Hardtail Bass VI

[Pelagaard]

Questions, questions, questions...  I know my first few posts have been all over the place, but I now have some questions that are directly related to what will be my first Warmoth build/order.  I'm looking to build a bass vi, and I've got some bridge questions for you guys:

1)  Is there a hardtail version of the Jazzmaster tailpiece?  I have no intention of using a tremolo on this build, but I really like the look.  I know you can get a locking version, but that seems kind of  :icon_scratch:

2) If the answer to 1 is no, what would you guys reccommend? I'd prefer to stick with some sort of tailpiece looking bridge as there's a lot open space on the tail of this body.  I realise I'll most likely need to mickey mouse it a bit to get the larger strings fir properly.

I appreciate any ideas you guys might have.

 

[Cagey]

The hardtail versions of Jazzmasters I've seen usually use the old standby - a Tune-O-Matic bridge with a stop tailpiece, like they use on a Les Paul or an SG. I personally don't care for that combo, but it has the advantage of being common as dirt so there are a bajillion suppliers, which keeps the price down. You don't have to go that way, though. Warmoth will build Bass VI bodies with no bridge route, which leaves your options wide open. You could just put a Schaller 463 on there, which is a better solution. Or, if you've recently won the lottery, they're selling 2-Tek bridges now. That option isn't showing up in the builder yet, but I'll bet if you called them they'd accommodate you. You'd still have a lot of open real estate behind it, though. But, you could have a decorative plate made and engraved with something like "Do Not Play On or Around" to eat some of that space up if it bothers you.

If I had or was considering buying a body that was already drilled/routed for the cruel joke that is a Jazzmaster bridge/tailpiece, then here's what I'd do. I'd buy that tailpiece, then ship it to DangerousR6 and ask him to weld something in there to make it a fixed tailpiece. It would look right, but wouldn't move, and it would cover the hole it was designed to fit into.

The other thing you could do would be to have him fab something up in the same shape, but without the unfortunate mechanicals underneath. Jazzmaster tailpieces aren't expensive, so even if you had to buy one so he'd have a template to work from, it wouldn't impact your budget too much. Just throw the original away when y'all are done fondling it, or if you're bored one day put it on eBay for beer money.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I've pondered that too. The Bass 6 seems like a great idea, but why that bridge?  I've thought about getting one with the saddle portion unchanged but no trem route, opting for for retrofitting a Bigsby or trapeze tailpiece.  Both have their problems.  The Bigsby is a give up solution and only slightly better, and trapezes usually can't work on offset bodies.  I'm not a trem guy to begin with, so I certainly don't want a sub par one.  That jazzmaster bridge (and Warhead headstock) have kept Warmoth from taking more of my money.  USACG does one too, but I think you're left with the same wants, though their headstock looks better.

 

[swarfrat]

If you want the TOM bridge, can you get a recessed TOM route? That'd let you keep the basic bridge design without all the shortcomings of too shallow string angle.  Even if W wouldn't recess it - you could still use the raised TOM type bridge and drill your own string thru holes.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

AFAIK, they have one bridge option or you can omit the routings.  Even offering a T-O-M would be an upgrade because you'd have more T-O-Ms to choose from including roller varieties.

Cagey's idea of the 2-tek may be doable because they seem to be bending over backwards to put that on every thing.  Though I don't know what size of the ball ends for Bass 6 strings are.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

A 30" scale length 6 string Gecko would make me happy.

 

[Pelagaard]

I did ask about the 2tek, and it was a no-go, which is probably for the best, as I've then have to dremel it out to accept .095 .075 .055 .045 .035 .025 strings...

I've sent a message to Dangerous to see what he thinks.

 

[Cagey]

Good. That whole Jazzmaster string termination issue needs to be addressed by somebody who wasn't born in the 1800s.

 

[hachikid]

string termination issue?

also, I'm looking into getting something similar built, but a few things are gonna be different. one thing I'm unsure about is what sort of bridge system I want to go with. I'm not sure if I want to go hardtail, or tremolo. if I go tremolo, I'm sorta thinking about a locking strat bridge, of some sort. any thoughts on that?

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Will you be doing thay yourself?  They won't.

 

[hachikid]

not me, some other people I know. but back what was asked...any ideas? Hipshot also makes a "BabyGrand" bridge

http://store.hipshotproducts.com/cart.php?m=product_detail&p=194

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Ideally, I'd like a string thru Strat type flat mount.  String gauge and ferrule size probably makes that not a possibility.  Stop tail would be fine though.

 

[hachikid]

hmm...didn't think about that.....also, check this out:

http://bassvi.org/viewtopic.php?t=218

 

[swarfrat]

What do these things take for strings? I know D'Addario and others sell Bass VI sets, but can you pick from the guitar line of singles (which goes up to 0.080 at the big D)  or does the scale length require strings from the bass guitar lines?

 

[hachikid]

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/La-Bella-Schecter-Hellcat-VI-Baritone-Guitar-Strings--Stainless-Steel_p_703.html

 

[swarfrat]

http://www.bassstringsonline.com/La-Bella-Schecter-Hellcat-VI-Baritone-Guitar-Strings--Stainless-Steel_p_703.html

That wasn't the question. I know where to get 'Bass VI' string sets. I was specifically trying to find out if 'guitar' strings are long enough for scale length + headstock, but nobody seems to put uncut lengths anywhere on internet. Measuring tapes are all in workshop or garage, but Yamaha BB-5 + leatherman =~ 38" uncut length for both D'Addario & Ernie Ball. Which means... Strat headstock is around 8" to the last tuner hole, which means guitar strings are cutting it close - cutting it close with a Schaller 475 and locking tuners. It appears that's a required combination to use  'guitar' strings.

12 * log ( 30/25.5) = 2.8 or nearly 3 semitones below standard tuning for standard string gauges. Hmm wheels turn.

 

[rainbowdoom]

Hi there,
If you still want a bridge plate get in touch with this chap - http://www.facebook.com/paulrhoneyguitars
I'm building a hardtail VI myself at the moment and was considering getting a hardtail plate from Paul, but decided I prefer the look of a stop bar. Good luck with the build!

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Be sure to post pics when it's done. 

As for other bridges and hardtails, I'm certainly capable of installing a stoptail, I do however lack appropriate tooling.  A handheld electric drill motor ain't gonna cut it.  Thing is, I want it as an orderable option.

 

[Mor Paul]

Hi there,
If you still want a bridge plate get in touch with this chap - http://www.facebook.com/paulrhoneyguitars
I'm building a hardtail VI myself at the moment and was considering getting a hardtail plate from Paul, but decided I prefer the look of a stop bar. Good luck with the build!

Paul is a friend of mine on facebook, he seems to make good stuff. He also works with Roadhouse quite a bit, so Ken can probably attest for the quality. He's well known over at offsetguitars.com, and has offered to help me out some for custom parts.

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

I often wonder if the lack of custom stuff for the Bass VI is intentional.  Gibson didn't seem to care ESP made Explorers until ESP began hurting their sales.  I don't know the actual Fender numbers, or if it's even currently in production, but I could imagine if your biggest competition ever came from a company that you licensed to make parts, that could be a problem.  I'm probably over thinking it, but why is this the only bridge option from a company that specializes in custom parts?