Two Jazz Basses and a Fender VI. Leo Fender's basses join the Beatles' gear starting with the White Album.
In 1968, at the height of the White Album sessions, Fender finally managed to break into the Beatles' world. Thanks to an initiative by executive Don Randall, the American brand provided the band with a special selection of instruments including three basses: two 1966 Jazz Basses (one of them left-handed, for Paul McCartney) and a less conventional 1967 Fender VI. All finished in sunburst, these instruments would also appear in later recordings, including Abbey Road and Let It Be.
The Fender VI (now known as the Bass VI) is a sort of six-string bass or baritone guitar, tuned an octave below a standard guitar. It was played by George Harrison and John Lennon on songs where Paul was on piano. With its deep and defined tone, it stands out easily, and can be seen in George and John’s hands in the promo videos for Hey Jude and Let It Be.
The Jazz Bass, more conventional but equally effective, was instead chosen for a more traditional bass sound, especially by Paul and George, and found its place in increasingly refined mixes such as the Abbey Road Long Medley.
These may be less iconic instruments than the famous Höfner or the Rickenbacker 4001, but they played a key role in some of the Beatles' most complex and sophisticated studio productions.
Fender basses also feature in our photos. To see them in action, take a look at our videos of Back in the USSR and Helter Skelter (featuring a Fender VI), and While My Guitar Gently Weeps (featuring a Jazz Bass).
