martianspy
Joined: Aug 09, 2009
Posts: 70
Cape Cod
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 02:29 PM
I am in the market for a bass/guitar that is tuned one full octave lower than a standard guitar but still tuned E to E. I do not have enough funds for the Fender Bass VI. I am currently playing bass in a surf band and I'd like to use this on a few songs where I can flex my guitar skills a little bit, but still have a fat sound such as the guitar on the Jack Nitzsche song Lonely Surfer.
I was planning on purchasing the Gretsch G5265, but Gretsch stopped setting these up like the Bass VI and they are now shipped with lighter gauge strings and are tuned to B. Purchasing one would force me to change the nut, adjust the neck, and adjust the pickup height which is too risky in my opinion on a new guitar.
What are other alternatives are out there that are in the $600 range?
Last edited: Jun 20, 2013 14:32:30
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 03:15 PM
martianspy wrote:
What are other alternatives are out there that are in the $600 range?
The search function will help you with that 
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/15390/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/17887/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/17938/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/19727/
Also, Danelectro used to sell some so-called baritone guitars in 28.75" scale and soome in 30" scale. The latter would be suitable for tuning E to E. Not in production anymore, but they show up from time to time on the used market.
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
Last edited: Jun 20, 2013 15:22:29
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Reverb17
Joined: Jun 14, 2006
Posts: 522
NYC
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 04:35 PM
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 04:40 PM
We've been using the Eastwood Sidejack Bass VI for a while now and have been very happy with it's sounds and build quality.
— http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic
http://www.youtube.com/user/crazyacesrock
http://www.reverbnation.com/crazyacesmusic
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 07:08 PM
I played both Gretsch and Eastman Sidejack baritones in a store and thought they sounded dull and dead through a $3500 'Eric Clapton' Fender Tweed Twin. Later I got a '90s Danoblaster baritone like new for $275, gig bag included. All things considered, it's a better deal for build quality and sound. Awfully bright strat-type pickups would likely compliment softer-sounding flatwounds for a more vintage tone (mine strung with rounds so far). It's tuned B to b, a fourth below standard guitar, 30" scale and has a vintage-strat-type whammy bar that stays in tune. They pop up used from time to time.
— Squink Out!
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CrazyAces
Joined: Jul 31, 2012
Posts: 4054
Buffalo, N.Y.
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 07:13 PM
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martianspy
Joined: Aug 09, 2009
Posts: 70
Cape Cod
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 08:55 PM
CrazyAces wrote:
The Sidejack VI is definitely more "bass" sounding than twangy baritone, FWIW.
Thanks. I checked out your video in the thread that LeeVanCleef linked above. I'm really impressed with the Sidejack VI sound. I'm contemplating ordering one of these. I actually own an Eastwood regular scale sidejack guitar. It was the first series that they made with the old logo, so the quality wasn't the best, but it looks like they are making better quality guitars now.
I love the look of the Schecter, but no tremolo is a deal-breaker.
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martianspy
Joined: Aug 09, 2009
Posts: 70
Cape Cod
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 08:57 PM
LeeVanCleef wrote:
martianspy wrote:
What are other alternatives are out there that are in the $600 range?
The search function will help you with that
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/15390/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/17887/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/17938/
http://surfguitar101.com/forums/topic/19727/
Also, Danelectro used to sell some so-called baritone guitars in 28.75" scale and soome in 30" scale. The latter would be suitable for tuning E to E. Not in production anymore, but they show up from time to time on the used market.
Thanks. That Agile Argus is certainly surfy looking. I'm gonna have to use the search function and look more into that one.
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11077
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 09:36 PM
consider the micropog. They do a pretty good job of it.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Jun 20 2013 10:28 PM
That Agile Argus looks pretty rad. Your text to link here... Surf Green.. they are on the right track. Anone play one of these?
— Squink Out!
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Jun 21 2013 02:53 PM
JObeast wrote:
That Agile Argus looks pretty rad. Your text to link here... Surf Green.. they are on the right track. Anone play one of these?
Most reviews I've read about Agile guitars are positive. Never played one myself though. Agile is supposed to be Rondomusic's higher quality brand, not sure what they compare to. I would probably already have given them or the cheaper Douglas Corvis baritones a try if shipping to Europe and import duties didn't cost so much.
They have several other options: another offset shape VI but with single coils instead of the pickups they improperly call toasters (this one's more expensive as it's made of ash instead of alder, but personally I find it ugly in natural) and a Rickenbacker 360-shaped one, but without a tremolo.
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
Last edited: Jun 21, 2013 15:08:35
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JObeast
Joined: Jul 24, 2012
Posts: 2762
Finknabad, Squinkistan
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Posted on Jun 21 2013 08:04 PM
They need to hear that the combo of surf green and 3 single coils will sell, at least to some people into vintage/retro sounds (the sounds that our ears tell us are 'good' because we grew up hearing them).
— Squink Out!
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LeeVanCleef
Joined: Oct 05, 2011
Posts: 744
France
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Posted on Jun 22 2013 09:16 AM
Actually Rondomusic did offer the SSS version of the Argus bass VI both in surf green and lpb. These versions always seemed to sell quite fast (I remember watching the Rondomusic website and seeing them go out of stock in a few weeks) so I don't know why they don't have them anymore.
— Old punks never die... They just become surf rockers.
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