Schecter Hellcat VI

[lousybassist]

My style is a little bit more guitar-y than many players; only issue is that I'm a finger player most of the time, which this instrument doesn't lend itself towards.

For what it's worth, I almost never play my Fender VI - or any other bass - with a pick. While the string spacing is often considered as too tight for fingerstyle playing, I don't mind it at all, and actually find it easier to play a VI fingerstyle than with a pick.

 

[kenstee]

Anybody need an original Fender VI?

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[winston]

Thanks for the sound clips and reviews. Great thread all in all.

I've been a VI lover for well over a decade, but still can't afford one; and the prices are just going up I've been looking in to the Hellcat VI as a possibility until I can afford a real Fender VI (like to go Pre-CBS, but I like the block inlays). As it stands I think I'll get myself a Hellcat as a fill in; it seems like it will allow me to do most of what I want with a bass. My style is a little bit more guitar-y than many players; only issue is that I'm a finger player most of the time, which this instrument doesn't lend itself towards. I'll always have my Jazz available when I need it.

Closest thing I've played was a Jaguar Baritone Custom in a shop. I was lusting after it and slowly saving up my pennies, but it got sold out from under me. It was an interesting instrument to play, I quite enjoyed it.

I had a Jag Bari Custom before getting my Hellcat VI. I find the Hellcat to be a better instrument in every way except for pickup mounting (Strat-style, attached to the pickguard with screws/springs) and that honker of a headstock that greatly limits case/gigbag options.

The Hellcat can get the Jag's twang but is deep-sounding enough to be used as a real bass. The pickups/electronics are considerably more versatile, and I find it easier to get the neck/bridge set exactly how I want. Plus the Schecter can be found used for about $300. I got mine pre-dinged so I have no qualms about taking it out of the house.

That said the Jag Bari is a fine instrument, very well-made. Resale is good; I sold mine for $100 more than I paid new to a surf-rock dude who planned to add a middle pickup. I used mine for all the guitar/bass parts on "CosmoGirl" at http://soundclick.com/share?songid=3495800

 

[kenstee]

FYI, from the Facebook Schecter Hellcat VI Group:

"Do NOT get the La Bella flats! They're just a little too long for the Hellcat, presumably due to the Bass VI's tremolo. You wouldn't think this would matter so much, but you end up having to wind the "body" of the string onto the tuner post, and long story short, I ended up breaking the low E string up there."

BTW, if you are on Facebook join the Schecter Hellcat VI group.

 

[gregolak]

Hi

does anybody use the hellcat VI on a guitar amp ?

I'm waiting for mine, I have a bass amp, but I also intend to try it on my fender deluxe guitar amp. Could it damage the amp ?

Thanks, and thanks for all this thread, very useful !

 

[kenstee]

Doubt it. But, I'd go very gradual volume wise. In other words, don't crank it up right away. How do you plan to use your Cat? More guitar like (i.e. more treble) or more bass-like? If you plan primarily a very "bassy" approach might be more wary about using the guitar amp. That said, I personally do use a bass amp. With the EQ on the bass amp (and a Tech 21 VT Bass to add punch and get rid of any residual "muddiness") I really don't think I'm missing anything at all vs. using a guitar amp. YMMV.

 

[gregolak]

I will use it as... something between a bass and a guitar ! I must admit I don't know exactly what I'm gonna do with it !

I just want to be sure not to damage my guitar amp while trying... Thanks.

 

[winston]

I used my Hellcat VI through a Fender Hot Rod Deluxe at a jam session last year. The amp was in a corner, on the floor, close to the wall so it got some acoustic assistance on the low end. Tone was good in the room and could be heard over keys, guitar, and drums. Sounded huge when palm-muted while picking, and the reverb was lotsa fun. It didn't hurt the amp but I don't think it would work well on a gig.

 

[MIJ-VI]

FYI, from the Facebook Schecter Hellcat VI Group:

"Do NOT get the La Bella flats! They're just a little too long for the Hellcat, presumably due to the Bass VI's tremolo. You wouldn't think this would matter so much, but you end up having to wind the "body" of the string onto the tuner post, and long story short, I ended up breaking the low E string up there."

BTW, if you are on Facebook join the Schecter Hellcat VI group.

An update from the same group which has recently been renamed:

Schecter Hellcat VI Players

From the Best strings for Hellcat VI? Discussions thread, Post #23:

"Wow, and the following was in my Inbox at 4:18 today (12/11)!

"
Hello Jeff,

I will make a test set (EDIT: flatwounds) and send it off to see if its fits correctly. Once we get the construction down to perfection, would you mind spreading the word to your fellow hellcats that we are offering a model specifically for this bass? It would be most appreciated.

Best regards,

Eric Cocco
Vice President (EDIT: LaBella strings.)
"

So there you go. Evidently I'm going to get a "prototype" set (wow!) and then we'll finally have Hellcat-specific strings! This is very exciting!"

- Jeff Michael

 

[kenstee]

We're trying to convince LaBella to make Hellcat VI-specific strings. They seem to be really considering going in this direction. It would be really beneficial if anybody here could take a minute to email LaBella to let them know of your interest in buying Hellcat VI-specific strings (flat and roundwound) from LaBella. Direct your emails to: <[email protected]> Thanks!

 

[kenstee]

The Hellcat VI-specific strings from LaBella are here!

There are a couple of on-line stores carrying the strings including BigcityStrings.com and Elderly music.

For Immediate Release: New electric bass guitar strings from LaBella Strings made especially for the Schecter Hellcat® VI. These strings, made by skilled artisans, are designed to fit perfectly on the Hellcat ®Series of basses by Schecter®. Available in flat wound and nickel or stainless steel round wound, these strings are hand-made in the USA with American wire. Competitively priced and constructed with the player in mind.

Set HC-6F &#8211; Flat Wound (hand-polished)
Set HC-6S &#8211; Stainless Steel Round Wound Set
HC-6N &#8211; Nickel Round Wound

Available from Elderly Instruments: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Ankhanu]

I haven't been on the forum in a while, but, here I am, and I picked up a Hellcat VI a few months back. Like others, I was expecting the narrow string spacing to cause issues with finger picking... and it did at first. But, after a couple jam sessions, I adapted to the spacing and finger style with the VI feels just fine. I do play with a pick as well, but generally for more guitar-style playing.
I've been using it as a lead/melody sort of instrument and as a primary bass. With minor changes in technique and pickup use this thing shifts between roles with ease.

I play it through both a bass amp and a guitar amp, depending on the role I'm using it for in the song, and the sound I want. There's no real danger of damaging a guitar amp with it... the speakers, however, are another story. If you don't have a driver with a long travel you could end up fusing the speaker if you push it too hard. Just be careful, or swap out to a speaker with a greater range.

Currently, I have it strung with a set of LaBella HC-6S and it sounds pretty solid. The thinned windings really help with tuning and the problem of winding thick strings on those little tuning posts. They're nice and bright/articulate, with a good tension. I doubt downtuning would be great with them, but I think that's more of an issue with the scale length than the strings themselves.

It's taken some notice from other musicians as well. Many, once they hear it in action, or give it a try, are as surprised as I am that this style of bass never really caught on. They're fantastic instruments with a lot of possibilities.

 

[jambi]

Those were too light for my taste. Not enough low end. I used them on my Danelectro because they were the only ones that fit. My Schecter uses Fender Bass VI strings, which gives you a lot more options. Schecter, Fender, and GHS make RW strings with a .096 E string, much better for me, and LaBella makes both RW and flats in the same guages. I might try the flats sometime.

Which particular brand of strings do you find give you the best bass tone?

 

[vladchrome]

That's a cool looking guitar.

 

[Showdown]

Which particular brand of strings do you find give you the best bass tone?

Actually I like the Schecter strings best.

 

[kenstee]

Which particular brand of strings do you find give you the best bass tone?

The LaBella's made just for the HCVI sound great! Both the rounds and flats are excellent. Depends which tone you like better.

 

[kenstee]

Seems that Schecter made a one-off/one of a kind Ultra VI. Went for $800. A poster on the HCVI Facebook Group wrote that he bought it. Looks very nice.....

Has a different version of the Duncan mini-hum.

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[dfp]

i just started getting interested in these type of basses, does anyone have a measurement of the neck width at the nut?

has anyone tried stringing one of these BEADGC? thanks!

 

[kenstee]

i just started getting interested in these type of basses, does anyone have a measurement of the neck width at the nut?

has anyone tried stringing one of these BEADGC? thanks!

Try posting here instead...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=658449&page=33.

FYI...most players of the genre of bass do an E-e tuning. The "B" tuning is more for baritones.

 

[dfp]

thanks, i'll check it out, but the tuning i was curious about is LOW BEADGC, like your garden variety 34-35" scale 6 string bass. definitely not the baritone tuning, thanks!