A 6 String Bass With A Tremolo - Yes Please

[@Jnday]

So, a jam on a 6 string bass. With bending, violining, actual bowing, tapping, shredding, harmonics... Using fx including overdrive, wah, particleverb/octoverb, delay, looper... Must be some kind of weird dream! I just closed my eyes to listen and drift away - but had to keep opening them and rewinding (what the hell did he just do there?!) My God, that was a score for an epic movie. Awesome Dave

[@whatabouttheearth]

The Bass VI is different from from a 6 string bass as far as I know.

[@MajicFreeman]

It is different from a typical six string bass, but IT IS a atypical six string bass none the less. It's just tuned differently, instead of a high a low b which is the most go to tuning on 6 strings, it's E to E just like a guitar, but an octave lower, and the higher strings are IN a regular 6 string guitars (not bass) register. @@whatabouttheearth​

[@Mickey-q5w]

Ambient guitar at its finest. Thanks

[@michaellotz1811]

Yes. Thank you. Finally someone playing one of those things the way it ought to be played. Well done!

[@400_billion_suns]

I think we should start sending Dave all the weird and wacky guitars we can find. He can start a series "Will it jam?" sorta like Ola's "Will it chug?", except with actual music being made.

[@Holyman556]

YES!!!

[@russellzauner]

*chuckles in Hooky Bass*

[@marissvensperlingharster2761]

really an avant-garde instrument for all kind of crazy stuff, good job 👍

[@Deliquescentinsight]

The Fender bass VI was played by Jack Bruce in the early days of Cream, and of course Lennon/Harrison when they were doing bass duties with the Beatles magic machine

[@marvo10]

Disraeli gears has a photo of Jack's fender vi. Well done Dave!

[@hallen4545]

to everyone who wants one... GET ONE!! They’re fantastic I have it in black, but I do recommend you adjust the bridge a little bit to make it less buzzy

[@jmacc9876]

I've been wondering about these. Do you play it through a bass amp or guitar amp? I might get one but I feel I might need to purchase a bass amp (worried about killing the speaker)

[@hallen4545]

@@jmacc9876 i play it through a guitar amp but to be fair i eq my amp differently than i would for a guitar, i add a lot more bass/mids, and i don’t keep the volume to loud, if your really worried you might just want to buy like a bass preamp/ampsim style pedal and then use a speaker from there, but honestly a bass amp might just be the better solution

[@skeletonmodel]

@@jmacc9876 it’s really how you want it to sound as well. I have played one as a substitute for a bass in a bassamp. It got some pretty low end. But for the more twangy (and in my case, The Cure) sounds, a guitaramp in my case

[@ZappaBlues]

Some of the best ambient music out there !!

[@ZappaBlues]

I am now considering getting one ... two years later :)

[@DogGuy19]

As you have a tendency to do, I feel as though I have just watched a special performance done just for me. My own Dave Simpson concert. I loved it, made me feel great, thank you very much, as always.

[@reverendprophet]

I was just looking for videos of the Bass VI and stumbled across this one, but I have to say... love your playing, brother. Very moody and soulful!

[@thedavesimpson]

Thank you very much. :)

[@kevinsandoval7163]

DUDE that violin part thing should definitely be the soundtrack to some movie or video game. Beautiful!

[@DylanWOWilliams]

Holy crap! This is exactly what I’ve been wanting to do with a bass VI!! Thank you for doing it!!

[@johndavies8728]

I come here for the review and left with a fantastic piece of music, that is sublime truly

[@braindamage_eclipse]

Gorgeous work. If I were not already about to walk into my house with the bass vi I just picked up I'd be scouting for one after hearing this. Such a beautiful mellow midrange.

[@vitryugun5371]

I was expecting just another guitar review, but was absolutely not prepared that it will be in form of a concert, with breathtaking music and wide array of techniques demonstrated. Sir, you made my day. Thank you.

[@paperoverflow]

Nice performance, really shows the beauty of this instrument in a highly experimental and creative way.

[@thedavesimpson]

Thank you. :)

[@uriahfiiya]

That part with the bow! 👏 Incredible as always

[@odonatojunior]

It sounds like a track from the Half Life series of games mixed with JohnFru style and a little bit of electronics. Great work Dave, you're an amazing person 👏

[@XavierAdamsGuitar]

I love Ur playing so much Dave, I'm thinking about getting a bass vi just so I can (badly) replicate the absolutely insane stuff I just heard lol. Love Ur work man

[@handel1111]

the only 6 string bass that actually looks good

[@kbelltv]

I was mesmerized by that playing. Then I subscribed! 🤠 👍

[@stevegibb8780]

Really sensational demo Dave, you’re the only person I could find on KZbin who did this instruments potential justice.. and some !! I just bought one as a result, wasn’t thrilled up til then , but you sir, brought it on home ! Crazy good atmospherics 🔥🔥

[@steverolfeca]

Playing in the upper register the way you’re mostly using it, the Bass VI is essentially a Baritone with a little extra reach down low. It does make a pretty good Bari w/the strangle switch on…

[@bigsteve9291]

I had a play around with a bow many years ago on my fender jazz bass hooked up to a synth got some amazing sounds but nowhere near the level you just took us on this journey dave absolutely awsome mate 🤜🤛

[@TheDanification]

Damn dude that was incredible!

[@venividi911]

The man with the stradivari.. What a beautiful sound... 🎶👍👍

[@Seventeen_Seconds]

I remember watching the cure live in orange and always wondered what guitar/bass Porl Thompson was playing 🤔 looks and sounds absolutely awesome 😍 Thanks for sharing dude 💪🏻

[@AnnaKissed36]

Amazing! Thank you.

[@Dialetheist]

Dammit Dave. I have been resisting buying one of these things for a long time. I've watched a ton of tube vids on this thing. There are some really good ones. You have done something special here. This might just have tipped me over the edge. I might have to give in to my GAS. Somebody stop me!

[@charcoalist1]

I remember reading something about the band Dead Can Dance, how the band's name refers to bringing ancient/obscure instruments back to life. In this video, you really bring out the life inherent to the instrument. Great and creative display of the Bass VI range.

[@nbl95]

Taking me on a journey with that violin bow, you're an amazing musician my man.

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

ha i like when it went from ambient to cliff burtonesque! nice to see someone holding back a bit and being creative, guitarists don't usually do that.

[@k.peterdingain2499]

Thanks again, this was something else, just amazing to hear. I want one!!!

[@bradgilman]

So so good man the part with the bow was seriously ethereal. Ive been debating about a squier vi and watching this im definitely getting it seeing what you done.

[@dawnfrance7253]

i’ve been waiting to pull the trigger on buying one of these and this mightve convinced me

[@nvammers9682]

But mightve not

[@jeflammering5620]

Whaww thats masterpice the sounds increnible everything of from your art you are the living legend Dave thank you very must💯✌🏽

[@guitarbassamp4823]

Loved the Shergold 6 string bass back in the 1970s 🎶 🎸

[@stevegroves]

And just as I thought I don't need any more guitars.......Interesting concept this thanks Dave!

[@nclsrfn]

insane model, so good for everything from swampy country to nu metal. huge jam.

[@itsmikee1994]

I’m lucky enough to have a 1962 Fender Bass VI. Got it set up B-B as a baritone at the moment

[@Bansidhe]

Shame more places aren't making this type of thing. Would be fascinating to hear how it'd work with P90s or even Filtertrons.

[@clemdog76]

There is such a thing… a Mosrite copy called a sidejack

[@Bieber2011Fever]

I went from Bass VI curious to Bass VI owner over the course of this video.

[@FilipedeFreitas]

Great jam!

[@noquarterdesign]

Love this, thanks so much for sharing. Really puts me in the mood for early godspeed records. I've been focusing more on bass and want to play around on one of these for sure.

[@SwirlyWhirlyXYZ]

*Leaves the room while loop is playing*

[@Jay-nu1bk]

Might have to try one of those ... really cool and top class playing again as usual. I'm loving this channel 🧡💛💚

[@paulgrogan8032]

If my memory serves me right, Joe Perry played the Fender version on "back in the saddle" and if you listen carefully....its EPIC😁

[@ptalch]

Hey Dave. Last time I watched one of your vids I immediately put some strings on my forgotten strat. Being a 52 year old metal guitarplayer I only played humbuckers with all knobs on max my whole life so singlecoils and turning the volume knob down is an absolute novum for me (of course I knew about that) This video makes me wanting a baritone so badly. I love your playing wich seems to come directly from the heart and the way you get carried away by it, taking us with you into the beautiful world of sound. This performance is absolutely great.

[@boomstick1643]

Dave.. You never dissapoint, my friend!! 🎸

[@sivirax1670]

God damn that was just beautiful sir, well done!

[@jamescarey3995]

that thing is cool, awesome sounds

[@klx400sr69]

Is there any instrument you CAN’T create an amazing sound with?! Impressed

[@perrystalsis55]

Absolutely stunning! Why aren't you famous?! You should be!

[@thedavesimpson]

I'm to ugly and everything being famous isn't. :)

[@sjgreaves]

Mr Pedantic says... it is NOT a baritone - a baritone is tuned a 4th down from standard guitar, a bass VI is an octave down - like a real bass but I think aimed at guitar players. Notable users include Robert Smith of the Cure who uses a Schecter bass 6 as his main guitar. I have a baritone that I really like, getting used to the thicker strings takes a while but worth the effort 😛

[@7171jay]

@sjgreaves I agree with you but the line between baritone and bass VI can get a bit fuzzy. In my opinion it's the tuning and the string gauge that make an instrument one or the other. Tuned E to E an octave below guitar and having a string set that is at least 24-84 with all wound strings is what makes an instrument a bass VI. If one takes a 30" scale guitar and puts a string set on that has plain strings (unwound) on the first two usually something like 14-62 and tunes to A B or C then your Fender or Squier Bass VI is acting as a baritone not a bass VI. Even the 30" attribute does not necessarily mean an instrument is a bass VI or not as there are even shorter scale instruments like the Hofner 188 which has a 28" scale length but was intended to be tuned E to E and is indeed a Bass VI if used that way. Then on another topic altogether is the six string bass which the title of this video inaccurately quotes. A six string bass is a completely different instrument with much wider string spacing, longer scale, and tuned completely differently as well. Info on this video it a bit shotty but the playing is F'ing GREAT !!!

[@iEmphaa]

man this thing is sweet. you make it sound great!

[@jim6166]

Here to take this vid to 20,000 views. LUMINOUS WORK

[@oviedo5554]

Minute 34:40 to 36:32 blows my mind away🌋

[@vaultmasterhd2316]

I never thought I'd be moved to tears by a bass.. i get fallout and red dead redemption vibes

[@denrad]

Awesome, Dave. Thank you.

[@peterbridge7940]

AXEsome video series. I will listen to them all several times and thank you very much for making them. for the time being I've only got one question but first let me give you a bit of info.... to put the question into context. I had a Fender VI for a few days back in the late '60s And it was beautiful but I ended up swapping it for a Gibson EBO And I have no regrets about that. and I still have my EB0 complete with vintage dust i am not a musician. no more than people who speak English are necessarily a poet or an author. additionally, I have limited knowledge about equipment and I'm not a very practical person, but I Rock Away quite well on bass on blues and stuff like Hey Joe. I have to try to be a lead guitarist cuz I can never learn or remember melody lines or to play rhythm / chords on my most recent beast... The Harley Benton VI I really bought it because it's beautiful. and it reminded me of the sunburst Fender VI that i had decades ago and I play for fun in open stages and jam sessions. as the song goes, don't let me be misunderstood. I take it seriously but I play for fun. basically I wanted to have more options for my long winding walking Bass and also to occasionally to throw in a power cord or open cord like D if I could hold the strings down properly and I ain't no rhythm guitarist. THE QUESTION.... I think the sound allowing for the cost and the fact I tend to play through PA speakers at Open mike's is good on the E to G strings but sounds quite thin on the B and top E string. I don't have much of a musical ear, but to me the B and top E don't seem to be an octave lower than on an ordinary guitar but they must be? do you think it is just my hearing that can't distinguish. This means that if I did a walking bass going across the fretboard it will go from quite nice bass sounds at the beginning to really thin tinny sounds? thecstrings that came with it are wire wound and somebody suggested for the B and E string. I got flat wound. do you think that would help to give her slightly deeper feel to the sound thanks

[@peterzernzach1563]

If playing thru a PA maybe ask sound person to give you a little more EQ in the bass frequencies. When playing at home I'd suggest a more robust amplifier or even a bass amp. That HB VI looks nice too.

[@sleepy4x]

This is weird, I did not know that such a things exists. Alien sounds. Great exhibition Dave, understand, that you were exhausted. I could not handle such a beast.

[@michaelbell75]

Really? They have been around since 1961 (Danelectro 6 string bass, which this is based on, was released in 1956) and used by everyone from The Beatles and Cream to The Cure and RHCP. In fact, The Beatles used it on The White Album, Abbey Road and Let It be, in the songs where Paul played piano or guitar (Let it be, long and winding road, back in the USSR etc...)

[@johnmcdonagh1607]

Great stuff, Dave . Wondered about these for years 🤔👍.

[@tomwood_116]

Got mine tuned up as a Baritone, B-b at the moment, it's great!

[@TimMer1981]

You absolute magician! :)

[@scottauck2978]

Brother, I hear Heaven ~~~

[@BLutnz]

Amazing, a guitar reviewer that doesn't play nothing but cringey blues licks lmao, bravo you've filled the hole in the market. I'm definitely buying one of these

[@ajbassfunk5872]

Hi dave I'm 9 mins in and blown wide open this so amazeballs I'm a bass guy mr genius mike b the flea is my hero so are u my friend keep funk rocking well done still listening 🎶👏

[@evenseb7574]

I hear no funk 🤔

[@ajbassfunk5872]

It's what I say 2 dave keep funk rocking his fave guitarist is john fruciante.cheers for ur pointless comment

[@sgtpepper9099]

Haha ! I literally just bought one of these in sunburst last month ! Robert Smith anyone ? ✌️

[@denekawa]

incredibly playing!

[@alejandrorivara5963]

He's shredding the hell out of bass VI.. now I've seen it all

[@damianpollman926]

Oh, when you used the bow on it! So nice.

[@MrSimonscuba]

I've just got one of these and plan to run it into an ehx b9 pedal for a simulated hammond sound.... when I'm not playing doom riffs on it obviously!

[@bricezz8267]

Excellent !👏

[@jmacc9876]

Haunting. It's like Jimmy Page and Justin Chancellor joined Dead Can Dance for a jam, but there's only 1 instrument to share.

[@stevehenderson9299]

Your a beast!!! Love it

[@fredericthom8113]

hey !!!! good bye fingers !!! Have a good trip in the world of "fuque it s hurt" ! it was great man !

[@brandxsavior]

I have a 2014 Squier VI in the exact same color/pickguard combination; I replaced the bridge with a Staytrem for proper intonation, and the strings with La Bella round wounds in the original Fender VI gauge (26-95) for better tension. I very much dig the demo of the bass.

[@thedavesimpson]

Thank you very much. :)

[@mrsixiesrock2274]

You're awesome man thanks for the fantastic content !

[@onutube6392]

Broooo this is the fuckin bass i have to buy, its perfect for what i wanna do

[@an-tunesmusic5075]

This is awesome

[@jonset70]

Its very Haunting sound the first thing came to mind . It could be in Zombie movie like 28 days play in Certain part off it slow part is guy walk around London . And up beat parts are something out there & running part . Could be used in movie like that . Blind me! Got run they coming!!! Sound great what I hear

[@teriakamoto]

The Whole Enchilada. What Wah you going with ? Loved that Wah Sound.

[@thedavesimpson]

Vox silvertop wah.

[@roypryer7358]

Jet Harris was the greatest player of the 6 string bass. Became Much.....Maintitle Theme.

[@williamgregory6684]

Original and captivating as always.When I'm feeling like crap i listen to one of your videos.I saw Page with Led Zeppelin twice in 69 and again in 1970 at the Coliseum in Hampton Va use a violin bow. Your playing sounded much better!!You should think about doing movie soundtracks!

[@beebee404]

36:37 - you even manage to make a pickup switch sound absolutely awesome!

[@timraybouldguitar]

Cici's a legend!

[@bigt6889]

Omfg that sounded supreme

[@KozmykJ]

@Dave Simpson Great fun. Will you be telling us the effects chain you used for this ?

[@santrixhimself3679]

Video comes just in time, sinc i have recently learned that there a Kahler Bridges for Basses!

[@loupeelou902]

Amazing!

[@mongrelking5667]

Amazing playing

[@thedavesimpson]

Thank you very much. :)

[@EasyHeat]

Is that a Supernatural modulated Reverb?! I've been using the "clone" of one in BiasFX 1 recently and absolutely loving it! I turned an old 2008 iMac into a "poor man's" FX unit, and it's coming along well. Actually think it will be the jumping off subject for my channel re-launch! I MUST get me one of these Squires tho. OMG it's just ambient guitar heaven! Cheers!

[@Jazzmaster11]

There's a Buckethead vibe here 💚

[@ondmon818]

It's like a Coen brothers movie soundtrack- new direction ? I've got a sunburst one from 2014 and added the staytrem bridge as the strings wern't behaving , it's an excellent thing - i must try to play it more.

[@srbaran]

The beginning reminded me of Southbound Pachyderm.

[@haggtronix]

Thank you Dave.

[@faustovalentinneumann673]

John played one of these on Dark/Light from The Empyrean

[@cavemanriffs]

13:22 i thought buckethead doppleganger or metal monkey will sneak in the room again and play.

[@JC3D]

sounds good!

[@thedavesimpson]

Thank you very much. :)

[@jibicusmaximus4827]

i would love one but think my dad would sack me if i took it to a blues gig lol, must be good for writing and generating new ideas though... also it seems perfect when you play both instruments as many of us do.

[@tripledistilled2822]

I'm always on the point of buying one of these Dave but you always read about intonation problems? I'm torn up now since you played the baritone Squier! 😬

[@thedavesimpson]

If its setup right intonation isn’t an issue.