Fender Bass VI

Lennon playing a Bass VI during the jam for "Dig It" at Savile Row in early 1969

The Fender Bass VI, originally called simply the Fender VI, was "in effect a six-string baritone guitar", with its strings tuned an octave below a standard guitar. With a body similar to a Fender Jaguar and neck—with a bound rosewood fingerboard—slightly longer than other electric guitars, it was designed more for guitarists than bassists. It had a Fender vibrato system and three pickups, with accompanying selector switches and volume and tone knobs.

The Beatles first acquired a Bass VI in July 1968 from Don Randall, sales chief for Fender, during a meeting with Paul McCartney, John Lennon, and Yoko Ono. Finished in sunburst, it was often used by Lennon or George Harrison on later recordings when McCartney was playing an instrument other than the bass guitar. During the "White Album" sessions, Lennon played it on "Rocky Raccoon", "Back in the U.S.S.R.", and "Helter Skelter", while Harrison used it for bass parts on "Birthday" and "Honey Pie". Harrison was also seen with the Bass VI in the promotional film for "Hey Jude". During the Let It Be sessions, Lennon played it as a bass on recordings of "Let It Be" and "The Long and Winding Road", and strumming full chords on it for "Dig It". Harrison also sometimes played it at this time, such as on early versions of "Maxwell's Silver Hammer".

Albums

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  Harrison playing a Bass VI at Twickenham during the Let It Be session in early 1969

  The Beatles (The White Album)
• Abbey Road
• Let It Be
• Past Masters
• Anthology 3
• Let It Be... Naked