Help me I got G.A.S.

[EVP]

Gear Acquisition Syndrome -  the new bass edition

So I got my raise finally and got paid Friday. I was thinking about getting some new strings
for my steinberger bass when I found myself browsing through bass guitars and then quite
unexpectedly that moment came to. It was almost like meeting that hot new girl and being taken
by surprise.  I've never been a big Ibanez guitar fan but I always admired their 6 string basses
and I suddenly found one that caught my eye. I began to think maybe it was time to get
an extended range bass and get a little adventurous again.



I left it for the day and went to work. Saturday I literally spent all day doing my homework
on the internet finding every review, picture and youtube video that I could. It drove me
batty as I spent time comparing other 6 stringers in the lower price range.  Finally late
last night I pulled the trigger. No opportunity to try one in person locally where I live
so I'm taking the chance. I feel quite confident I won't be disappointed based on everything.
I can always return it but I doubt I will be wanting to do that.

I'm waiting shipping confirmation from AMS and it will be on my doorstep
by this time tomorrow.  I will be back with my review.

[catherine]

Crikey, EVP, that's a bass and a half!

[rogerg]

schweeeeet!

[Mouse]

Wot Rog said.  8-)  Very niiiice!

[EVP]

Yeah everybody who owns one is saying the quality is amazing for a bass under $700.

Check out this youtube video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bKWwDEJOXs

[LivingForever]

6 strings, eh.... I'm still trying to master my 4!

Dumb question which could surely be answered immediately by google, but... are the two extra strings at the low end, high end, one of each?

I know 5 string double basses have an extra low string, but have never played on a bass guitar with more than 4!

[D S]

Very nice! Ibanez are a quality make in my experience.

Only thing is personally I'm never sure how much use that high extra string would get to offset the disadvantage of an extra wide fretboard.  I've never played a 6 string bass yet but I think my 4 and 5 strings do me quite nicely.  Still, if you think you need that 6th string and can be the next John Myung, good on you!  

PS - LFE - On a 5 string bass, the 5th string is a low B.  On a 6 string bass, it is same as a 5 string but the extra 6th string is a high string, usually tuned to B, an octave below a standard guitar's 2nd string.

[catherine]

Depends on the 5-string, whether it's a low B or a high C.

On my Steinberger "shovel" copy, obviously - I couldn't afford a real one 5-string, the 5th string it came with normally was a high one but I opted to replace it with a low one.

[EVP]

Back in 2000 I had a Warwick Thumb Bolt On 6 string and it was probably the nicest bass
I ever owned. It was beautiful and sounded great but I just could not gig with it as it was
way too neck heavy for me. I bought an extra wide strap for it too.  I could play it sitting
down for hours though. It started to give me shoulder problems so I ditched it.

I went through my little crazy slap-pop phase when I had my Steinberger XL-2A and
I had a really nice used Status 4 string and I think I just got kinda burnt out doing the same
old thing.  Every time I went into a music store there was always some kid slapping
and popping away without being too musical. It seemed like everyone was into it so
I changed and went towards more straight ahead finger and pick style playing.

I played my brothers ultra cheap 5 stringer until the truss rod broke. I eventually made
it back to another Steinberger but one with a bolt on graphite and a drop tuner. I still
have this bass now and it will live with me forever. I figure it'll be nice to have a standard
4 string around for more straight ahead rock stuff when I play out.

You could say I'd be playing more in the vein of like Myung only without the lightning
fast sweeps and runs.  I considered a 5 stringer,but figured I'd go back to wanting
that extra high C.  I think I would tend to use it more chordally rather than trying
to be a lead bass player. I don't want to be too flashy,but I'm not to explore either.

What I need to do is go back and learn the proper right hand technique. The Ibanez
is also considerably lighter than the warwick and I think I'm gonna find myself
having fun and playing this more.

[rogerg]

still love my Fender Jazz fretless!

[EVP]

still love my Fender Jazz fretless!

Very nice!!  That would actually be my first choice for a 4 string fretless.
If I had the dough it would be a Wal like JJ uses. Some day I get brave
and get one to doink around on.

Is yours lined or no-lined?

[rogerg]

no lines.  it feels like the cello I had in the 4th grade!  it's just been a rock-solid bass.

someday, when the budget allows, I'd like to find a five or six string to play around on; love the low end!!

[EVP]

Well I extremely pleased to report this new bass is AMAZING.  The quality is unbelievable
for a bass that costs $629.00!!!  The finish is superb and the construction is 100% ROCK SOLID.
The Bartolini pickups and active EQ are fantastic and I would never expect this system
to be on a "budget" bass. It's dead quiet and offers a wide tonal variety.  No gaps in the
neck joint. The neck is thinner than the Warwick I had years ago and I seem to be able
to get around easier on this one. The setup is very close coming right out of the factory.
It sat on my porch in the warm afternoon after it was delivered while I was gone and
is now residing in a slightly cooler room inside. I'll wait a bit to see if it shifts but I doubt
I'll need to tweek it much.

All I gotta say is that Ibanez really grand slammed out of the ball park on this one.
It looks,plays and sounds like something that should cost at least twice as much.
I'm not kidding. If anyone is ever looking to get into a 6 string bass without paying
a small fortune, I HIGHLY recommend the SR-506. The 706 is the same except for the
maple top/glossy finish for about $200 more.

I've been too excited and talking to people about this to have taken any pics yet.
When I get rid of the cardboard packing and clean the place up I'll snap a few shots
and post here. I gotta take this to my bros house and plug into an amp!!!

[weezul]

if thats an ibanez SR506 or whatever, then I have the same bass. Its really nice, although the B string is a little unstable compared to the rest. I've been playing mine about a year, in loads of different gigs and its really handy when I play in this jazz duo in a restaurant, I can do some nice chords on it while guitar player solos and it sounds really nice. I always miss my ability to play chords when i'm back on my jazz bass. You'll love it! Takes a while for your right hand to adjust though because the strings are just so close together

[EVP]

if thats an ibanez SR506 or whatever, then I have the same bass. Its really nice, although the B string is a little unstable compared to the rest. I've been playing mine about a year, in loads of different gigs and its really handy when I play in this jazz duo in a restaurant, I can do some nice chords on it while guitar player solos and it sounds really nice. I always miss my ability to play chords when i'm back on my jazz bass. You'll love it! Takes a while for your right hand to adjust though because the strings are just so close together

Yes indeed it is the same bass. I just got done going through the setup and the neck only needed
a very minor adjustment. The D string had to be raised a hair. The only thing that was really off
was the intonation and I'm sure they just eyeball it considering how many of these puppies they
knock out in a day.  The action was dead nuts on according to what they say in the manual.
I may bring it down a bit more. The frets are fine for the most part although the 10th fret is
buzzing on the C string and I think a quick tap with my fret hammer should cure that.

I ran across an instructional video on youtube about proper right hand technique. I seem to
remember not having it down right when I had my other 6 string years ago. After playing
around for a few hours I seem to be getting it down now. I was sitting there in the chair
just thinking and I could not put the bass down! It was to the point of nodding off asleep
with it in my hands lol!

Too bad it arrived just as I'm back to work for a week straight. I could sit all day long
with this bass. I feel so inspired now!