The intro for twin peaks+ joy division/new order+ early the cure records are peak Bass VI for me, i think the soul of the instrument real sits there in that style
I was no lie just thinking to myself “I wonder if this is what was used in the Twin Peaks theme. It sounds super similar”, then this is the comment I look down and see first! Thank you!
The Twin Peaks kind of combines the dual history of the instrument. Originally it was used in country to double the standup bass parts. Then the post punks used it for melodic atmospherics. Twin Peaks kind of sits between those two. In the end Robert Smith moved on to Schecters. The tuning in the Fenders is very unreliable. Listen to Prayer Tour bootlegs. Often out of tune.
@@thepostapocalyptictrio4762 I've been better educated since writing my last comment. The guy who did the soundtrack went on record saying that it's a sample of a Bass VI being played back on a keyboard sampler.
Put flat wounds on it. it absolutely transforms it as a bass instrument, and you get the true vintage sound. It's not a cheap option but I really recommend it
I ran a set of flatwounds on my Vox Phantom for a while, .54s was about my gauge back then, and those Stainless Black Diamonds lasted for weeks. Definitely worth the spendyness for a tryout. I remember that I wanted more.
Good advice, to bring it to a more traditional Bass sound flat-wounds are good. Round-wounds allow the twang of the early Bass VI work. One could call it a E to E Baritone with the round-wounds.
@@VikCainit appears you may be right. I thought there was a spoke wheel adjustment at the end of the fretboard but when I zoomed in, nope. Pretty sure you have to remove the neck. What on earth is wrong with fender still doing this BS?
Last year I sold my motorbike to get a telecaster. This year I'll be selling the tele to get one of these. It's always been a dream bass of mine but I've shyed away from the Squier ones because of the well reported issues. My main bass is a fender dimension with flatwounds so I like things that are a bit different. Brilliant vid.
Oh you absolutely do have a use for them, Deftones due to Stef playing a 9 string the bassist regularly uses a bass vi, they are really good short scale basses that you play chords and melodic lines on, i absolutely recommend everyone at least tries a bass vi. I use mine in a 3 piece punk band.
Making it a baritone just means using 2 or 3 non wound strings. Maybe you go up to F or G, but that was the intention with the bass vi from the start to go up to A with the 6 wound strings. If you cut a new nut for the baritone strings there is no harm in it
You should play with the tone knob in conjunction with the strangle switch. The strangle switch actually inverts the tone knob. I like to leave the tone knob around 75% in both positions. It sounds more bassy with the strangle switch off, and more baritone guitary with the strangle switch on.
I have a 1972 Fender Bass VI for a good 30 years now and it still excites me! I also have the Squier Bass VI, which I love too! Flats are a must in my opinion.
Such cool instruments, and running into a bass amp vs. a guitar amp really changes the character. I'm somewhat tempted to do the baritone thing myself (largely due my bass player's bruised ego), but I think I'll save the baritone for another project and keep the Bass VI in stock tuning.
As you say, stick a compressor, chorus and delay pedal on it and play all of Disintegration by The Cure. I reckon only Lovesong doesn't have a Bass VI part.. 😅 And as always, you come for the thumbnail and stay for Ryan's disharming honesty.
As for Cure songs, you should learn “Pictures of You” or “High”. I just ordered a Squier one in Shell Pink with block inlays! I love that 60’s Pink Cadillac-looking Fender vibe, like with ‘66 Jazzmasters (I believe it’s ‘66), so as soon as I saw they sold Squier one’s with that look, I immediately tried one out in a store then ordered it. I’m so excited!
The Bass VI really _is_ the baritone, or what would become known as the baritone guitar. The original tuning, as designed, was simply a guitar tuned down an octave, and to give guitar players an easier time doubling on bass. BUT the necks were considered too skinny at the nut and the low string flapped out too much. So guitar players started to tune the six string basses up to an A or B to compensate. Which gave birth to the baritone guitar. Just a six string bass tuned up....same instrument. The Danelectro six string bass (baritone) was often the preferred instrument, because of the price and construction difference, meaning a more playable wider neck. ...everyone should have at least one. I'm glad to see Fender going down this road again. Keep it fun!
The Cure Carnage Visors is probably the longest ever recorded with a Bass VI. Got some nice parts in that. But here are some cool Bass VI songs: New Order - Dreams Never End Red Hot Chili Peppers - Happiness Loves Company The Church - Aura The Church - Ripple The Byrds - Mr Tamborine man Cream - Strange Brew Placebo - Slave to the wage Dandy Warhols - Goddless The Beatles - Back in the USSR And some more Cure: The Cure - Pictures of You, High, Just one kiss, Letter to Elise, Faith
Wrecking Crew played on that and Carole Kaye was the Bass Player. I don't think she ever played a Bass 6 only regular Fender Bass.@@apolloc.vermouth5672
@@Steven-kj7xq Yeah, that's correct - he'd used it over the years, I think since around 1982 or so - but Aura is indeed entirely Bass VI. It sounds so nice. :) Love Steve's bass playing too.
I totally love your reaction to opening up this magical instrument. I have the same experience - I’ve played a couple in store, but when I played them I couldn’t put em down. I haven’t picked one up because I can’t decide on one of these or a Hofner which is also super fun to play.
Fun departure, glad to see you have that kid in the candystore vibe. Solid 8 outta 10 on the spaghetti western meter. I'm sure it surfs and psychedelics real strong also. Glad they are still making them !
I’ve got one coming in next Friday. I could only find one in the US through Guitar Center. Really excited before your video but now I’m really excited.
Or The Church - they've made heavy use of it too. Such a great guitar. And Robert has really made this instrument a signature part of The Cure's sound.
So two things,1) I feel like the universe is telling me to get a bass vi, I've been seeing them pop up in the most random places the last few months so I think I know what's at the top of my Christmas list this year 😂 2) my Squier classic vibe Jazzmaster has some of that same flamed maple on the back of the neck and it's never ceases to catch my eye whenever i pick it up.
I think this is the best bass guitar for a rock trio (which is what I'm in now). I'm the lead/solo guitar in the band and I want one of these and so does my other guitar player. He and I could switch back and forth. Btw, I love the loop and lead you play near the end! The fact that it's a 6 string EADGBE makes it a natural transition
The Squier version is awesome; I can't fathom how cool this one is When you listen to Robert Smith, or Joe Perry's rip on Back in the Saddle, bear in mind studio limiting is involved. In the room it sounds downright feral. Enjoy
It's a Danelectro Longhorn 6-string and not a Bass VI, but Glen Campbell's solo on Wichita Lineman is another great example of this type of instrument.
@@ryanpetriello3461 That’s probably my favorite bass VI song. It just so happens that the song that inspired me to want to play guitar is another great bass VI song, Steve Earle’s Guitar Town. However, now days live they play Guitar Town with a baritone guitar.
@ryanpetriello3461 I had no idea the Dano Longhorn was available as a 6 string bass. I always assumed it was a bass VI, but the tone does make sense with some grit. Thank you for the reply and all that you do!
Dude, I got a returned Squire Bass VI recently which is similar but on a Mustang body and no where near as fancy. You got a beautiful instrument. Im also a guitar player that owns a bass, then got one of these. I found myself learning a bunch of Cure tunes on this, then playing Hendrix tunes I knew on guitar but playing bass parts. What I’ve found I’m doing the most now is writing songs using this instrument.
I absolutely love the sound of chords on Bass VI's. Take the time to dial in the intonation as good as you can get it. The Vintera II Bass VI is really hard to find right now. I hope Fender brings it to the AVRI II line, they're really popular right now.
I’m debating picking one of these up in the future cause our bass player is most likely gonna quit soon. This might be the tool I could use to cover the bass section as a guitar player. 🤘🏻 very cool and thanks for all the demos you put out
Amazing tones. I love the attack and definition followed by the low thump. You should never have a low-end definition problem again. I like it more as a bass than a guitar.
lol thats a good question. the chords were just Bmaj and Amaj but i was leaving the high B and E open. and then i was riffing an E major scale over it. someone smarter than me can figure out the music theory of all that.
I had one and converted to baritone. The problem you will run into is finding a high E string that is long enough to wrap. It’ll work but you might need to look at string lengths first.
i just pretty recently got one of the cv bass vis. very neat instrument. we have used it in jams (we have normal basses too) and it's also fun to just keep in the room if i want to layer bass into a loop and mess around and just put a simple little guitarist bass line in.
Its gorgeous, I bought one.. I'm having some severe problems with the low E saddle and its inability to keep the low E strings from clicking/sliding to another groove. Its a pain for brand new. It plays really nice, neck is fast (precision width ish) sounds great, looks far better that pics so besides that saddle, (bridge will have to be upgraded) its a great Bass.
It's VERY helpful to read about the troubles you've experienced with the factory low E saddle not retaining its string - as well as your conclusion that the stock bridge (on your brand new guitar!) needs to be replaced with an aftermarket upgrade part. That's the type of expense one should have to cover only if they are seeking a specific tone or adjustment well after they've explored all of a stock part's abilities. Seems to me that Fender - similar to the Big 3 car makers - overlooks well known and widely-documented flaws for production cost reasons. A person shouldn't have immediate hardware function trouble with a new instrument. If there's a "test pilot player" at the factory or Fender's home office, they surely had the same string retention issue, yet someone up the chain must've stamped OK on "as it is" production anyway. As a researching, near-term, six-string bass buyer who has already moved beyond consideration of the Fender Squire offering due to reviewers consistently discussing ill-fitting bridge posts as well as the guitar's failure to be able to intonate the low E, I'd hoped that by playing videos about the Vintera II and stepping up to a willingness to pay more would have been the answer to what seemed to be "inexpensive guitar syndrome". Clearly, it's "Fender Syndrome". I already own a Strat, but it'll remain my only Fender guitar. I'd really hoped differently regarding this Vintera II. Schecter would have an order today if they were still making the Ultra VI.
I picked up the same one a few weeks ago. I’m a bass player, but I put my telecaster away and force myself to only play this one. Slowly getting the hang of it it’s quite a monster, but I love it.
welcome to the bass vi obsession. i’m on my… 3rd and 4th. my fifth will be a baritone conversion? anyway. i suggest you learn jet harris’s version of besamé mucho. fantastic use of the fender vi there. (great call on the nitzsche track…)
I prefer B-B baritone tuning on my Squier Bass VI, but I use D’Addario strings for it. I usually use Ernie Ball, but their baritone set isn’t long enough on the low strings for the 30” scale!
Great video! Bass VIs are very cool.. and I always thought the strangle switch was so you could play it through a guitar amp without the risk of damaging it?
I am not even checking the due date any more because it makes me sad 😿 I ordered a custom Purple VI from C.M.E. on Reverb, but a paint problem allegedly delayed the production. I plan to shift gauge so that I can tune it up to B Standard like a mondo 30" Baritone without actually getting at the truss rod. I did that originally with my Rick 325, it came with about .11s but I put on slinkys and tuned it up to A Standard, I think that I was afraid to tangle with dual truss rods or something. I called it the Frank Zappa Unit -as if I was going to hit those wailing circular motion style riffs or something. 🎸 Didn't Dick Dale run one of those things? Seems like it would force you to write at least a couple new songs or something. I am really looking forward to getting mine. My friend Art Najera told me more than thirty years ago that I should get a Baritone, and he has always been right about everything else..
How do clean triads sound on it? I wonder how it would do in a trio for the bassist to add some chord "stabs" around the bassline. What string gauges does it use?
Pretty funny, actually, I'm Steve's friend, saw your post on IG when you got this, bit, was just talking to my friend about them today. And what does YT suggest to me? 🤣
oh this is perfect, as a guitar player who needs lower notes and thicker tone... I am buying this; I got turned onto six string bass after listening to 'I don't want nobody' by eddie harris...
I wouldn't say just early on - he has used it on every album since Faith. He so famously uses it that in fact Fender mention him on their website saying "If Jet Harris is the past master of the Bass VI, Robert Smith is surely the modern master. ".
@@hypersphere412 he uses the Schecters live - but he has a collection of Bass VI’s. With one in particular he uses for recording. The one he uses for recording is the same one that was used on Faith and has unique wiring scheme. The story goes he stole the bass during the recording of Faith. When they came to record Disintegration they were testing some of his other Bass VI’s, to see which one sounded best, but kept coming back to that “special” one. They opened it up and found it was wired differently - which gave it a unique tone. The schecters are great - but Robert has a ridiculously large guitar collection and he brings a lot of them to the recording sessions - there is always the “special” Bass VI there. I think the last time I saw him use the Bass VI live was in 2019 during the 30th anniversary celebration of disintegration. I’m pretty sure he used the Bass VI on the recording of Chvrches “How not to drown”, and possibly the remix of High Flying Birds “Pretty Boy” - but that one I’m less confident on.
@@hypersphere412 oh… and if you like Robert Smith… Crosses just release a track called “Girls Float + Boys Cry” and Robert joins in on backing vocals for the chorus. It’s like Depeche Mode meets Stranger Things. Awesome track.
I got the vintage modified and I 100% recommend putting a staytrem on that thing and a set of heavier labella strings on it, it sounds incredibly good and it's so much fun to play.
There's an alternate version of the Bee Gees' "Never Say Never Again" that features an overdriven and reverb-heavy bass VI as a lead instrument throughout
Baritone is a shorter scale. These have the old bridge trays like the originals, the custom shops and the MIJ. But the bridge pieces are different. Early Vinteras were missing the pickguard screw above and below the switch plate as well.
I want to sell my Squier VI so bad to get one of these! Can't wait to see you play some more tunes with it. Some Jet Harris or Jack Nitzsche is always nice
Wish I would’ve known about the VI before I attempted to pull a SVR and put gigantic strings on a guitar. All to satisfy my need for a guitar that is a bass but not a 6 string bass.
I am commenting roughly one month out from when you uploaded this video, 60. How do you feel about this model now? I’m asking, partly as an owner of the Squier version. It is a lot of fun to play, even though I can’t deny that I wished it had stronger output like yours. I’ve always seen it as a customary bass guitar with the two extra strings added to give it tenor bass attributes. I got it because I thought it would allow me to do some stuff that Victor Wooten has done with his tenor bass, as opposed to being a guitarist forced to play bass (I did that on run-of-the-mill models instead). And - I *do* slap on mine. Not that I would object to playing the theme from Twin Peaks on this model.
Los Straightjackets' bassist used a Bass VI for a while. Doesn't get more SURF than that! I expect you to play Don't Worry by Marty Robbins on your next video...
The intro for twin peaks+ joy division/new order+ early the cure records are peak Bass VI for me, i think the soul of the instrument real sits there in that style
I agree ! The Bass VI is the ultimate post-punk bass.
I was no lie just thinking to myself “I wonder if this is what was used in the Twin Peaks theme. It sounds super similar”, then this is the comment I look down and see first! Thank you!
The Twin Peaks kind of combines the dual history of the instrument. Originally it was used in country to double the standup bass parts. Then the post punks used it for melodic atmospherics. Twin Peaks kind of sits between those two.
In the end Robert Smith moved on to Schecters. The tuning in the Fenders is very unreliable. Listen to Prayer Tour bootlegs. Often out of tune.
Are we sure the Twin Peaks intro bass wasn’t a synth/sampler? I really don’t know.
@@thepostapocalyptictrio4762 I've been better educated since writing my last comment. The guy who did the soundtrack went on record saying that it's a sample of a Bass VI being played back on a keyboard sampler.
Put flat wounds on it. it absolutely transforms it as a bass instrument, and you get the true vintage sound. It's not a cheap option but I really recommend it
I ran a set of flatwounds on my Vox Phantom for a while, .54s was about my gauge back then, and those Stainless Black Diamonds lasted for weeks. Definitely worth the spendyness for a tryout. I remember that I wanted more.
Good thing about flat wounds is they last for a good amount of time.
What strings do you recommend? Can I still doom with flatwounds?
Good advice, to bring it to a more traditional Bass sound flat-wounds are good. Round-wounds allow the twang of the early Bass VI work. One could call it a E to E Baritone with the round-wounds.
Get two- one for rounds and one for flats!
I'm glad you've reviewed this one. From my limited experience, they sound amazing with fuzz.
I'm having trouble coming up with a reason not to get one
Price. And my girlfriend would get pissed lol
@@chriscornellfan1366 Meh, no ring, no thing. Looks like you're getting a bass VI! Congratulations!!
@@chriscornellfan1366 I don't see how your girlfriend getting mad is any reason why the rest of us can't get one
I got one reason. It looks like you have to remove the neck to adjust the truss rod. The most annoying of vintage specs.
@@VikCainit appears you may be right. I thought there was a spoke wheel adjustment at the end of the fretboard but when I zoomed in, nope. Pretty sure you have to remove the neck. What on earth is wrong with fender still doing this BS?
Last year I sold my motorbike to get a telecaster. This year I'll be selling the tele to get one of these. It's always been a dream bass of mine but I've shyed away from the Squier ones because of the well reported issues. My main bass is a fender dimension with flatwounds so I like things that are a bit different. Brilliant vid.
Don’t feel bad about barely playing bass. I’ve watched your videos for quite a while and your guitar playing hasn’t driven me off.
This is genuinely one of the things someone has ever said.
I’m not sure what I was expecting it to sound like but I was really impressed when I heard it. Looks cool too.
Honestly the bass vi is the only one of ny guitars i consistently gravitate to now, it's my favourite instrument
jealous! I want one but I'll be honest I don't really have a use for one...
Oh you absolutely do have a use for them, Deftones due to Stef playing a 9 string the bassist regularly uses a bass vi, they are really good short scale basses that you play chords and melodic lines on, i absolutely recommend everyone at least tries a bass vi. I use mine in a 3 piece punk band.
4 more weeks - How is it holding up? How does it take pedals? Any downsides?
@@colinbanning9416
They sound perfect with rats
Please do not make it a baritone. Just use a capo if you want that. Keep the Bass VI pure lol. I love my Pawnshop Bass VI so much.
Making it a baritone just means using 2 or 3 non wound strings. Maybe you go up to F or G, but that was the intention with the bass vi from the start to go up to A with the 6 wound strings. If you cut a new nut for the baritone strings there is no harm in it
@@zanzabar4ky7 There is no harm, but it's objectively limiting the range of the instrument for no reason at all
The solo on Wichita Lineman was done with a Bass VI. I wish CME would send me mine.
You should play with the tone knob in conjunction with the strangle switch. The strangle switch actually inverts the tone knob. I like to leave the tone knob around 75% in both positions. It sounds more bassy with the strangle switch off, and more baritone guitary with the strangle switch on.
I have a 1972 Fender Bass VI for a good 30 years now and it still excites me! I also have the Squier Bass VI, which I love too! Flats are a must in my opinion.
I wanna try this one so bad! Thanks for sharing
That might some of the best tone you've ever had. That thing sounds beastly and the chords on it are gorgeou
Such cool instruments, and running into a bass amp vs. a guitar amp really changes the character. I'm somewhat tempted to do the baritone thing myself (largely due my bass player's bruised ego), but I think I'll save the baritone for another project and keep the Bass VI in stock tuning.
As you say, stick a compressor, chorus and delay pedal on it and play all of Disintegration by The Cure.
I reckon only Lovesong doesn't have a Bass VI part.. 😅
And as always, you come for the thumbnail and stay for Ryan's disharming honesty.
Love this instrument and your demo. Keep it up , Ryan,
At first I was thinking about the red one but this lake Placid Blue rocks the house!!
As for Cure songs, you should learn “Pictures of You” or “High”.
I just ordered a Squier one in Shell Pink with block inlays! I love that 60’s Pink Cadillac-looking Fender vibe, like with ‘66 Jazzmasters (I believe it’s ‘66), so as soon as I saw they sold Squier one’s with that look, I immediately tried one out in a store then ordered it. I’m so excited!
It's already a Baritone! Tuned E-E!!! No real need to tune it up. It covers a lower Baritone range this way! Your Demo was just FINE!!!
Greatings from 1:12 Carlsbad New Mexico.
The Bass VI really _is_ the baritone, or what would become known as the baritone guitar. The original tuning, as designed, was simply a guitar tuned down an octave, and to give guitar players an easier time doubling on bass. BUT the necks were considered too skinny at the nut and the low string flapped out too much. So guitar players started to tune the six string basses up to an A or B to compensate. Which gave birth to the baritone guitar. Just a six string bass tuned up....same instrument. The Danelectro six string bass (baritone) was often the preferred instrument, because of the price and construction difference, meaning a more playable wider neck.
...everyone should have at least one.
I'm glad to see Fender going down this road again. Keep it fun!
The Cure Carnage Visors is probably the longest ever recorded with a Bass VI. Got some nice parts in that. But here are some cool Bass VI songs:
New Order - Dreams Never End
Red Hot Chili Peppers - Happiness Loves Company
The Church - Aura
The Church - Ripple
The Byrds - Mr Tamborine man
Cream - Strange Brew
Placebo - Slave to the wage
Dandy Warhols - Goddless
The Beatles - Back in the USSR
And some more Cure:
The Cure - Pictures of You, High, Just one kiss, Letter to Elise, Faith
The bass on Mr Tambourine Man was a VI?!
Wrecking Crew played on that and Carole Kaye was the Bass Player. I don't think she ever played a Bass 6 only regular Fender Bass.@@apolloc.vermouth5672
All of the Church's 'Priest = Aura' album was done with a Bass VI. When I met Steve Kilbey he told me that was the only bass he owned at the time.
@@Steven-kj7xq Yeah, that's correct - he'd used it over the years, I think since around 1982 or so - but Aura is indeed entirely Bass VI. It sounds so nice. :) Love Steve's bass playing too.
@@Steven-kj7xq He had one on the last tour, but not his only bass he used.
Unexpectedly tempting!
I totally love your reaction to opening up this magical instrument.
I have the same experience - I’ve played a couple in store, but when I played them I couldn’t put em down. I haven’t picked one up because I can’t decide on one of these or a Hofner which is also super fun to play.
Fun departure, glad to see you have that kid in the candystore vibe. Solid 8 outta 10 on the spaghetti western meter. I'm sure it surfs and psychedelics real strong also. Glad they are still making them !
I’ve got one coming in next Friday. I could only find one in the US through Guitar Center. Really excited before your video but now I’m really excited.
I've always wanted one of these. There is just something special about them.
You play the cure.... that is what you play. Chorus and delay with strangle on and neck pickup.
Or The Church - they've made heavy use of it too. Such a great guitar. And Robert has really made this instrument a signature part of The Cure's sound.
I bet you'd like the Danelectro 6-string bass too, especially since Duane Eddy used one extensively.
Keep it a Bass VI it sounds really good that way.
So two things,1) I feel like the universe is telling me to get a bass vi, I've been seeing them pop up in the most random places the last few months so I think I know what's at the top of my Christmas list this year 😂 2) my Squier classic vibe Jazzmaster has some of that same flamed maple on the back of the neck and it's never ceases to catch my eye whenever i pick it up.
I look forward to the baritone conversion video!!!
I think this is the best bass guitar for a rock trio (which is what I'm in now). I'm the lead/solo guitar in the band and I want one of these and so does my other guitar player. He and I could switch back and forth. Btw, I love the loop and lead you play near the end! The fact that it's a 6 string EADGBE makes it a natural transition
The Squier version is awesome; I can't fathom how cool this one is
When you listen to Robert Smith, or Joe Perry's rip on Back in the Saddle, bear in mind studio limiting is involved. In the room it sounds downright feral. Enjoy
It's a Danelectro Longhorn 6-string and not a Bass VI, but Glen Campbell's solo on Wichita Lineman is another great example of this type of instrument.
@@ryanpetriello3461
That’s probably my favorite bass VI song. It just so happens that the song that inspired me to want to play guitar is another great bass VI song, Steve Earle’s Guitar Town. However, now days live they play Guitar Town with a baritone guitar.
@ryanpetriello3461 I had no idea the Dano Longhorn was available as a 6 string bass. I always assumed it was a bass VI, but the tone does make sense with some grit. Thank you for the reply and all that you do!
@@ryanpetriello3461 not for nothing, Wichita Lineman tears me to bits
@@Polarbarrywhite No, it's a Baritone guitar.
That spring reverb actually sounds pretty good on this bass
A lot of the surf melodies you're so into would sound great simply doubled with the bass VI underneath
Squier NEEDS to drop an affinity version that’s sub $300
Dude, I got a returned Squire Bass VI recently which is similar but on a Mustang body and no where near as fancy. You got a beautiful instrument.
Im also a guitar player that owns a bass, then got one of these. I found myself learning a bunch of Cure tunes on this, then playing Hendrix tunes I knew on guitar but playing bass parts.
What I’ve found I’m doing the most now is writing songs using this instrument.
I absolutely love the sound of chords on Bass VI's. Take the time to dial in the intonation as good as you can get it.
The Vintera II Bass VI is really hard to find right now. I hope Fender brings it to the AVRI II line, they're really popular right now.
I’m debating picking one of these up in the future cause our bass player is most likely gonna quit soon. This might be the tool I could use to cover the bass section as a guitar player. 🤘🏻 very cool and thanks for all the demos you put out
Tuning to baritone B to b is really fun tuning to play in.
i got a squire bass vi almost a year ago. i absolutly love it, my favorite instrument now.
Me too. For the price difference the Squier is a no-brainer. Easy to sort it to get it to perfection.
Amazing tones. I love the attack and definition followed by the low thump. You should never have a low-end definition problem again. I like it more as a bass than a guitar.
It looks like the one Jack played in that Cream video for Strange Brew. Nice!!
I got the Squier version fitted with the wider staytrem bridge. LOVE IT!
21:21 - what scale you using in that last song? ❤️
lol thats a good question. the chords were just Bmaj and Amaj but i was leaving the high B and E open. and then i was riffing an E major scale over it. someone smarter than me can figure out the music theory of all that.
@@60CycleHumcast G R E A T !
4:23 I know Arizona Moon when I hear it.
You can order xl baritone guitar strings for it and tune it to low b.
I grabbed a fiesta red one!
That is the most retro old Fender color in my book.
I had one and converted to baritone. The problem you will run into is finding a high E string that is long enough to wrap. It’ll work but you might need to look at string lengths first.
yeah i had the same problem do you know what the standard length of string is?
I didn’t check, does it have locking tuners? Then you won’t need to wrap.
String joy has them. You can also buy 8 string sets since those should always be built for 28" scale depending on the tuning you are looking for.
Check out newtone strings. You can request that they cut your strings longer than normal. I've had really good experiences with them.
Did you guys have to cut a new nut to make it baritone?
i just pretty recently got one of the cv bass vis. very neat instrument. we have used it in jams (we have normal basses too) and it's also fun to just keep in the room if i want to layer bass into a loop and mess around and just put a simple little guitarist bass line in.
Picked up a Squire Bass VI this year. Definitely a fun purchase.
It Rocks & Fender 24-100 Gauge strings really help.
Its gorgeous, I bought one.. I'm having some severe problems with the low E saddle and its inability to keep the low E strings from clicking/sliding to another groove. Its a pain for brand new. It plays really nice, neck is fast (precision width ish) sounds great, looks far better that pics so besides that saddle, (bridge will have to be upgraded) its a great Bass.
It's VERY helpful to read about the troubles you've experienced with the factory low E saddle not retaining its string - as well as your conclusion that the stock bridge (on your brand new guitar!) needs to be replaced with an aftermarket upgrade part. That's the type of expense one should have to cover only if they are seeking a specific tone or adjustment well after they've explored all of a stock part's abilities.
Seems to me that Fender - similar to the Big 3 car makers - overlooks well known and widely-documented flaws for production cost reasons. A person shouldn't have immediate hardware function trouble with a new instrument. If there's a "test pilot player" at the factory or Fender's home office, they surely had the same string retention issue, yet someone up the chain must've stamped OK on "as it is" production anyway.
As a researching, near-term, six-string bass buyer who has already moved beyond consideration of the Fender Squire offering due to reviewers consistently discussing ill-fitting bridge posts as well as the guitar's failure to be able to intonate the low E, I'd hoped that by playing videos about the Vintera II and stepping up to a willingness to pay more would have been the answer to what seemed to be "inexpensive guitar syndrome". Clearly, it's "Fender Syndrome". I already own a Strat, but it'll remain my only Fender guitar. I'd really hoped differently regarding this Vintera II.
Schecter would have an order today if they were still making the Ultra VI.
inspector gadget and planet claire are the best test songs hands down
I picked up the same one a few weeks ago. I’m a bass player, but I put my telecaster away and force myself to only play this one. Slowly getting the hang of it it’s quite a monster, but I love it.
Incidentally I have a baritone I converted to a bass VI with just a string swap, so it can go both ways.
I have one of the Squire VM and love it. Hope you end up enjoying it!
Po! you had the noodle dream! but with Bass VI
welcome to the bass vi obsession. i’m on my… 3rd and 4th. my fifth will be a baritone conversion? anyway. i suggest you learn jet harris’s version of besamé mucho. fantastic use of the fender vi there. (great call on the nitzsche track…)
Jet Harris the GOAT mentioned ‼️‼️‼️
A $200 Drop pedal makes EVERY guitar you own the bass of your dreams.
I prefer B-B baritone tuning on my Squier Bass VI, but I use D’Addario strings for it. I usually use Ernie Ball, but their baritone set isn’t long enough on the low strings for the 30” scale!
Jack Bruce played one in Cream quite often. Not always but often.
Great video! Bass VIs are very cool.. and I always thought the strangle switch was so you could play it through a guitar amp without the risk of damaging it?
There's no risk of damaging a guitar amp with a bass, it's the speaker that's an issue.
I am not even checking the due date any more because it makes me sad 😿 I ordered a custom Purple VI from C.M.E. on Reverb, but a paint problem allegedly delayed the production.
I plan to shift gauge so that I can tune it up to B Standard like a mondo 30" Baritone without actually getting at the truss rod. I did that originally with my Rick 325, it came with about .11s but I put on slinkys and tuned it up to A Standard, I think that I was afraid to tangle with dual truss rods or something. I called it the Frank Zappa Unit -as if I was going to hit those wailing circular motion style riffs or something. 🎸 Didn't Dick Dale run one of those things? Seems like it would force you to write at least a couple new songs or something. I am really looking forward to getting mine. My friend Art Najera told me more than thirty years ago that I should get a Baritone, and he has always been right about everything else..
Oh yeah, Vintera. Naturally those finally come out after I ordered my Squier. 😑
That's pretty cool. I need to try one now.
How do clean triads sound on it? I wonder how it would do in a trio for the bassist to add some chord "stabs" around the bassline.
What string gauges does it use?
Pretty funny, actually, I'm Steve's friend, saw your post on IG when you got this, bit, was just talking to my friend about them today.
And what does YT suggest to me? 🤣
Hey!
oh this is perfect, as a guitar player who needs lower notes and thicker tone... I am buying this; I got turned onto six string bass after listening to 'I don't want nobody' by eddie harris...
I have Squier Bass VI and it is totally great surf machine. I use it with Surfy Bear Metal and it sounds amazing.
Robert Smith of The Cure famously used a Bass VI early on. Love those first few Cure albums.
I wouldn't say just early on - he has used it on every album since Faith. He so famously uses it that in fact Fender mention him on their website saying "If Jet Harris is the past master of the Bass VI, Robert Smith is surely the modern master. ".
@@zoeherriot I wasn’t aware of that. I thought he was pretty much exclusively using Schecter these days. Thanks for the heads up.
@@hypersphere412 he uses the Schecters live - but he has a collection of Bass VI’s. With one in particular he uses for recording. The one he uses for recording is the same one that was used on Faith and has unique wiring scheme.
The story goes he stole the bass during the recording of Faith. When they came to record Disintegration they were testing some of his other Bass VI’s, to see which one sounded best, but kept coming back to that “special” one. They opened it up and found it was wired differently - which gave it a unique tone. The schecters are great - but Robert has a ridiculously large guitar collection and he brings a lot of them to the recording sessions - there is always the “special” Bass VI there.
I think the last time I saw him use the Bass VI live was in 2019 during the 30th anniversary celebration of disintegration.
I’m pretty sure he used the Bass VI on the recording of Chvrches “How not to drown”, and possibly the remix of High Flying Birds “Pretty Boy” - but that one I’m less confident on.
@@hypersphere412 oh… and if you like Robert Smith… Crosses just release a track called “Girls Float + Boys Cry” and Robert joins in on backing vocals for the chorus. It’s like Depeche Mode meets Stranger Things. Awesome track.
Color option: Ryan's studio ✅
Hey where did you get those grey drawer cabinets? They’re cool. I’m setting up my studio.
I got the vintage modified and I 100% recommend putting a staytrem on that thing and a set of heavier labella strings on it, it sounds incredibly good and it's so much fun to play.
10:10 speaking of conversion to baritone, I converted my Fender Baritone Special HH to standard EADGBE tuning and it melts faces. Please try this.
Interesting! I’ll have to try that. What gauge strings?
@@60CycleHumcast9-11-16-24-32-42 Ernie Ball Slinky Pinkys
“White room” by Cream. And would love to hear your thoughts vs the Gretsch, as that’s basically a BVI that they are calling a baritone…
A friend of mine is a local luthier/tech and he converted a gretsch baritone to bass 6 and said it was tricky to get the intonation right.
Danoelectro’s 6-string bass is another one that many have switched to baritone.
Time to order a Mastery bridge.
I like my short bass w/5 strings EADGC .105 - 0.35 strings right now - Lace/Hot rail pickups, 16mm string space bridge...pretty surfy but no wham bar
Just ordered one through your link.
Woah thanks! Hope you love it.
I like mine!
Did you get it directly from fender ? That's amazing !
I play surf guitar in the Chihuahuan Desert!
COOL! email us a song sometime and well play it on the podcast 60cyclehumcast@gmail.com
There's an alternate version of the Bee Gees' "Never Say Never Again" that features an overdriven and reverb-heavy bass VI as a lead instrument throughout
Baritone is a shorter scale.
These have the old bridge trays like the originals, the custom shops and the MIJ. But the bridge pieces are different.
Early Vinteras were missing the pickguard screw above and below the switch plate as well.
Baritones can be 30". Im going to try converting it to baritone eventually.
I want to sell my Squier VI so bad to get one of these!
Can't wait to see you play some more tunes with it. Some Jet Harris or Jack Nitzsche is always nice
I have the Squier vintage modified Bass VI. It’s awesome
Wish I would’ve known about the VI before I attempted to pull a SVR and put gigantic strings on a guitar.
All to satisfy my need for a guitar that is a bass but not a 6 string bass.
Cool demo, now I want one too😊
I am commenting roughly one month out from when you uploaded this video, 60. How do you feel about this model now? I’m asking, partly as an owner of the Squier version. It is a lot of fun to play, even though I can’t deny that I wished it had stronger output like yours. I’ve always seen it as a customary bass guitar with the two extra strings added to give it tenor bass attributes. I got it because I thought it would allow me to do some stuff that Victor Wooten has done with his tenor bass, as opposed to being a guitarist forced to play bass (I did that on run-of-the-mill models instead). And - I *do* slap on mine.
Not that I would object to playing the theme from Twin Peaks on this model.
Los Straightjackets' bassist used a Bass VI for a while. Doesn't get more SURF than that!
I expect you to play Don't Worry by Marty Robbins on your next video...
i wish my squire bass vi was bright blue like that even though they are both technically lake placid blue
13:58 Does it doom?
Yes. Yes it does doom.
God that dooms SO hard. So good.
Glen campbell- witchita lineman- best bass six song of all time- solo kills, but whole song is great example.
It will be excellent for the Twin peaks theme.
try it with just the neck and bridge pickups turned on (middle off), some spring reverb, and harmonic tremolo... it's a beautiful sound
i wanna see someone put the emg jazzmaster pickups in one of these and djent it
Best way to break into a new BADASS experience.
This is also my dream Bass 🌊🌊
it sound pretty good, but I would wait to see if Fender is going to release any other colors on this Bass VI