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Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 2:25 am
by Ankhanu
Concretebadger wrote:Back on-topic Re: tunings. I was thinking about that yesterday and figured that I'd try an EADadg tuning...basically, fit some slightly lighter gauge upper three strings and tune them up a bit so I could use the bottom two strings for bass and the other four for chord playing. If I've got the notes right there, I'd be able to play bass and drop D power chords on the same instrument, which might be pretty useful. Is that a common thing for bass VI owners?
Not typical, no.
Really, the only "limitation" to chording with standard Vi tuning is the low E, F, F#, G and maybe G# mixed in to the rest of the chord shape, which CAN make it muddy, depending on amp setup. The rest of the chord rings clear and fine. Depending on how you intend to play, it's certainly possible to play your bass roots along with the rest of your chord to play multiple elements of the same song at once... though it may take more dexterity than the tuning you mention.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 3:49 am
by serfx
taylornutt wrote:A Fender Bassman or Musicmaster Bass amp would be a nice choice.
i'm just imagining how one will sound through my bass man and the 4x10 traynor cab...
just delicious scum
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 4:23 am
by Sobriquet
Would this be a good first bass for a guy who doesn't play bass?
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 5:24 am
by Ankhanu
Yeah, not a bad choice.
Obviously, it plays rather differently than a 4 string, and will sound a bit different, but, it's something you'll be more or less familiar with starting out (though rather longer scale). My lead guitar player doesn't like playing bass on the songs where we swap, but prefers to play my VI when we switch rather than the Jazz Bass.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 6:29 am
by benecol
I'd disagree - if you want to try a bass, you'd be better off with a bass.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 11:00 am
by Concretebadger
Ankhanu wrote:Concretebadger wrote:Back on-topic Re: tunings. I was thinking about that yesterday and figured that I'd try an EADadg tuning...basically, fit some slightly lighter gauge upper three strings and tune them up a bit so I could use the bottom two strings for bass and the other four for chord playing. If I've got the notes right there, I'd be able to play bass and drop D power chords on the same instrument, which might be pretty useful. Is that a common thing for bass VI owners?
Not typical, no.
Really, the only "limitation" to chording with standard Vi tuning is the low E, F, F#, G and maybe G# mixed in to the rest of the chord shape, which CAN make it muddy, depending on amp setup. The rest of the chord rings clear and fine. Depending on how you intend to play, it's certainly possible to play your bass roots along with the rest of your chord to play multiple elements of the same song at once... though it may take more dexterity than the tuning you mention.
Ah, I see. I'd probably leave the bottom two strings out of chord playing entirely then, and use them just for bass lines. Which might not sound like a conventional way of playing, but since the bass VI is such an unusual instrument to begin with I think it'll be one of those 'inspiring' pieces of kit that encourages you to try out new things that you'd never do with the 'ordinary' gear you have.
I do see Benecol's point though - it's not really a six string guitar but it's not strictly speaking a four string bass guitar either. It's "its own thing", which I quite like the idea of. I might even flip the nut over and turn it into a lefty bass/guitar hybrid! I think I've already sold one of these beasties to myself already...
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 1:08 pm
by Nick
A bass vi will play and sound different, but can take the place of a bass in a mix, the same way an organ or piano can. It's not really a suitable stepping stone to a straight up electric bass as much as it is an alternative means to an end. It is more guitar like, but what you might gain in speed and versatility, you'll lose in attack and growl, there just isn't enough room between strings, nor are the strings heavy enough to really dig into it like on a 4 string.
So yeah it might be a good tool to have around if you want to plink out some bass notes, and you might get away with not having to buy a whole bass rig depending on your amp. If you either want to play in a band on bass, or just want to learn to play that bassline in that song, do yourself a favor and buy a squier cv p bass instead.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:51 pm
by Ankhanu
Since I got my first Schecter Hellcat VI in 2010, I've pretty much used VIs almost exclusively in place of my 4 or 5 string basses in my bands (I've since also bought an Ultra VI and the newer model Hellcat with Duncan SJAG-1s). Yes, a VI is a bit different, but with the right EQ, it will definitely completely fill in for a standard bass in a band mix (and give you more flexibility for different styles as well). Yes, I have to set the EQ differently between my Jazz Bass and my VIs, but I can get a very similar sound out of each with some minor tweaks. Playing traditional over-the-top bass finger style takes a little bit of practice due to the close string spacing, but it's certainly doable, and doing so really bridges the sound gap between a 4 string and a VI (I do tend to play with a pick on most songs, however).
Bass is my primary instrument, and a VI is certainly an acceptable bass to my ear.
I suppose I misspoke a little; a VI sucks shit for slap/pop... but that's something I dropped from my bass style before I bought my VIs, so I don't really think about it.
Posted: Sun Jul 07, 2013 7:56 pm
by BobArsecake
I think that for me I am just like a dog chasing a car when it comes to the Bass VI, I wouldn't have a clue what to do with it if I ever got one. I've come to this conclusion now that they look to be within feasible reach, can only get one and see how I get on with it, i can't imagine having trouble getting rid of of it.
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:55 am
by aen
robert(original) wrote:i always tuned my baritone b-b, tho when i was in the ronald raygun with aen we tuned our "barrel toned" guitars a bit differently. I say barrel toned cuz we had this sound of a wall of "fuck" barreling at you.
YARRR. Im usually in A now, but with a 30" I would probably go G-G.
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 3:58 am
by superfuzz
I wanna buy one and treat it like a baritone guitar and use it for a heavy psych band or something. So pumped on actually owning one
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 7:54 am
by Lucamo
My band has two guitarists and no bassist, I simply play flat-wounds through a guitar amp with a bass amp plugged in as an extension cab. I'm thinking the Bass VI may be an interesting way to allow for chording/rhythm but add some body to my tone.
Posted: Mon Jul 08, 2013 8:09 pm
by tukk04
Lucamo wrote:My band has two guitarists and no bassist, I simply play flat-wounds through a guitar amp with a bass amp plugged in as an extension cab. I'm thinking the Bass VI may be an interesting way to allow for chording/rhythm but add some body to my tone.
Same deal but with an octave pedal and p-bass pickup on a separate output ala Scott Lucas. Never thought of using flatwounds though
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 3:39 pm
by mkt3000
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 4:35 pm
by Noirie.
BobArsecake wrote:I think that for me I am just like a dog chasing a car when it comes to the Bass VI, I wouldn't have a clue what to do with it if I ever got one. I've come to this conclusion now that they look to be within feasible reach, can only get one and see how I get on with it, i can't imagine having trouble getting rid of of it.
Aye park me here.
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 5:13 pm
by Concretebadger
If it plays as good as it looks, I'm definitely getting one. Wow.
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:06 pm
by ekwatts
Wait, they're already available?
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:12 pm
by Sobriquet
ekwatts wrote:Wait, they're already available?
In the Netherlands, apparently.
Same thing happened last year, with Fender Europe sending out guitars that hadn't been announced yet.
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:17 pm
by ekwatts
Hahaha, whooops. Welp, looks like it's real then.
Posted: Tue Jul 09, 2013 6:46 pm
by Nick
Concretebadger wrote:If it plays as good as it looks, I'm definitely getting one. Wow.
