diff --git a/beets/autotag/mb.py b/beets/autotag/mb.py
index 7fab3d41c..78d382d87 100644
--- a/beets/autotag/mb.py
+++ b/beets/autotag/mb.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ def configure():
     """Set up the python-musicbrainz-ngs module according to settings
     from the beets configuration. This should be called at startup.
     """
-    hostname = config['musicbrainz']['host'].get(six.text_type)
+    hostname = config['musicbrainz']['host'].as_str()
     musicbrainzngs.set_hostname(hostname)
     musicbrainzngs.set_rate_limit(
         config['musicbrainz']['ratelimit_interval'].as_number(),
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ def album_info(release):
     )
     info.va = info.artist_id == VARIOUS_ARTISTS_ID
     if info.va:
-        info.artist = config['va_name'].get(six.text_type)
+        info.artist = config['va_name'].as_str()
     info.asin = release.get('asin')
     info.releasegroup_id = release['release-group']['id']
     info.country = release.get('country')
diff --git a/beets/dbcore/db.py b/beets/dbcore/db.py
index 780596fc9..c0f329468 100644
--- a/beets/dbcore/db.py
+++ b/beets/dbcore/db.py
@@ -70,7 +70,7 @@ class FormattedMapping(collections.Mapping):
             value = value.decode('utf8', 'ignore')
 
         if self.for_path:
-            sep_repl = beets.config['path_sep_replace'].get(six.text_type)
+            sep_repl = beets.config['path_sep_replace'].as_str()
             for sep in (os.path.sep, os.path.altsep):
                 if sep:
                     value = value.replace(sep, sep_repl)
diff --git a/beets/importer.py b/beets/importer.py
index 598dd36d7..f3272311f 100644
--- a/beets/importer.py
+++ b/beets/importer.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 # included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
 
 from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
-import six
 
 """Provides the basic, interface-agnostic workflow for importing and
 autotagging music files.
@@ -641,7 +640,7 @@ class ImportTask(BaseImportTask):
                 changes['comp'] = False
             else:
                 # VA.
-                changes['albumartist'] = config['va_name'].get(six.text_type)
+                changes['albumartist'] = config['va_name'].as_str()
                 changes['comp'] = True
 
         elif self.choice_flag in (action.APPLY, action.RETAG):
diff --git a/beets/library.py b/beets/library.py
index 2c5ff47b5..1c9a8f8b1 100644
--- a/beets/library.py
+++ b/beets/library.py
@@ -126,7 +126,7 @@ class DateType(types.Float):
     query = dbcore.query.DateQuery
 
     def format(self, value):
-        return time.strftime(beets.config['time_format'].get(six.text_type),
+        return time.strftime(beets.config['time_format'].as_str(),
                              time.localtime(value or 0))
 
     def parse(self, string):
@@ -134,7 +134,7 @@ class DateType(types.Float):
             # Try a formatted date string.
             return time.mktime(
                 time.strptime(string,
-                              beets.config['time_format'].get(six.text_type))
+                              beets.config['time_format'].as_str())
             )
         except ValueError:
             # Fall back to a plain timestamp number.
@@ -338,7 +338,7 @@ class LibModel(dbcore.Model):
 
     def __format__(self, spec):
         if not spec:
-            spec = beets.config[self._format_config_key].get(six.text_type)
+            spec = beets.config[self._format_config_key].as_str()
         result = self.evaluate_template(spec)
         if isinstance(spec, bytes):
             # if spec is a byte string then we must return a one as well
@@ -1066,7 +1066,7 @@ class Album(LibModel):
         item_dir = item_dir or self.item_dir()
 
         filename_tmpl = Template(
-            beets.config['art_filename'].get(six.text_type))
+            beets.config['art_filename'].as_str())
         subpath = self.evaluate_template(filename_tmpl, True)
         if beets.config['asciify_paths']:
             subpath = unidecode(subpath)
@@ -1411,7 +1411,7 @@ class DefaultTemplateFunctions(object):
     def tmpl_time(s, fmt):
         """Format a time value using `strftime`.
         """
-        cur_fmt = beets.config['time_format'].get(six.text_type)
+        cur_fmt = beets.config['time_format'].as_str()
         return time.strftime(fmt, time.strptime(s, cur_fmt))
 
     def tmpl_aunique(self, keys=None, disam=None):
diff --git a/beets/ui/__init__.py b/beets/ui/__init__.py
index ce3c46f31..807219b43 100644
--- a/beets/ui/__init__.py
+++ b/beets/ui/__init__.py
@@ -524,7 +524,7 @@ def colorize(color_name, text):
         global COLORS
         if not COLORS:
             COLORS = dict((name,
-                           config['ui']['colors'][name].get(six.text_type))
+                           config['ui']['colors'][name].as_str())
                           for name in COLOR_NAMES)
         # In case a 3rd party plugin is still passing the actual color ('red')
         # instead of the abstract color name ('text_error')
@@ -607,7 +607,7 @@ def get_path_formats(subview=None):
     subview = subview or config['paths']
     for query, view in subview.items():
         query = PF_KEY_QUERIES.get(query, query)  # Expand common queries.
-        path_formats.append((query, Template(view.get(six.text_type))))
+        path_formats.append((query, Template(view.as_str())))
     return path_formats
 
 
diff --git a/beetsplug/beatport.py b/beetsplug/beatport.py
index 5949589c3..f7c52bd38 100644
--- a/beetsplug/beatport.py
+++ b/beetsplug/beatport.py
@@ -269,8 +269,8 @@ class BeatportPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         self.register_listener('import_begin', self.setup)
 
     def setup(self, session=None):
-        c_key = self.config['apikey'].get(six.text_type)
-        c_secret = self.config['apisecret'].get(six.text_type)
+        c_key = self.config['apikey'].as_str()
+        c_secret = self.config['apisecret'].as_str()
 
         # Get the OAuth token from a file or log in.
         try:
diff --git a/beetsplug/bpd/__init__.py b/beetsplug/bpd/__init__.py
index a28b1ff0d..3aabeb869 100644
--- a/beetsplug/bpd/__init__.py
+++ b/beetsplug/bpd/__init__.py
@@ -1181,12 +1181,12 @@ class BPDPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         )
 
         def func(lib, opts, args):
-            host = self.config['host'].get(six.text_type)
+            host = self.config['host'].as_str()
             host = args.pop(0) if args else host
             port = args.pop(0) if args else self.config['port'].get(int)
             if args:
                 raise beets.ui.UserError(u'too many arguments')
-            password = self.config['password'].get(six.text_type)
+            password = self.config['password'].as_str()
             volume = self.config['volume'].get(int)
             debug = opts.debug or False
             self.start_bpd(lib, host, int(port), password, volume, debug)
diff --git a/beetsplug/chroma.py b/beetsplug/chroma.py
index 38b90b2a9..b45bcfe3e 100644
--- a/beetsplug/chroma.py
+++ b/beetsplug/chroma.py
@@ -26,7 +26,6 @@ from beets.util import confit
 from beets.autotag import hooks
 import acoustid
 from collections import defaultdict
-import six
 
 API_KEY = '1vOwZtEn'
 SCORE_THRESH = 0.5
@@ -182,7 +181,7 @@ class AcoustidPlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
 
         def submit_cmd_func(lib, opts, args):
             try:
-                apikey = config['acoustid']['apikey'].get(six.text_type)
+                apikey = config['acoustid']['apikey'].as_str()
             except confit.NotFoundError:
                 raise ui.UserError(u'no Acoustid user API key provided')
             submit_items(self._log, apikey, lib.items(ui.decargs(args)))
diff --git a/beetsplug/convert.py b/beetsplug/convert.py
index 63057b46f..14f3f3452 100644
--- a/beetsplug/convert.py
+++ b/beetsplug/convert.py
@@ -29,7 +29,6 @@ from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
 from beets.util.confit import ConfigTypeError
 from beets import art
 from beets.util.artresizer import ArtResizer
-import six
 
 _fs_lock = threading.Lock()
 _temp_files = []  # Keep track of temporary transcoded files for deletion.
@@ -56,7 +55,7 @@ def get_format(fmt=None):
     """Return the command template and the extension from the config.
     """
     if not fmt:
-        fmt = config['convert']['format'].get(six.text_type).lower()
+        fmt = config['convert']['format'].as_str().lower()
     fmt = ALIASES.get(fmt, fmt)
 
     try:
@@ -75,14 +74,14 @@ def get_format(fmt=None):
     # Convenience and backwards-compatibility shortcuts.
     keys = config['convert'].keys()
     if 'command' in keys:
-        command = config['convert']['command'].get(six.text_type)
+        command = config['convert']['command'].as_str()
     elif 'opts' in keys:
         # Undocumented option for backwards compatibility with < 1.3.1.
         command = u'ffmpeg -i $source -y {0} $dest'.format(
-            config['convert']['opts'].get(six.text_type)
+            config['convert']['opts'].as_str()
         )
     if 'extension' in keys:
-        extension = config['convert']['extension'].get(six.text_type)
+        extension = config['convert']['extension'].as_str()
 
     return (command.encode('utf8'), extension.encode('utf8'))
 
@@ -390,7 +389,7 @@ class ConvertPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
             path_formats = ui.get_path_formats()
 
         if not opts.format:
-            opts.format = self.config['format'].get(six.text_type).lower()
+            opts.format = self.config['format'].as_str().lower()
 
         pretend = opts.pretend if opts.pretend is not None else \
             self.config['pretend'].get(bool)
@@ -423,7 +422,7 @@ class ConvertPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         """Transcode a file automatically after it is imported into the
         library.
         """
-        fmt = self.config['format'].get(six.text_type).lower()
+        fmt = self.config['format'].as_str().lower()
         if should_transcode(item, fmt):
             command, ext = get_format()
 
diff --git a/beetsplug/discogs.py b/beetsplug/discogs.py
index b33dec7ed..9eca1eae9 100644
--- a/beetsplug/discogs.py
+++ b/beetsplug/discogs.py
@@ -34,7 +34,6 @@ import time
 import json
 import socket
 import os
-import six
 
 
 # Silence spurious INFO log lines generated by urllib3.
@@ -67,8 +66,8 @@ class DiscogsPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
     def setup(self, session=None):
         """Create the `discogs_client` field. Authenticate if necessary.
         """
-        c_key = self.config['apikey'].get(six.text_type)
-        c_secret = self.config['apisecret'].get(six.text_type)
+        c_key = self.config['apikey'].as_str()
+        c_secret = self.config['apisecret'].as_str()
 
         # Get the OAuth token from a file or log in.
         try:
@@ -226,7 +225,7 @@ class DiscogsPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
             result.data['formats'][0].get('descriptions', [])) or None
         va = result.data['artists'][0]['name'].lower() == 'various'
         if va:
-            artist = config['va_name'].get(six.text_type)
+            artist = config['va_name'].as_str()
         year = result.data['year']
         label = result.data['labels'][0]['name']
         mediums = len(set(t.medium for t in tracks))
diff --git a/beetsplug/ftintitle.py b/beetsplug/ftintitle.py
index 4e415b48d..db450d9c8 100644
--- a/beetsplug/ftintitle.py
+++ b/beetsplug/ftintitle.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ import re
 from beets import plugins
 from beets import ui
 from beets.util import displayable_path
-import six
 
 
 def split_on_feat(artist):
@@ -138,7 +137,7 @@ class FtInTitlePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
         # Only update the title if it does not already contain a featured
         # artist and if we do not drop featuring information.
         if not drop_feat and not contains_feat(item.title):
-            feat_format = self.config['format'].get(six.text_type)
+            feat_format = self.config['format'].as_str()
             new_format = feat_format.format(feat_part)
             new_title = u"{0} {1}".format(item.title, new_format)
             self._log.info(u'title: {0} -> {1}', item.title, new_title)
diff --git a/beetsplug/fuzzy.py b/beetsplug/fuzzy.py
index ad61dc76b..a7308a525 100644
--- a/beetsplug/fuzzy.py
+++ b/beetsplug/fuzzy.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
 from beets.dbcore.query import StringFieldQuery
 from beets import config
 import difflib
-import six
 
 
 class FuzzyQuery(StringFieldQuery):
@@ -45,5 +44,5 @@ class FuzzyPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         })
 
     def queries(self):
-        prefix = self.config['prefix'].get(six.text_type)
+        prefix = self.config['prefix'].as_str()
         return {prefix: FuzzyQuery}
diff --git a/beetsplug/hook.py b/beetsplug/hook.py
index 80daad68c..e48c5f374 100644
--- a/beetsplug/hook.py
+++ b/beetsplug/hook.py
@@ -21,7 +21,6 @@ import subprocess
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
 from beets.ui import _arg_encoding
 from beets.util import shlex_split
-import six
 
 
 class CodingFormatter(string.Formatter):
@@ -80,8 +79,8 @@ class HookPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         for hook_index in range(len(hooks)):
             hook = self.config['hooks'][hook_index]
 
-            hook_event = hook['event'].get(six.text_type)
-            hook_command = hook['command'].get(six.text_type)
+            hook_event = hook['event'].as_str()
+            hook_command = hook['command'].as_str()
 
             self.create_and_register_hook(hook_event, hook_command)
 
diff --git a/beetsplug/importfeeds.py b/beetsplug/importfeeds.py
index e02c5793f..5e4333f73 100644
--- a/beetsplug/importfeeds.py
+++ b/beetsplug/importfeeds.py
@@ -14,7 +14,6 @@
 # included in all copies or substantial portions of the Software.
 
 from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
-import six
 
 """Write paths of imported files in various formats to ease later import in a
 music player. Also allow printing the new file locations to stdout in case
@@ -120,7 +119,7 @@ class ImportFeedsPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
 
         if 'm3u' in formats:
             m3u_basename = bytestring_path(
-                self.config['m3u_name'].get(six.text_type))
+                self.config['m3u_name'].as_str())
             m3u_path = os.path.join(feedsdir, m3u_basename)
             _write_m3u(m3u_path, paths)
 
diff --git a/beetsplug/inline.py b/beetsplug/inline.py
index 5787b739e..fd0e9fc30 100644
--- a/beetsplug/inline.py
+++ b/beetsplug/inline.py
@@ -65,14 +65,14 @@ class InlinePlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         for key, view in itertools.chain(config['item_fields'].items(),
                                          config['pathfields'].items()):
             self._log.debug(u'adding item field {0}', key)
-            func = self.compile_inline(view.get(six.text_type), False)
+            func = self.compile_inline(view.as_str(), False)
             if func is not None:
                 self.template_fields[key] = func
 
         # Album fields.
         for key, view in config['album_fields'].items():
             self._log.debug(u'adding album field {0}', key)
-            func = self.compile_inline(view.get(six.text_type), True)
+            func = self.compile_inline(view.as_str(), True)
             if func is not None:
                 self.album_template_fields[key] = func
 
diff --git a/beetsplug/keyfinder.py b/beetsplug/keyfinder.py
index dad62487f..0ef5ac155 100644
--- a/beetsplug/keyfinder.py
+++ b/beetsplug/keyfinder.py
@@ -23,7 +23,6 @@ import subprocess
 from beets import ui
 from beets import util
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
-import six
 
 
 class KeyFinderPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
@@ -53,7 +52,7 @@ class KeyFinderPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
 
     def find_key(self, items, write=False):
         overwrite = self.config['overwrite'].get(bool)
-        bin = util.bytestring_path(self.config['bin'].get(six.text_type))
+        bin = util.bytestring_path(self.config['bin'].as_str())
 
         for item in items:
             if item['initial_key'] and not overwrite:
diff --git a/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py b/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
index abda7ed6b..bc3155b94 100644
--- a/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
+++ b/beetsplug/lastgenre/__init__.py
@@ -187,7 +187,7 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
         # the original tags list
         tags = [x.title() for x in tags if self._is_allowed(x)]
 
-        return self.config['separator'].get(six.text_type).join(
+        return self.config['separator'].as_str().join(
             tags[:self.config['count'].get(int)]
         )
 
@@ -299,7 +299,7 @@ class LastGenrePlugin(plugins.BeetsPlugin):
             result = None
             if isinstance(obj, library.Item):
                 result = self.fetch_artist_genre(obj)
-            elif obj.albumartist != config['va_name'].get(six.text_type):
+            elif obj.albumartist != config['va_name'].as_str():
                 result = self.fetch_album_artist_genre(obj)
             else:
                 # For "Various Artists", pick the most popular track genre.
diff --git a/beetsplug/lastimport.py b/beetsplug/lastimport.py
index e222e8b97..0ed9daf3c 100644
--- a/beetsplug/lastimport.py
+++ b/beetsplug/lastimport.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from beets import dbcore
 from beets import config
 from beets import plugins
 from beets.dbcore import types
-import six
 
 API_URL = 'http://ws.audioscrobbler.com/2.0/'
 
@@ -111,7 +110,7 @@ class CustomUser(pylast.User):
 
 
 def import_lastfm(lib, log):
-    user = config['lastfm']['user'].get(six.text_type)
+    user = config['lastfm']['user'].as_str()
     per_page = config['lastimport']['per_page'].get(int)
 
     if not user:
diff --git a/beetsplug/lyrics.py b/beetsplug/lyrics.py
index 347d3b91a..fe833e6c1 100644
--- a/beetsplug/lyrics.py
+++ b/beetsplug/lyrics.py
@@ -259,7 +259,7 @@ class Genius(Backend):
     """Fetch lyrics from Genius via genius-api."""
     def __init__(self, config, log):
         super(Genius, self).__init__(config, log)
-        self.api_key = config['genius_api_key'].get(six.text_type)
+        self.api_key = config['genius_api_key'].as_str()
         self.headers = {'Authorization': "Bearer %s" % self.api_key}
 
     def search_genius(self, artist, title):
@@ -470,8 +470,8 @@ class Google(Backend):
     """Fetch lyrics from Google search results."""
     def __init__(self, config, log):
         super(Google, self).__init__(config, log)
-        self.api_key = config['google_API_key'].get(six.text_type)
-        self.engine_id = config['google_engine_ID'].get(six.text_type)
+        self.api_key = config['google_API_key'].as_str()
+        self.engine_id = config['google_engine_ID'].as_str()
 
     def is_lyrics(self, text, artist=None):
         """Determine whether the text seems to be valid lyrics.
diff --git a/beetsplug/mbcollection.py b/beetsplug/mbcollection.py
index 0760be0e5..a590a7605 100644
--- a/beetsplug/mbcollection.py
+++ b/beetsplug/mbcollection.py
@@ -22,7 +22,6 @@ from beets import config
 import musicbrainzngs
 
 import re
-import six
 
 SUBMISSION_CHUNK_SIZE = 200
 UUID_REGEX = r'^[a-f0-9]{8}(-[a-f0-9]{4}){3}-[a-f0-9]{12}$'
@@ -58,8 +57,8 @@ class MusicBrainzCollectionPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         super(MusicBrainzCollectionPlugin, self).__init__()
         config['musicbrainz']['pass'].redact = True
         musicbrainzngs.auth(
-            config['musicbrainz']['user'].get(six.text_type),
-            config['musicbrainz']['pass'].get(six.text_type),
+            config['musicbrainz']['user'].as_str(),
+            config['musicbrainz']['pass'].as_str(),
         )
         self.config.add({'auto': False})
         if self.config['auto']:
diff --git a/beetsplug/mpdstats.py b/beetsplug/mpdstats.py
index ca8dc9c7b..8ae3eb783 100644
--- a/beetsplug/mpdstats.py
+++ b/beetsplug/mpdstats.py
@@ -65,14 +65,14 @@ class MPDClientWrapper(object):
         self._log = log
 
         self.music_directory = (
-            mpd_config['music_directory'].get(six.text_type))
+            mpd_config['music_directory'].as_str())
 
         self.client = MPDClient()
 
     def connect(self):
         """Connect to the MPD.
         """
-        host = mpd_config['host'].get(six.text_type)
+        host = mpd_config['host'].as_str()
         port = mpd_config['port'].get(int)
 
         if host[0] in ['/', '~']:
@@ -84,7 +84,7 @@ class MPDClientWrapper(object):
         except socket.error as e:
             raise ui.UserError(u'could not connect to MPD: {0}'.format(e))
 
-        password = mpd_config['password'].get(six.text_type)
+        password = mpd_config['password'].as_str()
         if password:
             try:
                 self.client.password(password)
diff --git a/beetsplug/mpdupdate.py b/beetsplug/mpdupdate.py
index 36449a5ac..8ea1b5204 100644
--- a/beetsplug/mpdupdate.py
+++ b/beetsplug/mpdupdate.py
@@ -87,9 +87,9 @@ class MPDUpdatePlugin(BeetsPlugin):
 
     def update(self, lib):
         self.update_mpd(
-            config['mpd']['host'].get(six.text_type),
+            config['mpd']['host'].as_str(),
             config['mpd']['port'].get(int),
-            config['mpd']['password'].get(six.text_type),
+            config['mpd']['password'].as_str(),
         )
 
     def update_mpd(self, host='localhost', port=6600, password=None):
diff --git a/beetsplug/replaygain.py b/beetsplug/replaygain.py
index 27659ca27..e25f1a045 100644
--- a/beetsplug/replaygain.py
+++ b/beetsplug/replaygain.py
@@ -27,7 +27,6 @@ from beets import logging
 from beets import ui
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
 from beets.util import syspath, command_output, displayable_path
-import six
 
 
 # Utilities.
@@ -103,7 +102,7 @@ class Bs1770gainBackend(Backend):
             'method': 'replaygain',
         })
         self.chunk_at = config['chunk_at'].as_number()
-        self.method = b'--' + bytes(config['method'].get(six.text_type))
+        self.method = b'--' + bytes(config['method'].as_str())
 
         cmd = b'bs1770gain'
         try:
@@ -257,7 +256,7 @@ class CommandBackend(Backend):
             'noclip': True,
         })
 
-        self.command = config["command"].get(six.text_type)
+        self.command = config["command"].as_str()
 
         if self.command:
             # Explicit executable path.
@@ -810,7 +809,7 @@ class ReplayGainPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         })
 
         self.overwrite = self.config['overwrite'].get(bool)
-        backend_name = self.config['backend'].get(six.text_type)
+        backend_name = self.config['backend'].as_str()
         if backend_name not in self.backends:
             raise ui.UserError(
                 u"Selected ReplayGain backend {0} is not supported. "
diff --git a/beetsplug/rewrite.py b/beetsplug/rewrite.py
index e99df81fc..eadb14252 100644
--- a/beetsplug/rewrite.py
+++ b/beetsplug/rewrite.py
@@ -24,7 +24,6 @@ from collections import defaultdict
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
 from beets import ui
 from beets import library
-import six
 
 
 def rewriter(field, rules):
@@ -52,7 +51,7 @@ class RewritePlugin(BeetsPlugin):
         # Gather all the rewrite rules for each field.
         rules = defaultdict(list)
         for key, view in self.config.items():
-            value = view.get(six.text_type)
+            value = view.as_str()
             try:
                 fieldname, pattern = key.split(None, 1)
             except ValueError:
diff --git a/beetsplug/the.py b/beetsplug/the.py
index 149233c45..c746f88b0 100644
--- a/beetsplug/the.py
+++ b/beetsplug/the.py
@@ -19,7 +19,6 @@ from __future__ import division, absolute_import, print_function
 
 import re
 from beets.plugins import BeetsPlugin
-import six
 
 __author__ = 'baobab@heresiarch.info'
 __version__ = '1.1'
@@ -82,7 +81,7 @@ class ThePlugin(BeetsPlugin):
                 if self.config['strip']:
                     return r
                 else:
-                    fmt = self.config['format'].get(six.text_type)
+                    fmt = self.config['format'].as_str()
                     return fmt.format(r, t.strip()).strip()
         else:
             return u''
diff --git a/beetsplug/web/__init__.py b/beetsplug/web/__init__.py
index 6f480fb36..91b1b3a28 100644
--- a/beetsplug/web/__init__.py
+++ b/beetsplug/web/__init__.py
@@ -25,7 +25,6 @@ from flask import g
 from werkzeug.routing import BaseConverter, PathConverter
 import os
 import json
-import six
 
 
 # Utilities.
@@ -322,7 +321,7 @@ class WebPlugin(BeetsPlugin):
                 }
                 CORS(app)
             # Start the web application.
-            app.run(host=self.config['host'].get(six.text_type),
+            app.run(host=self.config['host'].as_str(),
                     port=self.config['port'].get(int),
                     debug=opts.debug, threaded=True)
         cmd.func = func
diff --git a/test/test_library.py b/test/test_library.py
index b1ac76c25..d4c781986 100644
--- a/test/test_library.py
+++ b/test/test_library.py
@@ -1175,7 +1175,7 @@ class LibraryFieldTypesTest(unittest.TestCase):
         t = beets.library.DateType()
 
         # format
-        time_format = beets.config['time_format'].get(six.text_type)
+        time_format = beets.config['time_format'].as_str()
         time_local = time.strftime(time_format,
                                    time.localtime(123456789))
         self.assertEqual(time_local, t.format(123456789))
diff --git a/test/test_ui.py b/test/test_ui.py
index 78d777f9e..5ea875e42 100644
--- a/test/test_ui.py
+++ b/test/test_ui.py
@@ -39,7 +39,6 @@ from beets import config
 from beets import plugins
 from beets.util.confit import ConfigError
 from beets import util
-import six
 
 
 class ListTest(unittest.TestCase):
@@ -1258,15 +1257,15 @@ class CommonOptionsParserTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
 
         config['format_item'].set('$foo')
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args([]), ({'path': None}, []))
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$foo')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$foo')
 
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args([u'-p']),
                          ({'path': True, 'format': u'$path'}, []))
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args(['--path']),
                          ({'path': True, 'format': u'$path'}, []))
 
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$path')
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].get(six.text_type), u'$path')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$path')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].as_str(), u'$path')
 
     def test_format_option(self):
         parser = ui.CommonOptionsParser()
@@ -1275,15 +1274,15 @@ class CommonOptionsParserTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
 
         config['format_item'].set('$foo')
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args([]), ({'format': None}, []))
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$foo')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$foo')
 
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args([u'-f', u'$bar']),
                          ({'format': u'$bar'}, []))
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args([u'--format', u'$baz']),
                          ({'format': u'$baz'}, []))
 
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$baz')
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].get(six.text_type), u'$baz')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$baz')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].as_str(), u'$baz')
 
     def test_format_option_with_target(self):
         with self.assertRaises(KeyError):
@@ -1298,8 +1297,8 @@ class CommonOptionsParserTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         self.assertEqual(parser.parse_args([u'-f', u'$bar']),
                          ({'format': u'$bar'}, []))
 
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$bar')
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].get(six.text_type), u'$album')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$bar')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].as_str(), u'$album')
 
     def test_format_option_with_album(self):
         parser = ui.CommonOptionsParser()
@@ -1310,15 +1309,15 @@ class CommonOptionsParserTest(unittest.TestCase, TestHelper):
         config['format_album'].set('$album')
 
         parser.parse_args([u'-f', u'$bar'])
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$bar')
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].get(six.text_type), u'$album')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$bar')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].as_str(), u'$album')
 
         parser.parse_args([u'-a', u'-f', u'$foo'])
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].get(six.text_type), u'$bar')
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].get(six.text_type), u'$foo')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_item'].as_str(), u'$bar')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].as_str(), u'$foo')
 
         parser.parse_args([u'-f', u'$foo2', u'-a'])
-        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].get(six.text_type), u'$foo2')
+        self.assertEqual(config['format_album'].as_str(), u'$foo2')
 
     def test_add_all_common_options(self):
         parser = ui.CommonOptionsParser()