• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Bass VI Manufacturers?

thedukeofno

thedukeofno

Nov 20, 2008
191
235
United Kingdom
#1
Hey folks...

Lately I've been GAS-ing for a Fender Bass VI, but they're not the most common things around, at least here in the UK. So, I'm starting to think I need to look at the offerings of other brands.

Other than Squier and Schecter, which manufacturers are producing a "Bass VI"-like model?
 
#4
bholder said:
I think Eastwood does or has recently. Rondo has occasionally offered some suitable 30" scale baritones, but I don't see any right now.

Edit: Eastwood currently has 2:
Sidejack Bass VI
TB64 6-String Bass

I have the Sidejack, it's pretty nice. :)
Click to expand...
They're gearing up for the new Hooky Bass 6 PRO (Shergold Marathon copy, Peter Hook signature) as well:
Link Removed

thedukeofno said:
Hey folks...

Lately I've been GAS-ing for a Fender Bass VI, but they're not the most common things around, at least here in the UK. So, I'm starting to think I need to look at the offerings of other brands.

Other than Squier and Schecter, which manufacturers are producing a "Bass VI"-like model?
Click to expand...
Here in the Old World, the most affordable are Thomann Music's Harley Benton GuitarBass VS linked to above, and Gear4Music's SubZero Rogue VI Baritone:
Bass VI type thing
The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 4 - for the original six-string basses!

If given the choice you'd prefer the Squier VI, but can't find it locally, have a look at the big box online stores (Bass VI type thing, The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 4 - for the original six-string basses!, Music Store/DV247, Musik Produktiv, Bax Music, Woodbrass, Link Removed), in both the bass and guitar sections.

Revelation RJT-60 B:
Invalid Link Removed
What else? Well Ibanez still makes (AFAIK; let's say they're still around in stores) the SRC6:
Ibanez SRC6-WNF SRcrossover 6-String Electric Bass for sale | Bax Music
Burns Barracuda:
Barracuda (Guards Red)
Gretsch G5265 Electromatic Jet Baritone:
Invalid Link Removed
And of course the original:
Danelectro 56 Baritone guitar for sale | Bax Music

In case we've missed any of the currently-available offerings, double-check yourself (backwards from the top results/last pages):
Invalid Link Removed
bass vi alternatives site:talkbass.com - Google Search
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: kirillstokes, thedukeofno and bholder
#6
HaphAsSard said:
Revelation RJT-60 B:
Invalid Link Removed
/QUOTE]

I can vouch for the quality of Revelation guitars. They are great price and you tend to find them in the smaller independent music shops here in the UK. If you wanted to try one it would be worth checking out if your local guitar shop is a dealer for them. I did that and nabbed myself one of their jangly 12 string jazzmaster style guitars. Was a quality guitar.
Click to expand...
 
  • Like
Reactions: vvvmmm, thedukeofno and HaphAsSard
#12
I have one of the Revelation VI's (and an RTF60) and absolutely love it, as do the guitarists in my band.

Total rush to play as a bassist, and cool as a guitar also (I'm a Cure fan). I did have to work the fret ends on the Jazzmaster-type; the VI came - all the way from Ye Merry Olde - perfectly set-up.

For a while, CITES was a issue, even led to a seller refunding me the price of a second RTF60, but I see they are available here (USA) again at the usual sites, altho' with big shipping charges.
 
#13
thedukeofno said:
Hey folks...

Lately I've been GAS-ing for a Fender Bass VI, but they're not the most common things around, at least here in the UK. So, I'm starting to think I need to look at the offerings of other brands.

Other than Squier and Schecter, which manufacturers are producing a "Bass VI"-like model?
Click to expand...
I recently purchased the Classic Vibe Bass VI. It is black with a tortoiseshell pick guard, period correct headstock markings and vintage gloss tint. I didn’t want a sunburst model so I got the black with tortoiseshell which I was not a fan of in the past but I actually really like that combination now. I think it plays great for the price point and looks identical to a 1966 era bass vi, pearloid blocks and binding, 3 on/off switches and a bass strangle switch. If you want a fender vi the only other new option would be a four grand version from the custom shop. You can find the Mexican pawn shop ones on reverb, eBay etc if you don’t mind paying 6-8 hundred dollars.
 
#17
I couldn't find an off-the-shelf Bass VI that I liked, so I ordered a Warmoth body and neck and built my own...

20190425_161907.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: monsterthompson, Flaggus, Erasmusman and 6 others
#18
Jughead6 said:
I couldn't find an off-the-shelf Bass VI that I liked, so I ordered a Warmoth body and neck and built my own...

View attachment 3667496
Click to expand...

It probably has none of the problems inherent in the cheap Squier Bass VI versions. I had a VM that needed everything from a bridge replacement to shimming the neck and a whole host of other repairs just to get it to a point where it was playable. That Fender/Squier would release such a poorly executed design on the public is unforgivable. From what I've seen, the Pawn Shop version had most of the same problems found in the Indonesian Squier.

That horrible bridge that came standard on the VM and Pawnshop made it impossible to properly intonate the instrument. There simply was not enough room to move the saddles. The standard alternative, the Stay Trem is no longer available here in the US. That leaves one with the expensive Mastery bridge (worth almost as much as the Bass VI itself) or an early '60's Mustang bridge. The ridiculous gauge strings were also impossible. Whenever I read about TI Flats being FLOPPY all I can say is try to play a stock Pawnshop or Squier Bass VI with those absurd .084 E strings falling off the fretboard. What was Fender thinking???

To anyone interested in a Bass VI variant, proceed with caution when heading down the path laden with Fenders and Squiers. Some people have been lucky (or don't really know how out of whack their instrument really is) or have effectively solved the inherent deficiencies present from the start. Either way, I'd advise just about anyone to stay away from the Fender/Squier VM and Pawn. I can't speak directly about the newer CV but given that the product is actually a few bucks cheaper than the VM, expectations for improvement have to be guarded.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lamar Fandango

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back