The first song that came to my head was albatross by corrosion of conformity
Fly on albatross \m/
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Fender Pawn Shop Bass VI: Practical applications
- Thread starter Mark Nye
- Start date
The first song that came to my head was albatross by corrosion of conformity
Fly on albatross \m/
No problem. As far as I'm concerned, Fender should toss that guy a few bucks for his effort. His demo is better than theirs anyway. I'd kinda like to see a demo/review from proguitarshop.com, too. Their demos are pretty comprehensive, and Andy is one of the few guys making demo videos that I can actually stand to listen to when he talks about the instrument in question.
I did the same thing! Worked great. It REALLY gets on my nerves when people talk smack about this BASS without really trying it out. The guys in the band love it.
UPDATE:
I took my Bass VI to a local luthier who, as luck would have it, is what one might call a "Bass VI enthusiast." He has owned 3-4 of the old original ones (including a very early version with Strat pickups instead of Jaguars), and subsequently is really good at getting the most out of them. He was pretty stoked that I had brought mine in, because he hadn't actually seen the Pawn Shop version in person.
It also just so happened that he had stockpiled a "private reserve" of the Fender brand .025-.095 Bass VI strings which are not currently in production, and was willing to sell me a set at a reasonable price (much, much less than the LaBella set) since I was having him do the setup.
I have to say, it's a completely different animal now. The heavier gauge strings make a world of difference. I took it out on a gig last Friday and the thing just rocked. The Fender strings have a nice "piano-ey" quality. The brightness is a little much right out of the box, but I assume like most strings that they'll mellow out over time.
I took my Bass VI to a local luthier who, as luck would have it, is what one might call a "Bass VI enthusiast." He has owned 3-4 of the old original ones (including a very early version with Strat pickups instead of Jaguars), and subsequently is really good at getting the most out of them. He was pretty stoked that I had brought mine in, because he hadn't actually seen the Pawn Shop version in person.
It also just so happened that he had stockpiled a "private reserve" of the Fender brand .025-.095 Bass VI strings which are not currently in production, and was willing to sell me a set at a reasonable price (much, much less than the LaBella set) since I was having him do the setup.
I have to say, it's a completely different animal now. The heavier gauge strings make a world of difference. I took it out on a gig last Friday and the thing just rocked. The Fender strings have a nice "piano-ey" quality. The brightness is a little much right out of the box, but I assume like most strings that they'll mellow out over time.
Hey guys I've done quite a bit of trial and error with the whole finding the right round wound strings for this thing. I'm pretty damn picky when it comes to strings and the E has been a pain. The whole thing is chronicled over here with detailed reviews.
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I have really been pleased with the Circle K strings. So far it is my favorite set. The balanced tension really takes this instrument to a whole new realm of playability. I still haven't found an E that I love yet but this .098 is better than most. I have a .102 and .106 on the way from Circle K along with a bunch of other gauges to try on the other strings. Ill report my findings over there when I settle on a set of gauges.
My second favorites were the custom gauge nickel La Bella set. There are links to the La Bella custom nickel sets and instructions on how to order them in that link. I was not pleased with how long they lasted or I probably would have continued to try different gauges. For those who want a bit more vintage subdued round wound these would be the ones to try as they mellow pretty quick.
The Daddarios lasted a long time but the larger ball ends interfered with the tremolo too much for me. The medium scale .100 E sounded pretty good but was way too tight for my taste. These are no where near being balanced either. Though D'addario commented about possibly updating the set in the fall. I'd give them a shot again if they do.
My favorite E was a 34 scale DR sunbeam .100 but it did not taper soon enough and ended up breaking after a few tunings due to the large wrap around the small tuner. The large ball end was the same as previously mentioned Daddario. Maybe they will make a specific Bass VI set in the future but it will probably have to sell a lot more before they do. Well see..
Lots more details at the above link.
Invalid Link Removed
I have really been pleased with the Circle K strings. So far it is my favorite set. The balanced tension really takes this instrument to a whole new realm of playability. I still haven't found an E that I love yet but this .098 is better than most. I have a .102 and .106 on the way from Circle K along with a bunch of other gauges to try on the other strings. Ill report my findings over there when I settle on a set of gauges.
My second favorites were the custom gauge nickel La Bella set. There are links to the La Bella custom nickel sets and instructions on how to order them in that link. I was not pleased with how long they lasted or I probably would have continued to try different gauges. For those who want a bit more vintage subdued round wound these would be the ones to try as they mellow pretty quick.
The Daddarios lasted a long time but the larger ball ends interfered with the tremolo too much for me. The medium scale .100 E sounded pretty good but was way too tight for my taste. These are no where near being balanced either. Though D'addario commented about possibly updating the set in the fall. I'd give them a shot again if they do.
My favorite E was a 34 scale DR sunbeam .100 but it did not taper soon enough and ended up breaking after a few tunings due to the large wrap around the small tuner. The large ball end was the same as previously mentioned Daddario. Maybe they will make a specific Bass VI set in the future but it will probably have to sell a lot more before they do. Well see..
Lots more details at the above link.
I used the Ernie Ball set of .020-.095 on my Bass VI build. I liked the tone and the little bit of added tension over the .084 Fender set. They are much longer than I needed, since I went with the Dano hardtail bridge instead of the trad vibrato.
Thank you much for the recommendation! I'm a Morricone freak, especially Once Upon a Time in the West. I'll let you know what I think.
I really feel this instrument is one of the most versatile and useful tools Ive found for the studio. Im using it for baritone lines, for bass lines and for different voiced guitar lines. Ive played it through both guitar amps and bass amps alike (guitar heads with bass cabinets too). Ive doubled bass lines, doubled guitar lines and doubled keyboard lines as well. Ive used bass fingerstyle, guitar fingerstyle, a pick, thumb pick and even slap (as well as all of those with the mute that I installed too). I dont know how Ive lived without one as long as I have from a producers point of view. As a layering tool it really is amazing.
Someone was quoted as saying that The Bass VI isnt an instrument for kids. Its strictly a tool for grown up musicians. That really nails it. If you try to limit it to being a guitar or bass you have really missed the point of having it in the first place. Its neither, its a Bass VI.
Someone was quoted as saying that The Bass VI isnt an instrument for kids. Its strictly a tool for grown up musicians. That really nails it. If you try to limit it to being a guitar or bass you have really missed the point of having it in the first place. Its neither, its a Bass VI.
I used the Ernie Ball set of .020-.095 on my Bass VI build. I liked the tone and the little bit of added tension over the .084 Fender set. They are much longer than I needed, since I went with the Dano hardtail bridge instead of the trad vibrato.
Dig that Mustang/Bass VI you built there. You have a build thread for it?
I used the Ernie Ball set of .020-.095 on my Bass VI build. I liked the tone and the little bit of added tension over the .084 Fender set. They are much longer than I needed, since I went with the Dano hardtail bridge instead of the trad vibrato.
I was watching that one on eBay and was mere seconds from pulling the trigger.
Finally hooked up the dual amp rig last night. Absolutely amazing for the trio I'm playing in. One side was the Genz Benz/Ampeg rig from my signature, the other was a silverface Vibrolux Reverb with a Tube Screamer (drive almost all the way down) in front.
Using a Morley ABY, I had the and/or option. Chords and arpeggios sounded very "baritone"-ey through the Vibrolux, and the vibrato and reverb came in handy for a big, lush twangy sound. Adding in the bass rig was really cool, as well. When I played chords, the bass rig almost sounded like the lower range of an organ. Very cool stuff.
As far as playing style, I mixed it up quite a bit. Some of the tunes called for "just bass," whereas both amps played with a pick almost gave the effect of having another guitar player. It really shined on the more mellow ballad-type songs. At one point, I put a capo on the 5th and played baritone voicings. It was pretty mind boggling.
I have a few dates on the road next weekend, and that's the setup I'll be playing. I'll see if I can't get some video, or at least a few pics.
Using a Morley ABY, I had the and/or option. Chords and arpeggios sounded very "baritone"-ey through the Vibrolux, and the vibrato and reverb came in handy for a big, lush twangy sound. Adding in the bass rig was really cool, as well. When I played chords, the bass rig almost sounded like the lower range of an organ. Very cool stuff.
As far as playing style, I mixed it up quite a bit. Some of the tunes called for "just bass," whereas both amps played with a pick almost gave the effect of having another guitar player. It really shined on the more mellow ballad-type songs. At one point, I put a capo on the 5th and played baritone voicings. It was pretty mind boggling.
I have a few dates on the road next weekend, and that's the setup I'll be playing. I'll see if I can't get some video, or at least a few pics.
Just did my first studio session with my PSBVI (The New Official Abbreviation ) yesterday. The results were fantastic. I used the neck pickup and played with a pick (at the producer's request) and guess what it sounded like? That's right. A bass.
We also overdubbed some chords during a bridge (pick, bridge pickup) and got very convincing baritone sounds.
I cannot express how happy I am with this instrument so far. Definitely one of my better purchases. I'm really getting a kick out of quashing the opinions of the naysayers, too. My bandmates have even assigned me a catch-phrase.
Naysayer: "That's not a real bass because you can't do ______ with it."
Me: "Yeah? F---ing watch me."
) yesterday. The results were fantastic. I used the neck pickup and played with a pick (at the producer's request) and guess what it sounded like? That's right. A bass.We also overdubbed some chords during a bridge (pick, bridge pickup) and got very convincing baritone sounds.
I cannot express how happy I am with this instrument so far. Definitely one of my better purchases. I'm really getting a kick out of quashing the opinions of the naysayers, too. My bandmates have even assigned me a catch-phrase.
Naysayer: "That's not a real bass because you can't do ______ with it."
Me: "Yeah? F---ing watch me."
Just did my first studio session with my PSBVI (The New Official Abbreviation
We also overdubbed some chords during a bridge (pick, bridge pickup) and got very convincing baritone sounds.
I cannot express how happy I am with this instrument so far. Definitely one of my better purchases. I'm really getting a kick out of quashing the opinions of the naysayers, too. My bandmates have even assigned me a catch-phrase.
Naysayer: "That's not a real bass because you can't do ______ with it."
Me: "Yeah? F---ing watch me."
Really hope your next post will have some clips/something..
Like I said before, I don't own any recording/video equipment. The YouTube link I posted earlier in the thread is about the best demo clip you'll find out there right now. If at some point someone records a gig for which I use the PSBVI, I'll post it. When the songwriter I played for yesterday releases the tracks I played on her next album, I'll post that, too. Until then...sorry.
I was wondering if anyone has tried the Squier version of these. Those Vintage-Mod Squiers are pretty nice build quality actually.
Just curious. Obviously, they're cheaper. Sorry if I missed somebody commenting about the Squier version in this thread.
Thanks!
Just curious. Obviously, they're cheaper. Sorry if I missed somebody commenting about the Squier version in this thread.
Thanks!
No prob. It's a pretty cool album. There's guest appearances by Jack White and Norah Jones on there, too. And if you want to check out some more cool Bass VI work, get some Ennio Morricone soundtracks. The soundtrack for "The Good, The Bad & The Ugly" is loaded with some cool Bass VI playing.
Let me resurrect this zombie thread....
So does this bass VI is best played with single string plucking or barre chords?
So does this bass VI is best played with single string plucking or barre chords?
I play mine with a pick, both as an extended range guitar and bass. I love VI's and can't imagine being without one
I play mine with a pick as a bass and extended range guitar.
As for how it's best played? You be the judge.
I play mine with a pick as a bass and extended range guitar.
As for how it's best played? You be the judge.
