Building a bass VI from a squier bronco

[Thane]

Do you think it's possible? Just having looked at them it seems like I would just need to find a six string bridge and drill new tuners and get a new nut cut.

 

[Musiclogic]

I'll digress to the quote below.

 

[tehbassist]

Dude don't laugh in the guy's face, especially when he is right...

The nut on the bass IV was 1.5 (technically 1.550 i believe) and so is the bronco, both are 30" scale, and the bronco's pickup is the same size as a normal guitar single coil.

So I say go for it man, redrill that headstock after plugging the holes, get/make a new nut, and find a bridge you like. After all the bass VI just uses jag/jazzmaster hardware.

Be sure to post pictures when you're done. This shouldn't be a hard project and I'm excited to see the results

 

[GrapeApe]

Owned.

 

[Blind Dog]

Doesent the Bass VI fit somewhere between a bass and a baritone?

Jet Harris on a bass VI in 1962
YouTube Jet Harris & Tony Meehan - Besame Mucho

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[Musiclogic]

Didn't even think about the Fender VI, I was thinking the Steve Bailey Bass VI, not the 60's baritone...LOL

 

[Blind Dog]

The Bass VI is an octave below a guitar E-E or they were tuned that way originally according to Wiki.

Fender Bass VI - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[tehbassist]

Lol Musiclogic, I understand where you're coming from now! I was very confused as to why you thought you couldn't make this work, but it was an honest mistake, and I'm glad we can at least get a laugh out of it.

Yeah Blind Dog, something between a bass and baritone guitar, but when it comes down to it the idea just never really took off.

That being said, I hopefully have a shot at changing that. Can you say "Jazzbox", anyone?

 

[Mr.Fingers]

From another thread on the offset forum.

Hi All,

I have to admit that some of it is a repost, but here she is...The poor man's Bass VI....
All started after seeing a few formites doing Bass VI-ish things to a squier Bronco Bass and the nice SX Bass conversion of formite Matthew K.
I had a few interesting discussions with Paul (stereo) and Matthew about doing a poor man's version using a Squier Bronco Bass neck, but not the body.
Ofcourse I ran into some obstacles, would'nt be fun without them, but in the end it worked.

So, what do we got;

*-DIY Bass VI body from African Maghonie with a poplar "stripe" in the middle. (in fact two African Maghoinie planks sandwiched with a thin layer of poplar in between) Body is about 8 mm longer to compensate for the absence of 2 frets that are on the Bass VI, but not the Squier Bronco neck.
*-Reworked Squier Bronco Bass neck, bought it from Formite Squibs here and converted it to a 6 string '(thanks Matthew K for your insight on this)
the B&B is a total fake, I just cut some self adhesive black gloss vynil for this, but I like how it transforms the looks.
*-DIY one layer black pickguard, based on a Bass VI guard, but a bit longer (again to compensate for the shorter neck) and pu cut outs for strat pu's.
*-DIY string anchor plate, made from stainless steel (stop gap solution, until I find a trem) & Aluminum DIY control plate (all made from scratch pieces)
*- laser cut Switch plate and switches from formite "ret samzzaj" aka Geert (thanks a lot for this)
*-Strat pu's from various sources. Neck is a custom made one from? (got it from formite Tribi9, thanks) middle is an intersting one. A "Velvet Hammer", suposedly one of the first pu winders to do accurate 60ties kind of Pu's??, sounds great. bridge is a 1976 Strat bridge pu, grey fibre bottom (thanks to formite Ulricfromcatalyst) wiring is the "Barn" wiring, thin switch is now a series switch as per his instructions, makes the thing sound Massive!!
*- Strings are something a friend of mine had, took them from a Bass VI years ago. I guess it's a flatwound d'Addario Bass set with the B and E string added from another flatwound set. Sounds pretty nice to me and suits my style perfect

so, now to some pics. (some are reposted, others new)
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So, how does it sound and play?
Well, I like it, close to a real VI (at least to the upgraded MIJ that I loaned for this project from a friend). Though the all Mapple neck and Maghonie body sound a bit different. The strat pu's don't make that huge of a difference. But, I have a use for this one. I like it's compactness (as oposed to a Large bass) and the way it sounds. + the fact I gan still tred into guitar teretorium is also very interesting for me.

The bridge Pu should be a bit stronger to hold up with the others, the "Barn" wiring is great and my "vynil stickered" B&B neck is growing on me fast.
I hope to keep this thread updated as the instrument progresses. Painting is in order + new trem.
As far as paint goes...I was soo impressed by "moongoose's X-mass present" from "Andrewdoeshair" that this might become my biggest inspiration...
I think Sherwood green with the "fake" black "B&B" might be the ticket for this one....otherwise I'm gonna try a late 60ties Fender style 3TSB....

As far a overall cost goes, this is not a too expensive project. I'm still bellow € 200,- on this. (including paint and the to be obtained trem)
so, recycling does pay off ;D

 

[CincoBoy]

Do you think it's possible? Just having looked at them it seems like I would just need to find a six string bridge and drill new tuners and get a new nut cut.

Turns out it isn't all that hard (just takes money). I bought a Bronco yesterday for this very reason.

I fitted a tune-o-matic bridge, made it a string through, added a couple tuning machines from a donor, and carved out the nut from a fitted blank. Overall, for the value of the whole thing, I think it turned out great!

 

[Stealth]

This is seriously cool. Subbing to the thread.

 

[slotrod65]

subbed.

 

[RobTheSkanker]

...and this is why I should not venture into the Luthier's forum.

I should have a new bass arriving later today, yet am now planning a new project.