That is an incredibly gorgeous and amazing sounding instrument. What a fantastic short documentary of Rob making the 5-string bass guitar. He’s definitely an Artisan!
Great video! Your friend is a master luthier/artist/visionary. I am in pursuit of this medium of musical expression now! But, I must say, you had me at Witchita Lineman… Jimmy Webb at his best to say the least, and that incredible Glen Campbell solo has driven me as a guitarist for many years! Thank you for this and all you do to inspire us. Namaste…
Great instrument, Tim. I have been using the Squier Bass VI since its introduction. I use it to double my guitar lines an octave down, double bass lines an octave up, play it as a tic-tac bass, playing regular bass lines, playing melodic lines, a la "Wichita Lineman" and "Galveston". It goes on every gig and almost always gets used. Paid for itself many times over. Yours is a nice upgrade to the Squier. Going to check it out.
I love that sound and Wichita Lineman! I've had a Dano single cut, a Jerry Jones Longhorn Bass6, a Schecter Hellcat VI and though I had to sell those, I hope to get the new longhorn Dano baritone. The Fender nut width seems so foolish to me. You've got thicker strings (all mine had 6 wound strings) and I still wonder why Fender doesn't go to at least 43mm!
Wow Tim! Awesome guitar your friend makes, well thought out and sounds great. Wichita Linesman is one of my all time favs as well, I listen to it when I'm on my GPz 900r. Merry Christmass and a happy New year mate from South Australia.
Great sounding instrument. But, what does the width of the neck have to do with the sound? The scale length and string gauge would have more to do with the sound than neck width.
I am watching this and thinking this is really a "bass guitar". You can play it like a bass, play it like guitar, and overall cover a huge range that most guitars just don't cover - without having the muddy sound that usually comes from bass players. Awesome.
The only guitar that you will ever need has just become a reality. All you need a long enough fingers to span the super wide neck. Played to perfection, you couln't ask for a better demo. Have a great Christmas Tim.
I’m super hesitant to ever consider correcting you, Tim… but on the original ‘68 recording Glen used Carol Kaye’s Danelectro 6… both Glen and Carol have confirmed that many times over the years. Glen did use the Fender VI for his live performances… most publications do say the recording was the Fender VI, but I think that’s because he was always seen using the VI when performing. Sorry… I feel like I just committed Guitar God Tim Pierce Sacrilege.
Oh please don't worry that's great information I just watched him play it live and assumed it was that... Honestly I appreciate the heads up now I can get it right moving forward
I've often wondered if such an instrument existed exactly like this one. It sounds beautiful, and in this case, was played equally as well. Great job Tim, and props to your friend. Happy Holidays my friend!!
Tim, Thanks for this Great Video & Guitar, I aways loved a Bass Player that plays Lead on it, there are only a Handful of people who do this, John Entwistle Was My Favorite One, Glen Campell was THE MAN,, on a Guitar,, He actually lived in Albuquerque when you were growing up, he used to come over to an old friend of mine;s house and play, Cousin Figel
I have a pair of Ibanez SRC6 30" 6 strings that I love, but with real active EMGs installed. I love them. One is E-E and the other is A-A. My next project is for the new year with a similar 'wide' Bass VI class instrument. For those who don't know SRC6/Bass VI have spacing and neck widths very close to a guitar, just a longer scale.
I love my Squier Bass VI. I use it all the time. Just last month in fact on a Glen Campbell inspired Christmas album. Intonation is an issue, but I just temper tune for where I'm playing on the fretboard for that particular track. I will check out your friends octave guitar as well. Thanks Tim.
There aren't many short-scale six-stringed basses out there, so it's nice to see someone doing it! The M5 and Short 30 also looks like really cool designs.
If the PipeDream is out of one's price range (I didn't get a sense what it will go for), will the Squire Bass 6 do most of what the Pipe Dream will do, playing/recording wise, do you think?
Yes. See my comment for what I have used it for. I will suggest a bridge upgrade for the Squier. Also, fingerstyle playing on the Squier is a challenge. I exclusively use a pick and roll the treble off a bit to reduce the pick noise.
Wow, I got chill bumps when Tim said how much he likes the song Witchata Lineman. The phrase "And I want you more than need you" levels me every time!!!
Hmm, you're right, this is an interesting baritone or bass. Difference is scale length, I guess? B to B is baritone, E to whatever is bass? My hobby is converting cheap electric guitars to a picolo like bass. When you simply use the guitar neck, they end up around G and up, or D and up when buy a 5 string set. And going for fretless, moving the bridge is an option. Well, this instrument is inspiring. Maybe a 6-string picolo, next project. I'll think about scale and strings. Tuning in quints and such weird idea's, it could scare off my guitar friends.
As someone who's both a bassist and a guitarist, I find this really intriguing. I like baritone guitars, but not enough to commit to owning one, as I'd only have a limited use for it. I've tried a couple Squier Bass VI's and besides the aforementioned limitations, I also found them to be seriously uncomfortable to play. Way too cramped. This, could be an answer to all of that. Thanks for showing it!
I’m lazy (cheap?) and just use the poly capo in my helix. Would I record with it? No, but it’s perfectly fine for live. Maybe I’m NOT lazy/cheap, just practical.
Never even heard of a baritone guitar before. Tim continues to share his guitar knowledge and lore to the delight and enlightenment of his myriad disciples
Really enjoyed this video, and particularly his mini "Making of". Was fascinated to hear he used a final UV coat, but didn't actually see him give a UV treatment. Would be interested in learning more about that, and why he only used it for a final coat.
