Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Discussion of newer designs, copies and reissue offset-waist instruments.
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Marc
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Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by Marc » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:02 pm

Hi there - I'm starting a new music project when I move to York next year with someone I've done stuff with in the past... Rough Trade were kind enough to put a single out by him earlier this year. I'm pretty chuffed about this collaboration as hopefully it will lead onto something for us if we are good!

We are both guitarists but want to try the idea of us swapping between bass and guitar/XII. So it seems logical to have a VI due to the scale length and the ability to do the odd chord  8). I already own a mustang bass and love the short scale.

So without breaking the bank it's the baritone VI or an MIJ Bass VI.... I doubt the trem will be used so I was wondering if someone could answer....

1. How "Bassey" are they? I mean would it compare with say my Mustang bass or are they quite light in the low end?
2. Do the Baritone VI and Bass VI feel sound much different? I mean generally rather than finer points
3. would the MIJ bass VI be worth the extra dollar?


and... just for kicks... does anyone know what the rough market value is of a refinished vintage Bass VI? Roughly - street price not bonkers dealer price!

Thanks in advance - I know little about these... although I've owned a few Shergold Bass VI's over the years (even one of Hookeys!!)
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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by SPudnik » Tue Nov 07, 2006 12:41 pm

I don't know much about the Jag Bari VI or whatever they're calling it these days, but I do know first hand that the Bass VI can definitely do bass duty.
With the availability of serious EQ (especially parametric) the Bass VI can be a monster. I think the scale of the Jag VI is a few inches shorter: 27½? Supposedly the low E string is a bit flappy with that configuration.

I recommend the Bass VI if you can find it.

Good luck!
Bass VI - A What?

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by Marc » Tue Nov 07, 2006 1:55 pm

Thanks!

Maybe one of the XII's could make way for a refin VI? Who knows!
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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by Marc » Tue Nov 07, 2006 2:02 pm

Lovely USA 2006 reissue..... nice flame neck!


http://www.gbase.com/Stores/Gear/GearDe ... em=1564022
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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by scottme » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:03 pm

Oh yeah, that's the business.

:?

The darker guard seems so much more appropriate. It's one of the first photos I've seen of a CS VI in a retail store.

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by SPudnik » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:54 pm

One fine lookin' axe!

I hate to mention it, but in late '98 I paid a total of $609.00 for my MIJ VI.
'Got Real lucky...
I think it sat for 2 years in the little music store in Bozeman. Montana and they just wanted to move it - - fine by me!
Bass VI - A What?

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by Cackle » Tue Nov 07, 2006 3:59 pm

I really wish they'd have just reissued out the Bass VI instead of bringing out the Jaguar Baritone :E

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by i love sharin foo » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:32 pm

Cackle wrote: I really wish they'd have just reissued out the Bass VI instead of bringing out the Jaguar Baritone :E
You aren't the first to say that  :) 

It would be really amazing if they would go ahead and make Japanese ones again sometime.

Justin
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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by SpookyReverb » Tue Nov 07, 2006 4:49 pm

I had a Jag Baritone for awhile, and it was super nice.
Really bassy. I actually like the sound of them better than a traditional bass.
Unfortunately I sold it (although I got a Ric 330 with the money, so I'm not that sad, haha)
Cackle wrote: I really wish they'd have just reissued out the Bass VI instead of bringing out the Jaguar Baritone :E
You do know they reissued the Bass VI as a custom shop guitar, right?
http://www.fender.com/products/search.p ... 1500060800

Waaaaay too expensive in my opinion...
- Austin

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by DB » Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:36 pm

I currently have a Jaguar Baritone and think they are great, though I keep it strung B-B.  It did sound good E-E though.  It doesn't have the middle pickup, but it has a stop tailpiiece which results in a high level of tuning stability and sustain.  If you can't afford a Bass VI of any flavor (vintage, reissue, or custom shop) this is an option for a decent price.  I do miss the tremelo on it though, even with the increased sustain with the stop tailpiece.

The Bass VI reissues are going for $1500 USD or more on ebay, and the vintage ones are not even reasonable.  I did own a '65 vintage Bass VI several years ago, but sold it for a couple reasons:  1)  stock market crash turned my 401K into a 101K, and 2) it needed major fretboard work to make it really playable, and that would ruin the resale value.  I currently have a reissue and the new 06 custom shop limited, and they are both good, though the custom shop definitely gets the nod.

DB
IV, V, VI, XII...

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by aen » Fri Dec 08, 2006 1:07 pm

SPudnik wrote: I don't know much about the Jag Bari VI or whatever they're calling it these days, but I do know first hand that the Bass VI can definitely do bass duty.
With the availability of serious EQ (especially parametric) the Bass VI can be a monster. I think the scale of the Jag VI is a few inches shorter: 27½? Supposedly the low E string is a bit flappy with that configuration.

I recommend the Bass VI if you can find it.

Good luck!
28"

I've heard they soudn great.
I prefer their older stuff.

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by FireAarro » Fri Dec 08, 2006 4:08 pm

I tried a Jag Bari and the E string was indeed rather floppy. B-B it should manage fine though. I tried it through a guitar amp.
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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by DB » Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:07 pm

Actually the scale length is 28.5" (723.90mm) , and I will say they sound pretty good.  Not a 30" scale, but close enough for about 1/2 or even 1/3 the price. You're going to have a light touch on the low E, but saving $1000 USD may be worth it.

Mine is tuned B-B, but next time I change strings, I'll try the E-E tuning and give a report.  My recollection is that it was pretty good - not a Bass VI but close enough for way less cash - especially if that is what you can afford.

DB
Last edited by DB on Fri Dec 08, 2006 9:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
IV, V, VI, XII...

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by donnyII » Sat Dec 09, 2006 12:37 am

RT is a cool label. who is the guy you're gonna work with?
Behold, THE WIZARD

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Re: Baritone VI or MIJ Bass VI - help me decide!

Post by aen » Sat Dec 09, 2006 7:32 am

DB wrote: Actually the scale length is 28.5" (723.90mm) ,
I FAIL AGAIN! :(
I prefer their older stuff.

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