Explain the Fender Bass VI

[beate_r]

Different example: EB 283, intended for baritone guitars tuned E-E and a scale slighly shorter that the Bass VI (i think 28.5 or 29") are 20-30-42-54-74-90. I had them on my VI with 4+2 headstock and strat bridge. They were well balanced, really well sounding if You wanted a "deep guitar tone", and the E was not sloppy. But they are too short for 7ender VI and its clones.

 

[Jebberz]

You have a Gretsch Bass VI?

Yes.

In fact, il is a Gretsch Baritone, sold with A-A baritone, but has a 30 inch scale - so it works perfectly as a bass VI. It was sold that way at first and was rebranded later on as a baritone.

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[nomaj]

Wasn't 'Witchita Lineman' played on a Danelectro, not a Bass VI? Regardless, I've always loved that sound.

But more pertinent to this thread, does a Bass VI sound similar to a Danelectro? Or are they markedly different tonal flavors, like the differences in the sound of a Strat and a Les Paul?

 

[B-Mac]

Yes.

In fact, il is a Gretsch Baritone, sold with A-A baritone, but has a 30 inch scale - so it works perfectly as a bass VI. It was sold that way at first and was rebranded later on as a baritone.

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Is that the same as the Duane Eddy?

 

[B-Mac]

Yes.

In fact, il is a Gretsch Baritone, sold with A-A baritone, but has a 30 inch scale - so it works perfectly as a bass VI. It was sold that way at first and was rebranded later on as a baritone.

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But the Baritone has thinner strings than what is usually on the Bass VI, correct?

 

[B-Mac]

Sorry, I meant EADGCF

I use D'Addario EXL156 Nickel Wound, Fender Bass VI, 24-84 (they were available at the store where I bought the Gretsch).

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Kalium sells Bass VI Strings in Many gauges, I did not made my mind yet over what I'd choose.

Bass VI | Kalium Music

Thanks for the tip with Kalium

This is the response that I got from Skip Fantry at Kalium Music concerning EADGCF or BEADGC (staying in fourths)

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Hi B-Mac


If you take your Bass VI to B (I have and it is amazing) you will need to modify your nut - the stock slot is likely wide enough and no more for a .095-.100 string.


I will give you seven links to gauges I suggest for straight 4ths intervals as a starting point for you;

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I hope this is helpful.


Skip

 

[bigtone23]

Sorry, I meant EADGCF

I use D'Addario EXL156 Nickel Wound, Fender Bass VI, 24-84 (they were available at the store where I bought the Gretsch).

Kalium sells Bass VI Strings in Many gauges, I did not made my mind yet over what I'd choose.

Bass VI | Kalium Music

I use the Kalium 102 set on my VI. It has good tension on the low E, and is pretty balanced amongst all strings. When I got my VI new, the stock strings are the same gauge as the D'Addario set, which results in a very floppy A and E. Not really sure why they stick with that gauge. Regardless, I also ordered a single .076 and .098 from them to replace the E and A while I took the bass apart and made countless adjustments until I got it the geometry dialed in. At that point, the new set of 102's were installed.

 

[B-Mac]

Been eyeing one of these. I like the look. Wish it had maple FB though.

 

[B-Mac]

If You are using the standard strings (those made by Daddario) - yes, no surprise. Things might be already different if You're already using thicker strings like the LaBellas - but also here: tuning two of them up a semitone should not be a problem for strings or instrument, but maybe for the fingers or the playability.

I'd be playing it with a pick, so granted it would be tighter string spacing, but I don't think it would be as much a problem as for someone playing fingers?

 

[lizardking837]

You might consider Cool Rails if you want to keep the twangy sound. The Hot Rails will certainly put most inputs into overdrive, and have mostly mids. Great if you play distorted with a bunch of preamp gain. Not good if you want to play clean once in awhile.

Thanks, I'm looking for mostly clean and occasionally distorted so I'll look into cool rails if I feel as though I need to. What do you feel that bridge buckers add to a bass vi?

 

[beate_r]

but I don't think it would be as much a problem as for someone playing fingers?

It is mostly about the force You need to play chords, notably barree chords in the low registers, where string tension matters a lot. A lot more than on a guitar even with heavy strings.

BTW: playing it with the fingers is something one can get used to, although it takes (me!) a long time to adapt.

 

[B-Mac]

It is mostly about the force You need to play chords, notably barree chords in the low registers, where string tension matters a lot. A lot more than on a guitar even with heavy strings.

BTW: playing it with the fingers is something one can get used to, although it takes (me!) a long time to adapt.

Ill still be playing it like a bass

 

[bigtone23]

IME, a bridge humbucker could add a little more output and maybe darken the tone for that position. If done well, it could balance nicely with the neck and middle pickups. Otherwise, it seems to be more of a guitar thing, better for dirtier tones.

 

[lizardking837]

IME, a bridge humbucker could add a little more output and maybe darken the tone for that position. If done well, it could balance nicely with the neck and middle pickups. Otherwise, it seems to be more of a guitar thing, better for dirtier tones.

Gotcha, the only reason that I would consider it is the Pawn Shop version that was out a few years ago with the Jazzmaster Humbucker in the bridge position. Frustratingly, none of the demo videos feature the bridge pickup solo'd.

 

[Jebberz]

Is that the same as the Duane Eddy?

I guess not, it's a solidbody

 

[Jebberz]

But the Baritone has thinner strings than what is usually on the Bass VI, correct?

Correct, that's why I changed the strings with a proper Bass VI set of strings when I bought the Gretsch. The strings fits perfectly and sits comfortably in the nut.

The Gretsch was once sold with Bass VI strings, and later with Baritone strings but it is the same instrument, just different marketing approach.

 

[lizardking837]

I guess not, it's a solidbody

It looked like the Electromatic Baritone is a solidbody and the Duane Eddy is a semi-hollow. They are both sexy as shag...

 

[Jebberz]

It looked like the Electromatic Baritone is a solidbody and the Duane Eddy is a semi-hollow. They are both sexy as shag...

Yes, but my wallet finds the Baritone more attractive than the Duane Eddy, and I wouldn't feel safe to bring a 4k$ bass to the kind of gigs that we get.

 

[Zoobiedood]

Thanks, I'm looking for mostly clean and occasionally distorted so I'll look into cool rails if I feel as though I need to. What do you feel that bridge buckers add to a bass vi?

Well, as far as the Cool Rails go, it is sort of a clean, scooped sound, that is quiet. Vintage Rails are another good choice, but they sound more like clean single coils (and are quieter, too).

 

[Jim H]

" I mean a guitar manufacturer making a guitar with strings E, A, D, G, C, F which would still be in fourths rather than a guitar that is E, A, D, G, B,E."

All you need is a custom set of strings: something like 11s on the lower 4 and 10s on the upper two. That should more than even out the tension for the C and F strings. On my full 6 string I use single C and F strings (all Rotosound) tuned to B and E and it works fine., but that's the other way. I actually like the highest strings a little extra loose.