Cheap 6 String Bass Guitar For Sale (2024 Update)

Overall: I wandered into a national Music store chain one day in Oct 2016 and went straight to the used guitars that were hanging on the wall in the used section. I'm always trying to keep an eye out on a good used Music Man electric as I try to collect these fine instruments. That particular day there was pretty slim pickings so I wandered through amps, effects and I ended in the pass guitar section. (I do play bass but usually when I write my own tunes) and this 6 string bass caught my eye. It didn't look cheap so I asked one of the vultures hovering there ( employees, just doing their gig) what he could tell me about this bass. It was pretty light-weight, first impression, so he gave me the run-down on the thing and I asked him if I could put it through the paces that I knew and we plugged it into an Ampeg mini brute what ever it was called and began a 45 minute of exploration where I passed this through an extensive test regarding tone, intonation,ease of reaching pots, tome control, The bass boost, I checked out the spec's which were pretty tight on with what was written. The balance was great, ease of use overall in case I plan to take a 6 string bass to a gig and perform for 3 hours was good weight-wise. I was particularly impressed with the bright tome. I was impressed in the selection of pickups that were available with this instrument. I've been performing on stage since I was 8 years old but mostly on guitar. I understood first you are usually someone and I was tithe whoweEric

Overall: I bought this simply to see if I want to pursue playing a 6 string. Beyond a few brief encounters in music stores, I have not played one and opted to try the tried-and-true Ibanez brand. The price point had me a little scared but this was a great purchase. I don't expect to have this long being I will either continue on the 6 string, or it will be flipped into something else. This is my first Ibanez and I will likely give the higher end SR models a closer look regardless of string count. The Good: Price, the setup was perfectly playable out of the box, tone is decent, weight is good for a 6 string, the fret ends a dressed. The Bad: doesn't balance well (Raw leather strap helped), finish is thin and wood not worth keeping natural (wanted the black model but, out of stock), Odd EQC.j.

I had no trouble setting up this bass. I was able set the intonation perfectly. Even the low strings sustain pitch very well and were easy to tune. I added a slight relief to the neck, because there was a lot of string buzz. After this slight adjustment to the truss rods, there is only a buzz when playing hard on the bottom 3 frets of the lowest string. The action is still low and it is very easy to play (though I do have long fingers). The stock strings are very cheap. As someone else stated, I feel upgrading to higher quality strings may resolve the low B buzz issue. The tone is amazing thanks to the built in EQ bass boost. I found it easier to play harmonics than my other basses. Walking bass lines sound smooth and percussive playing sounds pro. This is my new favorite bass. I can't wait to play it with the band.Michael O

The Mikro bass plays, looks and sounds great. The extra-short scale length does not compromise the traditional bass tone it produces. I have played 6-string guitar for over 40 years, including many professional gigs and teaching. I own over a dozen topnotch guitars. But this is my first bass, and I chose Mikro on the recommendation of a trustworthy friend. I have been doing my own repair work on guitars for decades, and can say the Mikro bass is impressively well made, and arrived decently set up with new, good strings. Fret work, neck, nut, tuning machines, bridge, fingerboard, finish, electronics are all virtually flawless; and the tobacco sunburst color I chose looks really nice, with a "vintage" vibe. I replaced the stock chrome dome knobs (which are nice ones) with Gibson-style knobs so I can see numbers for volume and tone settings. I really like the tone of the Mikro, especially the "Precision" style pickup–the one closer to the neck, from which it's easy to get a classic P-bass tone in conjunction with the tone control, which also works great. Ibanez chose a great capacitor value for the tone knob. The bridge position ("Jazz" style) pickup is just OK–usable, and not bad, but nothing remarkable, and it's especially lackluster when used solo, without any of the P-style pickup dialed in. That is the only part of this bass, other than the knobs, I would consider upgrading in the near future (maybe also the potentiometers, but even those feel smooth and responsive out of the box). The satin-finish neck feels great, and is a breeze to play, even for someone like me, who is coming to the bass from years on guitar. The tuning stability of the Mikro is remarkably great. So the latest versions of the Mikro basses are a phenomenal bargain! I would not hesitate to recommend a Mikro to anyone considering moving from guitar to bass, or to someone with smaller hands. From what my bassist friends tell me, the Mikro is great for any bassist PERIOD.NYC Slide Guitarist trying bass

Overall: I've been playing for years, mostly Fenders, Tobias and a heavily modified Decca short scale from the 60s. This is my first Ibanez bass and I am blown away! I chose the brown burst finish, and took a chance on the "blemished" version. Been looking at it all day and I can't find any imperfection anywhere. Definitely wanted short scale, light weight and a fast neck, this one has all 3 and then some. Set up out of the box was close, very close, with only a slight fret buzz on the E string. A very small adjustment at the saddle took care of it. The stock pickups sound good, the tone knob has useful range, everything sounds quite good through everything I've played it through so far (Fender, Orange, antique Earth head, etc.). Overall, I couldn't be happier!Bryan

An utterly great bass overall. It's perfect for someone with a low budget, or someone who's new to learning bass. Also good for children or people with small hands since it's a short-scale. This was my first bass and I still play it a lot. Not only is it cheap, but it has a really good tone, a nice feel to it, and a beautiful orange finish (if that is the finish you chose). The only bad thing I have to say about this is that it got some fret buzz to it but in all honesty, it's not that bad. I love Ibanez basses, I own several and this one is absolutly great.Logan

I bought this bass because a friend had one that worked great and played great and I loved it. When I purchased mine I had it sent to my house. 5 days later and it comes in with busted knobs and I had to take it in for a refund. They had another in stock and I took it home. Well the second is busted too. Huge disappointment considering how much I enjoy playing this bass. Absolutely unreliable and I won't be getting a third one.James

Pros: This is a beautiful neck-through bass with a luscious satin mahogany body, and matte gold hardware. 5 control knobs – volume, pickup selector/tone, then 3 band EQ. Stays in tune. Great tone. Cons: The active pickups/EQ require TWO 9v batteries! Don't need changing often though (like every few years, playing 2 hours a week). The matte gold hardware is prone to some mild patina formation. In some electronic environments you get a bit of hiss from the pickups. I think fluorescent lights contribute to this. Mitigated by turning down the treble EQ knob, and fixed if your sound guy kills the highs on the mixer.blueflame1611

Overall: Absolutely BEAUTIFUL looking 5-string bass!!!! In your hands, in your sight, and in your lap, this guy is stunning. Stunning to look at and to handle. Schecter really nailed it on the Stiletto series. That low B sting is what I have been looking for in a bass for a while now. I mostly am into classic rock & country type of stuff. But I am also into 70's funk like Stevie Wonder. The low B is a MUST for old school funk and reggae. When I first got the guitar, it was way out of tune and every string vibrated like mad. So when you first get your guitar from zZounds, it is not set up. That is a chore for the end user. Which is great because a musician should not have to be completely reliant on a "professional" tech in order to perform basic comprehensive maintenance on their instrument. So, I emailed zZounds requesting some help and advice from them for the proper setup of my newly bought bass. As quick as that, they replied with a bunch of links to help me get myself up to speed. After reviewing the guides, I was able to tune my bass and set the truss rod properly. Now my Stiletto sounds dang near perfect! To be honest, I am not that great of a player. I do have a musical background, but I am pretty new on the bass. But I can tell you that the more I practice with this guy and listen and appreciate its wonderful sound through the Markbass I'm using, the more I am happy with this purchase. TL;DR Excellent instrument. Excellent fitment of components (this guy was assembled in Indonesia) Marvellous to feel and to hold Emits beautifully clear, super deep bass notes Wish I knew about Schecter's stuff before I dropped over 2K on my LĀKLAND 😉Billy

I now own 5 solid body neck-throughs: Two 4003's, two Warwicks, and this Schector, which just arrived yesterday. I don't think I'm a good enough expert to sit and analyze each bass's pros and cons, and then try them out with a bunch of different amp/speaker combinations. That's what they pay the guys at Bass Player for. All I can say is I haven't stopped grinning about this Studio-4 since I opened the box. Easy playability, excellent build quality, sexy looks, and a good, loud, punchy sound. What's not to like ? I will say this: The EQ knobs don't do a wide range of tone-shifting. The EMG pickups are very bright, modern-sounding, and with the stock Ernie Ball RW strings, that's exactly what I wanted. Plenty of glass up top, and a bit (maybe a bit too much) at the bottom. If you're looking for P-bass thud-thud Motown sound, my first thought is this may not be your best bet, although with flatwounds it would probably be within dial-able range on your rig. The rest is all good, and this would make a great bass for a student, a working bassist or the dedicated hack (that's me). If you're a world-famous bass soloist, this may not necessarily be the axe you'd take the stage with, but I'm betting you'd spend lots of time practicing your moves on it. It will keep up. One more thing. It arrived set up as nicely as I've ever seen, right out of the box.doc

This is a great bass for all levels. Ibanez basses are all great instruments. A purchase more than worth the money, including the 306E. I have gigged with the bass multiple times. Very impressed with the tone and versatility of the bass. The width of the neck is great. The bass overall is very easy to play. Well worth the money.Lamont Gridiron

This bass exceeded my expectations! I already own other Ibanez basses and I knew I wouldn’t be disappointed, but this one blew my mind, due to the low price; the combination of tones you can get is incredible! Highly recommended!Berg

I recently recieved my LTD B-206SM and absolutely love it. It is well constructed, solidly built, and heavy. It has a incredible thick, punchy tone. The controls give a variety of tonal capabilities. Because of the mass of the body and 6 strings, I would suggest getting a large FretWrap to cut down on string vibration. If you play standing up, I would also suggest getting a wide, padded bass strap such as the Gruv Gear Neo 4" strap. I sit down most of the time when playing, but use a wide strap anyway. The case in my photo is the Ibanez MRB500C and it fits perfectly. The B-206SM is an excellent bass and an incredible value with a not too high price. I would recommend it highly.RJD

I've had one for about a year and a half and I can't say enough about this beautiful beast. I got it because I wanted to have one bass flexible enough to provide any tone I'd need for 4 hours of rock/blues/country covers. With some 6 string basses, the output and tone can be terribly inconsistent from string to string, particularly if you have a run that uses all 6 of them. This one, however, has an extremely focused and consistent tone and level no matter where you are on the neck. Playing power chords on the 3 treble-side strings sounds clean and almost guitar-like. I'm a tech and a luthier, so naturally when I buy a bass, I go over it with a fine-toothed comb, adjusting and looking for inconsistencies. The setup was already near-perfect and the cavities are tidy and well-shielded and grounded. Yes, it's heavy. It's a serious bass that uses its weight well. strap balance is great, and i got used to the weight and enjoyed the sustain and resonance that solid weight can bring. There are basses with higher end preamps, more sensitive pickups, more exotic woods, but you will not find a better one than this for twice the money. Exceptional finish, build, balance, broad palette of tones, sustain, and playability. Not to mention the wow factor every time someone new sees it. The price has gone up since I bought it, so pick one up before ESP wises up and charges what it's worth.Jamison

Fantastic bass guitar, great for scales and solos. Very thin neck for a 6-string and beautiful colours. Feels great to play, surprisingly better feel with the fan frets. Awesome !!! 😃Reviewed by Andertons Music Co.

Overall: I'm a guitar player that switched to bass 20 years ago. I've missed the ability to play full chords and solo in a range that can be easily heard. I tune this bass an octave lover than guitar with the same string relationships. Low E, not B. This bass allows me to do that with no set up issues. If youre coming from a 4 string this will be a wide neck, but 5 string users will adust. It's well balanced and finely finished. LONG REACH TO 1ST FRET ON LOWEST STRING, which is F for me, but I can get it. The fan fret design probably helps to keep string tension equal. I have a Novax (Ralph Novak invented the fret system) so I'm okay with it.Jeff

Sweet! Awesome! Possibilities are endless with the controls and far reaching neck. I've owned 5 fretless basses, including a 5 string Warwick, which had the best sound… until now. This is by far the best sounding fretless of them all. Very light weighted, easy on the neck; the intonation and action were perfect for me, right out of the box. The low B plays perfectly, all around the neck, no buzzing! It looks and sounds like it costs much more than a grand. AMS easy paying opportunity makes it a dream come true.Berg

I bought this bass last fall when I decided to get back into fretless after a few years' layout. I'd bought a Fender MIM Jazz fretless from a guy who obviously couldn't play it and that totally relit my interest in fretless bass. I was interested in 6 string bass for a while and decided to buy one. The neck thru design is really light but it resonated well and the instruments balance is great, not at all neck divey with a good strap. The low B is not flabby sounding or feeling. Notes almost seem to leap off the board. I'm not ordinarily crazy about flats, but they really work on this instrument and when it comes time to change I'll put flats back on. Truth be told I had some buyer's remorse, though: The board is really wide (it's a 6 string) and it's unlined. This took some getting used to—I'm pretty much fine on the B to D strings up through the second octave but my upper neck higher string string playing is still a work in progress—but it was so, so worth it. (That said, I do wish it had upper neck dots to help with intonation.) I'm playing it in a six piece blues rock band (guitar/guitar/keys/bass/drums, plus vocalists, including me sometimes), which seems like an odd use for a fretless bass with a piezo and Bartolinis. I'd been playing the Fender, but decided I should play the Ibanez to get used to it and the tones were immediately right on. It sits under everybody perfectly and really helped remove the mud we've been working so hard to eliminate. I play it into a Tech 21 Para Driver 2 preamp into a bass amp set flat, which gives plenty of control over the sound along with the onboard controls, which are super low noise and easy to use. I get a lot of mileage playing lines up the neck. This really helps me avoid long stretches, which both helps with intonation and keeping a more relaxed fingering hand. I'm getting to play the money notes but with much less arm reach and hand tension. Next time I play jazz this should be fantastic, especially as my intonation on the high strings improve.Jay in NYC

My first fret-less bass. This thing is not anywhere near as heavy as I had expected compared to other 6 string bass guitars; This bass is actually very… medium-light in terms of weight. I kind of went out on a limb here because I like the fret-less sound but was slightly intimidated because I didn't have access to a fret-less and therefore couldn't try one out before purchasing. Well, if you have ever played guitar with a slide, it's easier to pick up than that. The markers on the side of the fretboard are more than enough guidance. It's super comfortable to play both sitting and standing. Out of the factory box with the stock setup, the B string gives me some buzz after tuning the instrument up but it is not noticeable when plugged in and can most likely be overcome with a minor adjustment. Lately, I'm impressed all the time by the quality of Indonesian made instruments. If I didn't know the price of the SRF706 and someone asked me to guess, I'd probably guess somewhere in the neighborhood of $1200-$1500. I would like to see the SRF706 available in a more vibrant, aesthetically pleasing color. Other than that, I have no issues with it.SLICC_

Light, with all the punch and sound of a more expensive bass. Good for a beginning or experienced 6 string player. Price is right.Bruce

This is my 3rd 6 String bass and definitely my favorite so far. I started to buy something about half the price, but I'm glad I spent more money because the quality of this instrument Is solid as a rock. Just turning the volume and tone nobs you can feel they used high end electronics. The switches are also very playable if you wanna take a beat high to low while playing. I can definitely tell where my extra money went… I'm Very Pleased!Charles H.

Sound: I was impressed by the sounds I could get from this little beast. I'm a pretty heavy handed finger style player (I've always had a heavy attack), but I could hear the differences every time I alternated pickups, adjusted the EQ, and flipped the "Power Tap" switch. This thing offers a lot of sound for very little money! Features: As stated, the thin fast neck of this bass is amazing. I have smaller than average sized hands, so the slimmer design is really comfortable for me. The PowerSpan dual coil pickups are really decent sounding for what they are. The "Power Tap" switch is what sold me on it. After some knob twiddling, trial and error, I found a really nice warm, but heavy sound that I enjoy. Also, the ease of access to the battery compartment is a nice feature as well – no screwdriver needed! Ease of Use: Ease of use is great! Plug it in and play 😉 Seriously though, my stepfather is a guitarist by nature, and even he's remarked at how nice it plays and how nicely the knobs freely turn to dial in the sound you are looking for. Quality: I was impressed by the overall quality of this instrument for the price. I own and play "higher end" basses (Warwick's, Ibanez SR Premium's, etc.), and the quality of this is bass is almost as nice as my SR Premium at a fraction of the cost. Of course it had a few things that needed some tweaking out of the box, but overall I am very pleased with the product. You could spend a lot more and get a lot less (I have anyways…). I guess there's a reason I keep coming back to Ibanez basses. Value: The Ibanez SR300E is considered by most to be a beginner bass. I get that. Yet, for the price, you will be hard pressed to find something with better quality and features. If you are new to bass, or need a backup for your regular player, I would highly recommend the SR300E. I see it becoming my regular player because of it's features and sound. And hey… If something were to ever happen to it at a gig in one of those "seedy" venues, I could easily replace it and not be too upset about the price. Manufacturer Support: I've never had to deal with Ibanez directly, but I have dealt with zZounds a few times and their customer service is wonderful! Friendly, knowledgeable, and courteous. Those are the things that make me a repeat offender to this site! The Wow Factor: This bass is a lot of bang for the buck! I love the look of the black hardware on the weathered black finish. When my girlfriend gave me the "Oh no. Did you buy another bass?" look – even she had to admit the weathered black finish was sexy looking. Ha! Overall: I originally bought an Ibanez SR300E Iron Pewter as a gift for a member of my family who took an interest in playing the bass. When it arrived I took it out of the box to tune it and give the action a little tweaking. Of course, being a bass player myself, I had to give it a try to see how well it played. I was in shock and awe by how well it played and sounded. The neck was extremely comfortable; very thin and fast! It felt like this thing could play itself. After playing it for a few days, (and a few times since), I was so amazed by it that I had to come back to order one for myself (Weathered black – that black hardware on black bass just looks so good).Jason

I'm a 40+ year working bass player. Previously I had owned an Ibanez BtB and loved it, then traded it for a Warwick, which was cool, and definitely fashionable too. Ended up having several shoulder surgeries and a major spinal surgery in my neck, (I set off metal detectors now), also gathered a pile of some rather large medical bills in the process, so the Warwick had to go to pay the bills, so I decided to retire in order to heal up for awhile. Lately, sitting at home doing nothing and waiting for the pandemic to end. I decided it was time to get another bass, and decided to start playing again. Since I had worked at a local music store for years as a guitar tech I was familiar with the Ibanez SR Series, so when I found this here I knew this had to be the "one" because of the price and me being familiar with the SR Series, (we were an Ibanez dealer). I love the color, the feel of the thin neck and the active electronics. With the 3 way tap switch, volume/tone/pickup splitter knobs you can get an amazing number of sounds out of this instrument, from floor shaking lows to twinkling clear highs. The color was nice, the neck felt good and the price was definitely right. It also arrived with a decent set up, not great, but better than many others I have seen, so as a retired guitar tech I lowered the strings a bit, tweaked the truss rod, worked on the intonation and it was ready set go! If only my callouses would come back that easy everything would be golden.I would definitely recommend this as a great beginner instrument, and also as capable of being a suitable gigging instrument.Sonny

I am Loving my new Ibanez SR300E Bass. As a female Rock bassist, I needed to find a lightweight, slim bass that still packed a punch, and this baby does all that I've asked of her. Lovely deep tone, well balanced and responsive, the active electronics are on point, the lead stays put, and as for the colour… WOW! My husband, the drummer, is also really impressed at how well she locks in with the groove. Excellent delivery times from PMT, ordered on line and it arrived within 3 days. Very happy.Sammy T.

Found the width of the fretboard to be perfect, 6 strings tent to be too wide, a little on the heavy side, but with all the options tone wise and the beautiful wood finish, there's more pluses to love.Art Rom

This bass has become one of my favorite bass. Im really impressed with the shorter neck for faster actions, the smooth frets, its weight and length. Its so much easier to go up and down the frets. Believe me I’ve compared this bass to my higher end bass guitars and I’m still more impressed with this Bass. Great harmonics, great for slap and thump bass. Overall a great bass.Muzic2yourears

This is the most beautiful bass I have seen. The shape, color, style…. perfection! Thank you Ibanez you outdid it with this one ❤️Amaysoner5

I have had three IBANEZ bass guitar and i have to say BTB 746 is fantastic this one is my bass of choice so far great low and high light and comfortable to playElder EH PrattJr

I have been playing a 5 string for the past 4 years or so. My bass right before this one was the Ibanez Srff805. Though the neck is wider on the srac806 there wasnt much of an adjustment to the 6. I thought i'd miss the strings often while playing due to the spacing or get lost on Which key i was in buuut the transition was pretty easy and the neck plays pretty well like most ibanez necks in my opinion. I would recommend trying ibanez basses for anyone who hasnt reallt played then before especially for extended range basses. They are really good at extended range instrumentsClaysherr

What can I say. This bass has an amazing range of tones. The neck through design gives it a great mid range punch, and also keeps it from being too heavy at the headstock. The built in EQ system does the job, but it is also nice that you can bypass it in favor of your own EQ as well. All and all a great bass for the price.Colin

It is a great six string bass, no problems in any fashion. Easy to play, good dynamics and the quality is typical Ibanez- a lot of bass for the money!Ice

I'm not a musician but I work with Mike and his team on a professional level. I'm honestly blown away and amazed at the quality and craftsmanship of their instruments. Mike and his team are just top notch through and through!Chris Wirth

Great idea for a custom maker to offer a production model at a lower price point. This bass is not inexpensive but the quality and playability are very high. The asymetrical neck carve is very comfortable and actually helps my fretting hand stay in proper position. Pickups and electronics are very good with a wide range of sound adjustment for most any style. I mess round with a bit of every kind of music, but mostly play contemporary praise and worship. It gives me all the variety of sound I've needed so far. Inside there are lots of wires, so I probably won't try any modifications. The quick release bridge works well for quick string changes. On mine, anything bigger than a .130 low B string will need to have a tapered end to fit. Tuners work well and hold tune well. String spacing at the bridge is actually 18mm on the 6-string and 19mm (3/4") on the 4 and 5-string basses. I would have preferred 19mm for my big hands and lack of skill, especially for slapping and to be the same spacing as my Jazz bass, but the spacing is still wider than most 6-stringers if that is important for you. The appearance and finish are first-class. It looks absolutely beautiful! Everywhere I take it, even non-musicians want to look at it. Maybe it is the burled/spalted(?) maple top. The only negative for me is that the balance is a bit neck-heavy. However a little bit of weight in the electronics cavity and a suede strap keep it in place fine. I bought mine used and e-mailed the U.S. distributor who contacted Mr. Tobias who offered to help if I was unable to work out the balance. They stated that their basses are known for not being neck heavy. Maybe I had one with a heavier neck and lighter body. Not sure as I've never been able to play another one. Total weight, however is noticeably lighter than my Fender Jazz 24. Over all though, this is easy to play, sounds great and catches people's attention. If the balance was better then this would be a perfect bass for what I need. I probably will never pay this much for another bass, but would do it again for one of these!Music lover-o5rF1

Ordered a Warwick Corvette B-stock. That is what I got. Blemish was identified with tape arrow. Minor crack in finish at neck joint. Super hard to see. I had to do the set up for string height, neck relief and saddle height which was easy with the instructions and the multi adjustable bridge, nut and truss rod. I didn't feel a need to adjust the nut. Maybe a first timer would be reluctant to adjust their new bass but I think try it, you're not going to hurt it unless you crank really hard on something. Package came double boxes and labeled "fragile". It was a good thing too because there was a 1" diameter hole in the outer box. Other than that the boxes was in great shape. guitar was wrapped carefully with factory wrapping. Shipping was a little longer than I am used to (about a week from day I ordered to day I got it) but it came from across the country. Great experience.Mjbehrendt

Overall: Hopefully this review helps? For starters, the bass is assembled out of Indonesia but don't let that scare you you away. Warwick lives up to its standards, and this afordable model is a true testament on what Warwick basses are all about. I purchased the natural model and the wood alone is amazing! It's got a nice weight to it and the neck is smaller in width compared to other basses. The humbucker pickups makes this bass a beast sound wise. Incredible for slap players. It has three knobs that control the pick ups to a sound you're comfortable and happy with. You can pull the knobs upward and push down so you have full control of the pickups. The bass is passive so no need to worry about purchasing a 9 volt battery. It also comes with the lock strap hardware and tools to for adjustment. You may want to adjust the bridge because the strings have a slight buzz, and don't forget to stretch out the strings that come with the bass. Overall, the bass is built with pride and it does not dissapoint! For those that can't afford the German models, this is definitely the best 2nd alternative for those who want a Warwick.Dino