Best 6-String Basses for Professional Recording 2026
Perfect 6-string basses for professional-recording - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 14, 2026 • Next update: January 21, 2026
#1
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Harley Benton BZ-6000 II NT
Professional Recording
Advanced Techniques
Solo Bass
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
Harley Benton BZ-6000 II NT6-String Electric BassDeluxe SeriesBody: Mahogany / Ash / Mahogany / AshTop: AAA flamed...
⭐
4.8/5
(6 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 521726
$604
#2
⭐
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
#3
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez SR5506-MHF Prestige
by
Ibanez
Extended Range
Jazz Fusion
Solo Bass
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Ibanez SR5506-MHF Prestige6-String Electric bassBody: MahoganyTop: Ovangkol5-Piece neck: Maple/WalnutFingerboard:...
⭐
4.7/5
(15 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606706
$3,079
#4
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez SRMS806-DTW
by
Ibanez
Progressive Rock
Solo Bass
Advanced Techniques
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Professional versatility
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Ibanez SRMS806-DTW6-String Multiscale Electric BassBody: OkoumeTop: Burl poplar5-Piece bolt-on neck: Jatoba /...
⭐
4.9/5
(54 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 557419
$1,264
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Sandberg California II TM6 BKB
by
Sandberg
Solo Bass
Professional Recording
Advanced Techniques
Key Feature:
• Solo bass performance capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Sandberg California II TM6 BKB6-String Electric BassAsh bodyMaple neckEbony fretboard34" Scale (long)22 Frets1...
⭐
4.6/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 376702
$2,749
#7
⭐
4.7/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Squier Affinity Jazz Bass VI BKM
by
Squier
Advanced Techniques
Solo Bass
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range with high C string
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
Squier Affinity Jazz Bass VI BKM6-String Electric bassBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian laurelPearloid...
⭐
4.7/5
(50 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 594258
$328
#8
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Squier CV Bass VI LRL BK
by
Squier
Advanced Techniques
Solo Bass
Extended Range
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Squier CV Bass VI LRL BKElectric Bass 6-String ModelClassic Vibe SeriesPoplar bodyMaple neckBolt-on neck...
⭐
4.6/5
(42 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 457333
$464
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
ESP LTD B206 Natural Satin
by
ESP
Extended Range
Solo Bass
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Solo bass performance capabilities
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
ESP LTD B206 Natural Satin E-Bass6-String Electric BassBody: AshTop: Spalted maple6-Piece neck: Maple/JatobaNeck...
⭐
4.8/5
(4 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 170171
$769
#11
⭐
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
#12
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Ibanez BTB606-TGF
by
Ibanez
Extended Range
Jazz Fusion
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✗ CONS
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
Ibanez BTB606-TGF6-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeTop: Poplar purl5-Piece neck-thru-body with graphite reinforcement...
⭐
4.8/5
(3 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 606737
$977
#13
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 6 NAT PF
by
Dingwall
Solo Bass
Extended Range
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Complex string spacing considerations
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Dingwall CB3 Combustion 6 NAT PF6-String Multiscale Electric BassBody: Swamp AshBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Pau...
⭐
4.7/5
(31 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 532781
$3,133
#14
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Warwick Pro Series Corvette Bubinga 6
by
Warwick
Advanced Techniques
Jazz Fusion
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Maximum extended range with high C string
✓ PROS
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
✗ CONS
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Warwick Pro Series Corvette Bubinga 66-String Electric BassBody: BubingaNeck: Bolt-on ovangkolFingerboard:...
⭐
4.5/5
(47 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
9/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 489044
$3,739
#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.
