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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Permalink Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI

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I'm loving the Bass tones I'm getting out of mine. I didn't buy it to use as a "bass", but damn if I don't see it replacing my 4-strings.

Mike

manfromravcon.com

And finished! A little before and after.

image

Jake, that's spectacular, and I'm sure it plays and sounds at least as good as it looks. Fantastic!

This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got.

Yeah, I'm sure it plays and sounds good too. Haven't put my hands on it yet, gonna go over to the shop on Friday with some pizzas and my buddy(who happens to share an office with me).

I can't recommend sending gear to my buddy Mike enough, if you need a restoration/crack repair/modifications. He is the guy to send it to, totally worth the cost of shipping your instrument to him, especially offsets. Good guy too!

That turned out great! I need to get off my ass and match my headstock too.

Mike
http://www.youtube.com/morphballio

Awesome, Classy job! The head is delicious.
Must be so exciting to get it like that, already pimped.
Jake is going to have a party!

image

Finally mine got a Tusq nut and Circle K strings. Cosmetics later, at least now it sounds like a bass. Their 102 set feels perfectly stable and smooth. Easily tuned and intonated, they have a sharp attack and a lot of body. Sound different than flats though. My experience with Bass is almost zero, but this is too much fun, I'm addicted now.

image

That's beautiful. You and Matt need to get together for a Spy vs Spy jam session.

Haha! Those are absolutely absurd, the Cure dolls.

I don't know if I'll come down more in the Cure style or in the New Order style. I'm definitely more of a New Order fan.

Musically... I probably strive to sound like the Cure, but will definitely come off more like New Order. I would want to sound like the Cure because I love how perfectly spaced everything is. But will sound more like New Order because everything I do inevitably gets sped up and gets a bit of that post-punk attitude.

New Order probably sounds more like Morricone than 90% of the bands that strive to be 'spaghetti' or emulate his music.

AWESOME!!!!!!!!!!!!

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html

I've been staring at that picture all night...

"Black!"

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html

All black is looking sweet, Jake. Let's hear those avri's!

I can't stop playing mine through my EQD Hoof Reaper... with octave up, and noise gate engaged.

The Rubber Band Youtube Channel

Judging by the number of pages this thread has come to, I see it's a popular topic about a sensational instrument. I am not up to scanning all 24 pages and would like to ask participants to summarize a few points:

What is a good upgrade for pickups that work for the pitch range of the instrument? I gather the stock ones are ultra-cheap and probably clanky.

Who has a used one for sale? I just missed a nearly new one here for $300 while trying to gather funds.

What other upgrades are needed to perfect the axe? I don't want to obviate the bargain price.

Squink Out!

Sonichris had one for sale for $285. I'd contact him.

Matt "tha Kat" Lentz
Skippy and the Skipjacks: 2018-2020
Skippyandtheskipjacks.net
https://www.facebook.com/skippyandtheskipjacks
Otto and the Ottomans: 2014-2015
The Coconauts surf band: 2009-2014
www.theamazingcoconauts.com
Group Captain and the Mandrakes 2013
http://www.gcmband.com/
The Surfside IV: 2002-2005, 2008-2009
the Del-Vamps: 1992-1999, 2006-2007
http://www.dblcrown.com/delvamps.html

JObeast wrote:

What is a good upgrade for pickups that work for the pitch range of the instrument? I gather the stock ones are ultra-cheap and probably clanky.

What other upgrades are needed to perfect the axe? I don't want to obviate the bargain price.

I highly suggest picking one up, the investment is quite minimal compared to the possibilities it unlocks. Just a unique instrument, you have access to chording that just doesn't exist else where, really fantastic. Just the timbre of the instrument is something else.

As for the stock pickups, mine were microphonic and honky. I bought an extra AVRI '62 and ripped the set out of my AVRI Jag to put in my VI. I haven't played it yet, but I suspect good things. I don't mind the AVRI '62s, I've always put up with them more than enough. Not as great as a Lollar, but way cheaper.

Strings are the only MUST upgrade. The low E just isn't acceptable, it doesn't even have pitch. When you hit it, it is like you are yanking on the vibrato arm, just nothing that can be construed as a pitch.

Bridge is upgrade # 2, there are intonation issues with Mastery and the stock bridge/AVRI/vintage/etc... The Stay Trem 1" Bass VI bridge is REALLY tasty. Just kills!

Upgrade #3 is the nut, an upgrade required to most guitars.

Upgrade #4 is the pickups. Stock pickups will do, but if you got some extras laying around, why not upgrade them.

Upgrade #5, cosmetics. It is a modding hot bed.

Upgrade #6, wiring because why not. I tend to do this on most any guitar. Out with the old pots and in with the new and with new wiring as well.

Thanks, Jake. Where can you get that bridge? – the Staytrem site says nothing specific about it. IS it just a Jag bridge?
I can guess it has Asian micro-pots easily replaced with CTS or Alpha.
So regular Jaguar p'ups are good for it? Probably the low-output one would sound most authentic. Huge strings would generate a strong flux with bright top end.

Squink Out!

You can get it on Ebay, it is a special 1" bridge meant exclusively for the VI. The VI needs more room to intonate than a Jag/jazz bridge can provide. The Staytrem also offers a 9.5" radius like the Squier.

It is really pricy as the exchange rate really sucks right now: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wide-bridge-to-fit-Fender-Bass-VI-and-Pawn-Shop-Bass-/171279335113?pt=UK_Guitar_Accessories&var=&hash=item27e10b3ec9

However... holding the bridge is a wonderful thing. It just feels so precisely machined and perfect. I haven't played it yet... but the design of the saddles has me very excited. I have a couple non-scientifically tested theories on bridge design and this one makes me very excited!

CTS/Alpha pots are so inexpensive, I find it worth it just swapping out to get a better wiring job.

Yeah, regular Jag pickups are the right thing for a VI.

Just from my experience, with good strings, I achieved PERFECT intonation with an AVRI bridge (with room to spare). No buzz either.

Also, humbly, I would add to Jake's mod list Upgrade #4.5: Tremolo Vibrato unit, preferably complete. Stock one is cranky, wobbly and loosy, more than just a spring would fix. Alternatives are expensive though.

Last edited: Apr 11, 2014 08:02:22

Oh yeah, I forgot the tremolo. Mine got some special tweaks(I'm not told what yet).

Spring isn't really the issue, just loose fit and poor set up. The tension really needs to be set accurate on those things or you get the flop.

So between bridge (UK import) and Vibrato tailpiece we approach a 50-60% cost increase to achieve a very playable instrument. Babz sez "with good strings" one can intonate with an assumedly less expensive AVRI bridge. What are the proper strings to install?

Squink Out!

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