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Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI Guitar - Black

6-string Electric Bass with Poplar Body, Maple Neck, Indian Laurel Fingerboard, 3 Single-coil Pickups, and Vibrato - Black
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Item ID: SQCVB6Blk
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Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI Guitar - Black
Price:$569 and 99 cents
$95.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month special financing‡ 24 month financing available* with $799 minimum purchase of select Fender Custom Shop, Squier or Fender products on one invoice.

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Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI Guitar - Black
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Price:$569 and 99 cents
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Six Strings of Sonic Possibility: The Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI

The Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI descends 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. 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 puts out an array of rich, full low-end tone as well as clear 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.

Primed for premium playability

This solid maple neck with a C-shaped profile also features an Indian Laurel fingerboard with elegant white binding, which 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, puts 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 features comfort-focused contouring and a gloss polyurethane finish, blending style and substance
  • Maple neck marries full-spectrum warmth with note-separating articulation for vibrant voicing and powerful performances
  • Indian Laurel fingerboard enshrines your sound in a crystalline veneer that exudes presence without sounding muddy
  • C-shaped neck profile deftly accommodates players of numerous styles with comfort, control, and precision
  • 30-in. scale length and 9.5-in. fretboard radius ensure unfettered access to all 21 narrow tall frets
  • 3 Fender-designed alnico single-coil pickups and per-pickup on-off switches give you a palette of onboard sound-shaping opportunities
  • 2-position for Bass-cut "Strangle" circuit allows for pointed low-end refinement to suit your studio and stage playing
  • Bass VI bridge includes classic vibrato capabilities to conjure all manners of wave-warping expression
  • 1.685-in. bone nut keeps your sounds buzz-free
  • Vintage-style tuning machines give you sonic stability and stage-worthy panache

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Tech Specs

  • Number of Strings: 6
  • Left-/Right-handed: Right-handed
  • Body Shape: Bass VI
  • Body Material: Poplar
  • Color: Black
  • 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
  • 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: NPS, .024-.084
  • Case/Gig Bag: Sold Separately
  • Manufacturer Part Number: 0374580506

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Reviews

Baritone Bass That Nothing Can Replace!
Having played 4 String Electric Bass since 12 years of age, I never thought I'd find another Bass with 6 strings that would stand above the rest. Well, the Squire Bass VI definately ranks #1 so far. Bass players can still get those sweet and mellow low 4 string frequencies while enjoying the challenges of melodic higher scale notation. This Squire BASS can do it all.
If interested, please view my Review Video here also. I discuss many details while demoing the Squire Bass VI. Thanks to Sweetwater and to my Sales Rep!

Strings substituted over the Factory string gauge set:
(La Bella 767-6F Flatwound Bass VI Strings .026-.095)
Music background: Bass, Guitar and Home Recording
Great instrument, with a little work
This is a really awesome instrument - I've been alternating between playing it as a pick bass (favoring the neck/middle pickup through a bass amp) and as a baritone guitar (favoring the bridge pickup with strangle switch on through a PRS archon), and still can't really make up my mind on which it does better. Either way, chances are if you're eyeing this you already have an idea in mind how to use it.

If you do much reading on the Squier Bass VI online, it's evident there are a few problems out of the box. I'll outline how I addressed each.

1. Bad tuning/tremolo stability
The Bass VI has a tremolo, and it's terribly designed. This is fortunately easy to fix. At the trem plate, there is a screw you can tighten to restrict the tremolo. I've added a photo with the screw circled. Next, you will want to remove the bridge, noting that the bridge posts are a couple millimeters too small for their holes, giving them lots of wiggle room. I wrapped the bridge posts in masking tape as a temporary solution, so the posts fit snug in the holes. You could also use a sleeve bearing or similar.

2. Low E intonation
The intonation range on the bridge saddles is limited, and in fact make it impossible to intonate the low E. So while you've got the bridge out from step 1, put it back in backwards, such that the intonation screw heads face the pickups (see photo). This gives the saddles a little extra room, enough to properly set intonation later. From here, you can proceed with your usual setup routine (neck relief, action, intonation, etc).

While I was doing this, one of the stock strings broke, so I put on a replacement set. D'Addario EXL156 is what I used, and appears to be the same gauge and was a perfect fit. Some people go heavier, lighter, or make custom string sets; of course, that decision is left to personal preference.

At this point for me, it's a very playable instrument that I record with and wouldn't hesitate to bring on stage. Some next steps for improvement would probably be upgrading the bridge and nut, but I see those as nice-to-have and not totally necessary right now.
Andy At Sweetwater is the greatest
Me and Andy have been going back and forth about this guitar for years and now I have finally gotten it and what a guitar it is I have gotten other stuff from Andy in the past and will continue to Andy said that sweetwater has a robot that can play bass and guitar i hope to order it soon
Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI Guitar
I purchased the Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI as a Christmas gift for my brother. He loves this instrument and is now his favorite bass. He is a guitar player, and this instrument is perfect for someone who is used to playing a 6-tring electric's string spacing. The tone of the instrument is very versatile because the wide range of pick-up combinations the guitar offers. It can sound mellow to very biting. The pickups are very good quality and can be super loud. They also sound good with fuzz or distortion. The overall quality of the Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is amazing for the price. The finish on the body, the feel of the neck, and the fretwork are things you would usually only find on instruments more than double this price. The Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is awesome, and we would highly recommend it to any guitar player in need of a comfortable Bass instrument.
Music background: I have played guitar for 25 years.
Good news
I bought the bass6 to replace a fender p bass, with great hesitation. It has worked better than planned. I can find no flaws with the Squire bass6 and I am quite impressed with the quality, playability and the variety of tones.I am playing with a pick now and a shorter scale instrument seems to be a good transition. Since I play guitar mostly, I was looking for a way to incorporate my triads,double stops, scales and arpeggios into my turns at bass, this bass does all of the above with a great ambient quality. My thanks to Alex and all the folks at sweetwater for their professional and Friendly help over the years. Peace
Music background: Dabbler