Brice HXB-406 Quilted Long Scale

wickedstylez · 08-13-2005, 09:31 PM

Brice HXB-406 Quilted Long Scale Bass

List Price: $289.95
URL: http://www.rondomusic.net

Features: 4/5
# slim line, dual cutaway, contoured solid Alder body with matching headstock
# Long scale (35") helps reduce the "floppy B" commonly associated with 6 string basses.
# Highly figured Quilted finish
# String-thru-bridge design for maximum attack and sustain
# Active pickups with active/passive pull tap, bass, treble, balance and volume controls
# Separate battery compartment lets you change batteries quickly
# Bolt on Maple neck with adjustable truss rod and 6-bolts for incredible stability
# Rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and Abalone position makers
# All black die-cast hardware creates an incredible look
# Scale length is 35"
# Width of the neck at the nut: 2 1/8" at the 24st fret: 3 1/4"
# Overall length: 44 1/2" not including the strap button
# Pickup dimensions 1 3/8" x 4 3/8"
# String spacing is 3.5" at the bridge
# Actual Weight is only lbs 8.5 lbs

I give it a 4/5 only because it has no mid control.

Tone: 3.5/5
There's really one word to describe the tone of this bass: SMOOTH. Plugging this bass direct into my PC gives me a great natural tone. Playing with the balance/tone control on the bass enables me to get a really fat/"boomy"/slight muddy tone or a slight trebly tone, both of which are very smooth. This bass isn't great for slapping but I suppose it would sound alright run through a decent DI box and/or effects processor. However, it's great for tapping and fingerstyle. Using the balance control I can get a very nice slight trebly tone which is perfect for tapping without having to run through any sort of effects processor. I don't normally play with a pick but I would suggest changing the stock strings to something a little brighter if you prefer a pick and that may also help with the slap tone. The stock pickups aren't the best but worth the $320 I paid for the bass? Yes. Put some Seymours or Barts in this bass and it will scream.

Factory Setup/Shipping: 3/5
I'm a little bit disappointed with the body color, but that's just personal preference. If I could go back I'd get the natural bubinga or the natural quilted. The bass arrived pretty well packaged. The neck is flawless, however, the body does have a few very small dings/blemishes. They're not noticeable just by looking but noticeable if you run your hand across it. Not big enough to make a deal out of it though. The bass was playable out of the box but not to my standard. The action was too low and therefore buzzed quite a bit. The pickups also needed to be raised to increase the volume. So after a $45 semi-professional setup the bass is now working great.

Playability: 4/5
Other than the few things mentioned the bass plays great. I'm still not used to a 6'er as I mainly play 4 bangers but it has a nice feel to it. The neck is surprisingly smooth and fast. The bass also seems to be staying in tune.

Overall: 4/5
This bass is amazing for the price. I'm considering buying a 4 string from rondomusic as well and upgrading the pickups. For the price of this bass I expected to have many more major complaints but I'm actually very satisfied and only have a few minor complaints. I highly recommend this bass to anyone who wants more strings but doesn't want to spend much.

Here's some pics of the actual bass:

Linkinbassist · 08-13-2005, 09:33 PM

do Rondo music do International deliveries? cause they'd make much more money if they did...i want a Brice 6er, and this review helped a lot...

wickedstylez · 08-13-2005, 09:35 PM

The site says this:

"We ship anywhere in 50 United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. We do on occasion ship to Western Europe: Buyer is reponsible for customs duty and ups brokerage changes, which will be added to your bill on all export sales and is due upon receipt of order. Customs duty and brokerage charges (for orders outside the US) are not refundable for any reason. Orders shipped outside of the US and Canada are not refundable."

fathergoat · 08-13-2005, 09:51 PM

Good review, I just recently bought this bass aswell. My bass did come flawless and set up nicely, but did have one problem: there is rattling inside. Does yours have the same problem, I fixed mine but I would like to know if they all come like that?

But great bass and good review

wickedstylez · 08-13-2005, 10:01 PM

No mine doesn't rattle. I still get a little fret buzzing on the B and E strings but nothing like you're describing.

Crudd-Bucket™ · 08-14-2005, 02:19 AM

Can you post some actual pics of the bass?

wickedstylez · 08-14-2005, 03:58 AM

yea gimme a few minutes.

Machines · 08-14-2005, 06:39 AM

I like the body shape although im not keen on the dark grey finish.

Linkinbassist · 08-14-2005, 10:19 AM

How floppy is the low B on that long scale Brice?

Self Titled Bassist · 08-14-2005, 04:11 PM

^not very

wickedstylez · 08-14-2005, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Linkinbassist

How floppy is the low B on that long scale Brice?

it's actually pretty tight.

Crudd-Bucket™ · 08-17-2005, 12:44 AM

Quote:

How floppy is the low B on that long scale Brice?

Not as floppy as your mums flaps... it's a 35" scale, it eliminates the floppy B associated with most basses.

Alma · 08-17-2005, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crudd-bucket

Not as floppy as your mums flaps... it's a 35" scale, it eliminates the floppy B associated with most basses.

Nope, not always.

Crudd-Bucket™ · 08-19-2005, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Nope, not always.

Yes, in most cases

Crudd-Bucket™ · 08-30-2005, 04:42 PM

I got my Brice 2 days ago, and well I find the balance of the bass is HORRIBLE, it's so hard to control when playing because your trying to keep it from falling over. I have to wear a strap cause it doesn't have an ergonomically designed bottom flare to stay on your leg

Have you found this aswell? (anyone) or is this expected in 6 string basses? I've played a lot of 6 stringers and I don't remember me having to constantly lug the bass.

Machines · 08-31-2005, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crudd-bucket

Have you found this aswell? (anyone) or is this expected in 6 string basses? I've played a lot of 6 stringers and I don't remember me having to constantly lug the bass.

No problem with my Spector, nor the Yamaha / Warwick 6 strings I tried.

naut · 08-31-2005, 03:55 PM

i just got one and i'm very impressed with it.

naut · 08-31-2005, 03:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crudd-bucket

Can you post some actual pics of the bass?

here's some pics of mine, (if you're interested):

Crudd-Bucket™ · 08-31-2005, 07:01 PM

That Red quilt is a nice finish man! I'll get some pics up of mine soon, it's having it's EMG's installed

baggagebassman · 08-31-2005, 09:37 PM

Here's mine:

08-13-2005, 09:31 PM	#1
wickedstylez MX Warwick Club Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 405	Brice HXB-406 Quilted Long Scale Brice HXB-406 Quilted Long Scale Bass List Price: $289.95 URL: http://www.rondomusic.net Features: 4/5 # slim line, dual cutaway, contoured solid Alder body with matching headstock # Long scale (35") helps reduce the "floppy B" commonly associated with 6 string basses. # Highly figured Quilted finish # String-thru-bridge design for maximum attack and sustain # Active pickups with active/passive pull tap, bass, treble, balance and volume controls # Separate battery compartment lets you change batteries quickly # Bolt on Maple neck with adjustable truss rod and 6-bolts for incredible stability # Rosewood fretboard with 24 jumbo frets and Abalone position makers # All black die-cast hardware creates an incredible look # Scale length is 35" # Width of the neck at the nut: 2 1/8" at the 24st fret: 3 1/4" # Overall length: 44 1/2" not including the strap button # Pickup dimensions 1 3/8" x 4 3/8" # String spacing is 3.5" at the bridge # Actual Weight is only lbs 8.5 lbs I give it a 4/5 only because it has no mid control. Tone: 3.5/5 There's really one word to describe the tone of this bass: SMOOTH. Plugging this bass direct into my PC gives me a great natural tone. Playing with the balance/tone control on the bass enables me to get a really fat/"boomy"/slight muddy tone or a slight trebly tone, both of which are very smooth. This bass isn't great for slapping but I suppose it would sound alright run through a decent DI box and/or effects processor. However, it's great for tapping and fingerstyle. Using the balance control I can get a very nice slight trebly tone which is perfect for tapping without having to run through any sort of effects processor. I don't normally play with a pick but I would suggest changing the stock strings to something a little brighter if you prefer a pick and that may also help with the slap tone. The stock pickups aren't the best but worth the $320 I paid for the bass? Yes. Put some Seymours or Barts in this bass and it will scream. Factory Setup/Shipping: 3/5 I'm a little bit disappointed with the body color, but that's just personal preference. If I could go back I'd get the natural bubinga or the natural quilted. The bass arrived pretty well packaged. The neck is flawless, however, the body does have a few very small dings/blemishes. They're not noticeable just by looking but noticeable if you run your hand across it. Not big enough to make a deal out of it though. The bass was playable out of the box but not to my standard. The action was too low and therefore buzzed quite a bit. The pickups also needed to be raised to increase the volume. So after a $45 semi-professional setup the bass is now working great. Playability: 4/5 Other than the few things mentioned the bass plays great. I'm still not used to a 6'er as I mainly play 4 bangers but it has a nice feel to it. The neck is surprisingly smooth and fast. The bass also seems to be staying in tune. Overall: 4/5 This bass is amazing for the price. I'm considering buying a 4 string from rondomusic as well and upgrading the pickups. For the price of this bass I expected to have many more major complaints but I'm actually very satisfied and only have a few minor complaints. I highly recommend this bass to anyone who wants more strings but doesn't want to spend much. Here's some pics of the actual bass: Last edited by wickedstylez; 08-14-2005 at 04:11 AM.

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08-13-2005, 09:33 PM	#2
Linkinbassist And his bad-as Cat, yo!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Well, any number of place really...i could be in your house, could be at mine. However, if you wish to find me you must first find the clue map...After that, you're on your own... Posts: 7,096	do Rondo music do International deliveries? cause they'd make much more money if they did...i want a Brice 6er, and this review helped a lot...

08-13-2005, 09:35 PM	#3
wickedstylez MX Warwick Club Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 405	The site says this: "We ship anywhere in 50 United States, Puerto Rico and Canada. We do on occasion ship to Western Europe: Buyer is reponsible for customs duty and ups brokerage changes, which will be added to your bill on all export sales and is due upon receipt of order. Customs duty and brokerage charges (for orders outside the US) are not refundable for any reason. Orders shipped outside of the US and Canada are not refundable."

08-13-2005, 09:51 PM	#4
fathergoat Chicks dig my music. Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ajax, Ontario Posts: 1,636	Good review, I just recently bought this bass aswell. My bass did come flawless and set up nicely, but did have one problem: there is rattling inside. Does yours have the same problem, I fixed mine but I would like to know if they all come like that? But great bass and good review

08-13-2005, 10:01 PM	#5
wickedstylez MX Warwick Club Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 405	No mine doesn't rattle. I still get a little fret buzzing on the B and E strings but nothing like you're describing.

08-14-2005, 02:19 AM	#6
Crudd-Bucket™ . . . . . . . . . . . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia, Tasmania, Launceston Posts: 1,847	Can you post some actual pics of the bass?

08-14-2005, 03:58 AM	#7
wickedstylez MX Warwick Club Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 405	yea gimme a few minutes.

08-14-2005, 06:39 AM	#8
Machines MX Ashdown Club Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Solihull, UK Posts: 3,086	I like the body shape although im not keen on the dark grey finish.

08-14-2005, 10:19 AM	#9
Linkinbassist And his bad-as Cat, yo!!! Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Well, any number of place really...i could be in your house, could be at mine. However, if you wish to find me you must first find the clue map...After that, you're on your own... Posts: 7,096	How floppy is the low B on that long scale Brice?

08-14-2005, 04:11 PM	#10
Self Titled Bassist And as you look all around at the world in dismay, What do you see, do you think we have learned, Not if you're taking a look at the war-torn affray, Out in the streets where the babies are burned, There are time when I feel I'm afraid for the world, Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 365	^not very

08-30-2005, 04:42 PM	#15
Crudd-Bucket™ . . . . . . . . . . . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia, Tasmania, Launceston Posts: 1,847	I got my Brice 2 days ago, and well I find the balance of the bass is HORRIBLE, it's so hard to control when playing because your trying to keep it from falling over. I have to wear a strap cause it doesn't have an ergonomically designed bottom flare to stay on your leg Have you found this aswell? (anyone) or is this expected in 6 string basses? I've played a lot of 6 stringers and I don't remember me having to constantly lug the bass.

08-31-2005, 03:55 PM	#17
naut armed to the teeth. Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 15,885	i just got one and i'm very impressed with it.

08-31-2005, 07:01 PM	#19
Crudd-Bucket™ . . . . . . . . . . . . Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Australia, Tasmania, Launceston Posts: 1,847	That Red quilt is a nice finish man! I'll get some pics up of mine soon, it's having it's EMG's installed

08-31-2005, 09:37 PM	#20
baggagebassman Keep Cleaning The Mirror Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Unfortunately, not GSH Posts: 1,428	Here's mine: