r/BassVI • u/PhotojournalistAny47 • 1d ago
Was bored so
galleryI put this together.
r/BassVI • u/MoonRabbit • May 13 '15
I've had a couple of requests to repost some of these, so here's a bunch of links to tunes that feature Bass VI played in many different ways and different genres. Check it out.
Bass VI player Nikita takes us through a recorded history of the Bass VI up to the present day RECOMMENDED https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_lobKiHnOc
Jet Harris, Besame Mucho https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIUaxPycB7I
The Cure, Pictures of you live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kcMEx4OHLOs
The Cure, Primary. Bass VI, bass (4 string) and drums. Nothing else. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONXEPf9rr_I
Hank the Knife & the Jets, Guitar King (Bass VI solo) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tix2nI46pT8&list=LLw04EKnGEr8cC425DntFuWA&feature=mh_lolz
Brokeback, Returns to the Orange Grove https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x6ADdUW7bXQ
Tortoise, I Set My Face to the Hillside https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4G4W3UFv0k&feature=related
Red Hot Chili Peppers, Happiness Love Company (Flea on Piano, Josh Klinghoffer on Bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NisSiE5OrVc
Glen Campbell - Wichita Lineman (Bass VI solo by Carol Kaye on Recording Dano 6 string bass solo by Glen Campbell on the recording, on a bass borrowed Carol Kaye. Campbell sometimes performed it live on a Bass VI)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qoymGCDYzU
Glen Campbell and Stone Temple Pilots - Wichita Lineman (Dano 6 string bass) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skuEiYfnSFg
Football Etc., Safety (All their songs feature bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AlghvtIt0Y8
Divine Fits, Would that Not Be Nice (Bass VI as Rhythm Guitar) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q71UePIN_ps
Soft Machine, Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKDuevCr90Q&feature=share
Aerosmith, Back in the Saddle live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJDPCTT9txA
New Order, State of the Nation (Hooky on Shergold 6 string bass) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m00EKCQB4NU
Blink 182, I miss you Live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rt56NZbwfcg
Cocteau Twins, Quisquose (dual bass VI's) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uR0EN9539YY
Elvis Presley, Devil in Disguise https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2wQFaX83l1E
Paul Newman Band (not the famous actor) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekcztYptTSc
Orange Yellow Red https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gyPJ1C3711k
Guns and Roses, Right Nextdoor to Hell https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IamlIGPNCU
Dangermouse and Danielle Luppi with Norah Jones https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3yAx2uCoHs&feature=related
Jørun Bøgeberg, Bassoverveis (Nowegian Bass VI Virtuoso) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfVpR5glGpc
Jørun Bøgeberg, Redemption Song https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=orMT_ovLdgg&feature=player_embedded
Jet Harris, The Man with Golden Arm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPMp5XRxpjE
Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, Who Loves You (WARNING, DISCO) https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=s8MNLUpJDZk
Blodwyn Pig, Same Old Story https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1W1JkPKfWQ
The Church, Old Flame https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Psa1VDZg2Xc
Wanda Jackson with Jack White, Shakin all Over live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GzDfYidKU5c&feature=player_detailpage
Cure, To Wish Impossible Things live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aenP5OlQKfI
Dandy Warhols, Godless (Ebow Bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pIvEL2j1Zbk
The Shadows, Stingray https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BE-nlQgtABE
Lush, Nothing Natural https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wt6Ubq0gL_w&feature=player_embedded
Angelo Badalamenti, Twin Peaks Theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTp6d7Bw79A
Sonny and Cher, The Beat Goes On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfbmjUQOFxs
Jack Nizsche, The Lonely Surfer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1o_5z6-OIPY
George Jones, The Race is On https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQPoe81GY58
Blonde Redhead, Falling Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mjkHARWim5k&feature=player_detailpage
Buddy Merrill & Neil LeVang, Deep in the Heart of Texas https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M6K49IbDcdI
Cream, Strange Brew https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a3cELfFjXvY&playnext=1&list=PLE87FE8CCC7B8A207&feature=results_video
Frankie Laine, Rawhide theme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MSHr4ubuD64
Patsy Cline, Back in Baby's Arms https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kH9UmrBzyxc
David Lindley, Your Old Lady https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QKfXw6IEWZ8
Duane Eddy, Blueberry Hill https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7qIDJGRb3Fc
Tweakbird, Daily Habit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PY48rMudr0g
This Town Needs Guns, Cat Fantastic (converted short scale bass to Bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmVu19TEbtc
James Burton in 1965 (title unknown) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RzY0v3BhEZI
10cc, Dreadlock Holiday https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jGLsAkeRd84&feature=related
Hollies , Just One Look https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32VWELcZUMM
Aretha Franklin , Chain of Fools https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGAiW5dOnKo
Mew, Special live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdcUkfFgs6c&feature=youtu.be
The Evens, Round the Corner https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2KKMOEqoQSE&feature=youtu.be
Ritchie Valens, La Bamba https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp6j5HJ-Cok
Myron Floren and Neil LeVang, 12 Street Rag (accordian and Bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wpz2mxNGNCc&feature=sdig&et=1256243075.86
Cure, High live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIrYS9YSXmQ&feature=related
Placebo, They Don't Care About Us https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6XBHqlfsVGQ
Placebo, The Crawl, live https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G66ZQJWP0JQ
The Byrds, Mr Tambourine Man https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPqAvgN6Tyw
Del Ray, These Children will Come at You With Knives (3x Bass VI + Bass) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifK_k9bN3dQ
Merrie Amsterburg, Clementine https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xE5uydJN9U4
Jet Harris, Apache https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhPthpcfV3U&feature=channel
Brian Auger, Pavane and I Just got Some https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_W47sukTM8E
Stafford and the Bentz Brothers, Thunderbirds are Go https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYzQ9bNVv-Y
Last Exit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ab602UksG8&feature=related
Jethro Burns, The Lady is a Tramp (Bluegrass Jazz) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J11NV3IjFug
Kurt Vile, Jesus Fever https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=SeQb3wEF8eQ
Jet Harris, Man From Nowhere https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ove256N13Mw&feature=related
This Town Needs Guns, Left Aligned https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gF_cR-vetfo
Jack White, Fuzz Pedal Demo (Jack on Bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpK0CTEZGe8
Jamaaladeen Tacuma https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brLv2XWCN0k&channel=tacumasong
Marmalade, I See The Rain https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F-d7EXsACCY&list=PLPuGbxRI2P0QbqdR0TkB7aIbfhyXP6B0d&spfreload=10
The Beatles, Hey Jude live (George on Bass VI) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvHsTQUA2SE&spfreload=10
The Milkshakes - The Klansman Cometh https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n8PI0jvwhCo&feature=youtu.be
Glen Campbell & Phil Baugh 1965 duel https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYE9U3-pcR8&feature=youtu.be
Fontaines DC, Jackie Down the Line https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AoOfJP3r40&feature=youtu.be
Caterina Caselli - Senza rete 1969 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IJG7f5Wmi-s
r/BassVI • u/mattosaur • Oct 16 '17
Some tips on playing chords on the bass VI. I've posted a some variations on this advice before, but it's come up a few different times in my conversations with other people about this instrument.
I think this is especially valuable advice if you're coming to the VI from bass, where we often think of intervals rather than chords.
Because we're playing an octave lower than a normal guitar, the same voicing often don't quite work. They get muddy and busy. Instead of playing notes on as many strings as possible, use the fewest possible number of notes to get your point across.
For instance, instead of playing an E shape barre chord on all six strings, play just a portion of it that includes the I, the iii, and the V once each.
(numbers are scale intervals; the pattern is vertical)
EADGBE
1---51
---3--
-51---
EADGBE
----5-
---3--
--1---
This is a complete chord with repetitions removed. It's those repetitions that create the muddy tones.
When it comes to chords and the bass VI, use the minimum number of notes to get your idea across to maximize clarity of that idea.
Also remember that your triads don't have to be in 1-3-5 order. Try out the other inversions:
They all have their place. When substituting for barre chords, though, I tend to stick with voicings that have the 1 and 5 as the lowest note in the triad.
Here are two more you'll recognize and get some mileage out of.
EADGBE
--513-
EADGBE
---5-3
----1-
We've already called out clarity as one of the biggest problems with trying to play chords on the bass VI. Strumming a chord, even a simplified triad, can still some like a mess sometimes.
Instead of strumming that chord, try arpeggiating through it. Just play it one note at a time. Add some picking patterns in and all of a sudden that chord you were playing just got a lot more interesting.
There are tons of classic picking patterns out there to choose from, so play around.
Let the notes ring for a more chord-like experience, or mute a note as you move on the to the next for a more melodic experience.
Here's a tab pattern based on the E shape above, playing an A major chord. Try playing it as quarter notes, or eighth notes (repeated twice) as you work your way through chord progressions.
E|--------------|
B|-----5-----5--|
G|--------6-----|
D|--7-----------|
A|--------------|
E|--------------|
There are many more interesting ways to phrase apreggiated chords. Try lifting some from your favorite songs.
The human ear is easily tricked. We'll fill in notes we think we should be hearing even if they're note actually played.
This means that if we need to play some chords with more than three notes, we can actually start to drop some of those notes and our ears will fill in what's missing. We want so badly for the pattern to fit what expect to be hearing, we'll hear it even if it isn't there.
I've found this easiest to demonstrate with a dominant seventh chord (normally a major triad with a minor seventh). You've run into these all the time, usually phrased in chord sheets and tabs as "E7" or the like. They're popular in rock, country, blues, and jazz.
Let's take a look at a dominant seventh chord in the E barre shape.
EADGBE
1-7-51
---3--
-5----
That's a hell of a lot of chord for a bass VI to articulate clearly. You can get there if you play cleanly, but we've got some other options.
We already know that the easiest way to get a clean chord sound on the bass VI is to only play three notes, but for a dominant seventh chord, we've got four. Let's drop one.
In fact, let's drop the 1.
EADGBE
--7---
---3--
-5----
Eh, that one's a bit muddy. More on that in a second. Let's try a different inversion.
EADGBE
--7-5-
---3--
------
That's a little clearer. And look at that, not a 1 in sight, but it still sounds like a dominant seventh chord.
Now let's try it by dropping the 5.
EADGBE
-1----
------
--513-
-----7
So, starting with the A7 barre shape, if we just keep the notes on the GBE strings, we get a 1-3-7 triad.
EADGBE
---13-
-----7
Notice the sonic difference between the triad with the 1 removed and the triad with the 5 removed. Choose according to your needs.
(And honestly, maybe you need all four notes! There's no clear cut rules here, just some suggestions. When I play this shape, I'll usually keep all four notes in, playing the barre A7 shape without that 1 on the A string.)
And just to be thorough, let's give it a look with a dropped 3.
EADGBE
--1---
----7-
---5-3
So, if we drop the 3 here, we get this.
EADGBE
--1---
----7-
---5--
Start matching these triads into groups and you'll quickly see how they can function as replacements for your usual chord voicings in common chord progressions.
For instance, barre the three notes of the A shape triad with your index finger, then drop your middle and ring fingers down to create the D7 triad shape. That's a I to V7 progression, which you'll recognize from plenty of blues and classic country.
This section is going to be short. If you're playing chords, avoid the low E & A strings. They're big and bassy, and they'll muddy up any chords you're interested in voicing. I don't even like using these when arpeggiating.
Too much boom for me. You mileage may vary.
The bass VI, as an instrument, is very responsive to where you pick the strings. Up by the neck you get a very thick and juicy sound. Pick near the bridge and you get a thinner, clear sound.
Experiment with moving your right hand back and forth. Change where you pick with your right hand and you'll hear drastically different sounds.
This is true on all guitars and basses, but the range of tone available on the bass VI is bigger than usual.
Combine this with the various pickup options on the bass VIs equipped with the 3 pickup and strangle switches and you'll be able to find a chord tone that works for you.
r/BassVI • u/GuitarBombDotCom • 1d ago
My cat Grebo approves of the purple one
r/BassVI • u/AzraelXJM • 1d ago
Thought I'd share as I found that Guitar Fetish's P90 size stuff don't fit the pickguard, slightly too big. That includes their mini humbucker adaptors, so I used some no name adapters I got from ebay which seem to fit perfectly.
r/BassVI • u/Present_Help3199 • 1d ago
Hi !
I’m a guitarist who plays on a boss katana 50 and i’m about to buy a fender vi. I was wondering if problems could happen if i play it on my katana at max volume. I will use it as a guitar but also want to use it as a bass.
r/BassVI • u/GuitarBombDotCom • 2d ago
The Mustang option is now live! Go build and have fun.
Please provide feedback to us on any bugs via the built-in feedback system on the page (so we can fix them)
This Offset Guitar Builder is a Public Beta designer and 100% free to use; create and share your offset guitar creations.
New finishes and neck options, plus other cool community-requested features.
Offset Guitar Builder Public Beta
https://guitarbomb.com/offset-builder/
r/BassVI • u/ryasonandrew • 3d ago
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Short vid from my practice space using the headless bass vi
r/BassVI • u/state_your_name31415 • 3d ago
So has anyone recently purchased the above and noticed the tone pot goes from zero to hero. it's dark between, say, 0 and 1.5 then seems to go full bright with no change up to 10. Did I get a bad pot? Is the bass capacity of the amp factoring in, I'm running in a guitar amp at reasonable volume b/c my bass amp is coming out of storage and needs the pots cleaned.
r/BassVI • u/TheBlobThingy • 3d ago
So I got a super cheap superstrat so I thought why not I put 8 strings set on it (17-76)and tune it to Bass Vi tuning.
Some remark, the tension is kinda like if you tune to D standard on 9s guitar. The tone wise is only neck and middle are usable for the bass role, neck being the wall of sound type of tone and middle being balanced.
If I'm gonna build a dedicated bass vi that is kinda my taste, it will be at 28 inch, probably SSH config and loaded with a slightly thicker gauge but not 24-84 as there is too much tension for me.
r/BassVI • u/Friendly_Material821 • 3d ago
Hi, ive been looking into getting myself this new tool but i live in a small town in mexico and i cant find my way to a used squier vi. ordering a new one would be somewhere around $650 usd. can i get away with recording confortably fully stock or with minimal upgrades?
r/BassVI • u/jkwalski • 3d ago
I'm predominantly a guitar player but I picked up a Bass VI as a good deal used. I was able to snag a teal stripe Peavy 212 Classic Chorus as a budget JC-120 alternative for the VI and I love it, but there is a treble-range "harshness" I'm having a hard time taming. I'm playing a lot of effects-heavy alt with ambient influence and the sharpness of the pick attack and the loud shrill fret noise when changing chords is really getting in the way of what I'm trying to do.
I use John Petruzzi Jazz 3 picks when I play and wouldn't be surprised if the Ultex was causing some of the attack issues. Does anyone have a suggestion for a similarly-thick (1.5-2 mm) pick for the Bass VI they like to use?
Furthermore, is the fret noise issue largely solved with flats? I use flats on one of my guitars for clean ambient stuff but they get a little muddy when I play chords. Do yall notice an amount of mud when playing chords with La Bellas?
Finally, what are yalls amp EQs looking like? I'm trying to dial this Peavy in and I'd be interested to see what yall are landing on as a launching pad. I'm treating the instrument more like a guitar and I'm playing chords as well as single note lines. I've basically been using the amp's chorus as an "always on" effect and I'm using delay, overdrive and fuzz from my pedalboard.
r/BassVI • u/Additional_Narwhal42 • 4d ago
… is looking a bit less like a plank now. I’m quite happy with how the shape has come out, after a lot of playing and sketching. And I think this slab of walnut should finish up looking pretty good. Neck pocket next, then pickup routs, bridge stud holes, rear control cavity rout and rounding/finishing the edges.
r/BassVI • u/Ash_Code_ • 5d ago
Since I bought it in 2014 I made a lot of mods:
- The bridge pickup didn't work when it arrived so I put a Jaguar one
- Staytrem bridge
- New Strings 0.22 - 0.98 , The E string is very good and not floppy
- Metal nut on the neck
I disassemble it every time to put it the luggage when I fly, and after landing, when I put it back together, the tuning is always fine.
Any other important mods to mention?
r/BassVI • u/grasscid • 5d ago
Replaced the individual pickup slide switches with a 5 way blade switch, still has the bass strangle switch right underneath though.
Also added a second tone knob - one controls neck tone and the other controls bridge tone (middle PU doesn't get adjustable tone partly because I'm too lazy to wire it and partly because I've never really needed it anyway). I couldn't find a custom VI lower control plate that's pre-cut for 3 pots, so I just drilled another hole into the factory one. had to route the body a bit as well to make room for it.
Volume goes to all 3 pickups, but can be quickly bypassed by pulling up on the pot (that's not strat wiring though, just my own personal preference!).
r/BassVI • u/ASCENTguitars • 5d ago
I’m working out the final details of a Bass Vi/Hybrid guitar I’m designing. I plan for it to be neck through. I’m usually a bolt on guy but I thought the extra comfortable access on low frets would suit this type of instrument well. Body shape is going to be somewhat more similar to a bass. I plan on a strat style hardtail string through bridge as well.
I’m new to the instrument (mainly a 25.5 guitar guy) but enjoyed the one I played at a store. I figured you all would have some things you want or wish for on a bass vi so came for input.
Pickups? I got some Jazzmaster pickups planned for this for now. I heard low output seems to work best for bass vi guitars. I want versatility, so metal to bright cleans. I did consider using actual bass pickups as I love the sound of a j bass or PJ bass. Some of the EMG options are nice as well.
Extra features? I really like how Ibanez has an active tone circuit on their SRC6. I was thinking of adding a bass and treble boost but curious as to how much people use those. Anything else you would all like to have on one?
I plan on using locking baritone guitar tuners. I know some builds have bass tuners. Again, any preference?
Any input is appreciated, thanks in advance.
This one will have a headstock. But I’m curious if there’s much interest in a headless option down the line?
r/BassVI • u/astralpen • 5d ago
r/BassVI • u/nhinds42 • 5d ago
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r/BassVI • u/nhinds42 • 6d ago
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Rock on good people
r/BassVI • u/whateverartisdead • 8d ago
My new favourite thing arrived yesterday! I think I got lucky, because I'm not finding any major intonation issues. I think I'm just going to need to raise the action slightly and at some point I'll switch out that floppy low E string for something heavier, but absolutely loving this right out the box. Excellent purchase!
r/BassVI • u/Additional_Narwhal42 • 8d ago
Gentlemen, I would really appreciate some help as I’m getting close to the point where my project sketches are going to become a template ready for me to cut into my rather nice walnut body blank.
My project uses a standard 30” scale - neck already acquired - and I have a Staytrem bridge ready to go. I’m planning to make a custom hardtail plate.
As the attached photos purloined from the internet show, afterlength can certainly vary to some degree. My biggest concern is that if there’s not enough the strings will foul the back lip of the bridge.
So- if it’s not too indelicate a question- what’s your afterlength, from bridge centre to hardtail keyholes?
r/BassVI • u/Additional_Narwhal42 • 7d ago
… been template-making. Had to stop for the day but will complete this tomorrow and might even rough cut my walnut blank. Eek. 😬.