I'm the new guy, so hello and I have a question...

[bob72]

Not sure if this is really a bass question or a string question so apologies if this is not the right place.

Firstly, hello everybody, I'm Bob and I'm a newbie here. A newbie musician as well (at the ripe old age of 44!). I've been playing guitar for about 9 months, drums for 3, and just got a bass yesterday. My question of course pertains to the bass...

So it's a Squire Bass VI, and I got it tuned up. Now, I'm used to strumming guitar strings. That being said, I started plucking the low E and compared to a guitar it seems kind of like floppy. I saw one review on the bass where the reviewer said the same, so here are my questions:

1. Is this characteristic of all basses? Or is it the Squire in particular?
2. If I change the strings from the stock to the Labella flat wounds designed for the bass VI, is the string still likely to be floppy?

Thanks for the input guys. See ya 'round!

Bob

 

[MonetBass]

What you have there is actually more of a baritone guitar. I'd suggest you get a 4-string bass (Squier VM or CV Jazz or Precision, if you want to stay in the low price point). I've never played one of those, but I suspect that is characteristic of that particular 'bass'.

Welcome!

 

[Broke]

I started a year ago at 44 also. I honestly think you are trying to learn too much at one time. Pick one of those instruments and play it for 2 years. The bass strings are thicker and are floppier than a guitar. That's the nature of the beast. Flatwounds won't make a difference in my opinion on the feel.

 

[danosix]

Not sure if this is really a bass question or a string question so apologies if this is not the right place.

Firstly, hello everybody, I'm Bob and I'm a newbie here. A newbie musician as well (at the ripe old age of 44!). I've been playing guitar for about 9 months, drums for 3, and just got a bass yesterday. My question of course pertains to the bass...

So it's a Squire Bass VI, and I got it tuned up. Now, I'm used to strumming guitar strings. That being said, I started plucking the low E and compared to a guitar it seems kind of like floppy. I saw one review on the bass where the reviewer said the same, so here are my questions:

1. Is this characteristic of all basses? Or is it the Squire in particular?
2. If I change the strings from the stock to the Labella flat wounds designed for the bass VI, is the string still likely to be floppy?

Thanks for the input guys. See ya 'round!

Bob

The low e on those type of instruments 6 string bass guitars (aka baritone guitars) are usually quite floppy.
If you are looking for something to function in a conventional "bass" manner, you should try something more conventionally bass - even if you go short scale regular basses have the space on the neck and in the nut for much thicker strings.
If on the other hand you are looking to explore the outer reaches of what both guitar and bass can do - these are amazing, one of my favourite instruments and the Squire is quite good.
The Labella flats made for that will be better (flats are stiffer than rounds) but it will still be an in-betweeny instrument.
If you want to play bass - get a bass.

 

[Nev375]

A heavier gauge set of strings will feel less floppy.

Same is true on every instrument.

Just remember that any significant change in strings is going to require an intonation and truss rod adjustment at least.

Since the bass VI is kind of a rare instrument you may have difficulty finding stock strings for it in a variety of gauges. However, in this day and age you can order custom strings to fit almost anything.

Kalium (formerly Circle K) Strings is a best bet for you in sourcing what you are looking for. There is a mathematical formula that determines the relationship between gauge, scale length and tension (floppiness). They have that formula on their website so if you are the mathematical sort you can easily determine what gauge strings you need.

....Or you can simply buy a heavier set than what you have and try those out and repeat as necessary.

 

[jlepre]

What you have there is actually more of a baritone guitar. I'd suggest you get a 4-string bass (Squier VM or CV Jazz or Precision, if you want to stay in the low price point). I've never played one of those, but I suspect that is characteristic of that particular 'bass'.

Welcome!

If this is what you have, then you need to see if you can return it for a 4 string bass.

Like THIS

 

[catcauphonic]

Welcome! I too later in life picked up bass as my first instrument. That was about 4 years ago at 43. Now I'm in an originals project that i love, recording, and playing out monthly. Agreed that you should pick one thing and stick with it for a time before trying to simultaneously learn others. All you need is 15-45min a day, and you'll make big strides (as well as have those 'plateaued' weeks in between.)

Congrats, and welcome to TB

 

[danosix]

I started a year ago at 44 also. I honestly think you are trying to learn too much at one time. Pick one of those instruments and play it for 2 years. The bass strings are thicker and are floppier than a guitar. That's the nature of the beast. Flatwounds won't make a difference in my opinion on the feel.

I don't want to be discourage-y but I agree - spend at least a couple years on your first instrument before you branch out.
Unless you are a musical savant or can commit full time to developing musically, you will get very little benefit from spreading out your time on multiple instruments - there are things to learn from instruments other than your main instrument, but few people can extract those benefits before they have reached a relatively high level of proficiency on their instrument - that's why even musical poly-maths like David Gilmour still focus their energies on their main instrument - if you focus on one, you will get good at one, if you dabble on 3 (or more) you'll be a dabbler on 3 or more.

 

[danosix]

If this is what you have, then you need to see if you can return it for a 4 string bass.

Like THIS

I disagree - I think he should mail the first to me and then go out and buy a regular bass.

 

[sgtpepper]

First of all, welcome to Talkbass!

I must agree with other guys here. Stick to the one istrument you like the most (it will obviously be the bass! ). Then, if you have a tight budget, sell or return the bass VI and get a regular 4 string Jazz or Precision bass. If you are a rich man , then keep the Bass VI and get the 4 string. I personally don't like the baritone guitars so I don't have an opinion on the floppyness of the 6th string on your instrument.

 

[bob72]

Thanks to those who answered my questions.

And for the advice and criticism... duly noted.

 

[jd56hawk]

Definitely get yourself a 4-string (plenty of Squier VM Jazz basses out there for under $200 and other equally good bargains) and play it until you bond with it.

 

[pbassjbass]

I have the squire VI, I switched to the labella bass VI flats string set, and they helped a lot. It's still not like a four string, but good for tic/toc bass and other parts. [removed wrong info about tuning octave] It has a 30 inch scale (there are basses of that scale, hofner, gibson/epiphone EB0) and lighter strings to work at that pitch. Setup can be tricky between the floating bridge and the wammie bar. Enjoy.

 

[Doc Loco]

The Fender (or Squier) bass VI is a nice instrument, but kind of a niche one - very specialized. I agree that you should start with a regular bass. Now, about the floppy strings, the Squier Bass VI is shipped with very light gauge strings, most people strung them with heavier gauge (I did, with Labella flats) - instant "thud" and not floppy anymore.

 

[okcrum]

Thanks to those who answered my questions.

And for the advice and criticism... duly noted.

I didn't see an actual answer to the floppiness question.
EDIT: Doc Loco beat me by a minute...

You do have a Bass VI, so you could play bass on it if you want. You normally need to use a pick. If you look at various bands, you don't see many of them. However, the Bass VI was designed for guitar players to use, so if you're going to focus on guitar, keep it.

Many people who get a Bass VI put thicker low E and A strings on to increase the tension, which reduces the floppiness.

Welcome to TalkBass! As is usual on the net, take all advice with a grain of salt, YMMV, etc.

 

[wintremute]

Hello. Welcome to TalkBass.

 

[George Himmel]

I thought the Bass VI was tuned B E A D F#B, a fifth (not an octave) below standard guitar tuning. That'd certainly bring the strings to tension.

 

[DDXdesign]

It's still not like a four string, but good for tic/toc bass and other parts. It is setup an octave higher than a traditional electric.

BassVIs are not an octave higher than a traditional bass. It's the same octave (both instruments are 1 octave lower than guitar), but because of the scale and strings and electronics sounds thinner and smaller, for lack of better phrasing. It's not what you'd want to play massive bass on, but it's technically the same notes.

 

[lz4005]

I thought the Bass VI was tuned B E A D F#B, a fifth (not an octave) below standard guitar tuning. That'd certainly bring the strings to tension.

The stock strings on Bass VI are designed to tune EADGBE one octave below guitar.
B to B and A to A tunings are not uncommon, but require different strings.

OP: The VI is sort of it's own instrument. It can't be used for the traditional role of a bass or a guitar. It's a little bit of both, all of neither. As the other folks have said, if you want to learn bass, get a normal bass. The VI is more of a low guitar that covers the range, but not the tone, of a bass.

 

[Jughead6]

Yes, Bass VI strings are notoriously floppy. But that's part of the unique charm of the Bass VI.

Don't listen to the nay-sayers... There are many famous musicians that have played Bass VI's. They are cool instruments, they are just better suited to particular kinds of music.

I regularly have 5 hour rehearsals playing regular long scale bass guitars. The following day, after having stretched and strained my hands all the previous night, there is nothing better than playing my Bass VI. So easy and gentle on the hands.

And welcome to TB!