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

#83
Hi guys! My interest in bass vi type instruments has been building up as of late. I know about the Fender bass vi but that`s out of the question due to price. Can you dudes recommended me a good short scale 6 string to start off?
So far I`ve been digging on the Schecter Ultra VI,Schecter`s HellCat vi,and Eastwood`s Sidejack bass vi(which I see is for sale here!). I really liked the Agile Harm 1 extended range guitar(it was a hollow body in a quasi- Rickenbacker style).

I have a few(total noob) questions that you gents could help me with:

1)With this type of bass is it possible to play both standard bass lines(as you would on a average 4 string bass) and play chords or even step out front and do lead lines?

2)Do any of you use effects with your 6 stringers? I can see any reason why they wouldn`t work well with each other but I might as well ask.

3) Some of the guys I play with really like their drop tunings:rolleyes:. Has anyone tried different tunings? I would think that the strings would get a little (too) floppy. I have a `70s short scale hollowbody that I won`t down tune for the same reason.

4)Does anyone here own a Schecter Ultra VI(or any of the ones I mentioned)? I`m leaning towards that one a bit but I`d like to hear any first hand accounts.

Sorry for all the basic questions! Hopefully with your help I`ll be joining this club sooner rather than later.:bassist::bassist: Thanks for your time and help!
 
#84
I have done both 1 and 2 and it works great, though I feel effects are pretty necessary for lead lines. Tuning however was a problem for me, tuning half a step down the strings were as loose as I would like, any further like trying to do drop D was not very good, at least with the flatwound strings.
 
#87
Ric5 said:
Link Removed
Click to expand...

Some comments...

1. Specs say: "Setup to intonate with 24 34 44 56 72 84 gauge strings" Most players prefer the thicker .095>.025 for more of a bass than baritone vibe. I'd be concerned that the thicker strings would not fit the tuning pegs and bridge and structurally the Agile might not not constructed to constantly handle the additional tension.

2. A 2012 Schecter HCVI doesn't cost that much more (if you follow the deals and do some negotiating) and offers Duncan SJAG1 Pups instead of some no-name and is set up to handle .095>.025 gauge. Plus you ALWAYS pay shipping on Agiles which adds to the cost. Most others come with Free Shipping,

3. I prefer hard tail/TOM bridges so the trem is a negative rather than a positive for me personally.

4. I'd say this may be more appropriate for those wanting more of a "bass GUITAR" or "surf-rock/60's" or drop-tuning style sound than those wanting a true Fender Bass VI-type "BASS guitar" if you know what I mean. Overall, it seems to be more of a baritone/extended range guitar than a six-string bass in my eyes. Though YMMV!
 
#88
change-jug said:
Hi guys! My interest in bass vi type instruments has been building up as of late. I know about the Fender bass vi but that`s out of the question due to price. Can you dudes recommended me a good short scale 6 string to start off?
So far I`ve been digging on the Schecter Ultra VI,Schecter`s HellCat vi,and Eastwood`s Sidejack bass vi(which I see is for sale here!). I really liked the Agile Harm 1 extended range guitar(it was a hollow body in a quasi- Rickenbacker style).

I have a few(total noob) questions that you gents could help me with:

1)With this type of bass is it possible to play both standard bass lines(as you would on a average 4 string bass) and play chords or even step out front and do lead lines?

2)Do any of you use effects with your 6 stringers? I can see any reason why they wouldn`t work well with each other but I might as well ask.

3) Some of the guys I play with really like their drop tunings:rolleyes:. Has anyone tried different tunings? I would think that the strings would get a little (too) floppy. I have a `70s short scale hollowbody that I won`t down tune for the same reason.

4)Does anyone here own a Schecter Ultra VI(or any of the ones I mentioned)? I`m leaning towards that one a bit but I`d like to hear any first hand accounts.

Sorry for all the basic questions! Hopefully with your help I`ll be joining this club sooner rather than later.:bassist::bassist: Thanks for your time and help!
Click to expand...

No problem, that's what this forum is all about....

1. Definitely can do all of these! Especially if you get one that handles gauges .095>.025. Also, most can be fit with some sort of flats if that's your thing. And sounds quite nice I may say.

2. Effects sound FANTASTIC with them.Most of us here are effects junkies. I especially like modulation like chorus, flange, delay and reverb. Of course some tasty overdrive, distortion, etc. can sound great as well.

3. Many of us play with standard tuning (one octave below guitar) for the reasons you mentioned. Though some play with a drop D. Or start with an Eflat rather than an E.

4. In terms of what to get. That's really a YMMV question. Personally, I really like the new 2012 Schecter Hellcat VI with the Seymour Duncan SJAG-1 pups which are single coil. I felt the mini-hums on the older version of the HCVI and the Ultra VI are underpowered and muddy sounding. Even though they can be tapped they just didn't sound all that great to me. The SJAG-1s are powerful, give a very well-defined sound and definitely give it a very traditional Fender Bass VI-type of sound vibe. I'm not a fan of the Agiles (see my response in the post above.) The new Sidejack VI hasn't gotten a lot of reviews yet. It has PAF pups so I don't know how well they work in the context of a VI

The bottom line here is you need to define exactly what are you looking for in a VI tone-wise. Which VI-players do you like? How do you intend to use it? Are you looking more for a "bass GUITAR" or a "BASS guitar" if you know what I mean? Do you need/want a trem/whammy or do you prefer a TOM/hardtail? Your individual preferences will be the major determinant of which ones you should consider to meet your individual needs. The good news is there are so many more options than there were even 2 years ago.

So, keep doing your research and feel free to post more. And my opinions are just that...my opinions. Others here may have very different and just as valid takes on these questions.
 
#89
Received my pre-2012 Hellcat. I got a substantial discount as a blemish and the guitar itself is immaculate so I thought I did real good.

The strings are really weird though. The E is too big to even go through the peg. It's partially unwound just to get something through the peg and hold it on there. Very hard to believe Schecter set it up that way. I can have an over-active imagination but I wonder if somebody bought and returned it just to steal the factory strings.

Besides that the strings sound very tinny and 'high' to me with no bass punch at all. A baritone guitarist might like the sound but its hard to imagine a bassist finding these strings remotely acceptable. And my main comparison is light strings on a Bronco(ss) - not exactly the bassiest thing imaginable.

Other than that I'm having trouble accepting it as an extended(up) range bass rather than a lowered range guitar. Everything about it just screams guitar at me. Most of it is totally subjective but I'm also having more trouble with the narrow spacing than I had hoped.
 
#90
trblWthTrebles said:
Received my pre-2012 Hellcat. I got a substantial discount as a blemish and the guitar itself is immaculate so I thought I did real good.

The strings are really weird though. The E is too big to even go through the peg. It's partially unwound just to get something through the peg and hold it on there. Very hard to believe Schecter set it up that way. I can have an over-active imagination but I wonder if somebody bought and returned it just to steal the factory strings.

Besides that the strings sound very tinny and 'high' to me with no bass punch at all. A baritone guitarist might like the sound but its hard to imagine a bassist finding these strings remotely acceptable. And my main comparison is light strings on a Bronco(ss) - not exactly the bassiest thing imaginable.

Other than that I'm having trouble accepting it as an extended(up) range bass rather than a lowered range guitar. Everything about it just screams guitar at me. Most of it is totally subjective but I'm also having more trouble with the narrow spacing than I had hoped.
Click to expand...

Proper .026 - .095 strings made for the Hellcat VI (and other 30"'ers which have a similar overall string length requirement):

Round-wounds

LA BELLA HC-6S ELECTRIC GUITAR SET
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

LA BELLA HC-6N ELECTRIC GUITAR SET
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Flat-wounds

LA BELLA HC-6F ELECTRIC GUITAR SET
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

Re the narrow string spacing: I went from a 6 string fretless F-bass to an MIJ Fender VI. After a couple of months I was completely at home on the Fender for picks and fingers. If an instrument has an inspiring sound then one will adapt to how it plays.
 
#91
trblWthTrebles said:
Received my pre-2012 Hellcat. I got a substantial discount as a blemish and the guitar itself is immaculate so I thought I did real good.

The strings are really weird though. The E is too big to even go through the peg. It's partially unwound just to get something through the peg and hold it on there. Very hard to believe Schecter set it up that way. I can have an over-active imagination but I wonder if somebody bought and returned it just to steal the factory strings.

Besides that the strings sound very tinny and 'high' to me with no bass punch at all. A baritone guitarist might like the sound but its hard to imagine a bassist finding these strings remotely acceptable. And my main comparison is light strings on a Bronco(ss) - not exactly the bassiest thing imaginable.

Other than that I'm having trouble accepting it as an extended(up) range bass rather than a lowered range guitar. Everything about it just screams guitar at me. Most of it is totally subjective but I'm also having more trouble with the narrow spacing than I had hoped.
Click to expand...

Something is very strange here. For the most part fit and finish of the Schecters is 1st class. Sounds like a string issue. You definitely should not be having this issue with the E string for fit or sound. Do you know what brand and gauge are you using?

No, don't think someone stole the strings. But, someone may have switched out the set it came with for something that really doesn't work with the HCVI.

As per the previous post (above) the best strings for it by LaBella cost like $6 for excellent rounds. Suggest you ASAP get and try both the rounds and the slightly more expensive flats that are both made specifically for it by LaBella. They are .095>.026 gauge. [Invalid or Expired Link Removed]

What kind of amp are you playing it through? Bass amps do sound better - especially if you are looking for a real bassy sound. And tuning BTW is standard guitar E>e except one octave lower.

Also, do you have the tap settings set for humbucking rather than the split single coil? The single-coil setting would make it sound more treble. Make sure the push-pull pots are FULLY pushed IN. Test them to make sure both setting options are working properly.

The spacing, etc...well, it is what it is. VIs are like this. Either you are into it or you aren't. VIs are typically picked anyway. You'll need to give it some time to get used to it - especially if you aren't a "regular" guitar player.

Just in case...do you have a return option if you don't like it? And you may want to get it checked out by a good tech to make sure there are no electronic issues and to get a good set-up once you get the new strings.

Do these measures then post again if you have the issues or any questions for that matter.....
 
#93
Has anyone ever confirmed Chris Hillman's use of a Fender VI on any Byrds recordings? The story goes that when the band first started, David Crosby was gonna play bass so he bought a Fender VI, but was unable to play bass and sing so they got Chris in. Chris inherited the VI, but as far as I know he only ever for sure used it on some TV appearances.
 
#98
iamthebassman said:
Has anyone ever confirmed Chris Hillman's use of a Fender VI on any Byrds recordings? The story goes that when the band first started, David Crosby was gonna play bass so he bought a Fender VI, but was unable to play bass and sing so they got Chris in. Chris inherited the VI, but as far as I know he only ever for sure used it on some TV appearances.
Click to expand...

Elsewhere on this forum, someone emailed Chris Hillman with another Byrds related gear question, and he answered.
 
#99
mc_muench said:
Link Removed

This is for sale by an friend...Baritone Dano, he said the scale length was 31 2/16", would this work for a VI conversion? Its $150, I'm very tempted...
Click to expand...

The black Longhorn (30" scale length) in the Baritone link appears to have a slightly longer scale length than the danelectro '63 baritone which you are considering:

Invalid Link Removed

According to the following link it has a scale length of 27.75":

Danelectro Dano '63 Baritone Electric Guitar | Musician's Friend

If this info is accurate then it would be suitable for B - b or A - a stringing & tuning but not for E - e (which wants a ~30" scale length for a solid sounding E with good intonation).

Hmm... This link claims a 29.5" scale length:

Danelectro Dano '63 Baritone Electric Guitar, Gold | DV247

Ask your friend to measure the string length between the nut and the 12th fret then multiply that figure by 2.
 
#100
Anyone know how to report a scammer on TB? Like on other websites you can flag them to be banned?

Got one wanting my Danelectro I have for sale. They just joined today just before they PMed me, have no posts at all, and this is the kinda message, which SCREAMS "THIS IS A SCAM"

grettings, i'm writing because i'm really interested in buying your danelectro dead on bass vi.
could you give me more information about the selling?
i live in argentina, but know a guy that performs this kind of businesses (shipping instruments from the usa). should i give you his mail?
all this sounds a little abrupt, but i'm really really interested on the instrument.
you can write me an email to [email protected]
thanks very much,
luciano

Why would they want me to email them instead of PMing them back?
It's almost word for word the kind of scam email I get on craigslist all the time. There is no "more information about the selling", if anyone has seen my posting of my Danelectro, I wrote a huge long post of details about the instrument and there are something like 10 pictures
 

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