Fender Introduces Modern Player Series Bass Guitars

Fender has unveiled the Modern Player Series, including three new basses. The Modern Player versions of the company’s Telecaster, Jaguar and Jazz basses are entry-level instruments with modern features and “unconventional” takes on their predecessors.

Fender Modern Player Telecaster Bass

The new Telecaster Bass features an alder body, “C” shape maple neck and a maple fretboard. The vintage-styled bass, originally issued in 1968, departs from tradition with two humbucking pickups, as opposed to the previous single coil and single humbucker designs. Other features include knurled “chrome-dome” control knobs, open-gear tuners, nickel/chrome hardware, and the option of Sunburst or Butterscotch Blonde finishes.

Fender Modern Player Telecaster Bass Specs:

  • Alder body
  • Gloss Polyester finish
  • “C” Shape maple neck
  • Gloss Polyester neck finish
  • Maple fretboard
  • Synthetic Bone string nut
  • Pickups: Modern Player Wide Range Precision Bass Pickup (Middle)
  • Modern Player Wide Range Precision Bass Pickup (Neck)
  • Controls: Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Master Tone
  • Nickel/Chrome hardware
  • Open Gear Tuning Machines
  • Vintage Style 4-Saddle Bridge with Brass Saddles
  • Knurled Chrome Dome knobs

Fender Modern Player Jaguar Bass

The Modern Player Jaguar bass pares down the electronics by removing the switches while keeping the P/J pickup configuration. This version’s body is made of Koto wood, with a maple neck and fingerboard with block inlays.

Fender Modern Player Jaguar Bass Specs:

  • Koto body
  • Maple neck
  • Maple fingerboard
  • Block inlays
  • 20 jumbo frets
  • Modern Player Jazz/P-Bass pickups
  • Three Jazz Bass control knobs
  • Vintage-style four-saddle bridge with brass saddles
  • Open-gear tuners
  • Nickel/chrome hardware
  • Modern C-shaped maple neck

Fender Modern Player Jazz Bass

Finally, Fender presents a revamped Jazz bass, which replaces the typical J-style pickups with Modern Player humbuckers. The bass features an alder body, maple neck and rosewood fingerboard. It’s available in three finishes- Three-color sunburst, Olympic White and Black Transparent.

Fender Modern Player Jazz Bass Specs:

  • Jazz Bass body shape
  • Alder body
  • Gloss Polyester body finish
  • Maple, “C” Shape neck
  • Gloss Polyester neck finish
  • Rosewood fretboard
  • Synthetic Bone string nut
  • Pickups: Modern Player Humbucking Jazz Bass Pickup (Bridge)
  • Modern Player Humbucking Jazz Bass Pickup (Middle)
  • Controls: Neck Volume, Bridge Volume, Master Tone
  • Nickel/Chrome Hardware:
  • Open Gear Tuning Machines
  • Vintage Style 4-Saddle Bridge with Brass Saddles
  • Jazz Bass Knobs

The Modern Player Series basses are expected to ship mid-October. The Telecaster will have a street price of around $599, the Jaguar will be $399, and the Jazz will cost about $499. For more info, visit the Fender website.

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Share your thoughts

  1. James C. Killinger

    I’d like to see a 5 string Tele bass…

  2. Mike Harris

    a jazz bass without jazz pickups == = what?

  3. Kevin Marshall

    I bet that jag bites like crazy.. Too bad they don’t make a five string…u.

  4. Pete Friedlander

    I like the black tranparent finish, but again come on Fender Matching Head Stocks? can ya make something new with that?

  5. Really keen to get hold of one of these if I can afford it… difficult to choose but think I’d opt for the Jazz – looks beautiful and (theoretically) should sound like a monster.

  6. Drooling over that Jazz… Though it’d be sick if they had a coil-tap as well.