The Short-Scale Six-String Club Part 4 - for the original six-string basses!

[Snert]

The strings are La Bella HC6-F

Unfortunately, LaBella no longer offers these strings. If they did, I would buy them today.

I've been looking for a set for ages.

 

[Bass Man Stan]

I bought two sets of the la Bella nickel rounds for my Hellcat and they were better than stock. I bought a Squier bass 6 and upgraded to the Fender 24-100.
The Squier sounded much better than the Schecter so I put a set of fender 24-100 rounds on the Hellcat and it really helped (still not as good as the Squier).
Looking at new pickups for the Schecter.
The la Bella strings were $45 the Fender strings $15.

 

[msb]

Those heavier Fender VI strings make a huge improvement.

 

[J Posega]

I'm not sure what strings I have on my custom VI right now. Might be StringJoy? Rukavina built it with the tailpiece positioned so I could use Fender Bass VI length strings even though it's a TOM and stop tail bridge setup.

I've got a set of La Bella flats to try on it next. And a Free-Way switch to install in place of the stock LP 3 position switch.

 

[HaphAsSard]

From another thread (by @InkCow)
New Ibanez multiscale bass VI

a new version of the Ibanez SRC6, the SRC6MS, last couple letters standing for "multiscale" (30" – 28.5"):

[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

 

[Poobini]

From another thread (by @InkCow)
New Ibanez multiscale bass VI

a new version of the Ibanez SRC6, the SRC6MS, last couple letters standing for "multiscale" (30" – 28.5"):
View attachment 4922157
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Oh dear. Very enticing!!!!

 

[Jebberz]

I Thought my gas was cured...

 

[J Posega]

I had no intentions of buying another instrument, but GAS got the better of me, and I snatched this one up for (what I believe) is a good deal on Reverb today.

Link Removed

Seller says it's currently tuned B-b so I'll have to get a proper string set to get it back down to proper E-e. It'll be a nice contrast to my P90 equipped Rukavina VI. I'll probably explore alternative switching options for it, as just being able to select On/Off/Single for each pickup sounds a little boring. Why have all those pickups/coils and so few switching options?!

 

[J Posega]

It arrived yesterday. It looks super cool. Silverburst is unique/not for everyone, but I like it. I'm not exactly sure how long this one will stay with me since it was mostly an impulse buy, but it'll be fun to noodle with and compare to my custom Rukavina VI which will be with me til I perish.

I strung it up with Ernie Ball's VI string set (90-20) and intended to use the 100 E and 080 A from Fender VI set on the bottom two, but the E broke at the tuning gear, so I had to abandon that plan. I don't remember what string set is on my other VI.

The Ultra VI sounds and plays great. A lot of reviews complained that it's muddy, but I don't think that's the case. I don't think the single coil sounds are particularly useful as the signal level drops considerably. If I decide to keep it, I'll look into some series/parallel/phase switching options and adding a "strangle" (passive bass cut) pot.

 

[Bass Man Stan]

Try the Fender 24-100 bass six strings. Schecter does not have any idea how to set these up or what to string them with. They send them out with floppy E strings and high action and call it good.
You will have to drill the low E hole on the bridge and unwrap some of the windings up at the tuner.
Worth the trouble, world of difference!

 

[J Posega]

Try the Fender 24-100 bass six strings. Schecter does not have any idea how to set these up or what to string them with. They send them out with floppy E strings and high action and call it good.
You will have to drill the low E hole on the bridge and unwrap some of the windings up at the tuner.
Worth the trouble, world of difference!

Referring back to what I said in the middle of my post:

I strung it up with Ernie Ball's VI string set (90-20) and intended to use the 100 E and 080 A from Fender VI set on the bottom two, but the E broke at the tuning gear, so I had to abandon that plan. I don't remember what string set is on my other VI.

I definitely would need to widen the hole in the bridge for the 100 E if I wanted to use it, but it was very securely caught by the windings so I tried tuning it up. I was nearly to E when suddenly the core just snapped right at the tuner. I had 1 wrap of string around the tuner and the full diameter was just starting to wind on when it broke, exactly where that bit of fat string was starting to wind on.

I bought this second hand on Reverb. The setup he had on it is quite good. In fact, I could probably adjust the truss rod to give it a little more relief, as I've got a little buzz going on.

I don't think the 090 E is too floppy, but string tension is a matter of taste. I primarily play VI with a pick and have a pretty controlled attack, so I'm not sending the strings into buzz city. Originally, I wanted the heavier low strings, but after busting that 100 from Fender, I'm not sure it's worth the hassle.

 

[Supadope]

From another thread (by @InkCow)
New Ibanez multiscale bass VI

a new version of the Ibanez SRC6, the SRC6MS, last couple letters standing for "multiscale" (30" – 28.5"):
View attachment 4922157
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Awesome! Looks like it's available for pre-order on just about every major retailer.

 

[Supadope]

Nice looking SRC6 in the classifieds. I would have jumped on this if a new model wasn't coming out.

For Sale - Ibanez SRC6

 

[Snert]

Nice looking SRC6 in the classifieds. I would have jumped on this if a new model wasn't coming out.

For Sale - Ibanez SRC6

The original uses EMG35 sized pickups which gives a lot more choice. Is the MS really worth the difference to you?

 

[Supadope]

The original uses EMG35 sized pickups which gives a lot more choice. Is the MS really worth the difference to you?

I don't know.

Fifty bucks more for new? The bridge looks much beefier on the old model. But the Bart pickups sound beautiful on the two videos that they're promoing, so I'm not really sure if the EMGs are better or worse.

I'm new to the Bass VI world.
What do you mean by more choice on the EMGs?

And I'm personally leaning towards multiscale because I currently string my VI with bass 102E & 76A and guitar 25D, 18G, 12B, & 9E strings.

 

[J Posega]

To me, multiscale is absolutely worth it, but I've been drinking the fanned fret KoolAid for years.

And it's not like you can't get pickups built to fit the routs on the MS if you really don't like the Barts.

By "more choice" with the EMGs they means that they're a common size for both guitar and bass pickups, so you can easily find a bunch of options to replace them with

 

[Supadope]

By "more choice" with the EMGs they means that they're a common size for both guitar and bass pickups, so you can easily find a bunch of options to replace them with

Ahh, thanks.

 

[Mark76]

Henning Pauly discovers that short scale 6 string basses with guitar nut spacing are a thing that exists.

 

[HaphAsSard]

Henning Pauly discovers that short scale 6 string basses with guitar nut spacing are a thing that exists.

Don't you just love it when people cry "physics", multiple times, who clearly have no idea of what specific physics (if at all, as in this case)?

 

[Snert]

Henning Pauly discovers that short scale 6 string basses with guitar nut spacing are a thing that exists.

That was painful. But at least it squashed whatever GAS I had for the MS. I think my active EMG equipped version with heavier strings and a proper set up is much better. Not a fan of the host either.