BassVI vs. P-Bass

In this video, I do a side-by-side comparison of a Fender BassVI with a Fender Precision Bass to compare playability, tone and feel.

[jerrysoetewey]

I play a VI in a surf band as a bassist. Combined with 2 guitars and a drum. When used with a set of roundwound strings, the VI does not really cut it imho. Although when used with a La Bella set of flatwounds especially designed for the VI it tonal bliss ! Then it sounds much, much deeper and it really adds that vintage bass tone this kind of music needs +I can double guitar parts when needed. Whenever I play it, the VI puts a huge smile on my face! It tightens the whole band together, better then my 34" basses do...

[jpaulr]

Of all the videos I’ve watched on the Bass VI this one has been the most useful.

[michaelbell]

Oh man, so much to cover here. First off, the Bass VI has been used by everyone from The Beatles and Cream to The Cure and RHCP. In fact, all the bass lines you hear on the The Beatles white album, Abbey Road and Let it be where Paul is playing piano or guitar, is the Bass VI. Let it be, The long and winding road, Back in the USSR etc...Second, 30 inches is a short scale bass and again, tons of legendary bass players from McCartney to Jack Bruce to Carol Kaye have used short scale basses. So a Bass VI wont sound exactly like a P or Jazz bass, but it can absolutely be used as a bass on any track because it IS a bass. Want a fatter bass sound? Get heavier gauge strings and/or run it thru a BF Bassman, Twin or Ampeg. Its an excellent instrument.

[AustinArto]

Pickup choice is a big thing with a VI; I generally use the middle pickup on its own when playing songs I'd otherwise play using my Precision. It's not an equivalent, but the tone really works well in that context. For what it's worth, the P-bass is gathering dust; I can't put the VI down.

[cyberprimate]

You can fake a typical bass in a mix with an EQ pedal, muting the strings, playing with the thumb, using a bass amp and (ideally) using flatwound strings. You never get the same experience as a player though, but something different. It's also worth mentioning that having a thin sounding bass which the VI does well gives a lot of sonic space to the kick drum in a mix.

[backinblack]

I recently purchased a Squire Classic Vibe version of the Bass VI. It is really a fun and inspiring instrument. I think it would be interesting to put a humbucker in the bridge position, and then string it like a baritone guitar

[seanwelch]

I use a Fender VI as a bass for recording. I write quite melodic bass lines not just playing the root all the time and I want them to be heard. I find it has a crisper more defined sound but with bass sounding characteristics.

[JazzGuitarFan]

A very thoughtful, practical and useful comparison. Thanks!

[TechnoRiff]

Great explanation of how a Bass VI differs from a bass. I'd think that compression and EQ likely would compensate for most of any sonic differences. There's also the issue of muscle memory ad dexterity - perhaps an instrument closer in feel to a guitar would greatly benefit guitar players playing bass parts on a VI. If that trem could be tamed to have tuning stability, that would be an entirely additional dimension.

[tselinsky]

THAT is the best explanation of a Fender VI versus a proper 4 string bass out there, and indeed the scale length is a very big deal. I’ve detuned my guitar to get more bass like tones and you certainly get a lot of rattle from the strings. The Fender VI is really the viola of electric guitars.

[wirthwhilemedia]

I recently picked up a VI, and used it on a gig for bass. I didnt try to make it sound like a P or Jazz, but really enjoyed it for its own tone indeed. Looking forward to more exploration with it..

[bassvibasics]

Great video Brent! I use a Bass VI in a jazz trio with a saxophonist and a drummer. It fills the harmonic gaps that a keyboard would. Occasionally it will fill the role of a bass soloist, but not often. EQ wise, I've found the fact it doesn't sound like a P or a J bass is an advantage as the chords I'm playing are fairly dense and ornate (what with it being jazz and all). Having a "thinner" sound gives clarity to the chords. My go-to pickup configuration is Middle and Bridge, although I do switch around a bit depending on the piece we're playing

[wilhelmhagberg]

Perfect, exactly this approach was what I was looking for. Most videos only talk about the dact that it has 6 strings!

[Shred_The_Weapon]

The Bass Six is definitely not meant for any form of “traditional” bass parts. During the 2010s when the Squier Vintage Modified Bass Six hit the Market, I tried it out a couple of retailers and figured out that it isn’t supposed to be played like just a bass or a guitar. Although I did record the record under my real name about the history of the Brooklyn Bridge and included my Vintage Modified Bass Six for most of the bass parts, I purchased it with the mentality that it could be used in a fusion-type context the way Victor Wooten has played tenor bass on Flecktones tracks. On many occasions when I have played it, I have allowed myself to divide between traditional basslines and a kind of harmonic extension from the two extra strings. More people should think of approaching it that way.

[ritchiesims]

Your comments about string tension being less because of the short scale length are irrelevant if you use string gauges appropriate to the scale length. Putting it differently, you have strings that are too light for the scale length.

[madbrowndog]

To my old ears the difference between the VI and the P is a bit like the difference between the bright sound of a new set of strings and the warm tone of a set that's been around the block more than a few times.
Imagine if You Tube was around in 1951, there would have been similar content comparing the new-fangled Fender Precision Bass to the venerable upright bass. Along the lines of this quote I found on Wikipedia: [After the first concert performance featuring a P-Bass] "Music critic Leonard Feather wrote about this new development in Down Beat magazine, expressing surprise at hearing bass sounds from a guitar."

[polnoeceloe]

Standard bass is better suited for slower tracks that require more bottom fill. In mid to high tempo music, I would say it doesn't matter how deep you fill the low end, because it will all be lost in the mix. At the same time, bass 6 is always well readable, it is not lost in any situation. Bottom line, I would say that the Bass 6 is suitable for almost any music, it is completely versatile. And if you have a compact home studio, then this is just perfect for you because you can use it as both a bass and a guitar. Why do you need many guitars? Take this one guitar and cover all your needs

[luispereztasso]

Thanks for your videos! I'm in a custom bass vi with a Luthier thanks to the Fontaines DC song "Jackie Down The Line" but i just discovered a whole new world about it! I'm just a guitarist who will try to create short bass lines with occasional chords so I think it will suit me. Keep the good work, subscribed!

[Russell]

I’ve been obsessed with the bass vi since the 90’s, yet have never managed to get my hands on one. I’ve been on the look out for a 90’s Japanese one for a while.
Somehow I’ve only just discovered your videos on the bass vi but they were both great. Really well done.
In terms of your last comment about a band with just drums, keys and bass vi, The Crawl by Placebo is a song that’s based mostly on the bass vi, with drums and some keys. Their whole second album is littered with bass vi. That and Disintegration by The Cure are the two albums that introduced me to the bass vi sound.

[RockStarOscarStern]

BTW Fender just updated their Bass VI set it now goes 24, 34, 44, 65, 80, 100.