Fender Bass V

[henry norton]

Does anyone here own or ever owned one of these peculiarities? [url="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FENDER_BASS_V_view.JPG"]http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:FENDER_BASS_V_view.JPG[/url]

Or knows someone who does for that matter?

[bigsmokebass]

No but but it'd be the only fender I owned with my 51.

Would like to see them reissue one but no doubt sell really fast.

BSB

[foal30]

apparently James Jamerson had one

[wateroftyne]

I reckon the fact they didn't take off is quite telling..

[henry norton]

Yes I know there aren't many out there, but there must be one or two in the hands of Basschatters?

[Lfalex v1.1]

If I one turned up, I'd have it.
(We are talking about the 5 string, 15 fret one, tuned EADGC, aren't we?)

I have a feeling that the bassline to "A Horse with no name" by America was played on one, as it's difficult to articulate correctly on a 4.

[franzbassist]

I've always had a fascination for these, but they are big beasts (3" longer than a P bass) and I am not sure just how off putting the 15 fret neck would be. I certainly wouldn't want to put up any readies to buy one without trying it first, in case it turned out to be a horrible player.

That said, they [i]are[/i] out there, in fact there are two on eBay right now, but I suspect the rarity factor keeps the price up rather than their playability.

Watch 0:45-1:40 of this...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=agtztX9rlJU

Edited July 4, 2012 by walbassist

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='foal30' timestamp='1341386925' post='1717943']
apparently James Jamerson had one
[/quote]
... apparently he hated it and threw it across the studio saying 'Never let me play that thing again'.

[ikay]

The third post down on this topic from the Fender forum gives some interesting background to the Bass V. Only 200 ever produced apparently.
- http://www.fender.com/community/forums/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=42284

Gareth, I coudn't find any on ebay but would be interested to take a look, can you post links?

[franzbassist]

[quote name='ikay' timestamp='1341414290' post='1718611']
Gareth, I coudn't find any on ebay but would be interested to take a look, can you post links?
[/quote]

Nice sunburst 1967 [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1967-Fender-V-Bass-Sunburst-Rare-and-100-original-5-strings-HSC-/310410099956?pt=Bassi&hash=item4845e23cf4"]here[/url], and the same seller has a 1966 refin for sale which hasn't sold in ages but is currently unlisted.

Also another one in the Netherlands [url="http://www.tfoa.eu/the_store/index.php?target=products&product_id=35672"]here[/url]. They have it listed on their eBay account as well, but I can't find the link just now....

[ikay]

Ah, the even rarer 'Fender V Bass' rather than Bass V, cheers!

[Lfalex v1.1]

Now I don't [i]normally[/i] get all excited about basses. Sure, I [i]like[/i] them, but I've seen/owned/played so many....

.... However, that Dutch Black/Maple one is not only unusual, but looks "of a piece". I definitely like the lollipop tuners.

[henry norton]

Yeah, not good looking but unique. I like it because it's a bit weird but was designed for a purpose at the time. Looking at the used prices though it's unsurprisingly been tarred with the 'vintage Fender' brush.

I wonder how a low B would sit with it.

[franzbassist]

[quote name='henry norton' timestamp='1341428770' post='1718944']
I wonder how a low B would sit with it.
[/quote]

from the reports I've heard, just fine

[mckendrick]

[quote name='foal30' timestamp='1341386925' post='1717943']
apparently James Jamerson had one
[/quote]
....and Jack Bruce and John Paul Jones.

Jack had a VI aswell.

.

Edited July 4, 2012 by mckendrick

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='mckendrick' timestamp='1341443331' post='1719329']
....and Jack Bruce and John Paul Jones.

Jack had a VI aswell.

.
[/quote]

[franzbassist]

[quote name='walbassist' timestamp='1341413498' post='1718591']
I certainly wouldn't want to put up any readies to buy one without trying it first, in case it turned out to be a horrible player.
[/quote]

And now I have found one from my year of birth......

[graham1945]

Hi, I've posted this somewhere else on here. I've had one since 1972, purchased in Sound City, Shaftesbury Ave. It's been butchered quite a lot over the years, pickups, and paint finish, etc. Now it looks like the below pic, with the exception of new Bartolini P Bass pickup in the neck position. The original Fender one I always thought was very poor, probably bodged from Musicmaster or similar. I've even had John Birch multi pole steel guitar pickups on it (which sounded great). I love the bass and it'll be the last one I sell, so if Zad reads this, it's still not for sale I'm afraid!!! I've got it now tuned from the standard B upwards and it sounds fine. Lovely neck to play, with a bit of neck dive from the large head and heavy old tuners.
Cheers,
Graham
[IMG]http://i1268.photobucket.com/albums/jj578/graham1945/BassVresized_zps61981836.jpg[/IMG]

[franzbassist]

[quote name='graham1945' timestamp='1356630278' post='1911830']

[/quote]

Looks lovely. Is this the one that was refinised by Paul Herman at Wal?

[chris_b]

The only one I've seen on stage was played by "Boots" Slade with the Alan Price Set.

Not one of Fender's finest moments.

[Delberthot]

Always wanted one of those just cos they're a bit different. To me they almost look like the 5 string version of the Mustang given the size of the body/neck proportions

[GarethFlatlands]

[quote name='Lfalex v1.1' timestamp='1341413343' post='1718585']
I have a feeling that the bassline to "A Horse with no name" by America was played on one, as it's difficult to articulate correctly on a 4.
[/quote]

I've seen a clip on youtube and it looks like the bassist has a P but it was a live clip so may not be what was on the record.

[bob's your uncle]

I've had three. Still own one.
The Black one in Holland was mine, as was the 66 sunburst which was for sale in the same shop. Unfortunately I was scammed by the shop... the prices for which they sold were not my prices and I got only half of it.... The shopowner even had the guts to tell me he did me a favor! He made a 100% profit AND had a trade-in.. DO NOT DO BUSINESS WITH THIS SHOP!
I still have a 66 sunburst which is all orgininal (including the covers) Non original but perfect fitting case (G&G, slightly longer than a regular case).
Really good condition. you can PM me if you're interested.

[graham1945]

Sorry, only just got back to this. Walbassist, no, the refinish was done by someone in Shaftesbury, not a great job unfortunately. Mind you it started life as metallic blue and has since been every other since then. And Bob, above, I only have the bridge chrome cover with the large "F". Always had a problem finding a case to fit due to the length of the body, including the protruding neck joint. Am using a fairly basic teardrop case which fits it perfectly. By the way, mine isn't for sale.
Cheers
Graham

[WishIcouldplay]

Yes I have one...Candy Red matching headstock.