The Ibanez MDM1606 6-string bass pairs boutique-level craftsmanship with extended-range versatility, delivering massive low-end authority with a refined, custom-shop feel. Part of Ibanez’s Mode Series, the MDM1606 brings a refined modern approach to the timeless J-style bass. At the heart of its sound is a striking poplar burl top paired with a resonant alder body—a combination that ensures the low B stays tight and focused while allowing the added high string to speak with definition and balance. The roasted maple neck and rosewood fingerboard offer a rock-solid, responsive platform for technical playing, while Ibanez Delta S6J pickups and the Sonitech preamp let you sculpt anything from a deep, vintage growl to high-definition modern snap. Built for players who refuse to choose between stunning aesthetics and raw performance, the MDM1606 is an all-in-one powerhouse designed for the stage and the studio alike.
Poplar Burl Top and Alder Body for Depth, Balance and Striking Visual Appeal
The tonal core of the MDM1606 starts with an alder body, prized for its even frequency response and familiar musical balance. Alder delivers tight lows, present mids and smooth highs, making it an ideal foundation for a 6-string bassthat needs clarity across a wider range. A striking poplar burl top adds visual depth and a boutique aesthetic without altering the instrument’s natural resonance. Together, this construction supports extended-range performance while keeping the overall voice articulate and controlled—equally effective for supportive groove work or more harmonically complex lines.
Roasted Maple Neck and Rosewood Fingerboard for Stability and Fluid Playability
A one-piece roasted maple neck provides exceptional rigidity and resistance to environmental changes, ensuring consistent performance even under the added tension of a 6-string configuration. Its thin C-profile and rounded fretboard edges encourage a fast, relaxed feel that supports long sessions and technical playing. The rosewood fingerboard adds warmth and smoothness to the attack, balancing the brightness of the maple neck while preserving note definition. Medium stainless-steel frets enhance durability and articulation, and luminescent side dots keep fretboard navigation clear in low-light performance settings.
Delta S6J Pickups and Sonitech S Preamp for Extended-Range Precision
The MDM1606 is equipped with Ibanez Delta S6J pickups, engineered to deliver an aggressive yet balanced single-coil tone with hum-canceling performance. Their even response ensures that every string—from the low B to the highest register—speaks clearly and consistently. Paired with the Sonitech S preamp, the system offers a master volume and balancer, master tone, three-band EQ, EQ bypass and three-way mid-frequency switch. The rear-mounted Hexa mid system adds two selectable mid-frequency banks, providing six total mid points for detailed tone shaping in both active and passive operation.
Player-Focused Ibanez Hardware for Comfort and Control
Ibanez Aero-light tuners, constructed with Extra Super Duralumin components, reduce headstock weight while maintaining precise, reliable tuning stability. The MR5S mono-rail bridge isolates each string for improved sustain and clarity, with adjustable string spacing set at a comfortable 18 mm for the 6-string configuration. A detachable finger ramp is included, offering added support for fast, consistent fingerstyle technique and allowing players to customize the instrument’s feel to their preferred approach.
A Refined 6-String Built for Modern Musical Range
The Ibanez MDM1606 brings extended-range capability into sharp focus, combining the familiar feel of a classic design with the control and sophistication modern bassists demand. With its balanced alder body, eye-catching poplar burl top, stable roasted maple neck and deeply versatile electronics, it delivers a confident, articulate response across all six strings. Whether anchoring contemporary grooves, navigating complex arrangements or exploring the full harmonic potential of a 6-string bass, the MDM1606 stands as a powerful, adaptable tool designed to evolve alongside the player.