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Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI - 3-Tone Sunburst

6-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Indian Laurel Fingerboard, 3 Single-coil Pickups, and Vibrato - 3-Tone Sunburst
20 Write review Item ID: SQCVB63TS
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Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI - 3-Tone Sunburst
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Delightfully Affordable Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI

The Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is descended from the historic Fender Bass VI (1961–1975) that was embraced by guitar and bass luminaries alike. Jack Bruce played one in the early days of Cream. George Harrison used one in the Beatles' "Hey Jude" video. The Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI puts classic Fender bass tone, looks, and feel into your hands at an amazing price point. It features a lightweight, resonant poplar body cut in that unmistakable, vintage Jaguar body shape that not only looks great but lays comfortably against your body for hours of comfortable playing. In addition, a unique trio of single-coil pickups on the Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI put out an array of rich, full low-end tone as well as great midrange and touches of treble. And a classic maple neck with "C"-shaped profile brings you that legendary Fender playability and comfort — just ask bassists here at Sweetwater how much they enjoy this vintage neck.

Related Videos: Classic Vibe Bass VI - 3-Tone Sunburst

Oh, that neck!

This solid maple neck with C-shaped profile also features an Indian Laurel fingerboard with elegant white binding that provides yet another layer of comfort and playability. In addition, a vintage-style bridge with non-locking floating vibrato provides reliable pitch expression and tuning stability.

Stellar trio of single-coil pickups

The Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI features a trio of Fender Designed alnico single-coil pickups. This unique array along with three on/off slide switches — one for each pickup — and a “strangle” bass-cut slide switch, put an impressive array of tonal options at your fingertips. You can dial in smooth low end for classic bass tone, as well as a slightly brighter range for a more "guitar-like" sound. And because the Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is tuned E–E, one octave lower than standard guitar tuning, you can really dip in and out of both worlds with comfortable familiarity.

Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI Features:

  • Poplar body gloss polyurethane finish
  • 4-ply tortoiseshell Pickguard:
  • Maple neck, C profile, 30" scale length
  • Indian Laurel fingerboard, 9.5" radius, 21 Narrow Tall frets, Dot inlays
  • 3 Fender Designed alnico single-coil pickups
  • Master Volume and Tone controls
  • 3 on/off switches (1 for each pickup)
  • 2-position for Bass-cut "Strangle" circuit
  • Bass VI bridge; 1.685" bone nut
  • Vintage Style tuning machines
  • Factory STRINGS: NPS 24–84, Standard E–E tuning

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Bass VI
  • Color: 3-tone Sunburst
  • Body Material: Poplar
  • Body Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
  • Neck Material: Maple
  • Neck Shape: C
  • Neck Joint: Bolt-on
  • Radius: 9.5"
  • Fingerboard Material: Indian Laurel
  • Fingerboard Inlay: White Pearloid Block
  • Number of Frets: 21, Narrow Tall
  • Scale Length: 30"
  • Nut Width: 1.685"
  • Nut Material: Bone
  • Bridge/Tailpiece: Bass VI Vintage-style Tremolo
  • Tuners: Vintage Style
  • Neck Pickup: Fender Alnico Single-coil
  • Middle Pickup: Fender Alnico Single-coil
  • Bridge Pickup: Fender Alnico Single-coil
  • Controls: 1 x master volume, 1 x master tone; 3 x on/off slide switches, 1 x bass-cut strangle circuit switch
  • Strings: Fender NPS, .024-.084
  • Case Included: Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0374580500

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Customer Reviews

4.5 out of 5

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Better Than Expected

Strings only slip off the bridge saddles if really aggressive. Put it back in place and carry on. Stays in tune. Easily intonated just lift and slide the string over. The stringsvv it came with were ok, but as others relate it benefits from slightly larger gauge strings so I put some Stringjoys on it. No buzzing. Easy 30" scale brought me back to slapping de bass after 30 years of guitar. This addiction is a feature not a bug. Already added a Wattplower MKii. At this price the Squire is a steal. Get one now.
by SteveD from MO on
Music background: 40+ years - Still noodling

Exciting to Play!

First of all, I am a bass player. While I can play guitar, it's just not my favorite...but bass is! Over the years, I've thought about playing a Bass VI, but had not done anything about it. Then, the pandemic hit and I was stuck at home, not playing live with others for almost a year. Saved up some money and bought a Squier Bass VI from Sweetwater.

I am excited to play again...even at home by myself! Because the scale is a 30" (like a short scale bass), it was super comfortable playing the Bass VI. The reason I'm giving this a 4.5 rating instead of 5.0 is because of the low E string. Comes with a .084 E string which flops around and is impossible to keep in tune. I purchased a set of nickel-plated Fender Bass VI Super 250's which made all the difference! Be sure to get the 24's set (.024-.100 gauge) because they come with a .100 E string, which is so much better than the standard .084 E string. Trust me, it makes all the difference!

There are a lot of different sounds you can get from it. Watch some YouTube videos to see what others are doing, then create your own sound. For me, I usually play with the neck and middle pickups on, bridge and bass strangle off. Even though I am mostly a finger player on bass, I play the Bass VI with a Dunlop Tortex Flow 1.35 mm pick. And, if I want to get a lower bass sound out of it, I run my Bass VI through an octaver pedel. Sounds really cool to have the two tones coming out of your amp together.

If you have been thinking about it but not sure if you need one...you need one! Just be sure to replace the low E with a .100 string and put some excitement back in your life! And, get it from Sweetwater...
by Bass Campen from Seattle, WA on

very versatile and a lot of fun

First, I feel like it would be appropriate to tell you a bit about the Bass VI style of bass guitar. If you're considering a Squier, this is likely your first Bass VI, as they get significantly more expensive when you go to Ibanez, Schecter, or Fender. This is a perfectly acceptable Bass VI, and a great one to decide if you like the style before dropping $+ on any other Bass VI.

Some stubbornly insist that this is not a bass, but a baritone guitar. It is, in fact, a bass... albeit short scale and very unique. But, if you wanted to play this as the only bass in a band, you could do it, though in my experience, that's not typically how it's used.

If you aren't familiar with this style of bass, when you think of a 6 string bass, you're thinking of one with a low B string with much wider string spacing. That's a somewhat newer design. The low string on this is the E string (same as a standard 4 string), and they go higher from there. The tuning is the same as a regular guitar, just an octave lower. When you see credits for playing a 6 string bass separate from the regular bass, it's probably talking about something like this.

You've probably heard this type of bass in a lot of music without realizing it, particularly if you are, like myself, a fan of the Cure. While you can use this as the sole bass in music, it is usually used to add a more middle voice in the music. Kind of filling in the space between bass and lead guitar, often doing its own countermelody. I've also heard of metal bands that don't use regular guitars, but just bass and Bass VI's. If you are picking this up as a bassist, you'll have some learning to do to adapt your playing style to take full advantage of this instrument.

On to reviewing this particular Bass VI. I wasn't sure what I would be getting myself into with this. I'd never bought a Squier before, and I'd seen some very mixed reviews on their Bass VI. But... I'm honestly glad I got it. I like its feel, and I like its sound. Very playable, and seems to be reasonably good quality. If you've never played one before, it feels much like a regular electric guitar... just a bit bigger. To give a basis for comparison, regular guitars generally have around a 25" inch scale, this one has a 30" scale, standard scale for a bass is 34".

The sound is great, and having the old fashioned single coil inactive pickups, it's very dynamic. Some things that are likely worth upgrading at some point: the strings, and the bridge.

The particular one I got was a demo model, saving me something like $, which is a good deal. At a casual glance, I don't see anything wrong with it; things I likely would not have noticed if Sweetwater wasn't upfront about it. And I would guess that in most local guitar shops, every guitar you see is a demo model... just that they don't give a discount for that fact.
by Raven from ALBUQUERQUE, NM on
Music background: been playing bass since 1995

Great for the price!

Really unique instrument. Perfect way for a guitar player to play bass. Sounds and plays great.
by Sweetwater Customer on

Incredibly Unique and Iconic!

I had to wait from December until May for mine to arrive, but it was absolutely worth it. Thanks to Ben and Sweetwater for making this happen!! This is an amazing guitar and they have an incredible history. I knew about them decades ago but they were exceedingly rare and difficult to find. I think Japan made a version in the 90's and then they brought it back in limited quantities in the 2010's. Now they have the Squier version and it is excellent. The bridge is a little bit wider so there's no intonation issues with the low E string. The fit and finish is excellent - really perfect on my example. The wood has some wonderful grain on mine - though obviously, each one is different. The bound neck is well finished too.
Since I am a guitar player and not a bass player, this felt very comfortable and familiar. It's easy to play fast with the "short" scale, which is longer than a guitar scale but shorter than a traditional bass. It's very comfortable to play both standing and sitting.
These are so unique that they are a thing unto themselves. Maybe the Danelectro is comparable but these are still in a class of their own. I've read that people like to make changes (of course) but the pickups are fine and the bridge is fine. If I were to change anything, I'd probably change the tuners. This is really fun to play and when you show it to your friends they immediately know what it is. You can play it with your bass player and it works as a complementary instrument.
by Bryan Ditman from Los Angeles on
Music background: Played since the the Beatles were still together
See also: 6-string bass guitars, Squier, Squier 6+ string Bass Guitars
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