The Short-Scale Six-String Club—for the original six-string basses!

[cbaixo]

That's a good description, in that it makes me want to try a contrabass guitar like yours even more than I did before. Thanks!

A pleasure to help...

BTW: do you know, by any chance, if in Tic Tac Bass playing players produce any chords at any points?? If so...., how could I find examples??

Thank you in advance!!

cbaixo

 

[lousybassist]

A pleasure to help...

BTW: do you know, by any chance, if in Tic Tac Bass playing players produce any chords at any points?? If so...., how could I find examples??

Thank ypu in advance!!

cbaixo

I have no clue, to be honest, but from what I understand, tic tac playing usually just doubles regular bass lines, and hence probably seldom include full chords. i could very well be wrong, though.

 

[cbaixo]

I have no clue, to be honest, but from what I understand, tic tac playing usually just doubles regular bass lines, and hence probably seldom include full chords. i could very well be wrong, though.

Ok. Thanks anyway!!

Let's wait for other members opinnion...

Best!!

cbaixo

 

[kslight]

The length of the flatwound part of the E string is 35.5" and the distance from the string saddle to the tuner post is 34" for the E, so it is going to have to wrap around 1.5". This seems wrong, but I'm not sure if this is "normal" with these strings on a Hellcat.

Sounds like its designed for a 34" bass to me...I would try emailing Labella and see what the correct specifications should be and if there are any known incompatibility issues...that sounds like it was possibly packed wrong though... You should be threading the string in the tuning peg with the taper/silk/ribbon part, you shouldn't have to cut all of that off because of length. On my GHS set every tuning peg is completely wound with the taper part and the actual string doesn't start for a bit after the winding.


On another note...I saw that Rondomusic.com had a 30" version of their 8 string guitar on their site... Unfortunately it is no longer there...I emailed to ask what the max gauges it will accept are...it might be cool to make a VI with two extra upper strings out of it...though the pickups/style are definitely a bit more metal centered than a standard VI, it might still be a neat toy to play with...I intend to get one sometime.

 

[Yerf Dog]

I have a MIJ Fender Bass VI reissue from the mid-90s.

Interesting guitar for sure.

 

[hellboy]

So do I.

However some of the Google links on the subject refer to 'vibrating string length' and others 'string length' re string tension.

I'm of the view that if gauge and pitch are constant, then increasing a string's overall length will increase tension.

But I don't know this for sure...

Your view is basically correct.

Pitch is the result of mass and tension. If you increase the mass, pitch goes down (string is heavier, doesn't vibrate as fast). If you increase tension, pitch goes up (string is tighter, vibrates faster).

Mass is the result of gauge (thickness) and length. You can't increase gauge too much or the string won't vibrate musically. And you can't change the length too much or the tension will be too high or too low (floppy) at the desired pitch.

So pitch is the result of gauge, length, and tension. If you keep gauge and pitch constant, then increasing the string's overall length will increase mass, which will lower pitch, so in order to keep the pitch constant you have to increase tension to compensate.

For this, the vibrating length ("speaking length") of the string is all that matters. Changing the length of the string beyond the bridge or nut will not change the pitch or tension. It can change the feel, though, as can changing the break angle over the bridge (Bass VI = shallow, string-through = steep) or using a different core (DR Hi Beams are round core and feel more flexible than hexcore strings), and people confuse this with tension. But it's not really tension in the pitch-mass-tension sense, "feel" just means how easy it is to bend the string, which changes both speaking length and tension.

This page has a good article on the subject:

Invalid Link Removed

 

[kslight]

On another note...I saw that Rondomusic.com had a 30" version of their 8 string guitar on their site... Unfortunately it is no longer there...I emailed to ask what the max gauges it will accept are...

Got a response back...Kurt says you'd have to drill out the tuning holes to fit anything heavier than a .72..but other than that it shouldn't be a problem. I'd be curious though...to see what it feels like to play one of these with the standard strings.

 

[GobBass]

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Latest one I've found in the world of the baritone...the Laura Lee model from Waterstone.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[kslight]

Latest one I've found in the world of the baritone...the Laura Lee model from Waterstone.

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Today 10:32 AM

Funny...I ran into their site the other day also.

Though the Laura Lee baritone would look a lot better as a Bass VI in my opinion...

Also I thought some of their guitars look a bit cheesier than the Agile guitars...their price point certainly supports that.

 

[Joe Lindley]

Sounds like its designed for a 34" bass to me...I would try emailing Labella and see what the correct specifications should be and if there are any known incompatibility issues...that sounds like it was possibly packed wrong though... You should be threading the string in the tuning peg with the taper/silk/ribbon part, you shouldn't have to cut all of that off because of length.

Thanks for your reply. I've gotten some PMs from TBers who use Bass VI strings on their Hellcat VIs and they say that on the E some of the thicker string will wrap around the post. A big difference between these two basses (Bass VI and Hellcat VI) with respect to string length is the difference in the distance between the saddle and the bridge. I haven't seen a Bass VI in person but from pictures it looks like the distance is about 4", but it is only about an inch for the Hellcat, so you end up with extra string on the Hellcat. I'm going to go for it and hope it works out.

 

[lunarpollen]

The E-string difference between the Hellcat VI and Fender Bass VI is that the Fender instrument has greater amount of string length after the bridge. Because the the low E tuner on both instruments is the closest to the nut, it makes that extra after-bridge length essential for Fender Bass VI string sets. Because the Hellcat has a relatively short span between the bridge and tailpiece, the E string is a little too long and you end up having to wrap some of the thick part around the tuning peg. It hasn't made a difference playability-wise on my Hellcat with the standard Fender roundwound string set. The string is fine, not weakened or anything, I'm not sure if the LaBella flats will take well to being wrapped around the tuning peg, but give it a try and hope for the best. Another option would be to drill a hole through the bass near the butt end, install a string ferrule, and just re-thread the low-E so that its "string-thru" rather than stopped at the tailpiece. It might look unusual but it will do the trick. You'd just have to measure it to make sure you will not add too much length, or else you might end up with the thin part of the string not making it past the nut!

 

[MIJ-VI]

Your view is basically correct.

Pitch is the result of mass and tension. If you increase the mass, pitch goes down (string is heavier, doesn't vibrate as fast). If you increase tension, pitch goes up (string is tighter, vibrates faster).

Mass is the result of gauge (thickness) and length. You can't increase gauge too much or the string won't vibrate musically. And you can't change the length too much or the tension will be too high or too low (floppy) at the desired pitch.

So pitch is the result of gauge, length, and tension. If you keep gauge and pitch constant, then increasing the string's overall length will increase mass, which will lower pitch, so in order to keep the pitch constant you have to increase tension to compensate.

For this, the vibrating length ("speaking length") of the string is all that matters. Changing the length of the string beyond the bridge or nut will not change the pitch or tension. It can change the feel, though, as can changing the break angle over the bridge (Bass VI = shallow, string-through = steep) or using a different core (DR Hi Beams are round core and feel more flexible than hexcore strings), and people confuse this with tension. But it's not really tension in the pitch-mass-tension sense, "feel" just means how easy it is to bend the string, which changes both speaking length and tension.

This page has a good article on the subject:

Invalid Link Removed

Hi hellboy.

Thank you for clearing this up.

 

[MIJ-VI]

Thanks for your reply. I've gotten some PMs from TBers who use Bass VI strings on their Hellcat VIs and they say that on the E some of the thicker string will wrap around the post. A big difference between these two basses (Bass VI and Hellcat VI) with respect to string length is the difference in the distance between the saddle and the bridge. I haven't seen a Bass VI in person but from pictures it looks like the distance is about 4", but it is only about an inch for the Hellcat, so you end up with extra string on the Hellcat. I'm going to go for it and hope it works out.

Hi Joe.

Threading the excessively long La Bella low E flat-wound string through an appropriate length and diameter of metal tubing before installing the string on your Hellcat VI, will cause the excess string length to remain behind the instrument's tail-piece.

Just be careful that the metal tube doesn't have any sharp edges which will pinch that portion of the string's core wire which wraps around the ball-end.

A maybe: wrap the strings around the tail-piece to absorb excess string length.

--------

Rant:

With the exception of both version's of Gibson's old EB-6 (which used actual BASS tuning machines--and what a concept this is for any instrument strung with BASS strings... ) all of the other &*$%# guitar tuner-equipped 30" - 30.3" scale length bass VI instruments have a unique string length between their tail-piece and nut, and their nut and low E tuner--which results in the need for - and paltry selection of - different proprietary string sets to fit these varying instrument designs.

A reversed, 6 in-line headstock would allow Fender VI strings to fit other makes of bass VI's AND it would enable the use of 32" scale four string sets (augmented with appropriately gauged jazz guitar strings for a bass VI's E 1st and B strings).

In view of the historically, and comparatively low sales figures for all types of bass VI's, it seems there'll never be an adequate assortment of good string sets for these grossly underrated instruments--which is why the instrument's design must be adapted to use more readily available strings.

I've made this general point before, however it bears repeating in view of yet another 'VI enthusiast who is unable to find that which other bassists take for granted: their choice of compatible strings for their chosen instrument.

I mean, really... There's only ONE flat-wound set available for bass VI's.., and it only properly fits ONE type of bass VI... C'mon..!

Rant concluded.

 

[kidgloves2]

Ok, I finally have the funds to assemble a Bass VI. But I may need some advise. I'm going to use a USACG 30" scale neck. But I think I'm going to use a Warmoth body for the simple reason that I like their finishes. So here are a couple questions:

1. Can I use any guitar pups that I want? Or is the string spacing over the pups wider than guitar? I was thinking about using Humbuckers and putting a coil tap option on them for different sound options.

2. Where can I get a good bridge so that I can intonate the instrument properly?

3. I'm going to go with the Fender Jaguar body style. Does the original Fender Bass VI have the same body dimensions as a normal Jaguar, or is it larger? That will help me decide if I can go with a Warmoth body or if I need a USACG body as well.

I might get a thicker gauge string set from LaBella. You can put together any combo strings from them. I want higher tension because I will do drop D sometimes. I think pure nickel as well.

Thanks in advance!

 

[MIJ-VI]

Ok, I finally have the funds to assemble a Bass VI. But I may need some advise. I'm going to use a USACG 30" scale neck. But I think I'm going to use a Warmoth body for the simple reason that I like their finishes. So here are a couple questions:

1. Can I use any guitar pups that I want? Or is the string spacing over the pups wider than guitar? I was thinking about using Humbuckers and putting a coil tap option on them for different sound options.

2. Where can I get a good bridge so that I can intonate the instrument properly?

3. I'm going to go with the Fender Jaguar body style. Does the original Fender Bass VI have the same body dimensions as a normal Jaguar, or is it larger? That will help me decide if I can go with a Warmoth body or if I need a USACG body as well.

I might get a thicker gauge string set from LaBella. You can put together any combo strings from them. I want higher tension because I will do drop D sometimes. I think pure nickel as well.

Thanks in advance!

Hi kidgloves2.

Before you commence your project, you may wish to join: Invalid Link Removed

Plenty of folks there have built their own Bass VI's.

Bass VI "How To" parts guide: Invalid Link Removed

One source of parts: http://angela.com/fenderjaguarjazzmasterandotherguitarparts.aspx

A good price on La Bella 767-6F flatwound Bass VI strings: [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[kidgloves2]

Very helpful MIJ-VI. I'll do just that. Thanks!

 

[lousybassist]

3. I'm going to go with the Fender Jaguar body style. Does the original Fender Bass VI have the same body dimensions as a normal Jaguar, or is it larger? That will help me decide if I can go with a Warmoth body or if I need a USACG body as well.

I have a Bass VI and a Jaguar Bass VI/Baritone Custom sitting next to each other in a stand, and the Bass VI has a bigger, longer, body than the Jaguar, for sure. I don't know how my Jaguar compares with standard Jaguars, though, but I think that they share the same body size.

Also, I too think it's a good idea for you to join the forums at Offsetguitars.com. There's loads of Bass VI knowledge over there.

 

[hypercarrots]

Ok, I finally have the funds to assemble a Bass VI. But I may need some advise. I'm going to use a USACG 30" scale neck. But I think I'm going to use a Warmoth body for the simple reason that I like their finishes. So here are a couple questions:

1. Can I use any guitar pups that I want? Or is the string spacing over the pups wider than guitar? I was thinking about using Humbuckers and putting a coil tap option on them for different sound options.

2. Where can I get a good bridge so that I can intonate the instrument properly?

3. I'm going to go with the Fender Jaguar body style. Does the original Fender Bass VI have the same body dimensions as a normal Jaguar, or is it larger? That will help me decide if I can go with a Warmoth body or if I need a USACG body as well.

I might get a thicker gauge string set from LaBella. You can put together any combo strings from them. I want higher tension because I will do drop D sometimes. I think pure nickel as well.

Thanks in advance!

i also recommend offsetguitars forums.
here's a good article about the bass VI, jag baritone customs and specials
http://www.playbsides.com/?p=73

 

[MIJ-VI]

I have a Bass VI and a Jaguar Bass VI/Baritone Custom sitting next to each other in a stand, and the Bass VI has a bigger, longer, body than the Jaguar, for sure. I don't know how my Jaguar compares with standard Jaguars, though, but I think that they share the same body size.

Also, I too think it's a good idea for you to join the forums at Offsetguitars.com. There's loads of Bass VI knowledge over there.

Flats and rounds?

 

[lousybassist]

Flats and rounds?

Nope. Rounds and rounds. It's actually also bass and baritone guitar, at the moment. I bought the Jaguar before the VI, as I was unable to find one of the latter on the used market, but really wanted a VI-ish instrument regardless. Then, when I got the real VI, and found that it was the superior bass instrument of the two, I restrung the Jaguar as a baritone, to get more use of it. However, I think that the Jaguar actually sounded better with bass strings on, than it does now, so I might have to restring it again...