Bass VI

[Shinyflavors7]

If you don't care about the back story just skip to the second paragraph.

Let me preface this by saying in a band setting I love a traditional set up, four or five strings holding down the bottom, and getting people on there feet.That being said I don't like solo bass music at all. I can hardly sit through a single song of a solo bass performance without getting board. (Maybe its my AAD?) Now we come to my problem. I love writing solo bass music. It's something I really have a passion for. So for years now I've been looking for the right bass to write solo bass music on. Once I tried six strings I knew that was the way to go, because I needed the range. Then I started writing more music with chords and I found that higher strings proved more useful than a low b, but plying chords was very challenging with that scale length. Which bring me to the topic of conversation...

I recently try a pawn shop bass VI at my local shop, and knew right away that, that was what I have been looking for for so long. An instrument with short scale, 6 strings, and a low E that was at least similar to a traditional bass. The trouble is now that I've found such a thing I don't where to start. The pawn shop VI was cool, but I've heard some negative things about the step up. I also know that schecter makes a bass VI, but I'm not sold on the quality of their instruments. MusicMan made the silhouette bass that seems perfect, but I can't find one, and if I could I'm not sure I could afford it.
So I need help. Could someone point me in the right direction? I've looking for a Bass VI style instrument (30' scale, E-E) that I can afford, while still having the ability to give a virtuosic performance. 1K is really my cut off. I can't spend any more than that. ( I mean I will if I have to, but I'll get in some trouble with the miss' )

Please help, or point me in the direction of someone how can?

[Grizzey]

The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 4 - for the original six-string basses!

[Shinyflavors7]

Will read. I'd still like to get any info I can pertaining the question but ill ask there as well.

[Grizzey]

FWIW, the Schecter Ultra VI is very nice quality. I've had mine for a year and had zero problems, except the crummy stock strings.

I recently tried the Pawn Shop VI, and found it lacking comapared to my Ultra VI. It may have been the strings, but I REALLY love my Schecter.

[logans59]

You could always build your own from Warmoth

[mellowgerman]

I had one of these and loved it. Semi-hollow, Rick-ish look, 30" scale. Can't go wrong at $370 IMO.
http://www.rondomusic.com/harm1natashextended.html

They also make a Fender bass VI style one for a bit more scratch. But personally I feel like I'd prefer a hard-tail bridge anyway...
http://www.rondomusic.com/argustoaskbk.html

Another thing that was important for me, being a flatwound string guy, is that the 3x3 headstock of the Harm VI allowed me to get a normal set of short scale bass flatwound strings and add two guitar flatwound strings for the B and high E. They wouldn't be long enough on the 6-in-line headstock and you'd have to get one of the very expensive Bass VI flat sets.

[Grizzey]

I only paid $20 or so for a ,95 VI set from bassstringsonline

[Shinyflavors7]

If it helps at all tend to use a looper. So I like a p sounding neck pickup, and jazz sounding bridge pick. I also play fairly fast, and do a bit of tapping.

[Shinyflavors7]

Originally Posted by Grizzey

FWIW, the Schecter Ultra VI is very nice quality. I've had mine for a year and had zero problems, except the crummy stock strings.

Do you have any experience with the hellcat VI. The only reason I ask is because I prefer the styling.

[Shinyflavors7]

Originally Posted by mellowgerman

I had one of these and loved it. Semi-hollow, Rick-ish look, 30" scale. Can't go wrong at $370 IMO.
http://www.rondomusic.com/harm1natashextended.html

I'm not sure if this is what I was looking for, but I know I want one now. This thing I well cool, and so cheap.

[Grizzey]

Originally Posted by Shinyflavors7

Do you have any experience with the hellcat VI. The only reason I ask is because I prefer the styling.

I've only tried the older hellcat vi with the minihumbuckers. I did not really care for the sound, although it was comfortable. I hear the newer ones with the jag pups are great, and I'm lusting after the black and maple one.

[Shinyflavors7]

So I'm seriously considering schecter at this point. Does anyone have any feedback as far as hellraiser vs. hellcat?

[Grizzey]

I use a looper in my setup as well.
My bass VI board looks likes this:

[Shinyflavors7]

I was thinking that a rat would be perfect for a bass VI

I'm using a boomerang

[RockNRollAl]

I have one of these:
http://www.eastwoodguitars.com/Bass/...jackvi_frm.htm

[jbrooks]

Originally Posted by Grizzey

FWIW, the Schecter Ultra VI is very nice quality. I've had mine for a year and had zero problems, except the crummy stock strings.

I immediately replaced the lower strings of Schecter HellCat (the previous model) with ultra light Dean Markey SR2000 and bought individual strings for the B and high E.


http://www.juststrings.com/dms-2688.html

http://www.juststrings.com/dms-0327.html

http://www.juststrings.com/dms-0335.html

I wanted bass strings on it and I'm real happy with this set up.

[khutch]

There are some other options mentioned in this thread.

Ken

[Grizzey]

Originally Posted by jbrooks

I immediately replaced the lower strings of Schecter HellCat (the previous model) with ultra light Dean Markey SR2000 and bought individual strings for the B and high E.


http://www.juststrings.com/dms-2688.html

http://www.juststrings.com/dms-0327.html

http://www.juststrings.com/dms-0335.html

I wanted bass strings on it and I'm real happy with this set up.

I immediately purchased three sets of labella stainless bass vi strings from juststrings. Couldn't be happier.

[waynobass]

Check out the Burns Barracuda.

[Shinyflavors7]

Does anyone know where I can get a used Hellcat VI?