About a month ago, a friend came to me wanting to upgrade from his Squier P Bass, which he’d used for years, to a six-string bass. That’s when the light bulb went off—I knew I had to help him make the best choice possible. I didn’t want him to regret it later or end up going back to his old Squier. As a guitarist and Fender fanboy for over two decades, I wanted to find his perfect six-string bass.

So, over the past month, I went down a rabbit hole, exploring all the options I could find. I scoured the internet for reviews and watched every YouTube video I could find to get a well-rounded perspective. I found a lot to love about old-school legacy models stapled in the six-string bass community and some premium new models.

Choosing the right six-string bass means balancing personal preferences with playability, tone, and stage presence. With that in mind, I compiled a list focused on finding the perfect bass to inspire my friend and you, whether you’re in the studio or on stage. This article covers all my findings, what types of players these basses are best for, whether they’re worth the price, and more.

These are my top picks, and each has earned its spot for a unique reason. After much searching, I found the nine best six-string bass guitars during my extensive research. But before we dive in, let’s chat about what the heck is up with the stigma around six-string basses in the first place.

Why Is There A Stigman Around Six String Basses?

The stigma around six-string basses has always been a bit of a head-scratcher for me.

As someone who’s spent a lot of time digging into different basses and understanding what they bring to the table, it’s baffling to see how much resistance there is to the idea of expanding beyond the traditional four strings. I get that some folks see the four-string as the gold standard—there’s a certain simplicity and groove that comes with it that’s hard to beat. But to me, writing off six-string basses as “too much” or “just a guitar with more strings” feels shortsighted.

I’ve noticed that much of the pushback comes from a place of tradition.

The four-string bass has been the backbone of so many iconic tracks, so anything beyond that can feel like overkill, especially to those deeply rooted in classic bass playing. I’ve heard the comments about how six-string basses are only for technical or “noodly” playing, and while I can see where that perception comes from, it misses the point. The six-string bass isn’t about showing off—it’s about expanding your musical palette and having more tools at your disposal.

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Personally, I’ve found that six-string basses open up a whole new world of possibilities. The extended range lets you explore both the low-end rumble and the high-end melodies in ways that just aren’t possible with four strings. It’s frustrating to think that some players might shy away from the six-string because of outdated stigmas or fear of judgment.

For me, it’s all about finding the instrument that best serves your creative vision, and if a six-string bass does that for you, then why not embrace it?

Music is about expression, and the tools you choose should help you do just that, regardless of what anyone else thinks!

So let’s dive into the list.

Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI

I will start this list with probably the most accessible six-string basses I’ve compiled—the Squire Classic Vibe Bass VI. It’s the most affordable from a price point perspective but also the most accessible from a cultural relevance perspective.

If anything, it’s a modern tribute to the original Fender Bass VI, an instrument first introduced in 1961 and made famous by some of my favorite musicians of that era (which we’ll talk about here in a second).

Here’s why I think it’s special:

  • Cultural Relevance: This bass was famously used by some of the biggest, most iconic musicians, like Jack Bruce from Cream and George Harrison from The Beatles. So, owning this one connects you to a significant piece of music history at a very affordable price.
  • Unique Tuning Options: The Squire Classic Vibe Bass VI is tuned from E to E, one octave lower than a standard guitar. This tuning lets you explore both bass and guitar ranges, making it an easy segue for guitarists who want to get into those lower bass sounds.
  • Wide Range of Tones: It’s equipped with three Fender-designed Alnico single-coil pickups and a unique switching system, giving you a massive tonal palette. The Squire Bass VI can easily handle it all, whether aiming for deeper bass tones or brighter guitar-style vibes.
  • Ready to Play: It comes stock with factory-installed nickel-plated steel strings (24-84 gauge) and is ready to play right out of the box. Considering the price point, it’s a fantastic entry-level six-string bass, and you won’t have to take it to the shop to get it up and running. It’s plug-and-play from the get-go.

So, regarding accessibility, both in terms of price and ease of use, the Squire Classic Vibe Bass VI stands out as the most accessible option on this list.

Learn More Here, and if you end up purchasing it (or anything else on this list), it’ll help our team our through our affiliate partnership with Sweetwater!

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Sire Marcus Miller F10 6-string Bass Guitar

For me personally, the Marcus Miller F-10 six-string bass guitar is one of the sexiest bass guitars on this list. It’s not just about the looks—this bass has features that make it a standout choice for serious players like myself. It combines stunning aesthetics with powerful performance, making it a top contender if you’re after a high-quality six-string bass.

Here’s why I think it’s special:

  • Five-Piece Neck-Through Design: Made from mahogany and hard maple, this design stands out. Not only does it look beautiful, but it also enhances sustain and resonance. I find it perfect for players like me who are looking for that powerful, lasting tone.
  • Not for Beginners: This bass is by no means a beginner’s instrument—not just because of the price point but also because of how unique its sustain and resonance are. It has a particular sound that I think is ideal for bass players after a particular tonality.
  • Modern, Simple Design: The bass has swamp ash wings and a poplar burl top. To me, this design isn’t just visually striking—it also ensures a balanced feel, making it ergonomic and comfortable whether I’m seated or standing. It’s great in the studio and also transitions well to the stage.
  • C-Neck Profile: The neck profile is designed for smooth and fast movements across the fretboard. Whether I’m playing rapid fills, slapping the strings, or tackling complex chords, this neck makes everything more accessible. This is further enhanced by the 12-inch radius ebony fingerboard with rolled edges, which, in my experience, offers a comfortable, high-performance playing experience.
  • Durable Stainless Steel Frets: The 24 stainless steel frets are durable and resistant to wear, which means I can keep playing this bass for years to come without worrying about the frets wearing down.
  • Dugal Marcus Pure H Revolution Pickups: This, in my opinion, is the real X-factor. These humbucking pickups deliver a powerful, full-bodied sound with amazing low-end punch and clear top-end definition. They significantly enhance the sustain, body, and resonance, giving the bass that iconic twang and pop that I really love.

For me, the combination of these pickups with the Heritage preamps creates a unique sound that truly shines for the right player. That’s exactly why I think this bass deserves its place on this list.

Learn More About It Here

Ibanez Bass Workshop SRC6MS

It would be impossible to write a list like this without including a bunch of bass guitars from Ibanez. While there are more to come on this list, I wanted to start with the Ibanez Bass Workshop SRC-6MS. The tonewood blend of this six-string bass delivers a lightweight, open body with incredibly bright, articulate highs and tight lows.

If you’re after a modern sound in your bass guitar, this one is definitely a top choice.

Here’s what I love about it:

  • Five-Piece Neck: The neck is made from jatoba and walnut, which not only ensures comfort and stability but also complements the overall tone of the bass. It’s a solid build that feels great in your hands.
  • Rosewood Fingerboard with Multi-Scale Frets: This feature really enhances the tension, playability, and intonation, allowing those tight, expressive highs to shine. It gives you plenty of room for inflection while playing, which I’ve found to be a big plus.
  • Electronics: The Bartolini BH2 pickups are a highlight for me. They deliver a balanced tone with clear mids and deep, punchy lows. The three-band active EQ with a mid-range switch offers a ton of flexibility and control. If you’re like me and want to boost the highs to help your slaps cut through on amps and larger systems, this EQ gives you all the control you need.
  • Advanced Hardware: The hardware on this bass adds to its modern feel. It includes some quality-of-life features that aren’t too common in six-string basses. The monorail bridge is a standout—each string is isolated with independent mini-bridges, which maximizes sustain and vibration transfer without any string crosstalk. This kind of tech has only become relevant in the past decade, and it’s amazing to see it in action, especially for a modern, nuanced sound.
  • Sleek, Modern Design: The black hardware and black sunburst finish give this bass an eye-catching, modern look. From head to foot, this bass addresses a lot of the challenges modern bass players face, all packed into a six-string format.

With Ibanez’s long-standing reputation as one of the best in the business, this bass is a no-brainer if you have the budget.

Learn More About It Here

Ibanez Bass Workshop SRMS806

See, didn’t I tell you there’d be a lot of Ibanez six-string basses on this list? The Ibanez Bass Workshop SR-MS808 is likely the next logical step up from the previous model.

Here’s What I Love About It

  • Body and Tone: The body is made from poplar burl and oak, giving it a fast, bright tone with a tight low end—exactly what I look for in a bass that’s perfect for live gigs.
  • Neck Construction: The five-piece neck, made from jatoba and walnut, feels incredibly comfortable and stable in my hands. It offers a well-rounded, balanced tonal response, which is why I consider it an industry standard, especially for live performances.
  • Premium Electronics: The SR-MS808 features Bartolini BH2 pickups, which I’ve found deliver a balanced tone with clear mids and deep, punchy lows. The three-band EQ with a mid-range switch gives me the control I need over the body and sustain to get just the right sound.
  • Sleek Design: I love its glossy black finish with a granite-like look—it’s stunning whether I’m on stage or in the studio.
  • Affordability: What surprised me most is that, despite all these premium features, it’s sitting just over $1,000. This one is much more approachable than other six-string basses, especially considering Ibanez’s reputation.

If you’re looking for a bass guitar that’s perfect for live gigs, this is one of the best options I’ve come across. It’s been a favorite among my colleagues in the industry when they’re up on stage.

Learn More About It Here

Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo 6HH

Every musician needs an aspirational instrument to strive for, and for me, the Ernie Ball Music Man Bongo S6HH is the gold standard—the golden goose of six-string bass guitars.

Here’s why:

  • Unique Design: This bass has an incredibly unique aesthetic. Despite its bulky appearance, it’s surprisingly lightweight, thanks to its resonant basswood body and sleek double cutaway, which makes accessing the upper register a breeze. It’s no surprise it was designed in collaboration with the BMW DesignWorks team. It’s easily one of the most unique-looking six-string basses on this list, but it’s not just about looks.
  • Form Meets Function: The Bongo’s design isn’t just for show—it’s one of the best-sounding bass guitars out there. It’s equipped with double humbuckers with neodymium magnets, an active 18-volt preamp, and a six-band EQ. This setup delivers an incredibly versatile tone, probably the most customizable of any six-string bass I’ve found.
  • Versatility: Whether you’re in the studio or on stage, the Bongo excels with top-of-the-line, noise-free signal handling. It’s perfect for live performances and is one of the most versatile bass guitars you can have. Whether you need deep, punchy lows for recording bass lines in deep house tracks, or more aggressive, slap-focused tones for funk and jazz, the Bongo’s tonal palette can handle it all—from rock to jazz, deep house, and everything in between.
  • Heritage and History: The Bongo isn’t just a great instrument; it’s a piece of music history. The Music Man’s heritage of innovation continues with this model, featuring pro-level components trusted by musicians like Dave LaRue, Flea, and many more. It’s a bass that has truly stood the test of time—not just for its design and performance, but for its unique aesthetic as well.

If you’re looking for the best of the best, the Bongo S6HH is the bass to reach for.

Learn More Here

Fender Vintera II ’60s Bass VI

I have a special soft spot in my heart for anything Fender-related. The guitar I learned to play on and started gigging with is a sunburst Fender Stratocaster that I’ve had for the better part of two decades now. So yeah, I’m a bit of a fanboy when it comes to Fender, but they’ve earned that reputation over many decades.

The Fender Vintera II 60s bass guitar continues that legacy. It offers a vintage feel with a modern sound inspired by the original bass guitars of the 1960s.

Here’s why it stands out:

  • Classic Meets Modern: The Vintera II blends that classic tone with modern performance. With a resonant alder body paired with a maple neck and rosewood fingerboard, it delivers some of the most balanced tones you’ll find in any six-string bass guitar.
  • Comfortable Playability: The mid-60s C-shaped neck offers a comfortable grip and smooth playability across all 21 vintage tall frets. Plus, the floating tremolo gives you a vintage-style adjustable tremolo tailpiece, allowing for expressive bends that add a new dimension to your bass playing.
  • Perfect for Guitarists: This bass is ideal for players transitioning from six-string guitars who want deeper, richer tones while keeping some of the guitar functionality they’re used to.
  • Iconic Fender Sound: Like all Fenders, what makes this bass so iconic and reliable is the trio of vintage-style pickups. These deliver sweet, near-sparkling highs and warm, woody lows, capturing the essence of Fender’s sound from the 1960s.
  • Timeless Aesthetic: The aesthetic appeal is undeniable. Fender doesn’t try to reinvent the wheel—they stick to what they know works, and it pays off. The classic offset body design and eye-catching finish truly capture the vintage soul of Fender, a style that has endured for a lifetime.

Okay, soiIt’s priced just under $1,300, so it’s not cheap but it’s a justifiable investment. That sky-blue finish is just so … Chef’s Kiss. There ain’t no other way to spin it.

Learn More Here

Dingwall Guitars NG3 Adam “Nolly” Getgood Signature

The Dingwall Guitars NG-3 Adam “Nolly” Getgood signature model is probably the freshest addition to this list, and it’s packed with modern features.

Here’s why it’s dope:

  • Solid Build: This bass has a solid alder body, a five-piece maple neck, and a slim C-profile. Like the other C-profile bodies on this list, it offers balanced tone, stability, and incredibly easy playability.
  • Standout Fretboard: The maple fingerboard, with a 9.45-inch radius and 24 frets, is where this bass really shines from a hardware standpoint. You’ll get smooth, accurate fretting, and the custom bridges and tuning machines—including Hipshot Ultralight tuners—guarantee precise intonation and tonal authenticity. It’s a modern bass built for precision.
  • Powerful Electronics: The NG-3 has FD-3N pickups and a Darkglass preamp. These three neodymium pickups paired with the Darkglass Tone Capsule preamp deliver a massive, articulate low end with extensive tonal controls. Whether you’re in the studio or playing live on smaller stages, this bass offers that roundness and punch you’re looking for.
  • Sleek Design: This bass’s sleek, modern look is due to the smoked chrome hardware and black dot inlays. It’s built for professionals—high-caliber players who need their gear to match their exceptional performance level.

From top to bottom, the NG-3 has everything a professional player would need: precision, power, construction, dynamics—you name it. This is a fresh, modern offering for today’s player, and it’s worth checking out if you’re serious about your craft.

Learn More Here

Spector Euro 6 LX

The Spectre Euro 6 LX is a fresh face in the market, definitely aiming for that pro-level bass guitar market—and the price tag reflects that. But honestly, you’re getting some serious bang for your buck with all the features, upgrades, and build quality that are packed into the Spectre Euro 6 LX.

Here’s what makes it stand out:

  • Major Upgrade: The Euro 6 LX takes a big step up from the Euro LX series, now featuring high-grade flame maple tops, eye-catching finishes, and the new Darkglass Design Legacy preamp. This preamp delivers incredibly fast low-end, crisp highs, and growls that cut through any mix with ease. Even on sub-heavy systems where the mid-range can often get lost, this bass still bites through and lets that groove be heard.
  • Boutique Quality: Spectre has a reputation for sleek, curvaceous body shapes, unmatched playability, and impeccable tone, and the Euro 6 LX is no exception. It truly lives up to the premium-level reputation that Spectre is known for.
  • Professional Hardware: The brass nut and aluminum locking bridge ensure better stability, top-notch sustain, and precise intonation that meets industry standards. The Ping tuning machines are also worth mentioning—they offer reliable tuning stability during performances, so you can stay locked in without constantly fiddling with your tuning.
  • Craftsmanship: Spectre is renowned for their craftsmanship, particularly their work in the Czech Republic, using some of the most premium materials on the market. The Euro 6 LX continues this legacy of innovation and quality, and it does so at a price point that’s more accessible than many of their other offerings.

So, while the Spectre Euro 6 LX does come with a hefty price tag, it’s definitely worth the investment. You’re getting a premium instrument that delivers on every front, and it’s arguably at a more accessible price than what Spectre has been known for in the past.

Learn More Here

ESP LTD B-206SM Bass Guitar

Alright, let’s bring this list full circle with the ESP-LTD B-206SM bass guitar. I say “full circle” because this one brings us back to the top with a very accessible price point, making it perfect for beginners who want a high-quality six-string bass that’ll last for years, even as they progress from beginner to intermediate, and eventually to an entry-level advanced player.

Here’s why this bass punches above its weight class:

  • Accessibility and Longevity: The B-206SM is a great investment for anyone serious about playing six-string bass. Unlike many entry-level options that you’ll likely outgrow, this bass has the features and quality to stay with you for years.
  • Pro Features and Eye-Catching Design: It’s got a satin-finish spalted maple top paired with an ergonomic ash body, delivering a warm and cutting tone that’s striking to look at and great to play.
  • Playability: The five-piece maple and jatoba neck with a bolt-on design and thin U-profile gives you snappy resonance and comfortable playability. The 350-millimeter radius rosewood fretboard allows for fast, accurate runs and smooth performance, giving you plenty of room to grow as you develop your speed and expressiveness.
  • Powerful Electronics: The SB-6 humbuckers and low-noise ESP pickups provide a moderate output that’s perfect for modern rock, metal, and fusion—genres where this bass really shines. While it might not be as versatile as some of the other basses mentioned, it’s perfect for these popular styles.
  • Reliable Hardware: The string-through-bridge design provides stability and adapts to various playing styles, while the black nickel hardware gives it a moody, professional look.

In all, the ESP-LTD B-206SM is an incredibly accessible bass guitar, great for anyone starting out on a six-string. It’s an investment that will pay off for years to come, taking you from beginner all the way to advanced levels. And when the time comes for your next upgrade, it’ll probably be one of those multi-thousand dollar six-string basses, but that’s five to ten years down the road. This is a solid starting point and definitely worth checking out.

The post The Best 6 String Basses: 9 Affordable and Premium Options Compared appeared first on Magnetic Magazine.