The VI was introduced by Fender in 1961. It followed the concept originally explored by Danelectro in the mid to late ‘50s of a six-string bass guitar tuned a full octave below a guitar and easier to play than a conventional bass guitar. Fender chose to model their VI after their line of offset guitars that included the Jazzmaster and Jazz Bass. The first versions of the VI from 1961-1962 had three unique for the VI pickups with an on/off slider switch for each and came fitted with the same vibrato system as the Jazzmaster.

In 1963, a year after the introduction of the Jaguar guitar, the VI was updated with Jaguar pickups and an added 4^th ‘strangle switch’ on the switching panel. The VI then underwent similar changes to other Fender instruments during the sixties: from 1964 the sunburst finish gained sharper lines (‘targetburst’), from ’65 the VI neck got bindings and block position markers by ’66 and the nitrocellulose lacquer switched to polyurethane in 1967. The VI concept never caught on as well as the 4 string Jazz Bass and Precision and production numbers remained pretty low. By 1975 demand had fallen to almost zero and Fender decided to drop the VI together with the by then also impopular Jaguar guitar.

This early L-series VI bass left the factory around mid 1963 and is in excellent condition for its age. The lacquer hasn’t faded much so the sunburst looks nice and vibrant with the red band still very visible. There’s almost no crazing to the lacquer on either the neck or body. On the rear of the body there’s some beltbuckle rash, a single long diagonal scratch and in two places there are slight traces of a curly cord that ate into the lacquer.

Playability and tone are excellent, mainly because of the very comfortable typical for 1963 neck shape that is full enough for some grip but never bulky or uneven. The lightweight alder body is very resonant but still offers plenty of low end, which makes for a responsive yet deep sounding instrument. The original frets are in great shape and will be usable for many years to come. Even the original top nut is still there and what the previous owner thinks to be the original factory strings are still in the case.

Two of the three pickups needed rewinding as their output had dropped to near zero, these were restored to original specs by a professional pickup winder. All other electronics are completely stock. The Low E tuner is defective and was replaced with an aged Gotoh repro tuner. Both the original tuner and the other 5 Gotoh tuners are included with the sale. Also, the headstock decal went missing sometime but was replaced with a very realistic reproduction.

The original vibrato bar is included with the sale, as is the original to this VI brown tolex / red interior case that was probably manufactured in 1961 or 1962. The case has some stains but is in great condition, even the springs in the latches are still working.

Specifications:

• Potentiometer dates: wk14/1961 (volume), wk 15/1963 (tone)
• Body date in trem cavity: 5/63
• Neck stamp: 6MAY63A
• Pickups: black fiber bobine Jaguar style pickups
• Tuners: single line Kluson
• Modifications: middle and bridge pickups were rewound, headstock logo is a reproduction, Low E tuner was replaced (original included)