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

#141
I still haven`t picked up a bass vi yet..and it`s killing me. There`s a Agile Harm bass vi that I want to get but then I`m up in the air cause for a few hundred more I could get the SideJack vi. But if I held out and saved a few hundred more:rollno: I could get the new 2012 Hellcat with the jag pick ups.

I`m so freaking wishy washy over the whole thing,I`m starting to aggravate myself!:spit:

I`m leaning toward the Agile Harm vi due to the price. It`ll be my first vi type bass and if I don`t like it I won`t be out that much money at least.

Can any of you lend me some sound advice and calm my nerves?
 
#144
IMO, the best deal out there is the new Hellcat VI. The new Fender Bass VI's (again, IMO) are a tremendous rip-off for what you are actually getting. No way the price is justified. You are mainly paying for the "privilege" of having Fender Bass VI on the headstock. The HCVI has a great combination of high quality components and superior build quality. And a very Bass VI-vibe (no tremolo - but, I think that's a plus!)

Listen, most places have a 30 or 45 day return period. Get it. If it's not for you return it (in mint condition). All you're out is the return shipping charge.
 
#146
I'd really like a Bass VI, but I can't stand the looks of most of the Schecters, sadly. The only VI of theirs I like is the Hellraise C-VI, which seems more like a down-tuned metal guitar than a Bass VI, know what I mean? I bet a pair of regular humbuckers or P-90's would be a much better VI sound.

The options from Agile also don't do much for me visually, and I've read a lot that they need some modding to sound really good.

The Eastwood is the top contender in my book, not that I can afford one right now, or I may keep an eye out for a short-scale bass to convert.

We need to petition Fender/ Squier to suck it up and offer us a Squier VM or CV VI. The price point would be perfect for most of us bassists who want a VI, but can't afford $500+ for an occasional instrument. Plus, I love the look of the original Fender VI. If they could do two versions, like they have with their new Telecaster Bass, one with 3 singles and the other with two HB's, I'd be all over it.
 
#147
Totally agree! If Fender/Squire made a cheaper/more affordable bass vi that would be awesome. A guy on ebay just sold a home made custom tele bass vi. Used a tele guitar body with a 30` bass neck reworked with 6 tuners. He moved the bridge down too,so the pick ups became a neck and middle pup instead of a neck/bridge pup. It was a bit rough looking but I really was temped to get it. Alas,someone else bought it.

And I agree that while the hellcat vi is most likely the best bang for the buck and I do like the 3 pups I`m also a sucker for how the Eastwood looks.
 
#150
Basstovsky said:
This dude here on TB made one using a Squier Bronco neck, and it came out pretty awesome

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f57/3-wood-challenge-telemaster-bass-vi-887292/index5.html
Click to expand...

It's actually a converted 30" SX Jazz neck, but yeah, that's my baby:

100_1812.jpg


BTW, are there numbers for this club? If so, may I have one please, oh number-giver-outer?
 
#152
I'm on the hunt for either a complete 30" scale bass to convert to a VI, OR just a neck. The cheaper, the better. If anyone sees anything suitable on eBay or the classifieds, let me know! I'm shooting for $100 if it's a full bass.

My top choice right now would actually be a Squier Jaguar HB. Quick bridge swap, pool route under the guard for pickup experimentation, plug and drill for tuners.

A Bronco would also be a good choice. Whatever I do, I think I'm going to do guitar pickups for the bridge and neck, and some sort of split PU in the middle (maybe a Mustang).

Any old 30" neck would do. If I go that route, it's getting built up as a sort of cigar box bass, or a Tele body.

My new band is a 4 piece, but I'm not sure if the keys player is going to make the cut, so a Bass VI would be perfect. That or an octave 8-string bass.
 
#153
Hey Kenstee,I saw an old post were you mention having bought a Burns Barracuda. One just popped up in my local craigslist for 500. It`s the trans blue colored one,not the more common red model.

What are your thoughts on the Burns? Think I should try that one out or do you like the Hellcat 2012 better? Do you think $500 is too much? It`s missing a truss cover.

Thanks for the time and answers!
 
#154
change-jug said:
Hey Kenstee,I saw an old post were you mention having bought a Burns Barracuda. One just popped up in my local craigslist for 500. It`s the trans blue colored one,not the more common red model.

What are your thoughts on the Burns? Think I should try that one out or do you like the Hellcat 2012 better? Do you think $500 is too much? It`s missing a truss cover.

Thanks for the time and answers!
Click to expand...

The Burns - to me - has a different sound than the HCVI. It is also larger, and IMO a little more difficult to play than the HCVI. OTOH, the tri-sonic pups are magnificent and sound fantastic. Lots of tone options. And a very unique sound. I think you should definitely try it out to see if it appeals to you. $500 is a bit high BUT in the ballpark for it. Try negotiating it down. Especially for the more rare (and nicer) blue color. You can always get a replacement truss cover somewhere. They can occasionally be had on eBay for a bit less if you are lucky - but very rarely in blue. If you like it - jump on it. It will probably increase in value over time. Some people like them for their "spaghetti western" sound and string them with thinner strings and maybe tune to be a bari. I use it as a 6-string bass tuned E>e with .095>.025 strings. If you want, hit me up on PM with your email address and I'll send you some additional info I have on it.

If Dire (another owner) is around why not jump in here with your take on it....same for any other owners....

Bottom-line...if it was an either/or situation and I could have ONLY one...I'd opt for the 2012 HCVI based on its sound and ease of play as well as being able to use those great and inexpensive HCVI-specific LaBella strings.
 
#157
As part of our local "press junket" (lol) I got a chance to perform on live tv this morning with my Eastwood Sidejack BassVI.

What you hear is all live- just the Eastwood played with a pick (tone rolled off about 50%) into an Aguilar Tone Hammer DI set nearly flat (just a tiny amount of mid boost):

http://www.fox17.com/newsroom/morning/videos/vid_639.shtml?wap=0&

I think the bass got mixed in pretty hot, eh? :smug: This song & 11 other originals are featured on our debut cd which came out this week too! Available on iTunes, Amazon ,cdBaby, etc... Also available direct through our facebook site:
https://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic

Not bad for a $500 instrument, right?!? I love this thing.
 

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