
These guitars have garnered quite a bit of attention in the last few years! In 2014, Fender released the Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster. Squier Vintage Modified Baritone Jazzmaster 2014-2019 They retain the 30" scale length, and 3 Jaguar style single coil pickups. These were modeled after the original vintage Fender Bass VI's, while still having some modern touches. Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI 2014-2018Īround the time the Pawn Shop Bass VI's started to disappear from the new market, Fender released the Squier Vintage Modified Bass VI. They feature the same 30" scale length used across all Bass VI instruments. These featured a Jazzmaster bridge pickup as well as two Jaguar style single coils.
Fender subsonic stratocaster series#
Oddly enough, these were not very popular while in production, but have now become one of the most sought after Mexico made Fender guitars.įender Pawn Shop Series Bass VI 2013-2014Īnother quite rare one Fender produced in Mexico was their Pawn Shop Series Bass VI. One of the most recognizable Fender Baritones, the Blacktop Baritone Telecaster was first produced in 2011, and discontinued in 2013.

These sometimes referred to as Fender Baritone Specials, as well as Bottom Masters, these are the same instruments, with very minor differences in text on the headstock.įender Blacktop Baritone Telecaster 2011-2013

These feature a 27" scale with two humbucker pickups, and a fixed bridge. In 2004 Fender Japan made another baritone that would be suitable for heavy music right out of the box. These have two single coil jaguar style pickups.įender Bottom Master / Baritone Special 2004-2007 One of my personal favorites, in 2004 Fender Japan released a Jaguar Custom, if the Bass VI was a Jazzmaster, this was supposed to be the Jaguar equivalent, with a 28.5" scale, which could be strung like a Bass VI and have lower tension. These featured a 27" scale length, set neck construction, two humbucker pickups, and a string through hardtail bridge. In 2001 Squier made a very small run of Subsonic guitars. This might be the rarest one on the list. They featured a 27" scale length, HSS pickups, and a string-through hardtail bridge. They came in Hot Rod Red, Lake Placid Blue, and Black. The first proper Fender Baritone guitar would come in 2000 with their American Subsonic Stratocaster. These stayed fairly true to the original run, aside from using a poly finish rather than nitro, as well as more modern hardware.įender American Subsonic Stratocaster 2000 In 1995, Fender would make a small run of Bass VI's again, this time as part of their highly acclaimed Japan line. These proper vintage Fender's have now soared to become five-figure instruments, but you can still acquire a faithful recreation from Custom Shop. These feature a 30" scale and 3 Jaguar style single coil pickups. In 1961 Fender released the Bass VI, while some do not consider these baritones, they have now become a staple in heavy music and are frequently used as baritone guitars rather than 6 string basses.

I will not be including Custom Shop instruments in this list, only standard production model instruments. Over the years Fender has made some awesome baritones, and today I want to take a quick look at the different models they have released throughout the years. These are not your typical Masterbuilt guitars they are destined to become classics and contribute to the Fender Play Foundation's worthy cause."įor more information on the foundation visit fenderplayfoundation.For some, baritone guitars are just a cool novelty, but there is a growing community (myself included) who live by these fantastic instruments to tune low and push the limits of what they can do on a guitar. The Fender Play Foundation first fret inlay used on each designates it as part of this exclusive collection of 12 instruments, one from each Master Builder. “Each is designed from scratch," adds Thorn, "requiring custom tooling, hardware, and electronics. Music Masters, Duo-Sonics, short-scale Stratocasters, Mustangs are just a few of the models represented. "History has proven that many professionals have used the original 'Student' instruments to great success,"says Principle Master Builder Ron Thorn, "and as expected, for this project, each Master Builder has provided their artistic vision and creativity to craft versions that never existed and are true one-offs.
