Hi all, I play in a band where I will end up using a VI for about half our set. Has anyone played both the Sidejack and the Squier? Is the Sidejack worth the extra cost? Is the quality or sound much better? I haven’t been able to find a comparison video. Thank you!
Or, for any Sidejack owners, can you comment on sound and build quality? I know lots of folks end up modding the Squier and I am the type of guy to put in pickups, bridge, etc and part of me just wants to buy something that’s ready to rock hard.
I don't know about the Sidejack but the Squier VI loses almost all its issues when you put a set of flatwounds on and gently shim the neck. But there are lots of alternatives: The Danelectro Baritone guitars are 30" scale as well. You can string these up as a VI, too, and they are much easier to set up than the Squier. Same for the Gretsch G5265. If you're looking for a more modern sound, there's the Ibanez SRC6, which is more of a bass than a guitar.
You could always ask Michael Robinson at. Info@eastwoodguitars.com They have a vid using the Eastwood Side jack VI on a Stevie Wonder song on bass, rhythm and lead
Didn't the Squier VI just get a revamp for this model year? I have not seen one in a store here in Canada yet but they might be available in the US now...?
I know the name changed - one is and Vintage Modified the other Classic Vibe but I don’t know what’s different other than Olympic White being gone. I’d love to find someone that owns a Sidejack VI to get their take on it. Doubtful I can ever A/B them in store because these are relatively niche axes.
Split the difference in both design and price: get an Eastwood TB64. I have a 2014 VM Bass VI and love it. I had to drop about two hour's time, a couple sleeves on the bridge posts and some heavier strings to make it play and perform properly. The sleeves and strings ran me $20. I later added a Duncan preamp and changed all the plastic to black, which added about $100 more to the cost, which now totaled about $500. I can't speak on the Eastwood, but I'm sure it's well made. However, I would be hard pressed to spend $1000 on a reissue or reproduction type VI.
Whoa! Simply the best video demo of a bass-VI type instrument I've ever seen, by far. Thanks. @Chicken Wing: if you edit the title ("Eastman" -> "Eastwood") you might get more responses, and future forum-searchers may have access to whatever good content, including the video linked above, ends being added herein.
@Chicken Wing; as @HaphAsSard has stated it would behoove you to use 'thread tools' and revise your thread title as 'Eastman' does not make bass guitars....at least not yet. They do make some beautiful $$ archtop guitars though. 'Eastwood' is what you're after. You may also want to ask here too The Official Eastwood Bass Club
I already have a 2014 VM Squier Bass VI (that I bought new in 2014) and modded a good bit to make it a killer VI. Had this TB64 been available when I got mine, I would have probably gone this route. I mean, it's pretty unique and comes in green or black (my two go-to colors). The switches are kinda in the way of my playing style, but that's easily fixed. Do what I did to my VI: Black guard, move the switches to lower horn, transform that rhythm/solo switch for series/parallel and add the Duncan blackouts preamp. Done and done!
The TB64 sounds great. Wow, it’s got a big amount of low end. More so than the Sidejack or Squier (as far as I can tell). Thanks for the share
I have never played a Bass VI, but I am guessing that when you're playing it more like a guitar (see the vids), especially like a lead guitar, it comes in handy.
The trem can be nice for guitar-ish things. I'm contemplating getting this hardtail conversion plate for my VI, as I use it as a bass. The trem arm is still in it's sealed package, 5 years after buying my VI!
I have that exact one and love it. Low twang for days. Also have the matching 12 string, also with tremolo!
