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

[Habilis]

OK, so I have about $700 to spend for my birthday and I have decided to buy a Bass VI-equivalent. I think I like the Eastwood Sidejack VI the best but their prices just don't seem competitive. I can get a new Hellcat VI with the single coils for about $650.00 from one of the online dealers, and that's without any haggling. What do you guys think? I will be buying it for essentially experimental purposes, not to recreate a surf or spaghetti-western tone (although I love both styles). I'm really interested in the compositional possibilities that might open up.

Have any of you had any experience dealing with Eastwood?

[change-jug]

The Eastwood Sidejack looks so classy and awesome. Scotch(who posted here a page or 2 back) owns one and posted some video links. It`s a really nice instrument.

I too have been up in the air over which to get. I`ve been wanting a Hellcat for a bit. If you do get a Hellcat make sure it`s the new model with the 3 single coil jag pick ups and not the older model with the 3 mini humbuckers. Every one who has played the 2 hellcats has said that the new Jag pups sound much,much better. The only downer is that the new model Hellcat is a few hundred dollars more than the old model.
So it might be cheaper to go with the Sidejack.

[scotch]

Eastwood is a great company! Contact them online & they'll get back to you pronto. They do direct sales, too, so you save a little.

[Habilis]

If this is Oscar I've watched your review of the Sidejack and Crazy Aces videos many times. They're a big part of why I'm leaning that way. I wrote Michael from Eastwood late last night (which is of course when I do all my foolish bass window shopping) about alternative colors. I've seen videos of metallic blue ones which are just so sweet-looking that I would be willing to wait until they are in stock again. Also, frankly, I wanna see if I get them to bend on the price a little. I don't really understand why the sidejack VI costs $250 more than the Sidejack baritone guitar, other than "That's what people are willing to pay." Because I am not QUITE willing to pay that much.

[scotch]

Originally Posted by Habilis

If this is Oscar I've watched your review of the Sidejack and Crazy Aces videos many times. They're a big part of why I'm leaning that way. I wrote Michael from Eastwood late last night (which is of course when I do all my foolish bass window shopping) about alternative colors. I've seen videos of metallic blue ones which are just so sweet-looking that I would be willing to wait until they are in stock again. Also, frankly, I wanna see if I get them to bend on the price a little. I don't really understand why the sidejack VI costs $250 more than the Sidejack baritone guitar, other than "That's what people are willing to pay." Because I am not QUITE willing to pay that much.

Oscar is my middle name! Yeah, that's me.

I will say this about the Sidejack: the proof is in the pudding. It's a solid bass that I can use in almost any context. It sounds killer! I think the review and crappy-cell-cam footage I've posted show what it can do. It just sounds great!

It is a little heavy, but mine needed no adjustment out-of-the-box direct from Eastwood. In my entirely subjective opinion, it beats the Hellcat for style points easily! As far as value for the $ goes,.. that's a closer call.

[change-jug]

Originally Posted by Habilis

If this is Oscar I've watched your review of the Sidejack and Crazy Aces videos many times. They're a big part of why I'm leaning that way. I wrote Michael from Eastwood late last night (which is of course when I do all my foolish bass window shopping) about alternative colors. I've seen videos of metallic blue ones which are just so sweet-looking that I would be willing to wait until they are in stock again. Also, frankly, I wanna see if I get them to bend on the price a little. I don't really understand why the sidejack VI costs $250 more than the Sidejack baritone guitar, other than "That's what people are willing to pay." Because I am not QUITE willing to pay that much.

You bring up a good point. Why is the Sidejack bass VI $250 more than the baritone guitar? Is it because the VI has a scale length of 30 inches and the baritone has a scale length of 27 inches? Maybe those last 3 inches on the neck are made from Unabtainium?
I`m not trying to bust any balls,I really enjoy Eastwood. But I`m not a rich man either.



I still really want a Sidejack VI tho...........damnit!

[TheEmptyCell]

It's not just materials, it's also machining and parts costs. I still want some sort of Bass VI, even considering converting my Bronco, but want a 1.75" nut.

[kenstee]

Originally Posted by change-jug

Why is the Sidejack bass VI $250 more than the baritone guitar?

Why? Because they can get it! It places their VI in the same price range as the Schecter, but a tad cheaper. Like it or not businesses are all about maximizing profits. As a consumer you vote with your money as to if their pricing strategy works or not. If enough people pay up then it works.

Me? I'd get the Hellcat VI. I like 3 pups for sound versatility and those Seymour Duncan SJAG-1s pups they have on them now really kick. To me, the vibrato of the Sidekick is a negative. Rather have a hard tail for tuning and intonation accuracy. Plus, I don't need one for the style of music I use it for. If I was a spaghetti-western/60's guy I might feel differently. I also don't particularly like the styling of the Sidekick - but that's secondary to my other issues with it. YMMV.....

[saltymonkey]

My Lakland Decade VI.



Certainly the finest instrument I've ever owned. I've previously owned both a Burns Barracuda and an Eastwood Sidejack VI. Both nice instruments but the Lakland crushes both of them in neck feel and playability. But then it should for what it costs. P-90's are the perfect pup for VI's. They really cover it all. They sounded great in the Eastwood too (Check out Scotch's Youtube review and sound samples earlier in this thread). The third pup and 5 way switch makes the Lakland much more versatile though. It covers so much sonic territory. Really happy i bought it. I've hardly played anything else in the couple months I've had it.

[Habilis]

Originally Posted by kenstee

Why? Because they can get it! It places their VI in the same price range as the Schecter, but a tad cheaper. Like it or not businesses are all about maximizing profits.

Yeah, I get that. That's why I wrote "besides that's what people will pay for it." I just find it irritating that what appears to be a $429 guitar gets $250 added to the price for adding a longer neck. I personally prefer the styling of the Sidejack to the Schecter, because even though they're both ripoffs of existing designs at least the Sidejack rips off one that's a less well-known than the Fender. I'm not going to decide anything until I hear back from Eastwood and see if there's any wiggle room on price and color. I am tempted by the Schecter Ultra VI but nobody seems too happy with their pickups.

[change-jug]

Whoa,that`s frigging awesome! I remember you talking about saving up the cash and talking to the folks at Lakland about a bass vi. You`ve got a great bass there. Is that a prototype/one off or is it in production?

[Habilis]

Originally Posted by saltymonkey

My Lakland Decade VI.



Certainly the finest instrument I've ever owned. I've previously owned both a Burns Barracuda and an Eastwood Sidejack VI. Both nice instruments but the Lakland crushes both of them in neck feel and playability. But then it should for what it costs.

Is this a custom shop model? How much DID it cost? I don't know much about Lakland basses and I didn't see anything like this on their website.

[saltymonkey]

Originally Posted by change-jug

Whoa,that`s frigging awesome! I remember you talking about saving up the cash and talking to the folks at Lakland about a bass vi. You`ve got a great bass there. I that a prototype/one off or is it in production?

Originally Posted by Habilis

Is this a custom shop model? How much DID it cost? I don't know much about Lakland basses and I didn't see anything like this on their website.

Thanks. It is a production instrument (US only no Skyline), not a one off. Mine's #06. I don't know why there isn't one on the website. Exact pricing depends on the dealer you order from but they're in the 3k range. Still cheaper than a custom shop Fender VI.

[kenstee]

Originally Posted by saltymonkey

My Lakland Decade VI.
Certainly the finest instrument I've ever owned. I've previously owned both a Burns Barracuda and an Eastwood Sidejack VI. Both nice instruments but the Lakland crushes both of them in neck feel and playability. .

For US$3,000+ it better! The other two you mentioned cost less than $700 or cheaper used. You do get what you pay for - at least sometimes. I imagine the woods, etc. are better as well. Only issue is fewer frets than the others. May not be an issue for most players though....

If I was a pro I'd definitely consider it...but....I'm not......

[kenstee]

Originally Posted by Habilis

I am tempted by the Schecter Ultra VI but nobody seems too happy with their pickups.

Correct! I'm all about the sound rather than looks when it comes to an axe. Kind of an oddity around here sometimes for this POV...:-)

Originally Posted by Habilis

Eastwood and see if there's any wiggle room on price and color.

Typically not. They do sell them on eBay too. But, I think they're priced fixed rather than auction or Best Offer. Worth checking though.

[Habilis]

Well, I heard back from Mike at Eastwood/My Rare Guitars and apparently they are mostly sold out of these basses and they are also not planning to make any more in the blue anytime soon--not really sure why, seeing as there's clearly a demand for them. Well. the ways of guitar manufacturers have always been a mystery to me... He did say that more cream/black ones are about 3 weeks out.

[kenstee]

Hank Donovan, a fellow VIer, just finished a hand-built VI. AND IT IS A MAGNIFICENT BEAUTY! Here are some shots of the entire build process that he posted....https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?...6756321&type=1

Hank also runs www.effectsbay.com, a great site for all things pedal. It's one of my daily reads. Definitely worth a look and free subscription!

[Habilis]

WOW!

Man, I'm DYING to take a guitar-making class... And yet for some reason, even here in Los Angeles, the world capital of frustrated would-be rock stars, I can't seem to find one!

[kenstee]

Originally Posted by Habilis

WOW!

Man, I'm DYING to take a guitar-making class... And yet for some reason, even here in Los Angeles, the world capital of frustrated would-be rock stars, I can't seem to find one!

Don't feel bad. I couldn't find one in New York City either!

[kenstee]

OK, maybe some exciting news here - or not. Found a post on Offsetguitars.com about a new Fender Bass VI supposedly to be released at the upcoming NAMM. One piece of good news.. It is totally in synch with what was posted yesterday on Facebook about a new MIM Bass VI on a Swedish site http://www.jam.se/wordpress/?p=4227. Guess we'll have to wait and see....

--------------------------------------------------------
Here's the details that were posted....

Pawn Shop™ Bass VI

Players continue to praise the Pawn Shop Series for
evoking the more eccentric Fender creations of the
mid-'60s to mid-'70s while delivering thoroughly modern
sound and quality with a wealth of various Fender
elements. New for 2013, the Pawn Shop Series
introduces yet another pleasingly unconventional
assortment of "guitars that never were but should have
been," in which new models take the stage and
long-vanished classics return in modern form.
The Pawn Shop Bass VI marks the revamped return of
a historic Fender instrument, the seldom-seen Fender
Bass Guitar (also known as the Bass VI) of 1961-1975.
This updated version of the baritone classic features the
traditional short scale (30") and is armed with Special
Design Hot Jaguar® single-coil neck and middle
pickups and a powerful JZHB humbucking bridge
pickup.

Other features include a "C"-shaped maple neck with
9.5"-radius rosewood fingerboard and 21 medium
jumbo frets, five-way pickup switching, four-ply
tortoiseshell pickguard (3-Color Sunburst and Black
models) and three-ply parchment pickguard (Candy
Apple Red model), two Jazz Bass® control knobs
(master volume, master tone), vintage-style adjustable
six-saddle bridge with "floating" tremolo tailpiece, and
vintage-style tuners. Available in 3-Color Sunburst,
Black and Candy Apple Red.

Series: Pawn Shop
Body Material: Alder
Body Finish: Polyester
Neck: Maple, "C"-Shape
Neck Finish: Urethane
Fingerboard: Rosewood, 9.5" (24.1 cm) Radius
Frets: 21, Medium Jumbo
Scale Length: 30" (76.2 cm)
Nut Width: 1.650" (42 mm)
String Nut: Synthetic Bone
Pickups: JZHB Humbucking (Bridge)
Special Design Hot Jaguar® Single-Coil (Middle and Neck)
Pickup Configuration: H/S/S
Pickup Switching: 5-Position Blade: Position 1. Bridge Pickup, Position 2. Bridge
and Middle Pickup, Position 3. Middle Pickup, Position 4. Middle
and Neck Pickup, Position 5. Neck Pickup
Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
Control Knobs: Jazz Bass®
Bridge: Vintage-Style Adjustable 6-Saddle Bridge with "Floating"
Tremolo Tailpiece
Hardware: Nickel/Chrome
Strings: D'Addario® XL156 Nickel-Plated Steel, (.024, .034, .044, .056,
.072, .084, Gauges)
Tuning Machines: Vintage-Style
Case/Gig Bag: Deluxe Gig Bag

This might very well be it...




My take...Interesting choice to put a hum in the bridge position. It looks like a JM pup but it isn't. It's a hum that Fender used on another Pawn Shop guitar. Not sure if I'm down with that or not. The middle and neck are single coil "hot" Jags. I also don't like the choice of the blade pup selector. I'd prefer individual on/off switches AND a strangle switch. They are also shipping with the lighter gauge D'Addario XL156 strings. I don't know what implications that has for those of us preferring thicker (.025>.095) strings in terms of bridge and tuner capability to accept thicker strings. Obviously they are not going to start remaking their Fender Bass VI strings now if ever. So, IMO a mixed bag at best. Me? Kind of disappointed. The upside (if you call it that) is that it may be more affordable. That said, so many Fenders are totally overpriced these days. This "stripped down" version (IMO anyway) sounds like it should have been a Squire rather than a Fender. Without seeing or hearing it I'd say the MIJ ones from last year appear better (as is the 2012 Schecter Hellcat VI/UltraCure VI or the Eastwood Sidejack VI.) No GAS for me....... YMMV.....