Fender Japan Bass VI Sunburst 1996
Fender Japan Bass VI, sunburst, made in Japan 1996. The Bass VI debuted in 1961, sharing some DNA with the Jaguar that launched the following year. It's a 30" scale, similar to a Mustang Bass, but with more strings: it's tuned like a guitar, but down an octave. They found favour with The Beatles, The Who, The Shadows and Cream among others, although the model didn't sell as well as the Precision Bass and so dropped out of the catalog in 1975. Fender Japan added a version to their Limited Edition catalog section from 1992-6, so those were the only takes on the model available for a couple of decades there. This one has the 50th Anniversary badge that all Fender Jaoan 1996 models gotIt's a very good take: the woodwork from the Fujigen factory is exemplary and all the little details are executed with care. The pickups are straight out of the JG66 model Jaguar, and they're great: clear and bright with a piano-like plonk and rounded low end. You get an on/off switch for each pickup as well as a bass-cut switch, so there's lots of tonal options on the palette to paint with. The bridge is sturdy and it generally holds tune pretty nicely. This absolutely several cuts above the reasonably common Squier models; it's a different beast. Includes the case and trem arm.
Model: Fender Bass VI
Made: Japan, 1996, Fuijgen Gakki factory
Serial: V006053
Finish: sunburst, gloss polyurethane
Body: alder
Neck: maple, rosewood fretboard, 30" scale, 7.25" radius, 40mm nut, vintage C shape
Weight: 4.050kg
Mods: none
Pickups: Fender Japan JG-Single x3
Accessories: original Fender Japan hard case, trem arm, docs
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has minor scuffs on the back. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, minor scuffs on the back only. The back has minor scuffs in the elbow area, back edge and bottom horn and some dimples near the jack. The sides have dimples on the bottom horn and near the jack. The front has dimples near the jack, minor pitting on the chrome and some play wear on the guard and horns.
Overall: excellent condition (9/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing Bass VI strings.
Fret Life: 9/10, minor wear only