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The Reference Limited 6 isn’t just a 6-string bass. It’s the product of decades of firsthand experience, deep listening, and relentless refinement — a professional-grade instrument born not in theory, but in practice.

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At New York Bass Works, the 6-string isn’t a novelty or a recent addition — it’s part of our foundation. Since 1997, we’ve been building, developing, and playing extended-range basses at the highest level. Long before the boutique market began chasing after what an “ideal” 6-string might be, we were already doing the work — sourcing or custom-making components when nothing existed, experimenting with scale lengths, voicing pickups by ear, and pushing the limits of what these instruments could do.

Some builders approach this craft from the outside in, translating client requests into unfamiliar forms. We approach it from the inside out — as players who know what’s required under real musical conditions. We don’t guess. We know.

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Built With the Player’s Perspective — Because We Are the Player

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The Reference Limited 6 reflects something rare in modern luthiery: the instincts of an experienced bassist who builds with the player’s needs hardwired into the process. We don’t need a focus group to tell us what an instrument should feel like in your hands, or how it should respond on a gig. Every curve, every balance point, every voicing decision is the result of lived musical experience — not an interpretation of someone else’s.

​When you play one of our instruments, you're playing something built from the inside — an instrument that clears the path for expression, never standing in the way.

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A Game-Changer in Electronics and Execution

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Every Reference Limited 6 comes equipped with pickups developed entirely in-house. This unique capability allows us to hear, test, and revise pickup designs on the actual instrument, in real time — eliminating guesswork and bridging the final 5% that often separates good instruments from great ones.

This is something most builders, large or small, simply can’t do. It’s a critical advantage, and it’s what allows our instruments to feel complete — not like a collection of high-end parts, but a cohesive voice.

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Purpose-Driven Design, From Wood to Strap Button

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We believe in beauty through function. Our instruments are designed for physical ease, tonal clarity, and long-haul performance. Whether standing or seated, the Reference Limited 6 maintains perfect balance. The body contours, neck profile, and construction methods are refined to keep you comfortable and focused on your playing — not fighting the instrument.

Because a high-performance tool should disappear in your hands, not draw attention to its compromises.

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This Is It!

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The Reference Limited 6 is not an attempt to catch up. It’s a statement that we’ve been here all along, doing the work.

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If you’ve ever dreamed of owning a 6-string bass that delivers in every context — and feels like it was made for you, not just marketed to you — this is the one.

We’re not following trends. We’re building the standard.