Bass VI Manufacturers?

[Guitalia]

Jack Bruce supposedly recorded the whole first Cream album with his Fender Bass VI and the second album with a Danelectro Longhorn 4-string.

 

[Jughead6]

Question about six stringers - does anyone tune them in fourths all the way across? I've thought about one but hate the idea of the high B string.

With typical D'Addario 24-84 roundwound string sets, I find the low E and A strings are too low tension. The high B and E strings are acceptable tension. If you tune in 4ths so that the high B and E become C and F, then you'll get about 10% more tension in those strings. I would be cautious about twisting the neck.

With a 24-95 set, I would expect there is less risk of unbalanced tension across the neck when tuned in 4ths.

 

[Jughead6]

FWIW my Bass VI is tuned in 4ths. Eb-Ab-Db-Gb-B-E.

 

[rocu]

I was thinking BEADGC but let's not derail this thread any further. I'll start another if I ever get a six string. Thanks everyone.

 

[boristhespider7]

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.

Yeah, i've read a lot of similar comments on other bass VI threads. I also own a Squier VM VI...maybe i got lucky. Only thing i had to do was order a single .100 low E from Labella to replace the .084 and it was good to go. No problems with the nut, frets, action or bridge intonation. Plus still using the stock bridge. It wouldn't always go back in tune after using the trem but that isn't really something i ever use. I ended up making it a hardtail in the end, simply to save weight...that trem system has a lot of steel in it! Must have saved about 1/2lb.

 

[johnk_10]

i've had several orignal Fender Bass VI's in the past, but if i wanted one nowadays i'd most likely just get the classic vibe one:
https://www.guitarcenter.com/Squier...0bepFacIIQT8qUP0GqQ3iQVFvio0GRIRoCHGMQAvD_BwE

 

[hypercarrots]

music man silhouette bass is very well made and can get a variety of sounds with the coil tappable phase selectable humbuckers
View attachment 3667548
View attachment 3667554

i meant parallel and series selectable. not phase.
i wish the edit feature was available for a longer period.

 

[A9X]

I was thinking BEADGC but let's not derail this thread any further.

There is an older thread here where an owner of an SRC6 drilled out his bridge and went BEADGC using Kalium strings. If I think of the keywords I'll add them, but a thread search on SRC6 should pull it up.
I'm most likely going to drill out the bridge of my older SRC6 and go EADGCF, maybe BE. The newer one I'll leave as a baritone A-A with the fender strings I have.

The tread is about Bass VI type instruments so anything regarding them should be fair to discuss.

 

[HaphAsSard]

There is an older thread here where an owner of an SRC6 drilled out his bridge and went BEADGC using Kalium strings. If I think of the keywords I'll add them, but a thread search on SRC6 should pull it up.

Here it is:
Ibanez SRC6 Successful Conversion

 

[HaphAsSard]

Gretsch G5265 Electromatic Jet Baritone

New Gretsch Electromatic Jet Baritone models, the G5260 (hardtail) and G5260 (Bigsby tremolo), as reported by TBer GeoKinetic:

Solid Body :: G5260 Electromatic® Jet™ Baritone with V-Stoptail, Laurel Fingerboard, London Grey

Solid Body :: G5260T Electromatic® Jet™ Baritone with Bigsby®, Laurel Fingerboard, Airline Silver

 

[Lamar Fandango]

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.

 

[Marky83dam]

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?

Hey I tell you what you could do I seen someone selling a Gretsch baritone with bass vi strings on same scale length I believe 30” I’d like to get a bass vi myself someday either a nice used white squire as I don’t see them new no more or a danelectro baritone and slap vi strings on

 

[Marky83dam]

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?

They are m8 there’s something cool slap some bass vi strings on it I think it’d be mint as

 

[Rockbobmel]

I don't know how to play it very well. I can do some bar chords. I was so curious I couldn't resist, but I'm glad I didn't dump a bunch of cash on one. I got the Thomann one https://www.thomannmusic.com/harley_benton_guitarbass_vs_vintage_series.htm It is real nice! It cost $270 shipped to USA and get this, I ordered it Sunday and it got here today (4 working days!).