| Author | Message | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 727 Registered: 9-2008 |
so for the past couple months I have been dreaming of getting a Fender bass vi. I was wondering if anyone has experience with one of these, I'd definitely be going after one of the 90's re-issues, mainly because I don't have $3000 to drop on one of these haha. Any and all info helps as well as opinions! ~Taylor | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1045 Registered: 3-2004 |
I see that everyone's favorite spokesman Phil X has a review of one of the vintage Bass VI's.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OpLqIpDdLYs | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 728 Registered: 9-2008 |
Hahaha that dude has got to be jacked on something! But I've actually watched most his videos on this and LOVE the sound, my plan is to be in a band with one other guitarist, a drummer, and a singer(I play bass) so I was thinking of playing this in any songs that need another high end part every now and then while still being able to play the bass part when necessary, I was just wondering about personal experiences anyone has ~Taylor | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 1691 Registered: 11-2004 |
wrong guy to demonstrate..same one who did the Alembic one. Fender VI were baritone guitars, very nice in their sounds and unique. Spoilt by this person's interpretation. Depends on what you are wanting sonically and playability | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 766 Registered: 4-2004 |
Honestly, I dont like the fingerboard radius on these..... I had a Jerry Jones longhorn VI for several years, and it was one of my main basses with my trio. I probably used it in the same way you intend to, Ty..... I based my first custom Alembic on the bass VI E-E concept, and was delighted w/ the results:  | ||
| afrobeat_fool
Advanced Member Username: afrobeat_fool Post Number: 364 Registered: 7-2009 |
I had one for years. My guitarist bro played it mostly. I did not like it for bass, but my gear was not the best. I think an SF-2 would be the thing for it. I loved it as a guitar! the tone and spacing was really good. I changed the bridge and nut and put TOMASTIK Jazz flats on it and it sang. I don't know how the reissues are. Mine was a 64' Good luck! Nick | ||
| dnburgess
Senior Member Username: dnburgess Post Number: 657 Registered: 1-2003 |
I have a real soft spot for the bass vi. We had a new reissue in a couple of years back and it was very nice. It was the subject of a fraudulent Amex purchase - subesequent to which Amex pulled our merchant account even though we followed correct procedures. | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4933 Registered: 7-2004 |
I had a reissue Bass VI for a little while before trading for an older Martin classical and cash. I got the Bass VI in a trade with a guy who used it in a band where they all dressed as Hasidic Jews and played traditional Jewish songs (think Hava Nagila) in surf style. Really twisted and wonderful. He played lead on the Bass VI with gobs of reverb. It worked quite well. It really is more of a baritone guitar than a true bass. Bill, tgo (Message edited by lbpesq on September 03, 2011) | ||
| cozmik_cowboy
Senior Member Username: cozmik_cowboy Post Number: 1067 Registered: 10-2006 |
Let see if I have this right, Bill - you had a reissue Bass VI; you got an older Martin and cash for it? Well done, my friend! Peter (who used to have a copy of the Klezmonauts' Oy To The World, where they did Xmas carols klezmer style. Did your guy's band do any recording? I love twisted!) | ||
| lbpesq
Senior Member Username: lbpesq Post Number: 4934 Registered: 7-2004 |
Peter, my friend. The guitar is a Martin 00-18-C - not exactly the most valuable, but I hadn't owned a gut string in over 30 years. As for the band, they are called "Meshugga Beach Party". Their site can be found here. Enjoy! Bill, tJgo. (the Jewish guitar one) | ||
| jazzyvee
Senior Member Username: jazzyvee Post Number: 2570 Registered: 6-2002 |
Is this the guitar being discussed? It's being played by John Lennon in this clip of the song Let it Be. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdopMqrftXs&feature=related There is a few seconds of it at 2:42 into the video. Jazzyvee | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 965 Registered: 6-2002 |
I have a Fender Jaguar Custom VI. It's Japanese made and now discontinued. It has the Jaguar body shape and electronics, with the Bass VI 30" scale. It has a stop bar tailpiece rather than the Bass VI vibrato. I find it quite a cool instrument. It works better as a Bass rather than a Guitar. The strings are too closely spaced to play with your fingers so it has to be played with a pick. When played as a Bass, it sounds like a Bass. It sounds too weird to be played as a Guitar. Chords are too heavy and muddy. I feel it's really meant to be played as a Bass with a pick. The high B and E strings are useful if you like Guitar patterns and phrasing. Overall, I prefer a Bass or a Guitar over it. It's more of a novelty (to me) than anything else. | ||
| pace
Senior Member Username: pace Post Number: 770 Registered: 4-2004 |
The guy from the Beatles tribute Rain has one of those Jaguars.... Thanks for refreshing my memory, Rami~ I knew it didn't have a tremolo bridge. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 729 Registered: 9-2008 |
Wow Bill, that is a band pic I would enjoy to see, ha! | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 529 Registered: 5-2007 |
I would take a look at the Schecter Hellcat VI before I made a purchase. http://www.schecterguitars.com/Products/Guitar/Hellcat-VI.aspx | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 730 Registered: 9-2008 |
It's funny that you posted that benson because i had literally just discovered those yesterday and was going to post about them!! there are some good videos of all the Schecter "VI" models(they have 3) and I'm leaning towards this one http://www.schecterguitars.com/Products/Guitar/Ultra-VI.aspx partly because i love silverbursts and also you can get any combination of pickups and split which ever ones you want at the same time! ~Taylor | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 530 Registered: 5-2007 |
Taylor, I didn't know there were other Schecter VI models. I have a Schecter Stiletto Studio 8-string bass, which is my only experience with that company. It is a ridiculously good value. | ||
| tmoney61092
Senior Member Username: tmoney61092 Post Number: 731 Registered: 9-2008 |
yep! here are the 3 different models: Hellcat VI(Maple neck, alder body, bolt on): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01JC7y_NvWo Ultra(Mahagony body and neck, set neck): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Am5tkI1Jw Hellraiser C-VI(same as Ultra VI): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jqzwc3EfYcc&feature=related all of them are very cool and affordable but i feel like the Ultra has the widest range of sounds(and the most unique body shape of course!) so would choose that or the Hellcat VI ~Taylor | ||
| redcloud
Junior Username: redcloud Post Number: 41 Registered: 5-2011 |
These recently discussed Schecter models and the Fender VI have me a little intrigued as another creative option. Despite the fact that the Schecter only runs about $700, this sort of instrument would make a cool custom. Any suggestions regarding Alembic's models for the size/shape, neck recipe, woods, and pup configuration/choice for such an instrument? | ||
| redcloud
Junior Username: redcloud Post Number: 43 Registered: 5-2011 |
Well, I have thought about it a little and I think it could be a "Europa" body, 30" scale, 1 3/4" nut with 2 3/8" spacing at the bridge, and the neck recipe should be mahogany/ebony/ maple/ ebony/ maple/ ebony/ mahogany. I think the core should be mahogany, but I can't think of what top and back wood would be nice to use with sandwiched maple laminations. | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2855 Registered: 6-2002 |
If you're looking for ideas, the Featured Custom section is usually a good place to start ... Buckeye Burl - 30" scale 6er loosely based on a Jerry Jones | ||
| hydrargyrum
Senior Member Username: hydrargyrum Post Number: 1051 Registered: 3-2004 |
Wow Adriaan, the bridge on that Jerry Jones inspired 6er is wild. Definitely an interesting departure. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Senior Member Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 531 Registered: 5-2007 |
It looks like a Danelectro bridge (with upgraded materials of course) that has been compensated. We have a Dano short scale at our house, on which we just swapped the standard bridge (non-compensated) for a metal adjustable one. Now it plays in tune but the tone changed somewhat. | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 958 Registered: 1-2005 |
I thought I posted in this thread but I guess not. I have one of the Fender Japan Bass VI reissues. Mine is from about 1996. It has an issue with the tremolo bridge - the spring is too strong or too weak, so the bridge is tilted all the way back, so the screw that holds the bridge saddle on the E string interferes with the string's vibration. Also, I didn't like the "tortoise shell" pickguard - it looks like a low resolution scan or something - so I had a black replacement made. Here's a couple of pics, one with the old pickguard (and my old cat Sadie admiring it), one with the new:   I don't play it much because of the E string issue, but I pulled it out today and played it through my amp - it sounded great! I want to get it fixed now. I consider this a short-scale, extended range bass guitar. I would play it like a bass, probably with pick but fingers is possible, though the string spacing is very narrow. One player who plays the Bass VI like a regular bass, and with his fingers no less, is Rob Babbington of later Soft Machine fame. Here's a pretty good video: http://youtu.be/3ws8TqsX2nM | ||
| redcloud
Junior Username: redcloud Post Number: 46 Registered: 5-2011 |
Well, I have been exploring this sort of instrument. No on has the Ernie Ball/Music Man "Sihouette Bass" and I tried the Schecter product but did not like their pups at all. I did come across Robert Elrick who makes a 6 string piccolo although the price point is much higher than EB/MM or Schecter. He uses Bartolini pups, a plus. I know Alembic would do this tuning proud but I have 2 of their basses and 2 of their guitars already. | ||
| crobbins
Senior Member Username: crobbins Post Number: 920 Registered: 6-2004 |
I hear you singing through the lines. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU | ||
| hieronymous
Senior Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 959 Registered: 1-2005 |
Thanks for posting that! I love the chords leading into the solo, cool solo too! Definitely seems live, the way he keeps messing with the controls at the beginning... The Bass VI definitely strikes me as a versatile instrument. It would be fun to play with two Bass VI's and drummer! Also, I've got mine up and running - I just pulled on the bridge and it slid into place! Played it for a while today and had a lot of fun. I don't have much of a problem playing it with a pick, playing with fingers is a little weird but I can see getting used to it with practice. Plus it's fun to play an instrument tuned EADGBE again! | ||
| redcloud
Junior Username: redcloud Post Number: 47 Registered: 5-2011 |
Crobbins, thanks for the link. |
