Hey everyone, I've been playing bass for a little over a year now. I intend to upgrade to an extended range instrument, but am unsure as to selection. I currently use an Affinity series Fender Jazz (four string, of course). I'm very satisfied with the instrument as a whole, and can acquire a five-string variant of it for around $325 (budget is an issue). This is the current plan.

However, I do see an appeal in six-strings and don't expect to purchase another instrument after this. Does anyone have any suggestions for a cheap (under $500) six-string bass? I'm not looking for a particularly "heavy" tone, but a more balanced and mid-dominant one.

Thanks in advance, cheers.

You are going straight from a 4 string to 6 string?

Ibanez SDGR 6's would probably suit you quite well, they have a Mid-frequency knob, which obviously adds loads more tone options to the 3-band EQ on the bass.

Not entirely sure what mine sounds like to be honest, in the 3+ years I've had it, I've never found a shop that does strings for them. It's certainly bassy enough to get a nice fuzzy sound with overdrive.

Just a suggestion, if you've a store nearby where they let you try out the guitars, play a six string as much as you can. Getting used to the extra strings will take a while and depending on how big your hands are, could never happen.

I did try out a Peavy six-string and it was just too big (I do have small hands). Settled upon a five-string J-bass.