Fender unveiled the original Bass VI back in 1961 (though, officially, its original name was simply the Fender “VI”) as an answer to Danelectro’s six string bass of a similar style of the era. The instrument was unique. Compared to a standard bass, it had a shorter scale, six thinner strings tuned E one octave below a guitar, and, of course, a floating tremolo system; something not usually seen on a bass guitar.
The Fender “VI” underwent a few small changes by its first birthday in 1962, settling on the design we know today as the Bass VI. This latest version featured aesthetic and functional similarities to another Fender favorite: the Jaguar. The most notable similarity between the two was their pickups. The three-piece set of Jaguar pickups featured in the old Bass VI instruments have been heard on countless classic songs from artists such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, The Cure, Fleetwood Mac, The Who, Cream, Placebo, Cocteau Twins, The Hollies, Guns N’ Roses, and Wes Montgomery – just to name a few. Chances are, you’ve heard them at work. And the most incredible thing about these pickups? They weren’t even intended to be installed in a bass instrument!
We have offered similar three-piece Jaguar pickups as an “off menu” option for Bass VI owners. Though admittedly, there weren’t many players asking for them, primarily due to the confusion surrounding the instrument: Is it a bass? Is it a baritone? Is it a guitar? How the heck do I tune it?! Along with this confusion, there have always been bass purists who were unwilling to accept that it’s even a serious instrument, in spite of its respectable pedigree in music history. But that all began to change when Fender and Squire each released (and then subsequently discontinued) reissue versions of the Bass VI. Once modern players got a taste, only to have it taken away again, they wanted more. This demand created a cult following for the instrument that continues to grow, solidifying it as a sleeper hit. And, of course, the latest Beatles documentary has certainly created its fair share of buzz around the Bass VI as well. With this new-found popularity, Fender has brought them back yet again as the Squire Classic Vibe Bass VI.
Now even more folks are catching onto the powerful and versatile nature of the Bass VI. It offers seven different pickup selection settings, plus a “strangle” switch (which is a low-cut filter of sorts), ultimately giving you fourteen unique tonal options directly from the instrument itself. Along with this increased popularity has come demand for better tone – a call we’re happy to answer with our new Bass VI pickup set! While they bear a striking resemblance to their Jaguar cousins, the Lollar Bass VI pickups have been designed from the ground up with bass frequencies in mind. The new design offers improved balance, broader and fuller frequency response, and increased punchiness. Compared to the stock pickups from Fender/Squire, the Lollar Bass VI pickups also have richer harmonics and broader dynamics for more expressive playing. The three-piece set offers distinct benefits from one position to the next to give you a huge selection of great sounds. The neck and middle deliver traditional bass-like sounds that are great for standard bassline work and holding down the low end in a full mix. The bridge position is tighter and more percussive, similar to the sound of a baritone guitar. That makes it great for more melodic playing, chords and “spaghetti western” styles while still sitting in fundamental frequency range of a typical bass guitar. And when the strangle switch is engaged, the resulting sound is far more musical and usable for a much wider range of playing styles.
The Lollar Bass VI pickups are available as individual items or as three-piece sets of neck, middle, and bridge. They are offered with black, white, or cream covers and with chrome “claws”. The middle pickup is designed to offer hum-cancelling operation when combined with either the neck or bridge pickups.