Fender Bass V

The original Fender Bass V was a model of electric bass guitar model produced by Fender between 1965 and 1971. It was the world's first five-string bass guitar, a popular concept today.

The Bass V is unusual in its dimensions: although it is three inches longer than a Precision Bass, the Bass V has only 15 frets. Although most modern five-string basses feature a low B string, the Bass V featured a high C string, to allow reading bass players to reach high notes on the instrument more easily. The top note on the instrument is E-flat, the same as a standard 20-fret 4 string Jazz or Precision Bass.

The Bass V originally came with chrome bridge and pickup covers.

Players did not accept the Fender Bass V, partly due to its size and shape. Players also had problems with the small amount of space between strings. Only about 200 Fender Bass V models were produced, before being discontinued in 1971. Surplus bodies were then used in the construction of the Fender Swinger.

In 2016, Squier released the Gary Jarman Signature Bass, the body shape of which was influenced by the Bass V.

Players
Players reported to have owned a Fender Bass V include:
 * James Jamerson
 * John Paul Jones of Led Zeppelin
 * Fred Turner of Bachman-Turner Overdrive

Literature

 * Peter Bertges. The Fender Reference. Bomots, Saarbrücken. 2007. ISBN 978-3-939316-38-1.