The Fender Bass VI
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This portion of my website is dedicated to the Fender Bass VI. Hopefully this will serve to be the most complete resource of information on this model. I will be adding more info and more pictures as I find time to do so. Enjoy!!!!!


What is a Bass VI?

Well, as it's name suggest, it a six string bass. Sometimes it is referred to as a baritone although a baritone is usually tuned B to B or A to A. 

 The bass VI is tuned one octave below a guitar with a standard tuning of E, A, D, G, B, E. You can simply think of it as being a standard bass guitar with 2 extra high strings instead of the modern 6 string bass which has 1 lower string [ B ] and 1 higher string [ C ]. The string spacing is closer than a modern 6 string bass which gives it a guitar like feel. For bass players it takes some time adjusting to the feel, guitar players generally feel right at home with the spacing. 

What does it sound like?

Like nothing else. It is truly the mid way point between a guitar and a bass. The neck length is in between a bass and a guitar. This means that when played like a bass the string tension is loose and lacks low end, but with extra low end EQ added through your amp can sound acceptable. When played like a guitar, strumming chords for instance, it can sound rather muddy but that's part of it's uniqueness and charm. Everything sounds new and fresh when played on a bass VI. 

HISTORY
The concept originally started in the late 1950's with the Danelectro UB-2. So Fender was not the first makers of a six string bass. It is said that Leo Fender wanted to design a six string bass that with it's upper range could also be used as a baritone guitar. In actuality he was just improving the design of an already existing instrument. 

The Fender Bass VI went into production in late 1961 and lasted until 1975 when it was discontinued. It is said that there were 300-400 made pre CBS [ before 1965 ] and 700-800 made in total. The majority of these were produced with a standard sunburst finish, a small percentage of these were special ordered with a Custom Color. Needless to say, the instrument is VERY HARD TO FIND now. There were less Bass VI's made than just about any other Fender model. In today's vintage guitar market, straight and original 1960's Stratocasters and Telecasters are hard to come by, but most vintage guitar dealers have a few in stock to choose from. This being said, it is very rare to find a Bass VI anywhere available for sale.

FEATURES

Late 1961
Slab rosewood fingerboard with clay dot markers
3 pickups with chrome rectangle surrounds
3 switches [ on / off for each pickup ]
1 volume knob, 1 tone knob
Jaguar / Jazzmaster Tremolo
Nitrocellulose finish
Tortoise shell pickguard

Late 1962
Non slab curved fingerboard 
Pickups no longer have rectangle surrounds, now the pickups are Jaguar style
A 4th switch is added. It's purpose is to cut the low end. 
Green tinted pickguards are usually found on custom color models except Olympic White and Blond which like sunburst have a tortoise shell guard.

1963
A string mute is added to the bridge

Early to Mid 1965
Custom Color models now have a white pickguard
Clay fret board dots are replaced with pearl dots

Late 1965
Bound neck with pearl dots

Early 1966
Bound neck with block inlays

1968
Polyester finish replaces nitrocellulose finish
Gold headstock logo is replaced with a Black Fender Logo.

1975
Some sunburst models have a black pick guard

NOTE. There are some exceptions. Some features will overlap years although it is not very common. Fender was known for using up their left over parts.  If you are about to purchase a Bass VI that does not conform to the above specs, use caution if it is not being offered from a reputable vintage dealer.