most people get the rounded sides.

Mike

3rd_ray · « **Reply #9 on:** November 02, 2008, 04:16:31 PM »

Bill, here's my koa DC400. It was somewhat inspired by my Excel bass... ash back and cone headstock.

rami · « **Reply #10 on:** November 02, 2008, 05:10:30 PM »

That's absolutely stunning!

Here's my LB76:

Koa body, Maple/Walnut neck, Birdseye Maple fingerboard with stainless steel frets. I found it on their In stock page. Not exactly 100% what I would have ordered (I would have also covered the headstock with Koa, and a few other details) but I didn't want to let it go.

Excellent Bass. No complaints and the price was unbelieveable. I've since added Rosewood Knobs which I ordered from Carvin at $4.75 each.

3rd_ray · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2008, 06:27:58 PM »

Very nice Rami! I agree about putting koa on the headstock. I did the opposite with the rosewood knobs on my DC400. I ordered it with rosewood, but then I didn't like how they felt, so I bought gold knobs instead. They look nice though.

Here's my LB76W (walnut), wish I had a better picture. If I could do this over, I'd change a few things. I'd bookmatch to center and go with the birdseye maple fingerboard. Probably use different body woods too, so basically a whole new bass

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #12 on:** November 03, 2008, 07:54:29 AM »

I love Koa

Thank you for the pictures

bkbass · « **Reply #13 on:** November 05, 2008, 12:53:37 PM »

They nailed it with the ICON series. It'll cost you around $1400.00 Ordered mine with Heavy figured Walnut book matched to center,Black hardware,Stainless steel frets and Abalone dots. The new 18 volt electronics and pickups work very,very well. I've had the older style LB76 as well, both are fine instruments. The build quality is on par with many of the boutique basses out there. Carvin has always represented great value,resale and their just a lot of fun to play.