Fender Custom Shop Unveils the Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI: A Piece of Beatles History

The Fender Custom Shop (FCS) has officially unveiled the highly anticipated Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI. Meticulously crafted by expert luthiers in Corona, California, this release offers musicians, collectors, and Beatles aficionados a rare opportunity to own a faithful recreation of one of rock history's most distinctive and influential instruments.

Famous for shaping the late-era sound of The Beatles, this iconic six-string bass brings George Harrison's fearless approach to musical innovation to a whole new generation of players.

A Studio Secret Weapon at Abbey Road

Acquired by George Harrison in 1967, his original sunburst Fender Bass VI quickly became an integral part of the sonic landscape at Abbey Road and Twickenham Studios. Occupying a unique space between a traditional bass and a standard electric guitar, the Bass VI gave Harrison an entirely new creative voice. Its distinctive tone allowed for melodic lines and deep textures that helped redefine what was possible in the recording studio.

While George was known as the "Quiet Beatle," his gear choices spoke volumes. Gifted to the band by Fender for promotional purposes, the original six-string bass was famously utilized by both Harrison and John Lennon whenever Paul McCartney stepped away from his Hofner to play guitar or piano.

The instrument's legendary tones can be heard cementing the groove on Beatles classics such as “Helter Skelter,” “Back in the U.S.S.R.,” “Honey Pie,” and is famously visible in the promotional video for “Hey Jude.”

Unrivaled Custom Shop Craftsmanship and Authentic Details

“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 the 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.”

To create this exacting replica, Fender Custom Shop luthiers left no stone unturned. The foundation is a 2-piece select alder body, finished in a stunning Relic Bleached 3-Color Sunburst nitrocellulose lacquer. This finish is lightly aged to perfectly mirror the exact wear and tear the original accumulated during the late 1960s.

One of the most charming and historically accurate touches is found on the chrome control plate. The Custom Shop has perfectly replicated the hand-etched arrows scratched into the metal by George and John—a makeshift reminder for the lads to keep their preferred studio setup: everything switched off except for the neck pickup.

Vintage Playability: The '60s Oval C Neck

As a post-CBS model, the George Harrison Bass VI features a stunning maple neck with a custom '60s Oval C profile, perfectly matched to the dimensions of Harrison's personal instrument. This offers a comfortable, slightly chunkier grip than a standard "C" shape, filling the hand beautifully.

Navigating the instrument's 30-inch scale is effortless thanks to an era-correct, bound 3A rosewood fingerboard. Equipped with 21 frets, a vintage 7.25-inch radius, and beaming pearloid block inlays, the neck seamlessly blends vintage aesthetics with incredibly smooth playability.

The Sonic Engine: Hand-Wound Jaguar Pickups

Because the Fender Jaguar and the Bass VI share a closely related lineage—including similar mute systems, plates, and tremolos—it is only fitting that this model is powered by a trio of Fender Custom Shop Hand-Wound flat-magnet Jaguar® single-coil pickups.

These pickups, complete with metal claws for hum reduction, offer an astonishing range of tones. The bridge pickup delivers a bright, percussive "spaghetti-western" twang, while the neck and middle positions provide the deep, warm thump required for traditional bass duties.

Players can further sculpt their tone using the four-switch control plate (featuring per-pickup on/off switches and a bass-cutting "Strangle" switch) and a flip-up string mute for an instant staccato thump. Finally, a classic offset floating bridge and tremolo unlock a world of wavy pitch-bending and vibrato possibilities.

Key Specifications: Fender Custom Shop 1967 George Harrison Bass VI

• Body Material: 2-Piece Select Alder
• Finish: Relic® Bleached 3-Color Sunburst (Lightly aged nitrocellulose lacquer)
• Neck Profile: Custom '60s Oval C (matched to Harrison's original)
• Fingerboard: Bound 3A Rosewood with vintage block inlays
• Radius & Scale: 7.25-inch radius, 30-inch scale length
• Nut Width: 1.5 inches
• Pickups: Three Custom Shop Hand-Wound Flat-Magnet Jaguar® Single-Coils
• Electronics: Chrome selector plate with 3 pickup switches, 1 bass-cutting "Strangle" switch, and era-correct etched markings
• Hardware: Flip-up string mute, offset-style floating tremolo unit, and vintage-style string-in tuning machines

Whether you are a devoted Beatles collector or a musician looking for the ultimate tool for sonic exploration, the Fender Custom Shop 1967 George Harrison Bass VI stands as a masterful tribute to an era-defining instrument.

For more information, pricing, and availability, visit the official Fender website.