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Meticulously Crafted Recreation Celebrates the Instrument Behind Some of George Harrison’s Most Influential Recordings
Crafted in Corona, California, the model faithfully captures the look, feel and character of Harrison’s original Bass VI, bringing one of music’s most iconic instruments to a new generation of players and collectors.
Acquired by Harrison in 1967, his sunburst Bass VI became an integral part of the sound created at Abbey Road Studios, contributing melodic lines and rich textures across some of the most celebrated recordings in popular music. At a time when The Beatles were redefining what was possible in the studio, the Bass VI became another creative tool that helped expand the band’s evolving sound.
Occupying a unique space between guitar and bass, the Bass VI gave Harrison another creative voice in the studio. Its distinctive sound allowed him to achieve melody and depth in ways few instruments could, making it ideal for sonic exploration and helping shape the evolving sound of an era. Today, it remains one of Fender’s most versatile and inspiring designs.
Harrison’s creative influence extended far beyond The Beatles. As a songwriter, solo artist and collaborator – including his work on All Things Must Pass and with The Traveling Wilburys – he continually pushed creative boundaries and inspired generations of musicians through his fearless approach to musical innovation.
“George Harrison’s Bass VI holds a unique place in Fender history. It played a defining role in some of the most influential recordings ever made while showcasing the remarkable versatility of the Bass VI itself,” said Chase Paul, Director of Fender Custom Shop. “With this Limited Edition release, our Custom Shop team has faithfully recreated George’s original instrument with extraordinary attention to detail, honoring its legacy and giving players and collectors the opportunity to own an extraordinary piece of music history.”
The Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI faithfully recreates Harrison’s original instrument with remarkable authenticity. Every detail was chosen to faithfully recreate Harrison’s original instrument – from the Relic® Bleached 3-Color Sunburst finish and handwritten switch plate markings to the Custom Shop Hand-Wound Jaguar® pickups that capture the Bass VI’s distinctive voice. Together, these elements deliver the look, feel and sound that made the instrument such an important part of Harrison’s creative process.
Key features include:
- Bleached 3-Color Sunburst Relic® lacquer finish modeled after the original
- Custom neck profile matched to Harrison’s personal Bass VI
- Era-correct bound 3A rosewood fingerboard and block inlays
- Three period-correct Custom Shop Hand-Wound Jaguar® pickups
- Etched control plate markings replicated from Harrison’s own instrument
- Full technical specifications are listed below
LIMITED EDITION GEORGE HARRISON 1967 BASS VI
(MSRP: $9,500.00 USD, £8,599 GBP, €10,099 EUR, $14,999 AUD, ¥1,650,000 JPY)
Where to buy:
George Harrison’s sunburst Fender® Bass VI became an essential voice at Abbey Road Studios, providing the melodic counterpoints and textural layers that shaped some of the most admired arrangements in popular music. The Fender Custom Shop Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI is a painstaking recreation of that instrument, built to the same specifications by the luthiers in Corona, California, and finished with Relic® aging that channels decades of creative life. The two-piece select alder body delivers resonant warmth and balanced midrange, with a thin nitrocellulose lacquer finish.
The Relic® treatment in Bleached 3-Color Sunburst gives this bass the worn-in look and feel of an instrument that has seen years of regular studio and stage use. The neck is shaped to match the profile of Harrison’s Bass VI, featuring a bound 3A rosewood fingerboard and white pearloid block inlays. The 7.25” radius and 21 vintage frets provide the period-correct playing surface that rewards a lighter touch with expressive dynamics, making chord voicings and melodic runs feel effortless across the 30” scale length. This shorter scale produces inherently lower string tension, lending a supple, elastic feel that invites both bass lines and guitar-style phrasing. A bone nut ensures precise intonation and open-string sustain at the headstock end. Loaded with three period-correct Custom Shop Hand-Wound Jaguar® pickups, the Harrison Bass VI captures the full harmonic spectrum of the instrument’s unique register. These pickups deliver articulate highs that cut through a dense mix, a growling midrange with natural compression, and defined low end that anchors without muddiness. Individual on/off slide switches for each pickup let you sculpt your signal path on the fly, from a single pickup’s vocal clarity to the full trio’s orchestral depth. The switch plate replicates the etchings Harrison made on his original to note his preferred settings. Other premium features include a 6-saddle vintage-style adjustable bridge with “floating” tremolo tailpiece and Bass VI mute, 4-ply brown shell pickguard, vintage-style tuning machines with Fender® logo, American Vintage ’59-’64 string tree, nickel/chrome hardware, and Fender® Bass VI stainless steel strings (.025-.095), deluxe hardshell case, strap and certificate of authenticity.
Here is the comprehensive list of famous recordings and performances featuring the Fender Bass VI, grouped by musical style:
The Beatles Classics
- “Helter Skelter” – Played by John Lennon.
- “Back in the U.S.S.R.” – Played by John Lennon.
- “The Long and Winding Road” – Played by John Lennon.
- “Let It Be” – Played by John Lennon (featured prominently in the Get Back sessions).
- “Hey Jude” – Played by George Harrison during the promotional video recording.
Classic & Hard Rock
- Cream – “I Feel Free” and “Strange Brew” – Jack Bruce used a Bass VI extensively on their debut album, Fresh Cream.
- Aerosmith – “Back in the Saddle” – Joe Perry used it to play the heavy, chugging main riff.
- 10cc – “Dreadlock Holiday” – Used to anchor the song’s distinct reggae-pop bassline.
- Fleetwood Mac – “The Green Manalishi (With the Two Prong Crown)” – Utilized by Peter Green for heavy low-end layering.
Post-Punk & Alternative Rock
- The Cure – “Pictures of You”, “Lullaby”, and “High” – Robert Smith and Simon Gallup made the instrument a foundational element of the band’s signature lush, melodic sound.
- The Church – “Ripple” – Peter Koppes used it to create the track’s sweeping, atmospheric counter-melodies.
- Placebo – “Pure Morning” and “Slave to the Wage” – Stefan Olsdal frequently used it to bridge the gap between guitar and bass roles.
- The Dandy Warhols – “Godless” – Played by Zia McCabe to drive the song’s hypnotic, drone-like groove.
Early 1960s Instrumental Pop & Country
- Jet Harris – “Diamonds” and “Main Title Theme (From The Man With the Golden Arm)” – The former Shadows bassist used its low-end twang to score massive instrumental hits in the UK.
- Glen Campbell – “Wichita Lineman” – Though the original studio version was recorded on a Danelectro, Campbell famously used the Fender Bass VI to play the iconic tic-tac guitar solo during his live television performances.
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