Actually loved the outro solo. I'm a guitarist for an indie rock band and I seriously think it's something we could incorporate in many different ways!!
@@roughcutguitars Imagine when Chris does his signature bend, then slide the finger into another bend, and the two tones make a dissonant noise, that just wouldn’t compliment that style of music.
It has a 30" scale as do other baritones, which is what any similar acoustics from way back before even the discovery of electricity, and now also electrics are still called today, and there are tenors too. Well Leo did call his vibrato a tremolo and now most players and even some makers adopted and use the wrong word because of it.
Did nobody else catch that John probably chose to play the Bass VI (rather than Paul's new Jazz) because it's right-handed and Paul's bass was left-handed?
@@justiceforjamespaulmccartneyThe reason why you aren’t worth debating, is because people like you have your mind made up. Like you said, no matter what. No evidence would ever change your mind. Even when I have evidence and believe my ideas to be correct, I must leave the door open because that’s how one learns. The errors in your thinking, and claim to have an absolute truth is why conspiracy theorists (and many religious people) are terrifying.
@@profile2047 I do not debate the truth. It makes no sense, common sense or logic. Open your eyes, do your own research and if even then you can't see the truth, you can live in your fake world.
It also rules out Paul overdubbing the Fender VI on “While My Guitar…” - unless of course, Fender sent them rights and lefts of both that we just don’t know about. You can also string them opposite - anything is possible 🤷🏻♂️
4:34 - John and George occasionally used Fender Bass VI because it was a right handed model, they couldn't use Paul's left handed Jazz Bass or any of his other bass guitars. Some time later they also got a right handed Fender Jazz Bass, which George used on a couple of Abbey Road songs. 7:13 - outtakes and studio chat point towards Paul playing Fender Jazz Bass on album version of Helter Skelter (John played Fender Bass VI on first three slow rehearsal takes which happened much earlier).
@@ARawFueledLife I asked my custom Jazz bass about it, and he said "Nuh uh, I would never make a plinky plunky racket like that, I'm a proper grown up bass guitar. Just listen to my growl on While My Guitar Gently Weeps!" Otherwise known as While My Jazz Bass Rudely Barks
Really appreciate every time you delve into rock guitar's history. As an old timer, I grew up listening to all this stuff without ever thinking about what was making those sounds ( or who was playing what ). Great playing as always.
I think John Lennon and George Harrison used the Fender VI partly because Paul’s basses were left handed. And since it’s basically a guitar, down an octave, it felt very familiar to them. And of course it had that unique gritty sound that really cut through.
Hi Chris, always enjoy your deep dives in to The Beatles, recordings, guitars, amps, etc. One little observation I'd like to add is that the main reason the Fender Bass VI is used so much in the later Beatle recordings is that Paul McCartney insisted on playing piano and guitar SO much on the basic tracks. A lot of basic tracks were recorded with out any bass at all, with McCartney coming back to over dub later. ie "The Word," "For No One" most of "Sgt. Pepper" and "Lady Madonna" to just name a few. This would allow him to spend many hours coming up with those amazing bass lines, and also fulfill his need to be The Beatles, Little Richard or Ray Charles! I would imagine sometimes (if motivated or even present) Lennon or Harrison would play the Bass VI just to add some low end/bottom to the basic track so it wouldn't sound so to quote GH "empty." Also wanted to mention that Fender also sent the Beatles the Rhodes keyboard seen so often in "Get Back" being played by Billy Preston. Who BTY was brought in to the sessions specifically by George to get Paul off the piano and get back (excuse the pun!) to the bass! I also have some info on where some of the fender gear ended up.... Paul McCartney's house! In the early seventies, EMI was doing some house cleaning and found that closet/small room full of old Beatle gear. They called all the Beatles to come and get what they wanted, since Paul just lived a few blocks away, came and took the Right handed Jazz Bass, (used later by Denny Laine in Wings whenever McCartney was on Piano. And even McCartney playing it upside down on pics included with "Band On The Run) and the Rhodes piano. So when you see Macca playing a Rhodes in "My Love"video, the "James Paul McCartney" TV special and "Wings: Rock Show" movie, that's the same Rhodes Billy Preston is playing in "Let It Be/Get Back." Keep up the great work! Solo at the end of the clip sounded great! Go for it!
I’m guessing the string spacing, which makes finger-style bass and slap technique a lot harder. Super cool instrument, even if it’s almost more of an extended range baritone than a bass guitar.
Well done Chris A concise explanation of what I think was, for a time, marketed as a ‘Tenor’ guitar. Cliff Richard and Phil Everly did a duet on ‘She Means Nothing to Me’ a few years ago with, it sounded to me like a Fender 6 in the backing track - which I also thought sounded like Hank Marvin’s style. Your research/knowledge on the history of certain guitars is tremendous. Oh and I love your playing too. Keep it up! Regards.
Brother, I had this on in the background while working and the outro made me stop what I was doing, put a big smile on my face, and a little tear in my eye. Thank you.
Great video Chris, that outro solo was amazing. If I remember rightly, Peter Green played a Fender Bass VI to great effect on "Green Manalishi". A wonderfully dark, menacing sound.
Chris, you are so bloody good at commentary and evaluating all of this vintage gear, it is truly a joy to watch and listen to. If only you could play guitar to eh? I’m kidding man, you are truly one of my favorite guitarist on the planet! And it’s almost haunting that solo you played on the base six.. well done greatly appreciated
Really enjoy your weekly shows. When thinking of unique bass sounds, I’m reminded of Ladi Geisler, the famous bassist for Bert Kaempfert, James Last and on his own. Very prolific session man, and even crossed paths with the early Beatles when the backed Tony Sheridan. Might be an interesting tangent for you to chase down!
Outro proves that Chris can do anything on any guitar....... except for the insane bend near the end of the Tell Me How It Feels solo when played on Fender VI! But seriously, folks, I'd love to hear the fender VI double tracked with the usual solo.
It was also in Galveston and Wichita lineman. Both songs used the bass guitar. Guitar God Glen Campbell played it. He was in the wrecking crew at the time. The new Beatles song is a perfect ending to a perfect band. I stood in the kitchen and cried while listening to it. Thanks for another great show. I did get another weird message claiming it was you with a gift.
another very interesting friday fretworks,,,love your content bro,,, glad to see cardinal black touring and getting recognition ,,cheers from australia
This is extremely well timed, Chris. I was away from the UA-cam channel that I am commenting from for seven days (Oct. 30-Nov. 6, 2023). Previously, I have been exploring over again demonstration of this model. I’ve got a Squier Vintage Modified Bass Six myself. It never could live up to the original Fender edition, but I still enjoy it. Most models that are associated with the Beatles only briefly caught my interest but were unable to hold it. This is one model that I have tried to make my own. When I play it, I am trying more than anything to tap in to the part of me that is into Victor Wooten. Somehow, this seems like the kind of instrument I would’ve wanted to start with if I were him.
Yay, thanks Chris, perfect timing for me as just bought one and been searching UA-cam for people who know how to play ‘em properly.. so far out of many it’s you and Dave Simpson! And heartily disagree about the lead issue, your outro was inspired 🔥🔥🔥 keeping music alive and so so interesting 🙌🏻🙏🏻
Great episode Chris! Props for doing something out of your comfort zone (although it was a Beatles video with a Tell Me How It Feels solo, so maybe debatable...) I've always been fascinated by Bass VI but never played one. Maybe this Vintera series is the opportunity.
Squier has one in their Classic Vibe series. If you're on the fence about a purchase decision, the less expensive option gives you the opportunity to do so without the more expensive risk if you don't take to the instrument.
I don't usually comment but a great use of the bass VI is with the math rock band TTNG (although it's actually a modified Jag bass but same no. of strings, scale length, tuning etc.). The higher up melodic lines really make the band sound bigger than a trio.
Hail to you Buckmaster! Even on this odd thing the outro solo was very very musical. You used the instrument to the full benefit of the music and demonstrated the capabilities in a very rounded manner. Thanks for the very dense and hence informative contend in the first part of the video!
Wow! Great video as always. Very interesting. Seems like it really has a place, would love to hear what you do with it in Cardinal Black..... As long as it isn't the solo for Tell Me How It Feels 😂
As a left handed player, i was really disappointed that fender chose not to release a left handed model. However, Eastwood guitars has, therefore, I’m on the list to receive mine this summer. Very excited
Man I fell in love with your playing with this solo at the ending.. And I'm 100% positive that it sounds better than your original at this octave. Impeccable.
Another spot-on essay Chris. John was first and foremost a pragmatist when it came to instruments - all in deference to making the MUSIC, so I definitely agree that he took to the VI for it being so akin to guitar. As for any limitations, while your playout of the "...How It Feels" solo does show it to be a tad too somber for the higher register - as you deftly sensed in averting the bend notes at the peak - I reckon doubling your original guitar solo with it would yield something - to put in terms an Englishman will appreciate - very special indeed :-)
Amazing video as usual....I'd not realised the Beatles had used the 6 so extensively. You've actually re-awoken a question that has been rattling around in my head for a long time.... I wondered what a modern rock era music would sound like with the bass part split between a low/mid register (= a Fender 6, I guess) and low frequency part (4/5 string bass, I guess). This is what classical music / orchestras do - even more so - (violin / viola / cello / double bass). I'd guess one trick might be not to play the 6 string bass like a bass - the 6 string parts could be very different - more rhythmic and punchy, even riffy, leaving Mr 4 string to fill the room with the low stuff. What a fascinating area to explore! Looking forward to hearing what you come up with.
Oh man, I always thought thar "While My Guitar" bass sound was a Rickenbacker (the nasal and agressive sound of its bridge pickup). Nice to learn that its a Fender Bass VI instead
I believe the bass part on While my Guitar Gently Weeps is played by Paul but I guess we’ll never know for certain. The bass line on the song is very melodic and features a lot of the little nuances Paul was known for on bass. Although the tone is very similar to that of a Fender VI, it is still very possible to get that tone out of a Fender Jazz bass. Not only that, but the bass guitar tone on While My Guitar Gently Weeps is also very similar to the bass tone on Yer Blues, which features Paul on his Fender Jazz. Throughout the verses of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, you can hear power chords being strummed, which Paul was no stranger to doing throughout songs with I Want You (She’s so Heavy), Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, and A Day in the Life being other songs that feature Paul using power chords at some point during those songs.
I played a Squier Bass VI at a local shop a couple months ago. It was a used model & the previous owner had torn on the middle pickup and tuned it B to B like a baritone, but it was so fun to play. I really hope the popularity of Get Back, the Squier Bass VI and now the Vintera II model means that its here to stay for a while.
Did he say EB2? Either way the Gibson version was called the EB6, there were two versions, the first one was based on the hollow body design and looked a bit like a ES335, the other was based on the SG body shape and was a solid body.
The Fender Bass VI is an absolutely BRILLIANT instrument ! Especially, when played with flatwound strings, as they were originally with in the '60s and '70s. I actually think it's a good idea to have two Bass VI-es: one with flat-wound strings and one with round-wound strings. Other early Bass VI players you didn't mention were Eric Haydock of the Hollies, and John Entwistle of The Who.
Hate to break it to you but Paul plays his Jazz bass on both Helter Skelter and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. No Fender VI on either. John plays HIS Casino on Helter Skelter. Fact. Rubin was right (got it wrong with Maxwell's Silver Hammer which was George - also on a Jazz!)
…not disputing you but if you’re going to speak with such authority (and fly in the face of the White Album’s official personnel credits) you might want to consider listing your source.
@@ChrisBuckGuitarSorry for being rude, you are a superb musician and I appreciate your videos, it's just that I see red when I see these videos extolling a) John's prowess as a bass player and b) the extent of th VI's use in Beatle recordings. John Lennon is my hero - but not as a bass player, on which he was truly terrible. He was always the last resort pick as a bassplayer in the Beatles (see Get Back). When all options are closed, that's when john would be the reluctant bassplayer. When he played the VI on BITUSSR, he strummed it as he did on "Dig It". ie he played it like a guitar. OK now for the others, source 1: Ringo Starr "“‘Helter Skelter’ was a track we did in total madness and hysterics in the studio. Sometimes you just had to shake out the jams, and with that song - Paul’s bass line and my drums - Paul started screaming and shouting and made it up on the spot”. Anthology. Source 2 Helter Skelter (take 17), begins with Paul showing to John by singing the timing to how to play the descending intro riff in the breakdown section. Listen and you will hear the bass absolutely totally in sync with the voice. When it gets to the breakdown, the guitar player gets it wrong but the bass and vocals get it right (NB in all previous versions of HS with Paul playing guitar - months before the final session - only Paul plays the chorus riffs. In the final version, only the bass plays the chorus riffs, the guitars doing it are overdubs by Paul and George. It's Paul's riff and the guitar just strums the A chord. Around 2:00 Paul sings the same notes as the bass (where the solo would be.) Regarding WMGGW, I have two interviews that George gave, Playboy and Guitar Player, where he specifically mentions Paul's overdubbing of the bass. Apart from that, I have yet to see anyone anywhere show me where the VI is supposed to be on this song. Paul is without any doubt playing the Jazz. Fact. When Ken Scott said that the Beatles used two basses Bert Kaempfert style, he also said that the basses were played together, never separately. This doesn't happen on any White Album recordings. None. Before he wrote his book, Ken Scott admitted that he doesn't remember Eric Clapton playing on the song he engineered. He couldn't remember EC being there! I'd believe the writer of the song over any engineer or box set archivist. The documentation of the Beatles recording is full of assumptions, guesswork and I take them all with a grain of salt. Cheers and carry on with the good work.
I worked in a guitar shop, and we had in our inventory, what we called a baritone guitar. It was acoustic, and luthier-built, so it was quite high-end. I got to try it, and I have to say, 6-strings and an octave down really gets you out of your rut! I found myself exploring things outside my usual realm, because you can't play thine things you usually do on a guitar.
Hey - It's actually PAUL playing bass on the LP version Helter Skelter, not John. Ringo confirmed this and you can even hear Paul run through part of the bass riff prior to the beginning of an early take of the "fast" version on the White Album box. John played bass on the plodding early takes (an edited version of which is on Anthology 3). That is far more John's "style" of bass playing as he absolutely hated playing the instrument and would only do so when absolutely necessary. Other than that, great video!
Wow excellent video! I am a bass player, never ever played guitar….bought a bass VI (squire) and had a terrible time with it. The strings are so close together compared to a bass that my mind and fingers were so confused. I had to sell it after a couple of months. I suspect that guitar players like it so much because, yeah its closer to a guitar than a bass string spacing wise…and thus for playability. Either way, its a cool instrument that in my opinion works great if you are used to playing guitar! 🎸
Great to see a (well made) video about the Fender VI. Nice playing too. I was hoping to hear 2 of my favourite bands name checked; The Hollies- all bass parts on a F6 until Eric Haydock left to be replaced by Bernie Calvert. 10cc used one a lot eg Art for Art Sake (played by Eric rather than Graham). I never saw anyone use the trem arm - thankfully!
That's probably because the 'tremolo' system is rubbish - I have owned 2 of these and the units on both were useless. Fender would have been better doing through-body string anchoring.
Greetings from Ireland. This might be a bit of a tangent but it involves a Fender bass 6 and an interesting link to a famous Strat. Tom Dunphy of the Royal Showband played a Fender 6 . Alongside Tom Jim Conlon played a sunburst strat in the Royal. The sunburst was traded in for a fiesta red strat .The sunburst was purchased by a young Rory Gallagher and became his famous down to bare wood Strat. Check out the track slow down by the fontana showband for a toung Rory on vocals with his blistering solo.
As a guitar player that started on Bass I suspect I'll end up with one of these sooner or later. As long as you aren't trying to play chords or open low E and A strings, I think the solos can work
I got a Squier Bass VI. I added two Pure Vintage '65 pups, and a Chris Novak pup at the bridge. I added a staytrem bass vi bridge, and tremolo, using a mij locking plate. I swapped out the stock strings for stainless labella flats. I only use my thumb when playing it like a bass, and my finger nail when playing the higher string like a guitar. I can't use a pick for anything. It sounds amazing. I get great bass tones from it, and I can even play glide guitar on it with the upgrades tremolo system. Even with the upgrades and luthier work it was cheaper than the vintera II. The vintera II still look better though.
I purchased the Squire version a couple years ago after seeing The Bassist From Aurora using one . Thanks for the info , I had no idea how much they were actually used before !
As someone who plays both instruments, I’d classify the Bass VI as a bass built with guitarists in mind, not just due to the number of strings and like tuning but also because of the string spacing and neck diameter. It’s much easier for a guitarist to play than it is for a proper bassist to; so many bass techniques don’t really translate to the same degree of effectiveness on a Bass VI, but if you’ve got a pick and downstrokes and you might as well have been playing in the Ventures for the last ten years.
Eric Haydock of The Hollies played one. There is both video on YT of him using it, and Tony Hicks refers to it in a later interview. Eric was one the all time great bassists. I have also seen a photo of Eric with a 12 string (possibly a Burns?). Presumably with full octave tuning. Happy to be corrected.
That outro was . . . .VALIANT! Don't stop there, I'm sure you guys will find the right track to feature it up front and impolite at some point. If memory serves the Bass VI was doubled with Rick 12 String in 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' n'est-ce pas? It feels like it was John on the Fender, there's a moment when a dodgy / edgy chord is hit isn't there?
Hey Chris... I think that apart from the fuller chords (3 or more notes at a time I think?), it has to be said that your outro sounded fkn awesome!!! ... great tone, and certainly for the single note runs and double stops, it sat perfectly... just a bit too much information occupying the same low end space for full chords to work I think... but with that said, I guess it's much the same as playing a normal guitar with a spitting, knarly, cranked fuzz tone?? ... I actually didn't even know this thing existed, so thanks for the very interesting education! 😊
Could you imagine being so hip that fender just SENDS you the first rosewood telecaster and one of the baddest guitars ever made and is all like “…… here… have it. If you play it we’ll make Millions”
Interesting video. I've just bought a Harley Benton Bass VI to compliment my 5 string bass, and extended range 7 and 8 string guitars, primarily for progressive rock and metal purposes. So I'm really looking forward to see where it fits in. Certainly for super low single note riffs that would otherwise require a 9 string, it's gonna get a lot of use. But seeing the way you were playing it, especially at the end, makes me wanna take it beyond that. Such good playing too!
I’m going to say The Cure’s Disintegration is now the most associated piece of music to the Bass VI. Turns out with a bit of chorus and reverb, you can create some of the most beautiful atmospheres anywhere.
i owned a Squier Bass VI for a while. Ii loved the sunburst finish, one of the best I've seen, much less owned. Also, the slide switches for each pickup is brilliant. I have no idea why the Strat isn't set up thus. When playing it, however, I found it had two too many strings; the top two were never used, except to get in the way and sound accidentally.
I remember seeing some Christmas concert thing on TV when I was a kid back in the 90's, and the bassist was playing a 6-string bass, I think it was a Yamaha. He did indeed pick a guitar-like solo on the higher frets on higher strings, then returned to the normal bass part with his fingers. I remember thinking "wow." I think sonically, it can work for some styles of music, but not so much for others. At some point I'd like to get a baritone guitar because it's lower but still very much a guitar, and I have no desire to ever use a 7 or 8-string guitar.
Glad to hear, if only briefly, a reference to legendary Aussie band The Church. On their classic record Priest=Aura Steve Kilbey plays Fender 6 the whole album to fantastic effect!
![5 THINGS YOU DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT PAUL McCARTNEY'S BEATLE BASSES + Hofner Tone Demo [4K]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/TqEg30rNmts/mqdefault.jpg)
Actually loved the outro solo. I'm a guitarist for an indie rock band and I seriously think it's something we could incorporate in many different ways!!
Imagine doubling it with his guitar solo on top though...
@@roughcutguitars
Imagine when Chris does his signature bend, then slide the finger into another bend, and the two tones make a dissonant noise, that just wouldn’t compliment that style of music.
which outro solo? Helter Skelter?
w o w was the entry and the solo!
It has a 30" scale as do other baritones, which is what any similar acoustics from way back before even the discovery of electricity, and now also electrics are still called today, and there are tenors too. Well Leo did call his vibrato a tremolo and now most players and even some makers adopted and use the wrong word because of it.
outro was brilliant definately should....so unique and sits perfectly
Did nobody else catch that John probably chose to play the Bass VI (rather than Paul's new Jazz) because it's right-handed and Paul's bass was left-handed?
@@justiceforjamespaulmccartneyThe reason why you aren’t worth debating, is because people like you have your mind made up. Like you said, no matter what. No evidence would ever change your mind.
Even when I have evidence and believe my ideas to be correct, I must leave the door open because that’s how one learns.
The errors in your thinking, and claim to have an absolute truth is why conspiracy theorists (and many religious people) are terrifying.
@@profile2047 I do not debate the truth. It makes no sense, common sense or logic. Open your eyes, do your own research and if even then you can't see the truth, you can live in your fake world.
@@justiceforjamespaulmccartney yes, with your mother while she...you know
@@profile2047yoooo, what was this convo about? The guy you replied to deleted his comment i think
It also rules out Paul overdubbing the Fender VI on “While My Guitar…” - unless of course, Fender sent them rights and lefts of both that we just don’t know about. You can also string them opposite - anything is possible 🤷🏻♂️
That outro was insane!
Yes… yes you should play lead on a Bass VI!!!
Same sht I said
I've got one. Love it.
Chris could play lead on a ukulele and it would sound great.
that outro jam is wonderful, like a bass solo but with the strength of a guitar solo
4:34 - John and George occasionally used Fender Bass VI because it was a right handed model, they couldn't use Paul's left handed Jazz Bass or any of his other bass guitars. Some time later they also got a right handed Fender Jazz Bass, which George used on a couple of Abbey Road songs. 7:13 - outtakes and studio chat point towards Paul playing Fender Jazz Bass on album version of Helter Skelter (John played Fender Bass VI on first three slow rehearsal takes which happened much earlier).
John’s bass 6 is on Helter Skelter, just have a listen in isolation.
@@daveshaw7953 What made you arrive to that conclusion?
@@gilassp It's very sloppily played. Paul wouldn't lay down a line like that.
@gilassp Studio outtakes make a pretty convincing argument that Helter Skelter is indeed Paul on the Jazz Bass.
@@ARawFueledLife I asked my custom Jazz bass about it, and he said "Nuh uh, I would never make a plinky plunky racket like that, I'm a proper grown up bass guitar. Just listen to my growl on While My Guitar Gently Weeps!"
Otherwise known as While My Jazz Bass Rudely Barks
Really appreciate every time you delve into rock guitar's history. As an old timer, I grew up listening to all this stuff without ever thinking about what was making those sounds ( or who was playing what ). Great playing as always.
George plays Fender 6 on the Hey Jude video. The video was Ringo's second day back after having left The Beatles a few weeks before.
You are peaking Buckmaster. Every Friday episode is now better than Wagon Train and Rawhide put together 👏👏🎸
I think John Lennon and George Harrison used the Fender VI partly because Paul’s basses were left handed. And since it’s basically a guitar, down an octave, it felt very familiar to them. And of course it had that unique gritty sound that really cut through.
James Paul McCartney died in car crash on September 11 1966 and was replaced by William (Billy). This is the truth no matter what!
@@justiceforjamespaulmccartney Yeah, that’s your truth. But it isn’t the actual truth.
@@justiceforjamespaulmccartney How did they manage to find a person that look, sound and plays lefthanded just like Paul McCartney? 😂
@@mtp4430 This is the truth. 100%.
@@JubbLaRacing Billy doesn't look like Paul at all and Billy doesn't sound like Paul at all.
Hi Chris, always enjoy your deep dives in to The Beatles, recordings, guitars, amps, etc. One little observation I'd like to add is that the main reason the Fender Bass VI is used so much in the later Beatle recordings is that Paul McCartney insisted on playing piano and guitar SO much on the basic tracks. A lot of basic tracks were recorded with out any bass at all, with McCartney coming back to over dub later. ie "The Word," "For No One" most of "Sgt. Pepper" and "Lady Madonna" to just name a few. This would allow him to spend many hours coming up with those amazing bass lines, and also fulfill his need to be The Beatles, Little Richard or Ray Charles! I would imagine sometimes (if motivated or even present) Lennon or Harrison would play the Bass VI just to add some low end/bottom to the basic track so it wouldn't sound so to quote GH "empty." Also wanted to mention that Fender also sent the Beatles the Rhodes keyboard seen so often in "Get Back" being played by Billy Preston. Who BTY was brought in to the sessions specifically by George to get Paul off the piano and get back (excuse the pun!) to the bass! I also have some info on where some of the fender gear ended up.... Paul McCartney's house! In the early seventies, EMI was doing some house cleaning and found that closet/small room full of old Beatle gear. They called all the Beatles to come and get what they wanted, since Paul just lived a few blocks away, came and took the Right handed Jazz Bass, (used later by Denny Laine in Wings whenever McCartney was on Piano. And even McCartney playing it upside down on pics included with "Band On The Run) and the Rhodes piano. So when you see Macca playing a Rhodes in "My Love"video, the "James Paul McCartney" TV special and "Wings: Rock Show" movie, that's the same Rhodes Billy Preston is playing in "Let It Be/Get Back." Keep up the great work! Solo at the end of the clip sounded great! Go for it!
James Paul McCartney died in car crash on September 11 1966 and was replaced by William (Billy). This is the truth no matter what!
I think the Fender VI is one of the best bass sounds ever. I always wondered why it's not more popular.
intonation is atrocious. poor harmonics in the timbre. no sustain in the notes. great if you like string mute tone
I’m guessing the string spacing, which makes finger-style bass and slap technique a lot harder. Super cool instrument, even if it’s almost more of an extended range baritone than a bass guitar.
Well done Chris A concise explanation of what I think was, for a time, marketed as a ‘Tenor’ guitar. Cliff Richard and Phil Everly did a duet on ‘She Means Nothing to Me’ a few years ago with, it sounded to me like a Fender 6 in the backing track - which I also thought sounded like Hank Marvin’s style. Your research/knowledge on the history of certain guitars is tremendous. Oh and I love your playing too. Keep it up! Regards.
Brother, I had this on in the background while working and the outro made me stop what I was doing, put a big smile on my face, and a little tear in my eye. Thank you.
I'm 67 ... grew up with the beatles...and I thought I knew a lot.... wow... I never knew this! Thank you!!!
Great video Chris, that outro solo was amazing. If I remember rightly, Peter Green played a Fender Bass VI to great effect on "Green Manalishi". A wonderfully dark, menacing sound.
Chris, you gave that Fender Base VI some workout on the demo of Back in the USSR. That was some great playing.
Chris, you are so bloody good at commentary and evaluating all of this vintage gear, it is truly a joy to watch and listen to. If only you could play guitar to eh? I’m kidding man, you are truly one of my favorite guitarist on the planet! And it’s almost haunting that solo you played on the base six.. well done greatly appreciated
Amazing! I love that you still went for it. I’d be playing lead lines on it too. Thanks for sharing!
That magnificent outro gave a new dimension to the Bass 6! So cool!
Chris, your channel makes my Saturday morning, brill as ever
Really enjoy your weekly shows. When thinking of unique bass sounds, I’m reminded of Ladi Geisler, the famous bassist for Bert Kaempfert, James Last and on his own. Very prolific session man, and even crossed paths with the early Beatles when the backed Tony Sheridan. Might be an interesting tangent for you to chase down!
Outro proves that Chris can do anything on any guitar....... except for the insane bend near the end of the Tell Me How It Feels solo when played on Fender VI! But seriously, folks, I'd love to hear the fender VI double tracked with the usual solo.
Very Cool! Loved your playing, especially on the Outtro.
The outro solo.... brilliant idea, brilliantly executed.
It was also in Galveston and Wichita lineman. Both songs used the bass guitar. Guitar God Glen Campbell played it. He was in the wrecking crew at the time.
The new Beatles song is a perfect ending to a perfect band. I stood in the kitchen and cried while listening to it.
Thanks for another great show. I did get another weird message claiming it was you with a gift.
A loved the outro solo. A unique growling tone.
Frankly I thought that outro solo sounded pretty amazing.
another very interesting friday fretworks,,,love your content bro,,, glad to see cardinal black touring and getting recognition ,,cheers from australia
This is extremely well timed, Chris. I was away from the UA-cam channel that I am commenting from for seven days (Oct. 30-Nov. 6, 2023). Previously, I have been exploring over again demonstration of this model. I’ve got a Squier Vintage Modified Bass Six myself. It never could live up to the original Fender edition, but I still enjoy it. Most models that are associated with the Beatles only briefly caught my interest but were unable to hold it. This is one model that I have tried to make my own. When I play it, I am trying more than anything to tap in to the part of me that is into Victor Wooten. Somehow, this seems like the kind of instrument I would’ve wanted to start with if I were him.
Glad im here early! Always good to see an upload from ya
Wonderful stuff! Thank you once again.
Yay, thanks Chris, perfect timing for me as just bought one and been searching UA-cam for people who know how to play ‘em properly.. so far out of many it’s you and Dave Simpson! And heartily disagree about the lead issue, your outro was inspired 🔥🔥🔥 keeping music alive and so so interesting 🙌🏻🙏🏻
Great episode Chris! Props for doing something out of your comfort zone (although it was a Beatles video with a Tell Me How It Feels solo, so maybe debatable...)
I've always been fascinated by Bass VI but never played one. Maybe this Vintera series is the opportunity.
Squier has one in their Classic Vibe series. If you're on the fence about a purchase decision, the less expensive option gives you the opportunity to do so without the more expensive risk if you don't take to the instrument.
I picked one up about 10 years ago and I love it!
I don't usually comment but a great use of the bass VI is with the math rock band TTNG (although it's actually a modified Jag bass but same no. of strings, scale length, tuning etc.). The higher up melodic lines really make the band sound bigger than a trio.
You're awesome, Chris. Lennon used a 2P coin on the bass for Helter.
Could've been the old ha'penny...... The 2p coin wasn't minted until 1971.
My band has wanted one for years, we should def get one, Chris sold me on it.
Stunning outro solo. So the obvious answer is: you should play lead on a Fender six, if you are, Chris Buck.
Hail to you Buckmaster! Even on this odd thing the outro solo was very very musical. You used the instrument to the full benefit of the music and demonstrated the capabilities in a very rounded manner. Thanks for the very dense and hence informative contend in the first part of the video!
Wow! Great video as always. Very interesting. Seems like it really has a place, would love to hear what you do with it in Cardinal Black..... As long as it isn't the solo for Tell Me How It Feels 😂
Hello Chris,
I am a new subscriber. ❤
As a left handed player, i was really disappointed that fender chose not to release a left handed model. However, Eastwood guitars has, therefore, I’m on the list to receive mine this summer. Very excited
Man I fell in love with your playing with this solo at the ending.. And I'm 100% positive that it sounds better than your original at this octave. Impeccable.
Another spot-on essay Chris. John was first and foremost a pragmatist when it came to instruments - all in deference to making the MUSIC, so I definitely agree that he took to the VI for it being so akin to guitar.
As for any limitations, while your playout of the "...How It Feels" solo does show it to be a tad too somber for the higher register - as you deftly sensed in averting the bend notes at the peak - I reckon doubling your original guitar solo with it would yield something - to put in terms an Englishman will appreciate - very special indeed :-)
Great vid, great sounds, great playing! Love it!
I agree about the outro solo. It rocks and is so flipping melodic it is melting my phone
Amazing video as usual....I'd not realised the Beatles had used the 6 so extensively.
You've actually re-awoken a question that has been rattling around in my head for a long time.... I wondered what a modern rock era music would sound like with the bass part split between a low/mid register (= a Fender 6, I guess) and low frequency part (4/5 string bass, I guess). This is what classical music / orchestras do - even more so - (violin / viola / cello / double bass).
I'd guess one trick might be not to play the 6 string bass like a bass - the 6 string parts could be very different - more rhythmic and punchy, even riffy, leaving Mr 4 string to fill the room with the low stuff.
What a fascinating area to explore!
Looking forward to hearing what you come up with.
Your outro is first rate! Thanks for this video!
Bloody good research and thoroughly entertaining video.
I got one about 4-5 months ago. Such a great, Fun instrument!
Oh man, I always thought thar "While My Guitar" bass sound was a Rickenbacker (the nasal and agressive sound of its bridge pickup). Nice to learn that its a Fender Bass VI instead
Amazing right hand technique on Back in the USSR. Really opens up doors. Thanks.
Chris, a really interesting FFW this week. I've never seen a Fender 6 before. The solo at the end added a beautiful dimension to tell me how it feels.
Aerosmith - “Back In The Saddle” is probably the most well known use of it.
I believe the bass part on While my Guitar Gently Weeps is played by Paul but I guess we’ll never know for certain. The bass line on the song is very melodic and features a lot of the little nuances Paul was known for on bass. Although the tone is very similar to that of a Fender VI, it is still very possible to get that tone out of a Fender Jazz bass. Not only that, but the bass guitar tone on While My Guitar Gently Weeps is also very similar to the bass tone on Yer Blues, which features Paul on his Fender Jazz.
Throughout the verses of While My Guitar Gently Weeps, you can hear power chords being strummed, which Paul was no stranger to doing throughout songs with I Want You (She’s so Heavy), Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite, and A Day in the Life being other songs that feature Paul using power chords at some point during those songs.
I think that solo at the end definitely proved you can and you should! Of course, it helps to be Chris Buck...
Another cracking informative entertaining and inspiring vid and of course great playing 10/10
I played a Squier Bass VI at a local shop a couple months ago. It was a used model & the previous owner had torn on the middle pickup and tuned it B to B like a baritone, but it was so fun to play. I really hope the popularity of Get Back, the Squier Bass VI and now the Vintera II model means that its here to stay for a while.
Love the outro. Years from now people will argue about who played bass on Tell Me How It Feels ... was is Chris or was it Sam 🙂
EB-2 is a regular bass, though.
Excellent video. I need one of these.
Did he say EB2? Either way the Gibson version was called the EB6, there were two versions, the first one was based on the hollow body design and looked a bit like a ES335, the other was based on the SG body shape and was a solid body.
Outdo sounded dope. Love it. Made my fingers hurt just watching
The Fender Bass VI is an absolutely BRILLIANT instrument ! Especially, when played with flatwound strings, as they were originally with in the '60s and '70s. I actually think it's a good idea to have two Bass VI-es: one with flat-wound strings and one with round-wound strings.
Other early Bass VI players you didn't mention were Eric Haydock of the Hollies, and John Entwistle of The Who.
Hate to break it to you but Paul plays his Jazz bass on both Helter Skelter and While My Guitar Gently Weeps. No Fender VI on either. John plays HIS Casino on Helter Skelter. Fact. Rubin was right (got it wrong with Maxwell's Silver Hammer which was George - also on a Jazz!)
…not disputing you but if you’re going to speak with such authority (and fly in the face of the White Album’s official personnel credits) you might want to consider listing your source.
@@ChrisBuckGuitarSorry for being rude, you are a superb musician and I appreciate your videos, it's just that I see red when I see these videos extolling a) John's prowess as a bass player and b) the extent of th VI's use in Beatle recordings. John Lennon is my hero - but not as a bass player, on which he was truly terrible. He was always the last resort pick as a bassplayer in the Beatles (see Get Back). When all options are closed, that's when john would be the reluctant bassplayer. When he played the VI on BITUSSR, he strummed it as he did on "Dig It". ie he played it like a guitar. OK now for the others, source 1: Ringo Starr "“‘Helter Skelter’ was a track we did in total madness and hysterics in the studio. Sometimes you just had to shake out the jams, and with that song - Paul’s bass line and my drums - Paul started screaming and shouting and made it up on the spot”. Anthology. Source 2 Helter Skelter (take 17), begins with Paul showing to John by singing the timing to how to play the descending intro riff in the breakdown section. Listen and you will hear the bass absolutely totally in sync with the voice. When it gets to the breakdown, the guitar player gets it wrong but the bass and vocals get it right (NB in all previous versions of HS with Paul playing guitar - months before the final session - only Paul plays the chorus riffs. In the final version, only the bass plays the chorus riffs, the guitars doing it are overdubs by Paul and George. It's Paul's riff and the guitar just strums the A chord. Around 2:00 Paul sings the same notes as the bass (where the solo would be.) Regarding WMGGW, I have two interviews that George gave, Playboy and Guitar Player, where he specifically mentions Paul's overdubbing of the bass. Apart from that, I have yet to see anyone anywhere show me where the VI is supposed to be on this song. Paul is without any doubt playing the Jazz. Fact. When Ken Scott said that the Beatles used two basses Bert Kaempfert style, he also said that the basses were played together, never separately. This doesn't happen on any White Album recordings. None. Before he wrote his book, Ken Scott admitted that he doesn't remember Eric Clapton playing on the song he engineered. He couldn't remember EC being there! I'd believe the writer of the song over any engineer or box set archivist. The documentation of the Beatles recording is full of assumptions, guesswork and I take them all with a grain of salt. Cheers and carry on with the good work.
James Paul McCartney died in car crash on September 11 1966 and was replaced by William (Billy). This is the truth no matter what!
Wonderful video Chris!!!! Always have been curious about the bass VI.
Great video.
I think I need to play Helter Skelter when I get a Bass VI.
Loved the outro solo, gives it a bit of low down welly!
I worked in a guitar shop, and we had in our inventory, what we called a baritone guitar. It was acoustic, and luthier-built, so it was quite high-end. I got to try it, and I have to say, 6-strings and an octave down really gets you out of your rut! I found myself exploring things outside my usual realm, because you can't play thine things you usually do on a guitar.
Hey - It's actually PAUL playing bass on the LP version Helter Skelter, not John. Ringo confirmed this and you can even hear Paul run through part of the bass riff prior to the beginning of an early take of the "fast" version on the White Album box. John played bass on the plodding early takes (an edited version of which is on Anthology 3). That is far more John's "style" of bass playing as he absolutely hated playing the instrument and would only do so when absolutely necessary. Other than that, great video!
James Paul McCartney died in car crash on September 11 1966 and was replaced by William (Billy). This is the truth no matter what!
After hearing that outro I could totally see you incorporating it into some songs in the future.
Wow excellent video! I am a bass player, never ever played guitar….bought a bass VI (squire) and had a terrible time with it. The strings are so close together compared to a bass that my mind and fingers were so confused. I had to sell it after a couple of months. I suspect that guitar players like it so much because, yeah its closer to a guitar than a bass string spacing wise…and thus for playability. Either way, its a cool instrument that in my opinion works great if you are used to playing guitar! 🎸
Great to see a (well made) video about the Fender VI. Nice playing too. I was hoping to hear 2 of my favourite bands name checked; The Hollies- all bass parts on a F6 until Eric Haydock left to be replaced by Bernie Calvert. 10cc used one a lot eg Art for Art Sake (played by Eric rather than Graham). I never saw anyone use the trem arm - thankfully!
That's probably because the 'tremolo' system is rubbish - I have owned 2 of these and the units on both were useless. Fender would have been better doing through-body string anchoring.
Their secret was four outrageously talented musicians
Greetings from Ireland. This might be a bit of a tangent but it involves a Fender bass 6 and an interesting link to a famous Strat. Tom Dunphy of the Royal Showband played a Fender 6 . Alongside Tom Jim Conlon played a sunburst strat in the Royal. The sunburst was traded in for a fiesta red strat .The sunburst was purchased by a young Rory Gallagher and became his famous down to bare wood Strat. Check out the track slow down by the fontana showband for a toung Rory on vocals with his blistering solo.
It's NICE to hear you like Aussie indy rock Chris! \m/
Maaaaaaaaan! GORGEOUS PLAYING!!!!!!!
As a guitar player that started on Bass I suspect I'll end up with one of these sooner or later. As long as you aren't trying to play chords or open low E and A strings, I think the solos can work
I got a Squier Bass VI. I added two Pure Vintage '65 pups, and a Chris Novak pup at the bridge. I added a staytrem bass vi bridge, and tremolo, using a mij locking plate. I swapped out the stock strings for stainless labella flats. I only use my thumb when playing it like a bass, and my finger nail when playing the higher string like a guitar. I can't use a pick for anything.
It sounds amazing. I get great bass tones from it, and I can even play glide guitar on it with the upgrades tremolo system. Even with the upgrades and luthier work it was cheaper than the vintera II. The vintera II still look better though.
Great Chris. Thanks.
You’re actually playing it BETTER than John did.
I purchased the Squire version a couple years ago after seeing The Bassist From Aurora using one . Thanks for the info , I had no idea how much they were actually used before !
As someone who plays both instruments, I’d classify the Bass VI as a bass built with guitarists in mind, not just due to the number of strings and like tuning but also because of the string spacing and neck diameter.
It’s much easier for a guitarist to play than it is for a proper bassist to; so many bass techniques don’t really translate to the same degree of effectiveness on a Bass VI, but if you’ve got a pick and downstrokes and you might as well have been playing in the Ventures for the last ten years.
I think the Beatles Bass VI ended up with George Harrison. I saw some photos from inside Friar Park that show a sunburst Bass VI hung on the wall
Chris casually playing a guitar solo on a bass better than I can do on a guitar. ☠️
Eric Haydock of The Hollies played one. There is both video on YT of him using it, and Tony Hicks refers to it in a later interview. Eric was one the all time great bassists. I have also seen a photo of Eric with a 12 string (possibly a Burns?). Presumably with full octave tuning. Happy to be corrected.
That outro was . . . .VALIANT! Don't stop there, I'm sure you guys will find the right track to feature it up front and impolite at some point. If memory serves the Bass VI was doubled with Rick 12 String in 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps' n'est-ce pas? It feels like it was John on the Fender, there's a moment when a dodgy / edgy chord is hit isn't there?
Hey Chris... I think that apart from the fuller chords (3 or more notes at a time I think?), it has to be said that your outro sounded fkn awesome!!! ... great tone, and certainly for the single note runs and double stops, it sat perfectly... just a bit too much information occupying the same low end space for full chords to work I think... but with that said, I guess it's much the same as playing a normal guitar with a spitting, knarly, cranked fuzz tone?? ... I actually didn't even know this thing existed, so thanks for the very interesting education! 😊
Excellent sound
We need a full video of you just playing the Bass VI alone!!!!!!!!!
The Green Manalishi live, Peter green detroys the bass 6 on that track!
Could you imagine being so hip that fender just SENDS you the first rosewood telecaster and one of the baddest guitars ever made and is all like “…… here… have it. If you play it we’ll make Millions”
Interesting video. I've just bought a Harley Benton Bass VI to compliment my 5 string bass, and extended range 7 and 8 string guitars, primarily for progressive rock and metal purposes. So I'm really looking forward to see where it fits in. Certainly for super low single note riffs that would otherwise require a 9 string, it's gonna get a lot of use. But seeing the way you were playing it, especially at the end, makes me wanna take it beyond that. Such good playing too!
Incredible solo as usual...
I’m going to say The Cure’s Disintegration is now the most associated piece of music to the Bass VI. Turns out with a bit of chorus and reverb, you can create some of the most beautiful atmospheres anywhere.
i owned a Squier Bass VI for a while. Ii loved the sunburst finish, one of the best I've seen, much less owned. Also, the slide switches for each pickup is brilliant. I have no idea why the Strat isn't set up thus. When playing it, however, I found it had two too many strings; the top two were never used, except to get in the way and sound accidentally.
Love your channel
Regarding John picking the Bass VI... have you forgotten Paul is left handed?
Very good point!
I suppose they could've restrung it "righty," although that does seem a little unlikely... but Paul liked to do things HIS way, so maybe they did?
@@castleanthrax1833 Yeah true. Pretty sure Paul used to play upside down when he first started
@@chrislong4329 I tried playing upside down once, but the blood kept rushing to my head. 🙃 😉
Even when Paul plays a lead acoustic for Band on the Run he plays it left handed
Nice job, Chris
I bet it’s another great video again!
I remember seeing some Christmas concert thing on TV when I was a kid back in the 90's, and the bassist was playing a 6-string bass, I think it was a Yamaha. He did indeed pick a guitar-like solo on the higher frets on higher strings, then returned to the normal bass part with his fingers. I remember thinking "wow." I think sonically, it can work for some styles of music, but not so much for others. At some point I'd like to get a baritone guitar because it's lower but still very much a guitar, and I have no desire to ever use a 7 or 8-string guitar.
Glad to hear, if only briefly, a reference to legendary Aussie band The Church. On their classic record Priest=Aura Steve Kilbey plays Fender 6 the whole album to fantastic effect!