Squier Bass VI Intonation Fix
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- Опубликовано: 23 июл 2024
- 00:00 Intro
02:31 AT THE SHOP
14:59 BACK HOME
The Fender Squier Bass VI is an interesting instrument that straddles the line between guitar and bass, as it’s tuned like a guitar with 6 strings, but at an octave lower than a regular guitar. It’s a great value at 350.00, and I got an open box version from Musician’s Friend for 280.00. The intonation of the low E string is problematic on these guitars, and you need to do a little extra work to get it right. We also locked the floating bridge. This does NOT prevent you from being able to use the whammy bar. Join me on my journey with Steve Helgeson of the famed Moonstone Guitars, as he demonstrates how to get your Bass VI into perfect intonation.
See Steve’s work here:
www.moonstoneguitars.com
Studio stuff was shot with a Panasonic GH4, and the workshop stuff was shot with an iPhone 6s Plus with a Rode VideoMic Me capturing sound. In the studio the Bass VI was played through an Eden WTDI, fed into Guitar Rig 5.
Recommended Strings I use now: La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Strings - Standard (six string set) String Gauges: .029, .045, .065, .085, .105, .128T 
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Just got one of these. Intonation is perfect with the La Bella Deep Talkin' Bass strings. Didn't need to hack up the bridge, or try to intonate with the bass lying down.
Compare the bridge in this video to yours, I noticed that mine is very different.
Actually the oversized hole for the bridge support pins is by design. The bridge is supposed to rock with the tremelo, it is an additional setup detail. If you fix the bridge then your strings will go out of tune when using the tremelo. If you don't use the tremelo, then it is fine to fix the bridge position.
If that is by design, then why are they not like that on Jazz Masters and Jaguars? And what do you do when the bridge on the Bass VI gets stuck forward and does not return to back to level?
@@seansmith8713jcv jassmasters and cv jaguars heve the same bridge and those rock too..
They are like that on the Jaguar and Jazzmaster. But they use much smaller string that don't require as much adjust room. @@seansmith8713 They are just as likely to go out tune with heavy trem use also. The trick of making the post larger helps, most folks don;t realize you still need to leave a bit of slop, if you make the bridge 100% stable using the trem will cause string breakage with minimal use.
I have the Fender Pawnshop Bass VI with the same intonation problem on the low E. Only turn the bridge (screw on the pickup side), lower the saddle a bit (to clear the string on the high E between the bridge and the whammy) and raise the bridge a bit. Now it's perfect and it's revesible!
Cutting the adjustment screws seems a bit silly to me. If you lower the saddles in the bridge (changes the angle of the adjustment screws so they don't hit the strings) you can then raise the entire bridge to get your string height.
i just *screwed* with them for 10 minutes and got intonated, no cutting
What you are saying does not work because you will get fret buzz. You have to raise the strings.
@@lanceforney5321the holes to the sides of the bridge house a small Allen key screw, I think it was a 1.5mm turn to the right to raise your bridge. People commonly adjust string height with their saddles on offsets and then complain about something they weren't supposed to do in the first place.
@@MrJbangoy I did that first, but the strings were then too high. I then had to lower the saddles. I was able to get them all adjusted but the E string. It was the strangest thing. I had to raise the strings back up because the E would buzz.
I just ordered one yesterday and between reading a few peoples accounts of their experiences and seeing this I'm pretty certain I'm going to have to take it to my local luthier to have a bit of work done before I'll be putting it to work. Thanks for the video, much appreciated!
Yeah, they just slapped this thing together using Jaguar guitar hardware, and it needs some attention. I got mine playing great, and properly intonated. There are better bridges you can get. I think it's worth having a luthier do it up right, because now it's really fun to play. Still I need to look into better strings.
It's wild to me that even a respected luthier (going by the OP's responses here) would bring out a dremel instead of watching a youtube video on how the floating vibrato works. I guess some folks think not knowing how to do a thing is a weakness instead of an opportunity to learn, and that's a shame. It's not a super expensive guitar, true, but I'd be bummed if I went through with this before reading the comments and finding a wealth of non-destructive approaches.
But the non destructive solution is to buy a new bridge, so your throwing out a whole bridge. Flipping it around means you need to remove strings to adjust intonation.
@@ChadWork1 that's simply not true :)
I've used Fender 250B6 Strings gauged 24-100 because Fender made some refinements by bumping up the gauges of the 3 lowest strings by a significant amount to get a better sound.
Thank you for this video, I'm sure now that I have to carry my bass 6 to setup. I have the same problems as you, and the great thing is, this video can show the luthier exactly what to do.
John Paclee See above for my (fully reversible) easy fix.
I broke the weld on my bridge trying to fix intonation , so i had to buy a new bridge anyway. Interestingly the bridge for the Jaguar / Jazzmaster fits without any sloppiness and the resonance comes through the body of the guitar so much better putting you so much more in touch with the instrument.
Also a 1mm thick shim ( i used a cut down jubilee clip) under the neck right up against the body fixes most of the intonation and renders the bridge able to adjust for intonation without all that cutting screws down. Basically the neck pocket isn't angled quite right.
Low E intonation correction- drop pick Up height. The magnets pull hard on that floppy E! Fixed!!!
I also got thicker strings than what came on the bass, which helped a lot.
Nice stuff Chad! Enjoyed it!
The bridge is floating so it can move slightly with the trem arm. The strings dont slide over the bridge and creak with use.
Thanx for the great video. Could easily handle my intonation problems with the bass vi
I have a ‘14 VM Bass VI. Never, ever use the trem. I installed the Ace Hardware bronze bridge post bearings and Kalium 102 BVI strings. This, and shimming to make for a proper neck angle made it easily intonate without all the cutting of screws or reversing the bridge.
Very helpful. Other than shimming under each individual string saddle, does anybody know a way to adjust saddle height? My low e-string is too close to the neck. The other strings are OK. Does anyone know of a replace bridge that allows for bridge height adjustment as well as intonation? It's a common thing for 4-string bass, but I am not finding any for the Squire VI,
Use a 1.5 mm hex key. The adjustment screw is deep down the holes in the 2 bridge posts. Clockwise to raise.
I picked up 2 bronze spacers at Ace Hardware with a 1/4" (.25) I.D. and 5/16" (.312) O.D. x 3/4" (.75) long for about $6 total...dropped right in the bridge ferrules and took 99% of the play out. If you want to compare, try it out. They come right out if you want to float the bridge.
I found that if I just shove the bridge back, it stays there if I don't use the tremolo. No need for sleeves or other modifications. Also the screws are soft enough that you can cut them with a heavy-duty snipper.
@UCIV6Cl5SzuGCn6OsY33KLMQ
The Fender 250B6 Set used to be 24-84 but they've made some refinements to it so it's now 24-100. They've bumped up the gauges of the 3 Lowest Strings (D, A, & Low E) by a significant amount so that it's more balanced & the intonation is better. The Low E String from the new 250B6 Set is now a 100 which is Standard for a Bass Guitar.
Anyone aware if the Custom Shop VI's have this issue also? I'm not really a cheap guitar guy, but I'm also not a "expensive guitar that doesn't work either" guy.
Great guitar Chad! I love the sound! Squire doesn't make bad guitars at all. I adjust my own intonation. I love that bas tone!
+Adam Workey Thanks Adam! This one needed a little more than an adjustment, but the result is great. The thing really has impeccable tune now. Fun to play too.
It sounds great Chad! I am down to 3 guitars. One is an Epiphone SG G-310, a Harmony Strat-copy 1990, and a Takamine acoustic electric, that I need to work on, because it has some damage on the the front lower right. It's a beautiful guitar and I also need to give it a neck adjustment, and get a new bridge tail piece. The Harmony's nut slides up when I bend the strings, so I need a new nut, or wait until I can get new strings and glue it down with epoxy or some other good adhesive.
Wow the intonation is tight!!
Yes that was one of the first things I immediately notice. @4:44 I thought this was insane. I used a cut piece of plastic tubing so now it stay in place. Thanks for sharing c];-)
Genius fix brother
on mine i've removed the crap string for a set of Flatwound Labella strings
On the squire bass six
Shit I have that song in my head now
Pro tip: watch movies on flixzone. Me and my gf have been using them for watching all kinds of movies during the lockdown.
@Quentin Kayden Yea, I have been watching on flixzone for since december myself =)
@Quentin Kayden definitely, have been using flixzone for since november myself :)
hi there. Whats the recommend nut height for the bass vi?
I don't have access to helicopter drive shafts, so what can I use instead of carbon fibre tubes to lock the bridge? Did you say fibreglass tape? I can get that, but anything else?
Take it to a guitar tech that knows what he/she is doing. I don't know the answer to your question, and if you don't, then you need a pro on the job.
Don't do that. The bridge is supposed to rock, that's how it works. Otherwise the strings are sliding over the saddles which will cause them to go out of tune and/or break.
The tech in this video has no clue what he is doing.
Thanks for the interesting video Chad...have been told that it's possible to string one of these with a set of baritone strings...does anyone know if that's correct?
I haven't heard of anyone doing that, but I don't see why one couldn't. I guess it depends on what key the baritone is.
@@ChadWork1 Fender now makes 24-100 Bass VI Strings.
I have some DR neon 45-125 think I can just take the 105 from these strings and put it on the bass and keep everything else stock?
Recommended Strings I use now: La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Strings - Standard (six string set) String Gauges: .029, .045, .065, .085, .105, .128T These Strings feel great on the Bass VI.
www.labella.com/product/760fs-cb/#:~:text=PRODUCT%20DESCRIPTION%20%C2%B7%20Stainless%20Steel%20Flat%20Wound;,%C2%B7%20String%20Gauges:%20.029%2C%20.045%2C%20.065%2C%20.
using shorter screws is better than to cut them down, also is very useful to reverse the bridge that the heads of the screws are in the opposite side (front), this will make a lot of room to adjust the intonation saddle, shorter screw also is better because it will not touch to the string
You can cut them down and make them thread properly by adding a few nuts before you cut, but I sure wouldn't do it while they were in the bridge.
sounds awesome man, nice mesa f30 ya mate had in he's workshop same gear as me lol. I bought an Olympic white squier VI earlier last year it sound great in the studio but I have always had problems with fretbuz & the E string too. maybe this is a common problem with these instruments. looking to get It looked at, thanks for sharing ;-)
By Squire Classic Vibe Bass VI arrived today. So next it’s off to be put right. I won’t be using the trem at all.
Even though we put carbon fiber sheaths over the bridge posts to prevent it from going out of intonation, I am still able to use the trem arm to get a little vibrato FYI. I would also set it up with the new LaBella strings too because they are a little heavier than the terrible ones it comes with.
@@ChadWork1 thanks for all the advice. Just played it for first time.
ruclips.net/video/dVkiNHyhzGY/видео.html
Good stuff! Interesting as well. However, I haven't had any problem intonating my Fender Squire Bass VI... A lot of folks just flip the bridge over....
+Michael L. Castle That's great if that works. What I did worked for me, and it's in great intonation. Now there's the issue of the strings not lining up with all the pickup poles because they just threw on Jaguar guitar pickups on there that aren't wide enough!
Not to mention that the 6th string is woefully too light. That's the first thing I did (after consulting the "interwebs") i.e.: replace that with a thicker one. BTW: I cringed when I saw your alleged "luthier" cutting that with a "dremel", sparks fling everywhere with no protection for the finish...can't wait to show that vid to my luthier.....! I'm glad it works for you.
+Michael L. Castle Tht luthier is Steve Helgeson of Moonstone Guitars. He makes 5,000.00 - 20,000.00 guitars. He's maybe a little rough, but his work is top notch. There is no damage on the bass VI. Here's a video I did on one of his baritones. ruclips.net/video/3DSzTIFnLoU/видео.html
so does this fix the whammy bar tuning issue?
Gianpaolo SFERRAZZA Yes. It stabilized the bridge when he put Greg carbon fiber things in.
I keep reading about intonation problems, but mine came perfectly fine out of the box. Is it an issue due to using thicker strings than it came with or? Also haven't had my bridge get stuck forward or back either yet it's rocking as designed to allow the Trem to function properly.
The intonation is adjusted by the length between the nut and the bridge, so the string thickness won't matter. You're lucky if your low E string is properly intonated out of the box. I don't want any rocking action because it doesn't return perfectly every time, and I just don't need a whammy on a Bass VI. All I know is mine still plays perfectly all these years later. I got thicker, flatwound LaBella strings and they are amazing. The stock strings were thin and sounded weak, and harder to keep in tune.
@@ChadWork1 I prefer the 84s as I'm not using it as a bass as much as filling in a space in sound between bass and guitar. A bit of drive and chorus and it's as full as I need
@@ChadWork1 string thickness is absolutely a factor when it comes to intonation though, if it wasn't the saddles would all be in the same position flat across the bridge rather than staggered, since they go into the nut completely parallel. Changing from a wound 3rd to a plain 3rd also calls for a major adjustment of intonation on that string even if they are the same gauge. I have never heard of needing to change for tape wound strings but I wouldn't be surprised.
@@MrJbangoy ok you’re right. Still with the original thin strings I didn’t have enough length to intonate the low E.
@@ChadWork1 I wonder if they changed something over the years due to this? I was expecting to have to do some work and was pleasantly surprised. The bridge leans slightly forward as it came and is normal on Jaguars, but if you didn't have enough length this would make that even worse.
Fix the bottom 'E' intonation problem on a Squier (possibly Fender too!) Bass VI, with this, completely reversible, modification that also ensures the front of the screw doesn't foul the string - NO Dremel 'butchering'!
1) Slacken string and pull aside. 2) Remove intonation screw. 3) Refit saddle into the bridge, but with (both) the screw AND Spring, mounted BEHIND rear flange of bridge (may need to slacken off height screws a tad to saddle align for easy insertion of screw). 3) Rough intonate string by MANUALLY (like on a Floyd!) moving saddle back and forth (if necessary - mine was 'spot on' with saddle in contact with rear flange). 4) Readjust saddle height screws (some resistance MAY be felt - if necessary, in extreme cases, the flange screw hole may need a little vertical elongation - mine didn't) and recheck intonation.
Job done!
No charge!
Thanks man, that worked so well.
Hey, I'm French and some technical terms about the bridge give me a hard time understanding your fix.
The thing I didn't get is the "mount the spring and screw behind the rear flange". That means that the spring is actually "out" of the bridge, right ?
Ultimately it's a way to use the total length of the bridge, am I right ?
You've got it right.
Alternatively, sell it and buy the far superior (in every way) Ibanez SRC6 which comes with perfect intonation straight from the factory,
The SRC6 has a thundering BASS sound (thanks EMG !) but has the same intonation issue. After the seventh fret it sounds false and it's impossible to fix it (bridge).
Hey
can I play this guitar with fingers? ( like a bass)
+Robert Daudish The strings are closer together than with a bass, so it's harder. It's more fun with a pick. I normally play bass with fingers, but this is cool when you mote the strings with your right palm as you pluck out some tick-tack bass lines.
@@ChadWork1 This is a very beginner friendly Bass Guitar that kids who play the Guitar can play cause it has thinner strings than a Standard Bass Guitar and a shorter neck. I wish they had fractional sized Bass VI's.
@@ChadWork1 Using a Pick is probably alot easier when playing the Bass VI cause the string spacing very narrow.
couldnt you theoretically just turn the bridge around?
It's been 7 years, but I think we did try flipping it and it couldn't intonate. There are other bridges you could purchase to have more control, but what Steve did has held up. The instrument is still perfectly intonated. I love my Bass VI!
2:31 Fixing up the Bass VI at Moonstone Guitars
This is adorable 6 String Bass really needed some updates.
It's not exactly a 6 string bass. A 6 string bass has a low B and a high C string. This is tuned exactly like a guitar, but down an octave.
@@ChadWork1 Turns out it's an Electric Bajo Sexto (that really big instrument looking cross between a 12 String Guitar & a Cello) with Single Strings & an extended fretboard. The Bajo Sexto was originally used in Tex Mex Music to accompany other instruments because being tuned an Octave below a Standard Guitar made it possible to play Bass Lines & Chords at the same time. Due to its special sound the Bajo Sexto found its way into other genres of music we hear today such as Pop, Rock, Gospel, you name it. Taylor should make a GS Mini Bass VI someday. The Bass VI uses thinner strings than a Standard Bass Guitar because it's smaller. When these instruments were first built by Dan Electro, they shipped them with Flatwound Strings but we now have a bigger variety of options for Strings these days. Older models of Bass VI benifit from being strung with Flatwounds because 1) they'll hold tune better, & 2) they won't scratch the frets.
same issue with the jaguar fixed the same way
@UCIV6Cl5SzuGCn6OsY33KLMQ
These very small 6 String Basses have always had bad intonation, but they've been updated over the years.
@UCIV6Cl5SzuGCn6OsY33KLMQ
These 6 String Bass Guitars used to have these problems but over the years they've been updated.
This was 5 years ago. I’ve just ordered one. I would have thought they would have addressed this issue by now? All they need to do to stop the bridge moving is make the holes in the body smaller surely that would cost nothing.
I wouldn’t know if they did fix the issues, but I have a feeling they didn’t. Even so, it’s worth it. Just plan on getting it set up better. I play this thing all the time. I got the LaBella flat strings listed in the info, and they really make it play and sound better too IMO.
@@ChadWork1 yeah my guitar tech said he’s worked on them before so confident he’ll nail it. He’s done a few set ups for me now. My Mexican Fender Roadworn 50s Strat was great after his attention. Real classic stratty sound to it now. But it was the improved playability feel I noticed most.
@@johnnydiamondsmusic1673 Cool Johnny. People are also just getting a new bridge. For this video, I just wanted to see what my friend could do with the stock parts. If it didn't work I was prepared to buy whatever was needed. Ultimately, it's just a fun instrument! When I'm bored with guitar or bass, I grab this, use the middle pickup, and new ideas come out. I'll never sell it!
@@ChadWork1 I’m into writing original 80s new wave inspired material. So will be using this guitar similar to Robert Smith of The Cure to pick out melody lines rather than using it as a bass.
@@johnnydiamondsmusic1673 Do did you get your Bass VI yet?
I am having a hard time just getting it tuned at all -- I was told to use B E A D G C. Any help? I am way new to this and received as a gift, so I need to make it work.
1. They aren't baritone guitars, they tune exactly like a regular guitar EADGBe.
2. Swap for a correct (thicker) set of strings and have it properly set up with a shim. This actually helps more for intonation than any Dremel will. *Don't fix the bridge;* it's specifically designed to move with the tremolo unit.
3. Not working right after doing exactly all of that? Go to the offset forum, not a RUclips video.
4. No one actually needs a mastery bridge, but if you feel like spending 200$ then go right ahead (you'll still likely need the shim and thicker strings for more tension on the break angle.)
Doesn't the bridge pivot have something to do with the whammy bar locking system?
Wicked, he used a tuning fork in the process of retuning it!
+ShreadTheWeapon Didn't you notice at 06:40 that we put carbon fiber tubes on it? Those prevent the bridge from rocking, but you can still use the whammy bar.
Chad Johnson My attention wanders on occasion. I'll watch it again.
+ShreadTheWeapon Actually watch from 5 min in.
ShreadTheWeapon the bridge was designed to rock backwards and forwards with the strings when using the trem. The problem is that even tuning the guitar would pull it out of intonation!
Pending modifications.
I have an Acoustic Bass VI
Realistically, how much would all of this work cost? Maybe this guy is giving his friend a great deal or a freebie for highlighting his shop in the video, but I'm sure this would cost more than a Staytrem bridge.
There was more involved than just replacing the bridge would cover.
Niceeee thank u
If this is a common issue you would think they would improve it at factory?
That would make production cost more. I'm not sure, but maybe it's dealt with on the Fender models?
@@ChadWork1 not really,they could use a different bridge style i dont think it would cost much more to make one that gives a better adjustable for the bass so the low E string isnt at its e4xtreem end etc. It makes sense to use a custom bridge that works. and is setup properly out of the box.
@@MichaelStoneham Yeah who knows? I think it usually comes down to money.
@UCIV6Cl5SzuGCn6OsY33KLMQ
Did you know the Bass VI is a Solid Body Electric Bajo Sexto? The Bajo Sexto is a 12 String Bass-Baritone Guitar and it's normally tuned in Fourths (E, A, D, G, C, F) or like a 12 String Guitar (E, A, D, G, B, E) but an Octave lower. The Bajo Sexto was used in Tex Mex but thanks to Fender who made the Electric version called the Bass VI it found its way into Rock.
Damn.. now I gotta buy a helicopter first
The problem with these Bass VI guitars is the intontation on the low E string, fretted notes are sharp. It's sharp even with the saddle all the way back and nut slot lowered. I wish Fender would fix this - intonation is sort of important.
You can do what we did, or get a better bridge.
Where did you buy yours from???
I got it for 280.00 at Musician's Friend. Like I said in the song at the beginning, it was an "open box" so there was a discount.
@UCIV6Cl5SzuGCn6OsY33KLMQ
Flat wounds have solved this problem. Fender still makes these 6 String Basses & they're much more updated versions of these ones.
You actually have a really good singing voice
D'addario makes Color Coded Strings (EXL 156) for a Bass VI & what's really unique about them is that they're thinner than regular Bass Guitar Strings, they have smaller Ball ends, & they're tapered at the ends to fit into the Guitar tuners. Every Choir needs Feneder Bass VI's cause they're great for shedding light on Naya Rivera from Glee who sadly died of Drowning. Hope those Choir peeps are gentle with their Bass VI cause they're a unique one of a kind instrument everyone likes.
I use La Bella 767-6F Bass VI Strings - Flatwound
@@ChadWork1 They're really smooth strings, & they're less abrasive to the frets than D'addario EXL 156 Roundwounds. Flatwound strings sound appropriate for Jazz too cause Jazz Guitarists & Bassists use Flatwound Strings which have a warm mellow sound. I use EXL 156 Roundwounds which are Color Coded at the Ball end so you know which is which. Those Flatwounds might also intonate alot better especially if you're using the Vibrato lever cause it'll stay more in tune better.
@@ChadWork1 You can use D'addario EXL 156 color coded Ball end Bass VI Strings too cause the Color Coded Ball ends show you which is which.
@@ChadWork1 Is there a problem with EXL 156 Roundwounds on this particular Bass VI?
Why not use a Tusq nut?
I ended up using a Woolly Mammoth tusk nut on a bass Steve made for me, but the nut on the Bass VI is fine.
Get the La Bella Flats for this and issue solved.
That's what I use. Great strings!
Good thing these are all wound strings.
You should intonate a guitar in the upright playing position, not flat on its back.
Yeah I saw that video yesterday too.
12:14 Bluesy Chords
Could you throw regular guitar strings on this and use it as a regular guitar?
Not very effectively. The slots for the strings are thicker, and it's a lot chunkier than a regular guitar. It would be a good experiment with some thicker guitar strings.
7:25 High E String
7:30 Tuning Fork
You can get plenty of elephant ivory nuts, it's $20 for a nut blank.
This. A blank nut is usually 20, and the slot job is at best 40$ total. More than that and it's a legit scam
There is an easier fix. Just simply flip the bridge and put it in so the adjustment screws face the pickups. Now the saddle goes back all the way. Either way, the design sucks. But for the price, we can’t be picky.
That didn’t work on this particular BassVI. Either way, it plays great now.
@@ChadWork1 you've got a different excuse for each comment, I kinda love it
@@OkSharkey Basically I just took it to my buddy Steve Helgeson (RIP) who is a great luthier (Moonstone Guitars), but we were just trying get it to work as cheaply as possible. There are cleaner solutions for sure. 6 years later the thing is still intonated beautifully and plays great. Your mileage may vary.
If you turn over the bridge you don’t need to cut the bridge screw
12:15 Alright
All it needed was a piece of a drive shaft from a helicopter! How come I didn't think of that!
Luthiers, a moment of silence
I wrapped the posts with electric tape to stop them from pivoting. (I tried many times and 4.5 inches wrapped real tight is the amount, then use fret board oil to slide into the bushing so the tape doesn’t bunch) I don’t have any use for the whammy anyway. A friend of mine suggested I try Steelstik as a permanent solution to the pivot problem. The pivot will fall into three positions under the pressure of the strings - forward, center or back. If you push it into the back position (towards the tailpiece) it gives you just enough distance to intonate the low E and A. I’m going to set it into that back position, then pack it with Steelstik. I’ll write again if it works. Since this is a bass, it would be great if Fender included an optional sleeve for people to fix the bridge.
Dremel motor demagnetize picup much? Sparks flying on chrome. This guy works on guitars way i do...spect lil more from pro maybe.
Oh yes the master luthier who will hack the s*** out of your guitar
We knew I’d get a replacement bridge if this minimal fix didn’t work. It’s still in perfect intonation all these years later.
I love the idea of using the RC Heli boom! I wonder if I have one laying around. Thats an expensive hobby if I ever had one....instead I now have kids.
Yes 3D copters are expensive!
I'm I just ignorant or is 'floating bridge' a pointless counterproductive concept anyway? You don't need it for trem, maybe that is what they think idk.
You said the bass 6 was between a guitar and bass. But doesn't it sit in the same pitch range as a regular bass at about 41 Hz on the low E? Isn't that why they call it a 6 string bass and not a baritone guitar? Asking to learn not diss, TIA.
A 6 string bass (vs a 4 string bass)has one lower string and one higher. A low B and high C. A Bass 6 is tuned exactly like a guitar but one octave lower.
@@ChadWork1 Your description is common among most 6 string basses. BUT, a bass strung low E to high E is still a bass, like a 4 string bass with two higher strings right?
@@merbuckify That's why it's a Bass VI, rather than a 6 string bass. It's tuned like a guitar, so you can do guitar chords. The high string on a 6 string bass is C, and on a bass VI it's a B. Six strings are usually tuned B0-E1-A1-D2-G2-C3-like a four-string bass with an additional low B string and a high C string. I don't know how else I can explain it to you.
@@ChadWork1 We are into semantics now. You prefer to name or call something a 6 string bass bc of the strings and how they are labeled. I am quite aware of that, you don't need to explain it again, I've been playing 5 string for 37 years. What you seem to not recognize or admit is that what I'm describing is ALSO a 6 string bass since it is in a similar pitch range as your "6 string bass" except that my description goes from low E to high E. If you won't agree to see my point then I'm done.
@@merbuckify You said you were "asking" so I was trying to clarify. Every bass string is a 5th from the string next to it. But a guitar has that 4th with the B string. But since it's tuned an octave lower, it's not a guitar, but between a bass and a guitar. I'm not disagreeing with whatever you were trying to say.
Every time I pick up my bass 6 I think of his little bass 6 song.
LOL that’s awesome! And I’m actually playing that Bass VI right now writing a bass line for a song.
@@ChadWork1 that's really cool! is the intonation holding up I checked out this video again because I was having trouble with mine ? I'm using mine currently to teach my bandmate who plays guitar but cant really play bass how to play our songs on it.
@@kingofthelosers210 These Bass VIs hav a bad intonation problem, which is why we did this video, but it's easier to just buy a Mastery bridge designed for it. It's also good to have a guitar tech make sure the angle of the neck is good so it's easy to play. I could use a shim in the neck to make the angle better. But still, I play this Bass often and really love it. It's always worth it to do a little extra work on guitars to make them perfect for you.
Chad stated several times that they wanted to see if it could be done using only the hardware that came with the guitar. Try commenting based on the author's intent instead of your personal opinion.
Thanks! We were just messing around, and Steve is a master luthier, so I trust him. The fact is the thing is in perfect intonation now.
The majority of fixes in the comments involve either reversing the bridge or moving the spring outside of the bridge, but you go off if you feel like it, James; get that endorphin rush :)
You can turn the bridge around which allows you to move the saddle all the way "back" without having to cut the adjustment screw shorter.
Also, the bridge must be able to float for the trem to work properly. You absolutely should not lock that bridge down. It doesn't effect intonation because when set up properly, it will return to position when the trem is not in use.
Your tech has no idea what he is doing. This was very hard to watch.
Actually the trem still works fine, and it's floating action contributed to intonation issues, and was evidenced by multiple complaints by other Bass VI owners. I don't use the trem anyway. I could have bought a proper bridge to do this, but we wanted to see what we could do to the stock bridge since this is a 300.00 instrument. Also to flip the bridge around would mean taking off the strings any time you want to adjust the saddle. The thing is in perfect intonation now, so I'm happy. Yes it would have been better to use a better bridge, but we were just fucking around to see what could be done with what they gave us. Also Steve is the guy behind Moonstone Guitars. He's a master luthier that taught Ken Lawrence from Lawrence Instruments (He makes James Hetfield's favorite axes), as well as Gabe Douge of Black Devil Guitars. He's been making world class instruments since the '70s and knows what he's doing. You can look up his stuff. By all means modify your own Bass VI as you see fit. Intonated is intonated.
@@ChadWork1 are you ok pal
3:03 So this is how Joe Perry wrote Back in the saddle on a bass vi 😂🤣
Dude needs a new chair. Creak creak creak.
its crazy that you buy a new guitar and have to take to a repairman to get the damn thing to even play, do they think they are selling these to people that put them on the wall to just look at?
by the time you buy the guitar for 350-450 and pay someone to sort all the shit out you have $600 in a guitar you can only get 300 in lol but I still want one of the stupid things
tom cass they still play ok out of the box. It just costs more to have one that plays nice. The Fender ones don’t have the same pickups and they cost even more up front, so it was worth it to me. I knew the issues before I bought it and figured in the cost. But I didn’t play it a whole lot really. It’s in the case, ready if I get the urge.
It has more to do with the fact that they're made overseas, and even if they were set up OK in Indonesia (they're not), obviously by the time someone actually gets their hands on one it would need to be redone regardless.
intersting kind of strange...
It's actually a Bass-Baritone Guitar cause it has a Bass-Baritone Voice. It's also an Electrified version of the Bajo Sexto which is a 12 String Acoustic Bass-Baritone Guitar.
Squier should know by now this is a problem. Why haven't they redesigned the bridge to fix the intonation issues?
Because not enough people complain, and it’s cheaper for them this way.
Every Glee cast fan wants a Fender Bass VI cause Naya Rivera died sadly and the Bass VI will shed light.
I want it because John Lennon used it on Helter Skelter
@@Paul-gf6kp You can also play Glee cast songs on it cause Naya Rivera will hear it in heaven. Think Duane Eddie he plays Bass VI too and now with a Fender Bass VI, you can play his music with that tick tack twang.
Thumbs up just for the goofy intro song! ;-)
My apologies. It just came out as an improv.
@@ChadWork1 Don't appologize, I lked it! I found myself singing it in my head after.
@@Kurt9099 thanks! Some people hate it so it makes me cringe a little now. Glad to know someone digs it!
At least the intonation problem is fixed
Strings I use: La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin' Bass Flatwound Bass Strings - Standard .026, .035, .044, .056, .075, .095. They sound and feel great and there are no intonation issues.
@@ChadWork1 That's awesome, all that said Fender just updated their Bass VI string set, it now goes 24, 34, 44, 65, 80, 100. I use those on my Homemade Acoustic Bass VI.
@@RockStarOscarStern634 Why not try Fender's new 24-100 Gauge Bass VI Set? Because I play the Bass VI like a guitar too, and the flatwound strings I have on are amazing. I don't need to emulate a bass with this, as I have 3 other real basses. With the Bass VI I play a lot of chords, and it's harder with thicker strings. It sounds amazing the way I have it now, and it's really great with a pick too.
@@ChadWork1 The Bass VI is quite a useful instrument. I actually built myself an Acoustic Bass VI, it's a Fender ESC-105 Nylon Acoustic Guitar Strung with Magma GCT-E Octave Down Tuned Strings. These strings are Nylon wound in Metal which makes it sound like a proper Acoustic Bass.
@@ChadWork1 Those La Bella Flatwounds will also save the frets from scratches.
That e sounds dead as hell
"Jury Rigging" is not a "fix". Showing a guitar tech having to physically modify a guitar is NOT helpful. May as well just tell people to go buy a Staytrem bridge for $100 vs what the average person would have to go pay a tech to do.
+fooser1 It actually is a fix because my Bass VI is in perfect intonation now. I paid 80.00 to have the Bass VI completely fixed and set up. Once you pay 100.00 for a different bridge, you'll still have to pay a tech to get the bass playing right ( if you're not tech savvy yourself), so my way is cheaper. Intonated is intonated, and my Bass VI plays better than the Fender model now.
+Chad Johnson I am seriously getting a mammoth tusk nut after seeing this! my pitch for the staytrem is that it will give you a lot more mass and significantly enhance your tone and sustain. Its much more than just an overkill fix for the intonation. The squier vi is a great bargain, but for a lot of us, it was a priceless, legendary instrument we never expected to own. I say its worth upgrading. But you do you!
Yes I have no qualms with the staytrem. We just wanted to try to see if Steve could get it working with the stock parts. Now what's bugging me is that the pickup poles don't line up with the strings, and the low notes are weak.
+Chad Johnson what kind of strings are you using? Kallium has a ton of different gauges. You might want to try their 104 low E. These things were setup every kind of wrong out of the factory. But since i love tweaking around with cheap guitars, its been a fun experiment.
I still have the original strings. I never got around to experimenting with different gauges. Do thicker strings fit in the nut without having to rout out the slots?
lots of shenanigans for a 399 guitar. Like souping up a Civic to be a BMW M3...NOT WORTH IT unless you do it yourself. What a shame that Fender/Squier even releases an instrument that poorly put together,
Still, mine plays like a dream now, and still for less than the Fender version, which isn't even period accurate. I also just put on some LaBella flatwounds, and it plays amazingly. So I'm happy.
I didn't have to saw anything.
dont konw way fender still made this shit bridge...after all these years of problems lake that...
just get rid of this piece of shit and buy an ibanez SRC6 i had one of this and i had it up to here in intonation issues, i sold it glad i never looked back, the nut and the bridge could not have been done any worse, they completely butchered it and if you got the pawn shop well... brotha i feel you
I had an Ibanez SRC6 but it always seemed like the neck was coming out of adjustment by bowing concavely.
The SRC6 is getting really tempting since I'd like to get in some more "metal" territory with a BassVI like instrument.
Is it possible to play a "guitar-like" style with these ? I like complex chord voice AND distortion, and the BassVI is quite awful for that, sounds muddy really fast.
WTF? I'd find a better setup guy. I fixed my trem on my bass VI with coins and some risers under the floating pins. then i threw the tone bar in a box. set up with harmonics and abracadabra man. EZZ PZZZ with no screw cutting. For the record never let somebody dremel cut mere millimeters from two strings and with magnetic pick ups an inch away... or just dont let them dremel your axe period.
It's fine. That's Steve Helgeson of Moonstone Guitars. He makes some of the best guitars in the world. My Bass VI plays perfectly now. It was my choice not to just get a better bridge.
@@ChadWork1 Fender now makes 24-100 Gauge Strings which will intonate even better plus that 100 gauge low E is awesome
@@ChadWork1 never heard of the guy, but his workflow is very dodgy :/
Chad Johnson I think Candy Man:ruclips.net/video/k0u1Xrx38KQ/видео.html will sound awesome on a Bass VI cause Naya Rivera died.