Fender Custom Shop Recreates George Harrison’s Beatles-Era 1967 Bass VI
The Fender Custom Shop has unveiled a new limited-edition model for 2026 with the George Harrison 1967 Bass VI, which they call a meticulous recreation of the instrument that became one of his “most distinctive creative tools during one of the most influential periods of his career.” The Beatles guitarist played the Bass VI on “Birthday” and “Honey Pie,” and he was also seen with it in the promotional film for “Hey Jude.”
“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,” Fender writes. “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.”
Fender’s Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI features a two-piece alder body with a nitrocellulose lacquer finish and a maple neck with a custom profile matching the original. It replicates other details from the original, including the Relic Bleached 3-color sunburst finish, handwritten switch plate markings, and hand-wound Jaguar pickups. Each pickup has an individual on/off slide switch for quick tone adjustment.
The 30-inch scale sits between standard guitar and bass scale lengths, giving the strings lower tension for an “elastic feel that invites both bass lines and guitar-style phrasing,” Fender states. Other features include a “floating” tremolo tailpiece and Bass VI mute, a 4-ply brown shell pickguard, and vintage hardware.
Learn more about the instrument in this fascinating clip featuring Fender Custom Shop’s Justin Norvell and bassist Justing Meldal-Johnsen
The Fender Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI is available now with an MSRP of $9,500.
Fender Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI Photos:
Fender Limited Edition George Harrison 1967 Bass VI Specs:
| Scale: | 30″ |
| Body: | 20Piece Select Alder |
| Neck: | Maple |
| Neck Shape: | 1960 Oval C |
| Fingerboard: | 3A Rosewood |
| Fingerboard Radius: | 7.25″ |
| Frets: | 21 |
| Inlays: | White Pearloid Block |
| Pickups: | 3x Custom Shop Hand-Wound Flat Magnet Jaguar |
| Electronics: | 2-Position Slide Switch for Bass-Cut ″Strangle″ Circuit |
| Bridge: | 6-Saddle Vintage-Style Adjustable with Floating Tremolo Tailpiece with Bass VI Mute |
| Tuners: | Vintage Style with Fender Logo |
| Finish: | Nitrocellulose |
| Color: | Bleached 3-Color Sunburst |
| Other: | Custom Shop Hardshell Case, Strap, and Certificate of Authenticity |
| Orientation: | Right-Hand Only |
In his time with No Treble, Kevin has met hundreds of amazing bassists and interviewed icons like Jack Casady, Victor Wooten, Les Claypool, Marcus Miller, and more. He's a gigging bassist performing jazz in Northern Virginia and bluegrass with The Plate Scrapers up and down the East Coast. Kevin appreciates all genres of music, from R&B to metal and everything in between. Connect with Kevin on Facebook and check his performance schedule on his website.
