If you’re wondering if Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is a good guitar or not, don’t worry – you’ve come to the right place! In today’s article, I’m going to take a very close look on that model to see if it’s worth it. Undoubtedly, this is a really popular and affordable model, but is it actually good?
The truth is that Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI offers a really good quality. Although it’s not perfect, it’s definitely one of the most interesting basses made by Squier. It sounds great and it’s not too expensive – isn’t it all that really matters?
Let’s dive deeper with research to find out what exactly makes the Squier VI Bass so good and popular. Firstly, we’ll start with the specs and a quick overview of the pros and cons of this guitar. Of course, there will also be a sound demo, so you’ll be able to hear how it sounds!
Hopefully, this in-depth review will help you to figure out whether this guitar is a good fit for you and your style of playing.
Specs & Pricing
*If you’re from Europe, you can check pricing on Thomann*
Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is a six-string bass guitar which is based on the legendary Fender Bass VI. The original Fender model was really popular back in the ’60s and the ’70s and it was used by some of the most famous musicians in the history of music.
This Squier model features an offset poplar body and a comfortable C-shaped maple neck with a fretboard made of Indian Laurel. On top of that, the manufacturer equipped this guitar with three Fender-Alnico single-coil pickups.
Just like all the other guitars from the Classic Vibe Series, this guitar looks and feels like a vintage guitar. The gloss finish on that model looks absolutely fantastic, so the vast majority of guitarists will appreciate the design of that bass guitar.
What’s interesting, the Squier Bass VI is tuned to E-E. For those who don’t know, this is one octave lower than standard tuning. This means that this guitar is somewhere between the regular bass and electric guitars, which leaves a lot of room for experimenting with guitar tones!
When it comes to pricing, it’s not cheap, but at the same time it’s quite affordable. Saving up for that guitar shouldn’t be a big problem and considering the fact that Fender Bass VI guitars are no longer manufactured, this seems like a really great option for all bass guitarists out there.
Overall, Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is a really unique guitar. It will be tough to find a similar guitar – and that’s what makes it so special!
Here’s the sound demo – feel free to check it out.
Who Is It For?
Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is a great guitar for both amateur and more intermediate guitar players. Still, it’s mainly used by people who are already familiar with either bass or electric guitars.
Since it’s a really versatile bass guitar, it can be used in a wide range of different genres of music. Whether you’re into country, blues, rock or indie – the Bass VI by Squier is a perfect fit for you.
If you’re an absolute beginner who wants to start their musical journey with a bass guitar, it may not be the best choice for you. In my opinion, it will be better to start with either an electric guitar or a 4-string bass guitar.
But overall, Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI should meet all the needs and expectations of a lot of guitarists out there. That’s why I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all musicians who want to try something new!
Here’s an another sound demo.
Who used the Bass VI?
As I mentioned before, the original Fender Bass VI was used by a lot of famous musicians throughout the ’60s and the ’70s. That includes:
- Peter Green
- Jack Bruce (Cream)
- Eric Clapton
- Robert Smith (The Cure)
- George Harrison (The Beatles)
- and many, many more!
These names prove that the VI bass is a really interesting instrument that can be used for a lot of different styles of music.
Fender no longer manufactures the high-end versions of these guitars, but who knows – perhaps they will release a new VI bass someday in the future! Right now getting the Squier Classic Vibe VI Bass is the only option for those who want to try this six-string bass guitar.
Disadvantages Of Squier Classic Vibe VI Bass
Although Squier VI Bass is generally a great guitar, it is not perfect and it has its own flaws. These disadvantages are not too serious and they’re totally understandable – in the end, this is not a high-end guitar.
Here’s what you need to know about the disadvantages of this guitar.
Firstly, just like all the guitars from Classic Vibe Series, the guitar may require a bit of adjusting after the purchase. Usually, it’s all about the string action. Out of my experience, a lot of Squier guitars feature a poor stock setup. This can be easily fixed though – you can do it on your own or you can visit your local luthier.
Additionally, the stock strings in that bass are not the best either. Putting a set of fresh guitar strings will definitely improve the sound of that model. If you’re a beginner, you probably won’t have to do it – you won’t notice the difference.
Lastly, it may be difficult to find a good hard case or a gig bag for this particular model. It has a bit different size than the regular electric and bass guitars. Nevertheless, there’s still a few cases that may be good for that bass – feel free to check out my guide about the 10 Best Bass Hard Cases.
Summing up, the main disadvantages of Squier Bass VI are:
- poor setup (just like all other Squier guitars)
- the original strings aren’t the best
- finding the right case or gig bag may be challenging
Overall, Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is not perfect, but it definitely deserves a lot of attention. It kind of feels and sounds like a baritone guitar, but it’s not a baritone guitar. If you like experimenting with guitar tones, you should definitely consider adding it to your own collection!
Are There Any Alternatives?
If you don’t like the look or the sound of this six-string bass guitar, don’t worry! The market is full of great and affordable bass guitars. Still, it all depends on what kind of music you want to play and how much are you willing to spend.
Here’s a few alternative options that are definitely worth checking out too:
All of these three models offer a very high quality and they’re available at relatively low prices. I have no hesitation in recommending all of them to guitarists who are searching for inexpensive and great sounding bass guitars!
Alternatively, you can also check out these 8 Best Hollow & Semi-Hollow Body Bass Guitars. Guitars with hollow and semi-hollow bodies are not for everyone, but perhaps you’re into that kind of tone. If so, I highly encourage you to check out that article on my blog!
But overall, it’s really tough to compare the Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI with any other guitar. This is a really special model which has a few features that are not available in different basses. And that’s what makes it one of the most interesting bass guitars manufactured by Squier!
FAQ
Where is Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI made?
Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI is made in Indonesia – just like all the other Squier guitars from the Classic Vibe Series.
What strings does the Squier Bass VI have?
Squier Bass VI is equipped with Fender NPS .024-.084 strings.
Where can I find out more about Squier guitars?
If you want to find out more about Squier guitars, make sure to visit the official site of Fender.
What scale length does the Bass VI have?
Squier Classic Vibe Bass VI has 30″ scale length.
Summary
As you can see, Squier Classic Vibe VI Bass is one of the most interesting basses manufactured by this brand. Although it has its own flaws, it’s definitely worth checking out. Especially when you think about its price!
I have no hesitation in recommending this model to all bass guitarists who are searching for a unique and great sounding guitar.
What do you think about the VI bass? Would you add it to your own collection of bass guitars? Leave a comment down below and let me know what you think, I’m really interested to hear your thoughts!
Thanks for checking out today’s article, hopefully it was helpful. If you enjoyed this review, you may also like:
