New Pawn Shop Bass VI

[TolerancEJ]

Can they handle a low B?

There is (or was) a Low B "Bass VI-style" string available. Ibanez a few years ago released the SR7ViiSC, a 7-String bass (30" scale), which was their entry into the Bass VI-style instrument.

Edit: From the picture, it looks like the low-end strings seem to be regular bass strings, but the high-end string appear to be thinner than a standard 7-String set.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Rockin Mike]

Is there a chart showing what string gauge you'd have to use at a certain scale length to get a certain tension at a certain note?

Given the whammy bar I think these would be good candidates for a balanced set.

 

[nukes_da_bass]

The original Fender Bass VI strings were flat wound. I bet LaBella makes
Em!

 

[Session1969]

Lol ! It's just a guitar. Anyone remember when BP Mag did a gag about the Fender Picolo Bass ?

 

[khutch]

Is there a chart showing what string gauge you'd have to use at a certain scale length to get a certain tension at a certain note?

Sure is.Link Removed but it can be a bit tricky to use at different scale lengths. They give you instructions on how to do that in the text at the beginning. D'Addario has one too and it has the same problem since you would have to duplicate everything either company currently has for each desired scale length to have a complete set of charts. And who knows how many different scale lengths have been used? D'Addario does give the formula for tension in the front of their booklet though and you can use that at any scale length.

I have a spreadsheet that can do tension calculations for you too, I'll have to scratch my head a while and figure out how to point you to it. Others have posted similar spreadsheets here. Ok, I found mine here in post #15.

Ken

 

[thehorse]

I've always hoped to find something that sits between a bass and a guitar. For a while I've settled on a 7 strings Schecter Omen Extreme. Nice, but still too shrill.
And now this happens.
I'm getting one. Oh yes. It's THAT tone I was looking for.
And frankly, I've also looked into the Schecter Hellcat, but (at least in Italy) they are pretty rare and cost an arm and a leg.
No no. I'm getting this. CAR with matching headstock.
And flats. Big, chunky flats.
And I'm also gonna Meshuggah the hell out of it

 

[Rockin Mike]

Sure is.Link Removed but it can be a bit tricky to use at different scale lengths. They give you instructions on how to do that in the text at the beginning. D'Addario has one too and it has the same problem since you would have to duplicate everything either company currently has for each desired scale length to have a complete set of charts. And who knows how many different scale lengths have been used? D'Addario does give the formula for tension in the front of their booklet though and you can use that at any scale length.

I have a spreadsheet that can do tension calculations for you too, I'll have to scratch my head a while and figure out how to point you to it. Others have posted similar spreadsheets here. Ok, I found mine here in post #15.

Ken

Oh, that spreadsheet is nice.
Thank you thank you thank you

 

[kenstee]

This new Bass VI is a total disappointment. It's features have been rather dramatically reduced/downgraded from the real thing. Gone are the separate on/off switches for each pup - instead a cheap, less customizable blade assembly has been used. Gone is the strangle switch. Gone are the 3 single coil Jag pups which gave it that amazing sound. Gone are the great .095>.026 strings which gave it that classic bass response and tone. Instead, it comes with significantly lighter gauge strings - which greatly impacts tone. Not even sure it can accommodate the proper gauge strings as an option. The truss rod is not the stronger reinforced one found on other VIs. So, structurally may be an issue with thicker strings. And they might not fit in the stock tuning pegs/nut or bridge. Some of the first players to try one out have said it feels a bit flimsy (especially the floating trem) and the bass response was poor - particularly on the E string.

You might be much better off getting the 2012 Schecter Hellcat VI which is more true - IMO - to the classic Bass VI and is very reasonably priced for what you get (uses 3 Seymour Duncan SJAG-1 pups - which sound great btw) except it does not have a trem- which for me is kind of useless with thick strings anyway OR get the UltraCure Robert Smith VI also from Schecter OR get the new MIJ version of the Fender Bass VI - which is MUCH closer to the specs of the classic Bass VI - available from Japanese retailers and some US ones OR get a Burns Barracuda. Why couldn't they just do this right and produce a "real" Bass VI like the current MIJ model and made this stripped-down version the cheaper Squire version? What a missed opportunity. I'll pass.....YMMV

Some early user reviews and comments can be found here...https://www.facebook.com/groups/34542190945/

 

[electracoyote]

Ouch.

 

[Rockin Mike]

Fender.

 

[subbasshz]

hellcat FTW.

 

[tdizzle]

Who are these US dealers that carry the MIJ bass VI?

 

[DeliriumTremens]

Who are these US dealers that carry the MIJ bass VI?

the music zoo has one

 

[change-jug]

This new Bass VI is a total disappointment. It's features have been rather dramatically reduced/downgraded from the real thing. Gone are the separate on/off switches for each pup - instead a cheap, less customizable blade assembly has been used. Gone is the strangle switch. Gone are the 3 single coil Jag pups which gave it that amazing sound. Gone are the great .095>.026 strings which gave it that classic bass response and tone. Instead, it comes with significantly lighter gauge strings - which greatly impacts tone. Not even sure it can accommodate the proper gauge strings as an option. The truss rod is not the stronger reinforced one found on other VIs. So, structurally may be an issue with thicker strings. And they might not fit in the stock tuning pegs/nut or bridge. Some of the first players to try one out have said it feels a bit flimsy (especially the floating trem) and the bass response was poor - particularly on the E string.

You might be much better off getting the 2012 Schecter Hellcat VI which is more true - IMO - to the classic Bass VI and is very reasonably priced for what you get (uses 3 Seymour Duncan SJAG-1 pups - which sound great btw) except it does not have a trem- which for me is kind of useless with thick strings anyway OR get the UltraCure Robert Smith VI also from Schecter OR get the new MIJ version of the Fender Bass VI - which is MUCH closer to the specs of the classic Bass VI - available from Japanese retailers and some US ones OR get a Burns Barracuda. Why couldn't they just do this right and produce a "real" Bass VI like the current MIJ model and made this stripped-down version the cheaper Squire version? What a missed opportunity. I'll pass.....YMMV

Some early user reviews and comments can be found here...https://www.facebook.com/groups/34542190945/

Wow. That`s really disappointing to hear. I was really hoping for better. I get that this is a Pawn Shop series and that`s why there`s some changes from the standard Bass vi(like the 5 way slider instead of 3 on/off switches for the pups) but those changes should at the very least be made with quality components.

 

[Adrenochrome]

Well, I suspected that it wasn't going to be easy to get a Fender Bass VI...

 

[Ferniff]

I know its early but has anyone seen demo videos showcasing the pawn shop model actually being used as a bass guitar? And how easy would it be to switch out the pickguard and selector switch for the real bass VI pickup switch style.

 

[tdizzle]

the music zoo has one

I went there and saw a Custom Shop Bass VI for $4,239.99.

 

[ih8law]

I am really drawn to this for some reason. I've spent the last hour trying to compare the Fender to Gretsch's Baritone guitar, which I believe until recently came set up from the factory for E to e tuning. If the Gretsch didn't have that silly sparkle finish I probably wouldn't be holding out to try the Fender.

 

[Rockin Mike]

This new Bass VI is a total disappointment. It's features have been rather dramatically reduced/downgraded from the real thing. Gone are the separate on/off switches for each pup - instead a cheap, less customizable blade assembly has been used. Gone is the strangle switch. Gone are the 3 single coil Jag pups which gave it that amazing sound. Gone are the great .095>.026 strings which gave it that classic bass response and tone. Instead, it comes with significantly lighter gauge strings - which greatly impacts tone. Not even sure it can accommodate the proper gauge strings as an option. The truss rod is not the stronger reinforced one found on other VIs. So, structurally may be an issue with thicker strings. And they might not fit in the stock tuning pegs/nut or bridge. Some of the first players to try one out have said it feels a bit flimsy (especially the floating trem) and the bass response was poor - particularly on the E string.

How hard would it be to fix these things?

How hard would it be to install the switches?
Cut a new pickguard and put in 3 strat-style pickups?
The truss rod and tuners may be able to handle proper strings, we don't know yet. If not, how hard would it be to replace them?

It would be labor intensive, but the cost of parts wouldn't be that much, I think.

 

[Bongokid]

My new BASS.

I'm not the biggest fan of the headstock although that's the only "negative" thing I can say about this guy.
Not bad for 560$ shipped.