waynepunkdude Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I have been reading through the Fender book and stumbled across these Has anyone ever played one? Are they more like a baritone guitar? Has anyone ever even seen one because I haven't. Or just any info I'm intreagued. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bartelby Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 The wiki [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fender_Bass_VI"]article[/url] is pretty good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 After the success of the Danelectro 6 string bass, in the early 60's, Leo Fender made this one. They were intended to be played in the studio when a different kind of solo was required. Glen Campbell played the solo on the "Wichita Linesman" on a Danelectro 6 string bass. Jack Bruce used one until it was stolen in the early months of Cream, then he switched to the EB3. They were short scale and had the same string spacing and were tuned as a guitar, ie E A D G B E. As far as I can remember they were reissued awhile back. The Cure used two together when touring in the 90's. Maybe they still do. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 They're kind of an evolutionary dead-end, but I think they're cute. Sound awesome played clean with cavernous reverb. And a whole lot prettier than the Bass Five that Fender also knocked out. Funny how they've never cropped up as re-issues... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='519221' date='Jun 20 2009, 12:33 PM']Funny how they've never cropped up as re-issues...[/quote] Ah, but they did [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/11204-fender-bass-vi-sunburst.html"]a few years back[/url], for one year only. There's still a few NOS ones on US sites for around $3k. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 Lennon and Harrison made good use of them during the latter years of the Beatles, especially the stuff MacCartney didn't play on. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 (edited) [quote name='BottomEndian' post='519285' date='Jun 20 2009, 01:48 PM']Ah, but they did [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/11204-fender-bass-vi-sunburst.html"]a few years back[/url], for one year only. There's still a few NOS ones on US sites for around $3k.[/quote] Ta for that - my error. B*gger, I'd have one of those if it was $2,500 cheaper and there wasn't an amp-shaped hole in my bank account. Edited June 20, 2009 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='519302' date='Jun 20 2009, 02:15 PM']Ta for that - my error. B*gger, I'd have one of those if it was $2,500 cheaper and there wasn't an amp-shaped hole in my bank account.[/quote] Plus one, sir. Plus one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
henry norton Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 www.bassvi.org There's a whole forum dedicated to these instruments, although the one in your picture seems to have different pickups - maybe it's a baritone guitar version or suchlike. I played one once and it really was like a slightly big, deep sounding guitar. I'd definitely go for one but the MIJ reissues go for megabucks these days. Schecter do their own modernised version called the hellcat, but it doesn't look nearly as nice as the Fender. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bythesea Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 There is an article on baritone guitars (and it mentions the Glen Campbell solo) in the latest Guitar [size=1]and Bass[/size] Magazine for those that get it (or stand in WHS to read the odd piece). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WILD FROG SHOT Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 I have what I guess is the most recent interpretation of a Bass VI (although a much cheaper version). One of these: [attachment=27428:200712_g...tracks_1.jpg] It's really good fun for underpinning acoustic/electric guitars when doing stripped down arrangements. I recorded a session for BBC radio Bristol on Thursday: [attachment=27427:l_3d0fbd...a19ea04d.jpg] If you'd like to hear it, I'll upload a link to the "listen again" feature once the BBC have attached the correct link! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 [quote name='BottomEndian' post='519285' date='Jun 20 2009, 01:48 PM']Ah, but they did [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/11204-fender-bass-vi-sunburst.html"]a few years back[/url], for one year only.[/quote] they were reissued in the mid-90's too, which is when mine was made. they're an unusual instrument, but an awful lot of fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charic Posted June 20, 2009 Share Posted June 20, 2009 theres also the musicman 6 string sillouette bass. Or however its spelt! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
risingson Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Actually the more I think about these things, the more I really want one! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 [quote name='charic' post='519673' date='Jun 20 2009, 11:47 PM']theres also the musicman 6 string sillouette bass. Or however its spelt![/quote] Close call It's the Silhouette Bass. And you're right, the concept is similar. Its scale length is just under 30" and it's tuned a full octave below a guitar, like the Fender Bass VI. Schecter also builds a similar instrument, the Hellcat VI, with a 30" scale and three Duncan Designed minihumbuckers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnny_b Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 OH NO - just when I thought I had enough gear this comes along... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ahpook Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 (edited) i recorded a [url="http://www.moltendog.com/myspacemusic/6song.mp3"]tune[/url] a while back using just my fender vi, if anyone's interested what one (or several) sounds like Edited June 21, 2009 by ahpook Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buzz Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 [quote name='BottomEndian' post='519285' date='Jun 20 2009, 01:48 PM'][quote name='skankdelvar' post='519221' date='Jun 20 2009, 12:33 PM'] They're kind of an evolutionary dead-end, but I think they're cute. Sound awesome played clean with cavernous reverb. And a whole lot prettier than the [b]Bass Five[/b] that Fender also knocked out. Funny how they've never cropped up as re-issues...[/quote] Ah, but they did [url="http://www.dolphinmusic.co.uk/product/11204-fender-bass-vi-sunburst.html"]a few years back[/url], for one year only. There's still a few NOS ones on US sites for around $3k. [/quote] That's a bass VI is it not? Not a bass V as Skank mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bythesea Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 [quote name='liamcapleton' post='519744' date='Jun 21 2009, 02:13 AM']Actually the more I think about these things, the more I really want one![/quote] no pics yet but there is one for sale on [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=52219&hl="]this[/url] thread it seems... [quote name='Tom Android' post='518414' date='Jun 19 2009, 02:24 PM']... Yamaha Drop 6 Baritone Electric - dark teal-green. Virtually unplayed condition. Never gigged, perfect. Lovely neck, good sound. It's a Yammy! ...[/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LeftyJ Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 Wouldn't so much call that a baritone, let alone a bass guitar. The Yamaha Drop 6 models only had a 26¼" scale. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
waynepunkdude Posted June 21, 2009 Author Share Posted June 21, 2009 All very interesting, I would GAS for one if they didn't go for stupid money. Even on this I don't think there is a better looking one than the one in my original post, there are some beautiful examples in the Fender book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted June 21, 2009 Share Posted June 21, 2009 [quote name='Buzz' post='520011' date='Jun 21 2009, 04:00 PM']That's a bass VI is it not? Not a bass V as Skank mentioned.[/quote] That's the trouble with pronouns. I read this: [quote name='skankdelvar' post='519221' date='Jun 20 2009, 12:33 PM']And a whole lot prettier than the Bass Five that Fender also knocked out. Funny how they've never cropped up as re-issues...[/quote] as [quote name='skankdelvar' post='519221' date='Jun 20 2009, 12:33 PM']And [the Bass VI is] a whole lot prettier than the Bass Five that Fender also knocked out. Funny how [the Bass VI have] never cropped up as re-issues... [given that they're prettier ][/quote] And I assume that's how Skank meant it, given his response to the Bass VI reissue. But it's also absolutely readable as [quote name='skankdelvar' post='519221' date='Jun 20 2009, 12:33 PM']And [the Bass VI is] a whole lot prettier than the Bass Five that Fender also knocked out. Funny how [the Bass V have] never cropped up as re-issues...[/quote] I can see exactly why they haven't reissued the V, though. A longer-scale fiver with only 15 frets that sold 200 units in [b]five years[/b]? Not exactly a well-loved, long-missed model people are desperate to see again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skankdelvar Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 (edited) Sorry for all this, guys! The sentence should have read: [quote]And a whole lot prettier than the Bass Five that Fender also knocked out. Funny how neither has cropped up as a re-issue.[/quote] Which, as they re-issued the 6, means Bottom-endian had it right, yet so did Buzz I , on the other hand, conveyed inaccurate information in a poorly constructed and confusing sentence! ...and apologies to the OP for the accidental thread derailment. Edited June 22, 2009 by skankdelvar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy Jack Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 This is my baritone: [url="http://tinypic.com/a/r1y1/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/r1y1/3[/url] If you want to try it, Wayne, just let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted June 22, 2009 Share Posted June 22, 2009 [quote name='Happy Jack' post='520610' date='Jun 22 2009, 11:33 AM']This is my baritone: [url="http://tinypic.com/a/r1y1/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/r1y1/3[/url][/quote] I'd forgotten about Lindert! I quite wanted one of their guitars back in my late teens. Heady days... What's the scale length on that? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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