Best 6-String Basses for Progressive Rock 2026
Perfect 6-string basses for progressive-rock - easy to play and learn on
Last updated: January 7, 2026 • Next update: January 14, 2026
#1
⭐
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
#2
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Squier LTD CV Bass VI Antigua
by
Squier
Extended Range
Progressive Rock
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Guitar-like chord possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Advanced tapping and chording techniques
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Steep learning curve from 4-string
- • Limited availability compared to 4/5-string
Squier LTD CV Bass VI Antigua6-String Electric BassLimited editionClassic Line SeriesBody: PoplarBolt-on neck:...
⭐
4.8/5
(32 reviews)
Sound:
8/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
8/10
Art. 589757
$549
#3
⭐
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
#4
⭐
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
#5
⭐
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
#6
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Squier CV Bass VI LRL 3TS
by
Squier
Jazz Fusion
Progressive Rock
Professional Recording
Key Feature:
• Advanced tapping and chording techniques
✓ PROS
- • Guitar-like chord possibilities
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Squier CV Bass VI LRL 3TS6-String Electric BassClassic Vibe seriesBody: PoplarBolt-on neck: MapleFingerboard: Indian...
⭐
4.8/5
(22 reviews)
Sound:
9/10
Build:
8/10
Value:
7/10
Art. 457332
$472
#7
⭐
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
#8
⭐
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
#9
⭐
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
#10
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Ibanez GSR186-PW
by
Ibanez
Advanced Techniques
Professional Recording
Jazz Fusion
Key Feature:
• Professional versatility
✓ PROS
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
- • Professional versatility
✗ CONS
- • Complex string spacing considerations
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
Ibanez GSR186-PW6-String Electric BassBody: OkoumeNeck: MapleFingerboard: PurpleheartNeck profile: GSR6Fingerboard...
⭐
4.9/5
(48 reviews)
Sound:
7/10
Build:
7/10
Value:
9/10
Art. 620890
$329
#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
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Marleaux Contra 6 H. Jung
by
Marleaux
Extended Range
Jazz Fusion
Progressive Rock
Key Feature:
• Guitar-like chord possibilities
✓ PROS
- • Maximum extended range with high C string
- • Solo bass performance capabilities
✗ CONS
- • Specialized setup and maintenance needed
- • Very wide neck requires significant adjustment
Marleaux Contra 6 H. Jung6-String Electric BassHeiko Jung signature modelBody: MapleTop: Spruce3-Piece neck-thru-body:...
⭐
4.6/5
(26 reviews)
Sound:
10/10
Build:
10/10
Value:
6/10
Art. 541988
$11,319
#13
⭐
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
#14
⭐
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
#15
⭐
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
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.
