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That headstock looks really crowded! And I'm skeptical that a 30" scale low B-string would sound very good; 30" is barely long enough for a usable low E as it is. I'd probably tune that thing EADGbea, personally.
Well, the Shergold Marathon 6 has wider string spacing, but again, it's very difficult to find one. I don't know of any other short-scale 6-string basses with wider necks; you could get a modern 6-string bass (contrabass?) and string it EADGBE, I guess.
And I use Brain nylon picks, but I don't want a rounder sound so I don't think that would help you. You could try playing with flats, if you haven't already.
- Feb 24, 2004
- 4,103
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- Disclosures
- Endorsing Artist: Phantom Guitars, Eastwood Guitars
So, just put on the LaBella flats on my Cat. Makes the Cat a quite different-sounding instrument. They feel and sound great. Jury still out vis-a-vis my preference to rounds. That said, Decisions..decisions...
Either way LaBella did a fantastic job with these! With 3 choices of Cat-specific strings, we're pretty lucky given the minimal amount of Cat-players out there. They've won me over with them.
Either way LaBella did a fantastic job with these! With 3 choices of Cat-specific strings, we're pretty lucky given the minimal amount of Cat-players out there. They've won me over with them.
Though my main instrument has 5 strings, the same principle applies here. I originally set out to have a wider spaced Bass VI in order to play chord fragments and bass lines at the same time.... but playing this way only required 5 strings not six, as I use mostly open voiced chord shapes. The spacing I ended up with is wide enough to play finger style, but still play chords without breaking my hand. It is too narrow for slapping though..but I don't do that on this instrument. I also tune this UP..a-d-g-c-f (therefore the "tenor" tag), though I experiment sometimes with dropping it down a step to G. It would also work e-c, like an old Bass V, albeit with a shorter scale and 24 frets.
Before I had this commissioned, I used a dano six string 30" scale as a mule, and converted it to a 5 string..problem being even without the "extra" string, it still wasn't wide enough, but it led me to the correct spacing, which is a "tight 5"..there's reams on this at TB, mostly NOT from people who play Bass VI though. Rick Turner has also made a nice 32" scale Bass VI with similar spacing for a client of his..and that appears to be almost exactly what you are looking for..if you are approaching this from a bass player/finger style side. which is the way I think, not as a guitar player.
As I've already yapped about here, i used BassVI pre cbs Fenders..for a long time alongside conventional 4 bangers..for a while just playing them exclusively to see if I could do it..but the right hand fs chops i developed always seemed to get in the way. It can be done..but it's definitely not the same thing. And a Bass VI has a lot more going for it if you play different sorts of music..I've used mine in a hillbilly band, in a reggae groove thing, in a noise avant thing, in a straight Chicago blues thing, etc etc..and it's always horses for courses..the way you play with your right hand, pick or not, is usually dictated by the style of music.
AFA what pick..I learned a long time ago that the thickness of the pick changes the tone..if I use a pick I often mute with my right hand too, and like a little snap back from the pick..so I use a .60 MM nylon.
Before I had this commissioned, I used a dano six string 30" scale as a mule, and converted it to a 5 string..problem being even without the "extra" string, it still wasn't wide enough, but it led me to the correct spacing, which is a "tight 5"..there's reams on this at TB, mostly NOT from people who play Bass VI though. Rick Turner has also made a nice 32" scale Bass VI with similar spacing for a client of his..and that appears to be almost exactly what you are looking for..if you are approaching this from a bass player/finger style side. which is the way I think, not as a guitar player.
As I've already yapped about here, i used BassVI pre cbs Fenders..for a long time alongside conventional 4 bangers..for a while just playing them exclusively to see if I could do it..but the right hand fs chops i developed always seemed to get in the way. It can be done..but it's definitely not the same thing. And a Bass VI has a lot more going for it if you play different sorts of music..I've used mine in a hillbilly band, in a reggae groove thing, in a noise avant thing, in a straight Chicago blues thing, etc etc..and it's always horses for courses..the way you play with your right hand, pick or not, is usually dictated by the style of music.
AFA what pick..I learned a long time ago that the thickness of the pick changes the tone..if I use a pick I often mute with my right hand too, and like a little snap back from the pick..so I use a .60 MM nylon.
Hi sullen.
Please measure your Jag's E 6th string length from tail-piece-->nut and from nut-->to the E 6th's tuner capstan, and then post those measurements here so that La Bella Hellcat VI string users can help answer your question.
Thank you.
Gary
Wow hellboy your Hellcat VI is beautiful!!!! Such great upgrades!!!
I got my end of the Hellcat pickguard swap today, unfortunately I can't find my nice camera anywhere, and I'm really p.o.'ed about that, so I had to use my pooful cell phone camera to take some shots...
I have the LaBella flats on it, now all I need to do is readjust the intonation and it'll be ready to go, in time for my next gig June 18th (although I'll only be using it for one song).
Love it! You got yourself a one and only now!
the labella HC flats are gone for now.. Low Priority according to LaBella..and rightfully so in the big picture I might add..but still... anyone have a set they don't want/don't like..etc? I'll take used ones at this point.
Sorry for the double post to here and the HC FB page..
Sorry for the double post to here and the HC FB page..
Just got to play a real 62 Bass Vi in olympic white (now a classy aged yellow) and can honestly see why those who pony up the moneys for em do so. Dang!! It was one that was refinished/plek'd by Mike Lull and I can honestly say that it was the most perfect instrument that I have ever played! No not the most perfect bass or dare I say most perfect guitar but flat-out the most perfect instrument all together! Problem is that in order to get it atm the moment before someone else snags it, I would have to sell my beloved Les Paul.
The VI costs 3grand and is in immaculate condition. I really don't want to get rid of my Les Paul but figure that I'll come across another one in a few years but when's the next time I'll come across another six like this?! Probably never. I'm sooooooo tempted.
The VI costs 3grand and is in immaculate condition. I really don't want to get rid of my Les Paul but figure that I'll come across another one in a few years but when's the next time I'll come across another six like this?! Probably never. I'm sooooooo tempted.belated thanks for this John,
(I've been away a few days)
the turner tenor sounds perfect A->F would cover everything i do these days
i'll crack on w/ wiki
i need to check back with you guys at points to confirm stuff like if peter hook ever used a baritone, i assumed it was a mistake but someone @ the VI forum also posted the same info
the rest seems straightforward re:beatles entwistle, bruce etc
(I've been away a few days)
the turner tenor sounds perfect A->F would cover everything i do these days
i'll crack on w/ wiki
i need to check back with you guys at points to confirm stuff like if peter hook ever used a baritone, i assumed it was a mistake but someone @ the VI forum also posted the same info
the rest seems straightforward re:beatles entwistle, bruce etc
It's a mistake. He did play a little bit of guitar on at least one song (Confusion, and possible some JD stuff), but his Shergold six-string is 30" and tuned EADGbe. Some people just get "short-scale six-string bass" and "baritone" confused, it's easy enough to do. I've never heard anything about anyone in New Order or JD playing a baritone.
I've also heard it claimed that they used the Fender Bass VI in the studio, but I've never seen any evidence of that (nor was there any need, with the Shergold).
Just got to play a real 62 Bass Vi in olympic white (now a classy aged yellow) and can honestly see why those who pony up the moneys for em do so. Dang!! It was one that was refinished/plek'd by Mike Lull and I can honestly say that it was the most perfect instrument that I have ever played! No not the most perfect bass or dare I say most perfect guitar but flat-out the most perfect instrument all together! Problem is that in order to get it atm the moment before someone else snags it, I would have to sell my beloved Les Paul.
Well, odds are you'll probably find another Les Paul down-the-road. And probably not find another VI like this one. That's a good price for a vintage VI. The VI - as described - is much more rare than the LP. I personally think that's a good trade-off. Good luck with your decision.
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