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rfurtkamp wrote:Strangle switch is a 'use it if you use it', but if you do, you absolutely have to have it as an option.

For some things it just doesn't work (same as a Jaguar) - changes the signal load enough that some fuzzes etc react differently (and some times in a good way), but that's exactly what I expected and to a large degree want!

And "floppy" E, well, I'm actually ok with it but I don't use anything but standard tuning. Can see where it'd be a problem if I wanted to bring the doomz even more, but well, I don't. Happy with what I've played for 20-some years, when I've mastered standard tuning I can move on I suppose!

Yeah agreed on the strangle, I love the way it totally changes the tone with fuzz. Definitely an option I need on the bass vi, though I never use it in the jag. Fun for "pretending it's a normal guitar" sounds.

Same experience with the nut, it's rough and made out of some rubbish, but it's cut right.


Now to think about a new pickguard and maybe putting on the black pickup covers I already got for the jag...

And strings! What strings do people recommend for getting the low E to a decent tension in standard tuning? I'm happy enough with the rest so I might just buy a single bass string of the right gauge for the E.

I'd say at least 100 gauge on the low E. Just assure that it's the proper length for a 30" scale cuz you don't want the double wrapped portion of the string wrapping around the tuning post, an issue with many available bass strings when you try to throw 'em on a 30" scale.

Just got a call from my music store! The Bass VI is there!
Gonna pick it up on monday! SO EXCITED

npfrs wrote:

omg how and where!?

Psyre wrote:

npfrs wrote:

omg how and where!?

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/bhar ... htrays.htm

So, I don't know about the rest of the bass Vi owners out there, but the stock bridge on mine was a JOKE. Grub screws practically leaping out of the saddles. I'm having a better time with a stock AV Jaguar bridge, which used to be the ultimate in string throwing nonsense.

Yeah, my stock bridge was garbage. Just said fuck it and sprung for the Staytrem.

Mine hasn't treated me so bad too far but it's definitely not the most robust bridge ever. I'll probably grab a staytrem at some point because this is definitely the sort of instrument worth a bit of investing.

Got my VI today!




Thoughts so far:
Need to get a different bridge. Probably gonna snag the staytrem when I get my first paycheck in April. Also thinking about switching out the Trem assembly for a locking one (where does one go to acquire such things?). This thing needs a setup. Bad. Gonna do that tomorrow. Also strings. Ordering as soon as I can. Also thinking about a buzzstop thingy. Maybe. I don't know yet.

The overall first impression is good, perfectly good finish, the tort guard does look kinda cheap, but it isn't too bad.
On a very (very very) close look, the neck binding could've been done better, or left out for a better bridge, but on a 330€ Instrument it's more than sufficient. The nut is cut OK, not perfectly clean, but good.

Things I'm thinking about doing:
Changing the knobs. The stock ones look silly, they're too small and don't really feel nice.
Changing the Bridge/Trem assembly. Staytrem bridge is a go, but I'm on the fence about the locking Tailpiece.
Changing the pickguard. That's a maybe. I could live with the stock one, but I'd like something different. We shall see.

I changed the knobs to standard import-sized speed knobs (I bought a 12 pack of them a while back) as standard on my cheapie offsets. It's what I've always used (my first vintage Mustang had them on it when I got it in the days when nobody wanted them).

Trem, just buy a AVRI and screw it on. That said, I haven't bothered on any of the Squiers, the stock trem worked just fine and the "locking" isn't all that hot. I only use it on my CP Jag because that's my synth guitar and I can set it so I can't accidentally hit the bar on patches that shouldn't do it (trem piano, anyone?)

Rest I'm of no help, the stock bridge was perfectly serviceable and I'm not a "Must get mastery or staytrem or die" dude on any of my other offsets.

Schlatte wrote:Got my VI today!




Thoughts so far:
Need to get a different bridge. Probably gonna snag the staytrem when I get my first paycheck in April. Also thinking about switching out the Trem assembly for a locking one (where does one go to acquire such things?). This thing needs a setup. Bad. Gonna do that tomorrow. Also strings. Ordering as soon as I can. Also thinking about a buzzstop thingy. Maybe. I don't know yet.

The overall first impression is good, perfectly good finish, the tort guard does look kinda cheap, but it isn't too bad.
On a very (very very) close look, the neck binding could've been done better, or left out for a better bridge, but on a 330€ Instrument it's more than sufficient. The nut is cut OK, not perfectly clean, but good.

Things I'm thinking about doing:
Changing the knobs. The stock ones look silly, they're too small and don't really feel nice.
Changing the Bridge/Trem assembly. Staytrem bridge is a go, but I'm on the fence about the locking Tailpiece.
Changing the pickguard. That's a maybe. I could live with the stock one, but I'd like something different. We shall see.

Hey Schlatte,

Maybe I could trade you my Squier Vi white pickguard for your tort if that's what you're looking for. I left the thin layer of adhesive plastic on it so it must be as new. I'm in France by the way.

Disarm D'arcy wrote:Hey Schlatte,

Maybe I could trade you my Squier Vi white pickguard for your tort if that's what you're looking for. I left the thin layer of adhesive plastic on it so it must be as new. I'm in France by the way.

PM'd!

I would really suggest trying some loctite (or similar) thread locking... goo. I just squirted it into the grub screws after I set up the stock bridge again. Seems VERY VERY solid. I mean, if you want to spring for a mastery, I hear they are really nice. And I might get one anyway, but for now the stock bridge has been put back on and thread-locked.

Schlatte wrote:Got my VI today!
Need to get a different bridge. Probably gonna snag the staytrem when I get my first paycheck in April. Also thinking about switching out the Trem assembly for a locking one (where does one go to acquire such things?).

First off, congrats!

I found the best deals for trem assemblies on eBay. There's a couple kinds of locking trems available, the less expensive version used on MIM stuff and then the fancy one used on AVRI and Custom Shop instruments. The MIM version is fine for the money.

Thanks for the heads up! Gonna hit the bay!

I turned the bridge around today, helps a lot! Also used some (non locktite) screw fastener gel thingy. Question to the guys who already did the bridge spin: Did you cut the intonation screws of the saddles? On the higher strings the screws are sticking out so long, that the strings rattle on them. If I get that problem sorted out I don't think I need a Staytrem bridge.
Also encountered my first "major flaw" today: had to open up the metal control plate thingy and resolder 2 wires. The wires weren't broken, but the solder joint itself broke off. Man.. The wiring in those things is shit. Not comparable with the quality on my Modern Player Jazzmaster, although it is crafted in China. Well, I guess the Chinese upped their game a little. The Indonesians could use a little wiring/soldering crash course.