FENDER® UNVEILS THE FLEA JAZZ BASS® GUITAR FOR THE FENDER SIGNATURE SERIES
HOLLYWOOD, Calif. (July 11, 2016)—Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is proud to announce its collaboration with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductees Red Hot Chili Peppers’ innovator and bassist Flea for the launch of the Flea Jazz Bass, as part of the esteemed Fender Signature Series. Fender and Flea have crafted a precise recreation of his classic Shell Pink ’61 Jazz Bass, focusing on every last detail of his most beloved instrument.
“The ’61 Fender Jazz Bass is magic. It's truly the greatest bass I’ve ever played,” says Flea. “Fender embodies everything I love about music and individuality. It reflects the soul of rock, punk, R&B and funk. It's this bass that pushes me to give more each time I play. The Flea Jazz Bass is a true resurrection and possesses that wave of energy a bass should give you when it’s in your hands.”
Flea’s funk- and jazz-influenced bass lines helped propel the Red Hot Chili Peppers to the top of the rock and alternative charts while redefining the role of the bass in the modern era. To celebrate his enduring influence, Fender recreated his cherished Shell Pink ’61 Jazz Bass that he received from a fan and used with super group Atoms For Peace, to record the Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium and their latest album The Getaway, which was released last month and debuted at Number 1 around the world.
“Flea is a hugely influential and innovative musician and icon of the modern bass,” adds Justin Norvell Vice President, Category, Electric Guitars and Basses. “We are honored to have such an incredible talent as part of the Fender Signature Series, and to capture and share his unique vision through this incredible bass.”
Handcrafted in Ensenada, MX, the Flea Jazz Bass possesses an offset alder body and eye-catching Road Worn® faded shell pink nitrocellulose lacquer finish, perfectly replicating his personal instrument as it exists today—complete with playing wear. This signature bass plays fast and easy with a 20-fret “C”-shaped maple neck, 7.25” radius rosewood fingerboard, and 1.5” wide nut. Dual Pure Vintage ’64 Jazz Bass single-coil pickups provide classic tone with clear articulation, clear low end definition, up-front midrange punch and singing high end. The model is completed by a special 4-bolt neck plate with engraved artwork by Flea.
Fender Signature Series is geared toward product progression and storytelling, creating instruments designed to the unique specifications of the world’s most iconic artists.
To view the new mini documentary video, "Fender Signature Presents: Flea," please click here.
For more information and to find a Fender Premium Showcase Dealer, visit www.fender.com.
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MEDIA CONTACTS:
Fender:
Christina Stejskal
Head of Communications
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
Email: CStejskal@fender.com
Red Hot Chili Peppers:
Brian Bumbery
BB Gun Press
Email: brian@bbgunpress.com
About Fender Musical Instruments Corporation:
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) is one of the world’s leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors, whose portfolio of brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® fretted instruments, Jackson®, EVH® and Charvel® among others. For more information, visit www.fender.com.
About Red Hot Chili Peppers:
One of the most successful acts in rock history, Red Hot Chili Peppers, which is singer Anthony Kiedis, bassist Flea, drummer Chad Smith, and guitarist Josh Klinghoffer, have sold more than 60 million albums, including five multi-platinum LPs, and won six Grammy Awards, including "Best Rock Album" for Stadium Arcadium, "Best Rock Performance By a Duo or Group" for "Dani California," "Best Rock Song" for "Scar Tissue," and "Best Hard Rock Performance With Vocal" for "Give It Away." The band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2012. The Red Hot Chili Peppers' latest studio album, The Getaway, was released on June 17th on Warner Bros. Records and debuted at Number One around the world.
