Fender Bass VI Electric 6-String Bass Guitar (1965)
LOADING IMAGES
This item has been sold.
Item # 10160
Prices subject to change without notice.
Fender Bass VI Model Electric 6-String Bass Guitar (1965), made in Fullerton, California, serial # L68326, sunburst lacquer finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, original black tolex hard shell case.
The Fender VI (that is its original name, though it is universally called the "Bass VI today") was the company's big instrument unveiling at the July 1961 NAMM show. Sadly for Fender it never lived up to the sales department's expectations despite being a very well-engineered and useful instrument -- as 6-string basses go! This extremely striking looking and sounding example is something of a rarity; an early CBS-era Fender Bass VI with mostly Pre-CBS eras parts.
Although favored by some professionals in the 1960s, especially session players, the Bass VI never took off as a general sale item. It was only ordered by Fender dealers in very small numbers if at all, usually only if a customer requested one. As a result they often feature a wide spread of date markings, as more parts were produced at times than needed to fill orders and would end up stockpiled awaiting assembly.
This bass is a perfect example; the neck has a date stamp of May 1963, while the pots are stamped 304-6512 indicating fabrication in late March of 1965. The rosewood fingerboard is clay-dot inlaid; by the beginning of 1965 this was changed to pearloid dots on new production. We have seen a number of Bass VI's like this one assembled through 1964 and '65 with mid-1963 necks, which must have been overrun considerably at the time! This VI was likely sold and shipped in mid-1965; The L-series serial number is in a range typical of this period.
The body features a sunburst lacquer finish with a 3-layer tortoise celluloid pickguard, also a holdover feature in 1965. The pickups and electronics are similar to Jaguar practice, with a magnetic "claw" fitting underneath and simple and effective on/off switching for each. These replaced the original Strat-like pickups in 1963 and at the same time a fourth "strangle" switch that cuts lows was added to the wiring rig, allowing a more guitar-like tonality. The floating trem system is the same as the Jazzmaster/Jaguar unit; this bass has the second generation bridge with solid-barrel saddles instead of the earlier serrated style.
Despite being spotted in the mid/late '60's with artists as diverse as Glen Campbell, Jack Bruce, the Beatles (quite a bit, actually), Brian Auger's Trinity, Fleetwood Mac and the Soft Machine the Bass VI was regarded by most as a very expensive novelty. This lovely example is something of a rarity and a great sounding and playing Six-String Bass with an amazingly wide range of tones from its three pickups, and even a vibrato arm to play with, if you dare. This is just a supremely cool, and always one of our favorite instruments.
Overall length is 44 3/4 in. (113.7 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This lovely Bass VI is in fine condition overall; it shows just some very minor play wear but all parts are original and the instrument unmodified. The body finish shows just some very small dings, chips and dents overall; this is really a very clean bass.
The neck finish also quite clean with minor checking to the headstock face. There is some darkening to the gold Fender logo decal as is oddly common on '65s. The frets are original with very light wear. This bass is a lovely player; the bridge cover and flip-up mute are gone but everything else works as Leo intended.
This VI is currently set up as designed, with LaBella flatwound strings for the original E-E tuning. It can easily be adapted for baritone tuning with a lighter gauge set. It is just a super cool looking and sounding Fender, one will definitely stand out in any crowd! The also rare original black Tolex HSC is included, with a fabulous original hang tag-warranty card that was never mailed in. Excellent Condition.
The Fender VI (that is its original name, though it is universally called the "Bass VI today") was the company's big instrument unveiling at the July 1961 NAMM show. Sadly for Fender it never lived up to the sales department's expectations despite being a very well-engineered and useful instrument -- as 6-string basses go! This extremely striking looking and sounding example is something of a rarity; an early CBS-era Fender Bass VI with mostly Pre-CBS eras parts.
Although favored by some professionals in the 1960s, especially session players, the Bass VI never took off as a general sale item. It was only ordered by Fender dealers in very small numbers if at all, usually only if a customer requested one. As a result they often feature a wide spread of date markings, as more parts were produced at times than needed to fill orders and would end up stockpiled awaiting assembly.
This bass is a perfect example; the neck has a date stamp of May 1963, while the pots are stamped 304-6512 indicating fabrication in late March of 1965. The rosewood fingerboard is clay-dot inlaid; by the beginning of 1965 this was changed to pearloid dots on new production. We have seen a number of Bass VI's like this one assembled through 1964 and '65 with mid-1963 necks, which must have been overrun considerably at the time! This VI was likely sold and shipped in mid-1965; The L-series serial number is in a range typical of this period.
The body features a sunburst lacquer finish with a 3-layer tortoise celluloid pickguard, also a holdover feature in 1965. The pickups and electronics are similar to Jaguar practice, with a magnetic "claw" fitting underneath and simple and effective on/off switching for each. These replaced the original Strat-like pickups in 1963 and at the same time a fourth "strangle" switch that cuts lows was added to the wiring rig, allowing a more guitar-like tonality. The floating trem system is the same as the Jazzmaster/Jaguar unit; this bass has the second generation bridge with solid-barrel saddles instead of the earlier serrated style.
Despite being spotted in the mid/late '60's with artists as diverse as Glen Campbell, Jack Bruce, the Beatles (quite a bit, actually), Brian Auger's Trinity, Fleetwood Mac and the Soft Machine the Bass VI was regarded by most as a very expensive novelty. This lovely example is something of a rarity and a great sounding and playing Six-String Bass with an amazingly wide range of tones from its three pickups, and even a vibrato arm to play with, if you dare. This is just a supremely cool, and always one of our favorite instruments.
Overall length is 44 3/4 in. (113.7 cm.), 14 in. (35.6 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 30 in. (762 mm.). Width of nut is 1 1/2 in. (38 mm.).
This lovely Bass VI is in fine condition overall; it shows just some very minor play wear but all parts are original and the instrument unmodified. The body finish shows just some very small dings, chips and dents overall; this is really a very clean bass.
The neck finish also quite clean with minor checking to the headstock face. There is some darkening to the gold Fender logo decal as is oddly common on '65s. The frets are original with very light wear. This bass is a lovely player; the bridge cover and flip-up mute are gone but everything else works as Leo intended.
This VI is currently set up as designed, with LaBella flatwound strings for the original E-E tuning. It can easily be adapted for baritone tuning with a lighter gauge set. It is just a super cool looking and sounding Fender, one will definitely stand out in any crowd! The also rare original black Tolex HSC is included, with a fabulous original hang tag-warranty card that was never mailed in. Excellent Condition.