Your favorite Fender Bass VI songs?

[Matthew Fisher]

I've read that Jet Harris played a Fender Bass VI on his phenomenal version of Besame Mucho. The Huntington Cads were clearly inspired by his version and rightly so.

Harris was the bassist for The Shadows from 1958 to 1962. He played on their big hit from 1960, Apache, which is said to be the greatest instrumental song of all time. It is indeed good. Other notable Bass VI songs he released are the theme from The Man With The Golden Arm and Man From Nowhere. I'm sure there are more.

If you're not familiar with the Bass VI, the Wikipedia article is a good intro. I'm open to hearing about favorite songs played on similar instruments as well, such as the Danelectro 6-string bass that preceded the Bass VI.



The YouTube video for the Huntington Cads' version of Besame Mucho is NSFW. Even the video thumbnail is problematic, so I won't even link to it. However, you can hear the full audio version at 73:17 in Episode 8 of the SurfGuitar101 podcast. Scroll down on that page to find the embedded sound player.

Surfguitar101.com's Podcast: Episode 8; Surfguitar101 Convention 2009

So, what are your Bass VI or Danelectro 6-string bass favorites?

 

[Chains]

Speaking of Besame Mucho, The Beatles used a Fender VI on more than a few recordings.

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Speaking of Besame Mucho, The Beatles used a Fender VI on more than a few recordings.

Cool! I'm familiar with their version of Besame. It's one of many interesting versions of an incessantly recorded song.

For those who are curious, I just found a good page with info on the Beatles' use of the Bass VI: Fender Bass VI

 

[garp]

There's some debate as to whether the studio version of this tune was done with a Bass VI or a Danelectro Baritone, but as he clearly opted for a Bass VI for this TV show, I don't really care about the truth.

"You can't handle the truth!"
– Col. Nathan R. Jessup, A Few Good Men (1992)

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Wow, what a time capsule that song is. He really had a distinctive voice and style. Country today is pretty alien as compared to previous decades, or vice versa.

 

[Bob_Ross]

As I mentioned a few years ago when a similar question came up:

One of my favorite Terje Rypdal tunes, featuring Sveinung Hovensjø on Fender Bass VI:


Album cover even shows the Bass VI prominently, although I'm fairly certain Terje (pictured there) never played the Bass VI himself.

Edit: Crap! "Video not available"
Well, the tune is "Over Birkerot" from Terje Rypdal's album Odyssey.

 

[Matthew Fisher]

Found it on Spotify. I could tell from the first few notes that I was going to like it. Is that Bass VI starting at 1:48?

 

[Bob_Ross]

Is that Bass VI starting at 1:48?

I can't tell from that link, I don't have Spotify so I only get a 30-second snippet. But if it's thunderous and distorted, then yeah, that's probably Sveinung on the Bass VI!

 

[lizardking837]

I bought a Bass VI when the new Classic Vibes came out last year. If you get the chance definitely pick one up.

We had a thread going a little while ago that you can read through as well:
Explain the Fender Bass VI

 

[Bob_Ross]

btw, tied for my second-favorite Fender Bass VI tunes are this lovely duet by Fred Frith and Henry Kaiser...both playing duelling Bass VIs!



...and this tune from Material's Memory Serves album, with Bill Laswell on the Bass VI

 

[bassstrangler]

Just about the whole Disintegration album by The Cure.

 

[dalkowski]

There's some debate as to whether the studio version of this tune was done with a Bass VI or a Danelectro Baritone, but as he clearly opted for a Bass VI for this TV show, I don't really care about the truth.

Totally beat me to it -- first tune (and video) that came to mind! I adore that song.

(Also, those boots are diggable.)

If I'm not mistook you can drop the needle anywhere in the Cocteau Twins catalog and get a Bass VI hit.

 

[Isaac J]

Happiness Loves Company by the Chili Peppers - Flea plays piano & Josh Klinghoffer plays a bass VI for it.

 

[swink]

Remember Duane Eddy?

 

[Backdrop]

Doug McCombs solo version of "Another Routine Day Breaks" by Brokeback

 

[Ultradust]

I reckon many The Cure fans might mention "Pictures of You" or "Primary" among the numerous modulated Bass VI tones heard over the years, but the charming riff of this lesser-heard (Letter to Elise) B-side has haunted me for decades now. I remember buying "The Cure Play Out" VHS tape back in the mid 1990s and falling in love with the song all the more.

 

[Scarysharkface]

There's some debate as to whether the studio version of this tune was done with a Bass VI or a Danelectro Baritone, but as he clearly opted for a Bass VI for this TV show, I don't really care about the truth.

I love the way he turns the volume back down after the solo, so he can comp the chords for the camera.

John

 

[Spirit of Ox]

The whole album was done on a Bass VI. I love these chunk chords.

 

[Spirit of Ox]

 

[Copperhead]