NB6D: IYV IS6-200

[BatUtilityBelt]

Last week, I saw an IVY IS6-200 on Amazon for CHEAP. I thought it was a bari and passed it by, saying "maybe if it was a Bass VI". The listing didn't say. No scale length or string gauges. Instead of specs, it said:

"In yen guitars have strong fingerboard without bedding ,good tapering, good shape and good sounds because they are made by conk machine with 3D computer programming."

LOL, ok. But a day went by, and I googled and learned the scale length is 30 inches, so it's meant to tune E to e like a Bass VI. I went back to Amazon. There were 2 reviews, one good and one bad. The bad one complained about the string ferrules moving and exposing some unfinished wood. I figured if that's the only issue, I'll try out my first IYV for $158 and see how I like a Bass VI without the vibrato.

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It arrived last night, and I let it warm up, then took a look. It was double boxed. For the money it looks way better than it should. I tuned it up and tried it out - color me impressed. I have no idea how they hit that price point (and with free Prime shipping) without compromising much at all. The build looks great to me. Bound fretboard and block inlays? Awesome. Instead of the Bass VI 4 switch layout, it has a Strat style 5 position switch that works exactly like on most Strats. I have an Eastwood baritone, but this sounds a bit fuller to my ears. I think the Eastwood's scale is 27", so the extra length does something. This one is string-through, so maybe that helps too. Of course it doesn't sound as full as my L2000 bass, but it has an upper register (2 more strings).There's nothing to translate because it's guitar tuning, just down an octave. I just need to remember most chords are not going to sound good this low, so keep some composure. Still it plays like a guitar, not a bass. I really like it. And now I won't feel queasy about trying another IYV if another model I'm interested comes out in lefty, and yes there is one on my radar but it hasn't been made as lefty yet. As for the IS6-200, the bad news is the awkward name. The one I got turned out to be a steal, and can give me more color than just guitar or bass. Nothing to adjust out of the box, and I already like it more than the Sidejack.

I will probably open it up and shield its cavities, because the 1,3,5 switch positions are a little single-coil noisy. It's not bad, just could be improved. I love that it has 5 tonally distinct options. It does that Twin Peaks thing and that Peter Gunn thing. Mad respect for Inyen Vina. I think this is my first Vietnamese instrument, and I immediately approve. They might be reaching for the big league.

Edit: I had to correct myself, said the nut was plastic, but I think it's bone.

[sabasgr68]

That guitar is like a mirrored image of yourself! That's your style.

Congrats on a good grab. Block inlays made me fell in love inmediately!

I didn't understand a word about its sound being that different, and that it plays like a guitar and not a bass (? ) LOL...

Anyway, Enjoy it!

PS: Yes, that name could use a little work...

[BatUtilityBelt]

I didn't understand a word about its sound being that different, and that it plays like a guitar and not a bass (? ) LOL...

Thanks! I guess I could explain that much better than I did. I see 3 areas where it matters.

The string spacing is guitar-like, not spread out like a bass. A bass makes it easier to play pop and slap styles, where a guitar is easier to play with a pick.

The strings on this guitar are lower than on my bass. That is good for familiar feeling for a guitar player. I actually raised the lower string side of the bridge to be able to "dig in" more before those low strings rattle against frets. Bass strings just vibrate in a wider pattern than on a guitar, because they carry more mass.

The last part is just a feel thing. When I'm playing bass, my fretting hand is extended out there because a 34" scale neck makes it a bigger reach. The new IYV guitar is 30" scale, and that sounds like it should feel like playing bass, but it doesn't. This one feels more like normal guitar to me than my Sidejack's 27" scale neck. I'm not sure why yet, I'll have to compare them side by side.

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[Tiga]

Very cool guitar - congratulations! I've had two IYV's - the first being a Mosrite copy that I was very impressed with. I eventually moved it on because I needed room and had some other projects but I easily could have kept that one. I also got a DC Junior that wasn't bad but had a few issues that drove me crazy so I returned it LOL. In reality I could have worked around the issues but I wasn't feeling patient at the time. Either way I think the IYV guitars really present some great value and there are some real keepers in their product line.

[sabasgr68]

I didn't understand a word about its sound being that different, and that it plays like a guitar and not a bass (? ) LOL...

Thanks! I guess I could explain that much better than I did. I see 3 areas where it matters.

The string spacing is guitar-like, not spread out like a bass. A bass makes it easier to play pop and slap styles, where a guitar is easier to play with a pick.

The strings on this guitar are lower than on my bass. That is good for familiar feeling for a guitar player. I actually raised the lower string side of the bridge to be able to "dig in" more before those low strings rattle against frets. Bass strings just vibrate in a wider pattern than on a guitar, because they carry more mass.

The last part is just a feel thing. When I'm playing bass, my fretting hand is extended out there because a 34" scale neck makes it a bigger reach. The new IYV guitar is 30" scale, and that sounds like it should feel like playing bass, but it doesn't. This one feels more like normal guitar to me than my Sidejack's 27" scale neck. I'm not sure why yet, I'll have to compare them side by side.
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Ok, now I get it. It has to do with the neck scale. And no, it wasn´t you that didn´t explain correctly, it was me not understanding the relation between neck scale and sound.

Now it makes sense.

Thanks!

[tobijohn]

I quit looking at that brand quite a while ago because up to that point, I had never seen a left-handed one.

[peskypesky1]

I quit looking at that brand quite a while ago because up to that point, I had never seen a left-handed one.

Time to go CRAZY!!
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=IYV+Left&i=m ... _sb_noss_2

[peskypesky1]

I quit looking at that brand quite a while ago because up to that point, I had never seen a left-handed one.

e.g.

Screenshot 2025-02-20 at 4.34.42 PM.png

[BatUtilityBelt]

I quit looking at that brand quite a while ago because up to that point, I had never seen a left-handed one.

Yup. I hadn't been looking either, but one popped up, then two, then...

[tobijohn]

I quit looking at that brand quite a while ago because up to that point, I had never seen a left-handed one.

e.g.
Screenshot 2025-02-20 at 4.34.42 PM.png

Oh, my aching back....

[peskypesky1]

Oh, my aching back....

[tobijohn]

Oh, my aching back....

What, no headstock? Fagetabadit...

[peskypesky1]

What, no headstock? Fagetabadit...

Screenshot 2025-02-20 at 6.50.33 PM.png

[tobijohn]

What, no headstock? Fagetabadit...

Screenshot 2025-02-20 at 6.50.33 PM.png

Now that's interesting but I already have a half dozen juniors. How about a CSB ES-339 (or any ES-339 for that matter)?

[Tiga]

That IYV Junior was one of the lightest guitars I've ever held. Needed a little more weight to offset the neck dive.

[BatUtilityBelt]

That IYV Junior was one of the lightest guitars I've ever held. Needed a little more weight to offset the neck dive.

I can see that. This IYV version of a Bass VI weighs in at barely 8 lbs. The body is big, but the wood is light.

[BatUtilityBelt]

Already wondering if I should get a 2nd one to mod... A trem and a couple more tonal options, maybe.

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[BatUtilityBelt]

My joy over the IS6-200 combined with rumors of IYV custom orders, so I found them and reached out to ask about custom lefty Jaguars. They said they could do it, except no lefty trem. I told them they could make it with a righty trem and I'd swap them out because I know I can get lefty Jaguar trems. Then they responded that they'd make it with no trem and I'd have to add it. Yikes. Maybe communications is an issue, or maybe they just can't go that far lefty with confidence, I don't know.

Maybe it wasn't meant to be, but maybe I left a bee in their bonnet (never said that before), saying their IJG-200 was pretty close if they make that lefty. For reference, here is one, and I'd call it a Jaguar if it's 24" scale:

[Tiga]

I saw this but haven't had a chance to look at closely - is it 24" scale?

[BatUtilityBelt]

I saw this but haven't had a chance to look at closely - is it 24" scale?

I wish I could find out. I've tried, and they just don't say.

Edit: The only reason I think it might be Jaguar instead of Jazzmaster is the model name "IJG-200" instead of "IJM-200".

[Tiga]

My guess is no - but I'm hoping. I believe we need more 24" scale guitars.....