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New Pawn Shop Bass VI

#81
Wow that's cool! For the money you save over the Fender, you could buy an actual good Kahler tremolo :)

Actually I don't know if Kahler makes a 6-string bass tremolo or if you could use a regular guitar tremolo and put on stronger springs.
 
#82
kenstee said:
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/
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Wow, how many forums did you post this on? Got a vendetta or something?

Strangle switch? On/off switches for each pickup? These are completely antiquated features that I for one am glad to see missing from the circuit of this reissue.

What makes you think the new bridge pickup won't sound good? IMO, having owned a (amazing custom color all original) 1963 Bass VI, I'm looking forward to having one with a nice high-output bridge pickup. Have you owned a real deal vintage one?

Change the strings if you don't like them. Take 10 minutes and file the nut if it needs it.

Are you honestly telling me you're concerned about a "flimsy" tremolo on a 6-string bass? Poor bass response? IMO - you are missing the point totally. It's a quirky instrument. Deal with it.
 
#84
The point of the pawn shop range is to have guitars and basses that feature different pick ups, colours or parts than usual. They are not for everyone and most people prefer the traditional specs but there is a small market for these since they are cheaper than the MIA/MIJ models they seek inspiration from.

At £601 i might get one to mess around with.
 
#93
I actually don't think I want one of these anymore.

Initially I was excited because I was happy to see them bring this back in some form. However, after going through the new AVRI waiting room, finding some prices, and voicing my opinions, I'm very turned off by FMIC right now. I don't see myself buying Fender in the near future.

For those of you guys that are still interested, I'd love to know your experiences anyway!
 
#94
I'm really into this... but the nay-saying has me worried...

It just sucks, as i can't readily try out any Bass VI alternatives... i really like the Eastwood Sidejack Bass VI, but that, a Schecter, or an Agile just do not pop up in any frequency that would let me try them out. :hmm:
 
#95
I went to my local GC and I tried out the Pawnshop Bass VI today. I was very impressed! It sounded bassier than I thought it was going to sound, but I do not use a pick, I used my fingers and thumb ( Not slap style!). The front pickup sounded very good. The bridge humbucker was very midrangey, but it sounded great when the middle and bridge pickup were engaged. The whammy bar gave you a bit of a "shiver" to the sound, this style of Fender vibrato is not designed for dive bombs! My biggest complaint was the setup. There was a buzz on the low E. I also feel that this bass would sound even better with the D'addario Bass VI flat wounds with the 0.95" low E.

I will definitely buy this, just not from GC (that is a whole other story!).
 
#97
I will definitely try out the new pawn shop Bass VI as soon as it arrives in my local shop. It would be great to own an custom shop Bass VI, or even a MIJ one, but the price point of this pawn shop version is a great plus.


Fender got this new American vintage series, and the American Vintage '64 JB in LPB with matching headstock (Invalid Link Removed) reminded me of an other dream bass, the '66 JB in LPB from Klaus Flouride...
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So I browsed www.klausflouride.com/ and came across this: Klaus Flouride on a Bass VI, and it ain't no pawn shop version that one!
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#98
Din Of Win said:
I'm really into this... but the nay-saying has me worried...

It just sucks, as i can't readily try out any Bass VI alternatives... i really like the Eastwood Sidejack Bass VI, but that, a Schecter, or an Agile just do not pop up in any frequency that would let me try them out. :hmm:
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What you can do is order them. Then try them at your leisure in your home, with your own rig. You'll have 30 days or so to return them no questions asked by most Net retailers - check their policy first. If you love one of them keep it. If not, pack it up and ship it back. In fact, if you time it right you won't have to pay a dime as your credit card will be charged then refunded during a single cycle. All you'll be out is the return postage. Just keep them minty until you decide which to keep - if any.
 
#99
Adrenochrome said:
I will definitely try out the new pawn shop Bass VI as soon as it arrives in my local shop. It would be great to own an custom shop Bass VI, or even a MIJ one, but the price point of this pawn shop version is a great plus.
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You know there is not a HUGE price difference between this Pawn Shop version and the new MIJ VI version. If you can swing it imo the MIJ is a superior instrument.

Adrenochrome said:
Saw a few of those Pawn Shop Bass VIs pop up on Ebay, and the shop I usually buy my gear from will have them soon. Price point 829 €, about $1,107.
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Do yourself a favor. Wait a few months and pick up some bargains from people who Gassed, got it, then want to sell because it doesn't meet their needs, got bored, they aren't playing it as much as they thought, want another "traditional" guitar or bass, etc. Believe me..it always happens! In this instance the early bird gets the most expensive worm.

Adrenochrome said:
So I browsed www.klausflouride.com/ and came across this: Klaus Flouride on a Bass VI, and it ain't no pawn shop version that one!
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I'll say! Look at that beautiful binding! Now, that's what I had in mind from Fender this year!!!!!
 

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