Franticsmurf

Thanks for the info on your setup @stereoplayer. I've been a Chris Squire fan since I started playing in bands and loved his sound. Over the years I learnt about his split output from the Ric. I don't have a Ric, nor do I have the funds to get one, but I have been experimenting with splitting the signal from my MM and using a graphic equaliser to remove everything below 250hz on one signal and processing that with distortion while leaving the other signal clean and uneffected. So far not so good but I'm enjoying the journey. It doesn't help that there is no call for that kind of sound in the two bands I'm currently playing with and I wouldn't try and force it on them. One day...😃

Me too. I'd be interested in more details.

Behringer Bass Distortion and/or Behringer Tube Amp modeler.

As I don't have a case for the cardboard box, I just took the Guitarbass VI to rehearsal last night. With the 100 (E) and 84 (A) replacing the supplied 84 and 72, I got a really nice bass sound through my BAM200 and TE 1x10 cab. Our sound guy liked the tone through the PA, too. I noticed the neck pick up pole pieces don't align with the top B and E strings and this came across in a drop in volume when playing those strings. Overall I'm still happy with the guitar and I've just about got used to the string spacing. Fingerstyle playing is not really practical but for the songs I'm doing with them, I find plucking with my index finger works quite nicely. I tried a pick, but it seemed a bit too harsh. I think going forward it won't replace my four string basses but I will be using it on a regular basis (bassis - ha ha ... I'll get my coat) with this band. In the medium term I may replace the pick-ups.

Hi Wingo, welcome to the site. It's a great place for answers and advice.

It's about what the band (including you) want. If it works, the rest of the band aren't complaining and you're happy then it's good. Imagine how things would be if we all had to play what the last guy played. In one of the bands I was in, it would have been all root notes and I'd only need a 2 string bass. 😀

They were flat when it arrived. I tried inflating them, but there must be a puncture somewhere. 🤔

Soooo....you're telling me that I NEED to buy more stuff to save money, right????....:) I think that is a very solvable problem.....:):):) I joined this site for precisely this kind of advice. 😀

My mate runs a music school with a number of tutors working in individual rooms. I remember him telling me that after a particular young student had a disagreement with his tutor, there followed allegations of improper behaviour between student and tutor (which were never taken beyond the angry dad stage). My mate immediately installed CCTV in all the rooms. It was a one off incident in more than 10 years of teaching all ages, but worth considering (along with the DBS check mentioned above). I was a trainer and training designer in a previous life and I would agree with @Coilte's comment that you should make sure your teaching skills are up there with your musical skills. Make sure you know what the student is expecting from the lessons. Do they want exam grade standard, 'just the basics' (what are 'the basics'?), to be able to play in a band etc? Once you know what they want, you can set a timescale so they know how many lessons it will take and how much it will cost and more importantly, you'll both know when you've successfully achieved their goal. If a student is taking bass lessons I would expect them to have their own bass. The exception might be if they are thinking of taking it up but haven't decided. This is one of the things you'll need to establish with each student. If you're providing a bass (and/or anything else) make it a decent cheap item as it will probably take more wear and tear. I'm no business expert but I guess you'd be able to claim it as an expense. Good luck! 😃

Thanks. Just ordered two sets although they're currently out of stock. In the meantime I stole a 100 string from my 5 string (technically now a 4 string) and changed the A(72) for the 84. I had to cut the strings to length and unwind the 100 a little for the thinner bit to fit through the tuner hole. Then had to go out and get an appropriate round file to enlarge the nut grooves. A great improvement but if I'd know it would be so much trouble, I would have stuck with the cardboard box and recycled the guitar. 😀

Sorry, only just spotted the additional 'The Box'. I wasn't ignoring you - I thought it referred to the previous post's Gretsch. Please see above for the box photo.

I suppose I'll write it off to experience and try to come to terms with the Bass VI. 😀

Not really sure what kind of cardboard to be honest, but I suspect a laminate of some kind. I do like the natural finish, but I was hoping for a little more corrugated effect.

Here it is. To be honest I'm a bit disappointed by the sound. I was expecting a solid body box but when I took the free gift out, I found it was a hollow body. The sound is a bit boxy and muffled - very percussive but there's no bite and I suspect it would disappear when played within a band. And the build quality! It's held together with staples and packing tape. The body isn't contoured so the playing position is uncomfortable. But worst of all is that neck profile and width. 🤣

Thanks for the recommendations above - and with the heads up about string lengths. I was thinking of replacing the 84E with a 95 or 100 and shifting the 84 to the A. Bearing in mind that this is experimentation until I find a combination I like. I'm happy with the other 4 as they are although I wouldn't be averse to going lighter on the B and high E. One of the reasons for this purchase was to use in a band with a lot of chord/rhythm instruments (3 Ukes, two guitars and a piano) to allow me to add some melody when the bass is not required to drive the songs. The lighter high strings will help cut through.

I can understand that. Day 2 and I haven't really put it down much (I didn't sleep with it). I have a gig soon and I intend to use it then so I want to get used to that string spacing after years of big boy bass spacing - that's the excuse I'm currently using. I'm probably going to change the string gauge (as has been recommended elsewhere) but apart from that I'm really happy.

Hi Rob. My hands are too small to be a bass player, but a bass player is what I am. It just means I have to move my fingers a bit further that other folks. 😃

New Cardboard Packaging Day! I ordered a cardboard box from Thomann and it came with this little beauty included for free! 😃 Reading another thread, I was intrigued by the Bass VI concept and I thought I'd give it a go with the Harley Benton version as I could do with the extra couple of strings but I have small guitar player hands. So far, very impressed with the quality (the only adjustment I've made is to raise the height of the neck pick up as it was quite quiet). Not too heavy and the string spacing is the same as a guitar, which is comfortable for me.

Psychokiller.

We did that once in a club - ran a very long cable out through the window to the outhouse. As you say, sorted! 😃

I agree. I'm really happy with the sound - I don't use a really deep bass tone. I've been using mine on it's own (with a TCE BAM200) in rehearsals in a large hall with full band and PA and have been told (nicely and correctly) to turn down, and at a couple of gigs recently with the same set up. And when I practice at home, I usually have the original songs playing through it and the sound isn't too bad for a 1x10" without a tweeter.

Welcome on board.

Welcome Tim. Just a smoke machine? No flamethrower? 😃

Hi JC.

Hi Eddie, good to know that you're finally ready to confess. 😃 Guitar was my main instrument for several years. Yes, I am a guitaroholic and it's been 20 years since my last solo.