Best 6-String Basses for Intermediate 2026
Perfect 6-string basses for intermediate - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Harley Benton BZ-6000 II NT w/Bag
Extended Range
Advanced Techniques
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Harley Benton BZ-6000 II NT w/Bag*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton BZ-6000 II NT*6-String Electric Bass*Deluxe...
⭐
4.5/5
(34 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581011
$622
#2
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Music Man Bongo 6 HH Stealth Black
by
Music Man
Advanced Techniques
Extended Range
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range with high C string
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
Music Man Bongo 6 HH Stealth Black6-String Electric BassBody: BasswoodBolt-on neck (5-bolt): MapleFingerboard:...
⭐
4.9/5
(30 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 589749
$3,684
#3
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Torillo Shevette 6 Double Cut Pom
by
Torillo
Solo Bass
Professional Recording
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Torillo Shevette 6 Double Cut Pom6-String Electric BassBody: Sapele PomeleBolt-on 3-piece neck: Maple/Amaranth with...
⭐
4.5/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 557782
$4,179
#4
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez GSR206B-WNF
by
Ibanez
Advanced Techniques
Professional Recording
Solo Bass
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Ibanez GSR206B-WNF6-String Electric BassBody: MahoganyNeck: MapleFretboard: JatobaWhite dot fretboard inlays22 Medium...
⭐
4.5/5
(39 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 356134
$395
#5
⭐
4.4/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Sandberg California II SL TT 6 BK MN
by
Sandberg
Progressive Rock
Jazz Fusion
Solo Bass
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range with high C string
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✗ CONS
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
Sandberg California II SL TT 6 BK MN6-String Bass GuitarThe SL series features a very light bodyPaulownia bodyMaple...
⭐
4.4/5
(11 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 477480
$2,969
#6
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Warwick Masterbuilt Thumb SC NOF 6
by
Warwick
Progressive Rock
Professional Recording
Advanced Techniques
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Complex string spacing considerations
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Warwick Masterbuilt Thumb SC NOF 66-String Electric BassBody: Swamp ashTop: Bubinga PommeléNeck-throughbody neck:...
⭐
4.7/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 559798
$8,799
#7
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Cort A6 Plus FMMH
by
Cort
Extended Range
Professional Recording
Solo Bass
Key Feature:
• Guitar-like chord possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
Cort A6 Plus FMMH6-String Electric BassBody: MahoganyTop: Flamed maple5-Piece neck-through-body: Maple/Panga...
⭐
4.8/5
(44 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 471057
$989
#8
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez BTB866SC-WKL
by
Ibanez
Solo Bass
Professional Recording
Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range with high C string
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Complex string spacing considerations
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Ibanez BTB866SC-WKLElectric Bass6-StringBody: Ash / OkoumeTop: Ash5-Piece neck-through-body: Maple/ WalnutFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(16 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 568660
$1,264
#9
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez SR3506-BK Prestige
by
Ibanez
Extended Range
Jazz Fusion
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Guitar-like chord possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
Ibanez SR3506-BK Prestige6-String Electric BassBody: AshBolt-on 5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard: RosewoodMother...
⭐
4.4/5
(46 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606718
$2,749
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez SR1426B-CGL
by
Ibanez
Advanced Techniques
Jazz Fusion
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✗ CONS
- • Complex string spacing considerations
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Ibanez SR1426B-CGL6 String Electric BassSR SeriesBody: African mahagonyTop: flamed maple5-Piece bolt-on neck: Panga...
⭐
4.8/5
(51 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 581912
$1,682
#11
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Ibanez BTB25TH6-SLM
by
Ibanez
Progressive Rock
Professional Recording
Solo Bass
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Ibanez BTB25TH6-SLM6-String Electric BassBTB seriesBody: Okoume5-Piece neck-thru-body: Maple / WalnutFingerboard:...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 581824
$1,407
#12
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Squier CV Bass VI LRL BGM
by
Squier
Advanced Techniques
Professional Recording
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Complex string spacing considerations
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
Squier CV Bass VI LRL BGM6-String Electric BassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelPearloid block...
⭐
4.9/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 615266
$571
#13
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive Bundle
Progressive Rock
Extended Range
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive Bundle*Bundle offer comprising*, Harley Benton B-650 Black Progressive...
⭐
4.5/5
(2 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 570668
$248
#14
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Warwick GPS Thumb BO 6 NT
by
Warwick
Progressive Rock
Solo Bass
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Guitar-like chord possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
- • Complex string spacing considerations
Warwick GPS Thumb BO 6 NT6-String Electric BassBody: OvangkolNeck: OvangkolFretboard: WengeScale: 34" (Long...
⭐
4.7/5
(53 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 364230
$3,629
#15
⭐
4.7/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Ibanez BTB946-COL
by
Ibanez
Progressive Rock
Solo Bass
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Guitar-like chord possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
Ibanez BTB946-COL6-String Electric BassBody: Okoume/ AshTop: Poplar burl5-Piece neck-thru-body with graphite...
⭐
4.7/5
(14 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 606732
$1,594
How to Choose the Best 6-String Basses
Budget Planning
- • Under $200: Entry-level
- • $200-$500: Intermediate
- • $500-$1000: Advanced
- • $1000+: Professional
Quality Check
- • Sound clarity & tone
- • Build materials & finish
- • Hardware durability
- • Overall craftsmanship
Key Features
- • Your musical style
- • Skill level match
- • Intended use case
- • Brand reputation
Frequently Asked Questions
Key factors include build quality, sound characteristics, playability, brand reputation, warranty coverage, and value for money. Consider your musical style, skill level, and intended use to find the best match.
Budget depends on your needs and experience level. Beginners can find quality options for $200-500, intermediate players should consider $500-1500 range, while professionals often invest $1500+ for premium features.
Higher-priced 6-string basses typically offer better materials, craftsmanship, and performance. They're worth it if you're serious about music, perform regularly, or need professional-grade features.
Top brands combine quality, innovation, and reliability. We evaluate brands based on build quality, sound performance, durability, and customer satisfaction to recommend the best options for different budgets.
Both have advantages. Online offers better prices and selection, while stores allow hands-on testing. We recommend researching online first, then testing in stores if possible. Many online retailers offer excellent return policies.
