Let’s face it – he’s not far from the truth.Ī slightly more recognisable foray from Fender into the worlds of bass and guitar, the Fender Bass VI was essentially an early baritone guitar tucked into the body shape of a Jaguar. In a 2012 interview with Dave Lewis, Jones later called the Fender Bass V ‘the ugliest bass guitar in the world’. Jones used his Fender Bass V while touring in 1973 for songs such as ‘Over the Hills and Far Away,’ ‘Heartbreaker,’ and ‘The Song Remains The Same’.
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Jones also has a custom made eight string variant of the Alembic Series II, with its distinctive low end growl being heard on the epic Presence cut ‘Achilles Last Stand.’Ī bit of an oddity manufactured by Fender between 19, the Bass V was an early five string bass, featuring a meagre 15 frets and the tuning of EADGC. Upon retiring his trusty Jazz Bass, Jones began endorsing Alembic basses, particularly using a four string Series II as his preferred live instrument in Led Zepp’s final years. He’s also been spotted playing a Fiesta Red finished model, as well as a Fender Telecaster Bass with the supergroup. Later on, JPJ would revive his love affair with the Jazz Bass for his work in the studio with Them Crooked Vultures, and would occasionally bring it out for live appearances. Jones used this bass on almost every Led Zeppelin track live and in the studio up until 1975, where he had to retire the instrument due to issues with the action and electronics. Bass Guitarsīought for $250 to keep up with his heavy load of work as a session musician, Jones’s sunburst Jazz Bass was his main axe for his work with Led Zeppelin. Revisit other Gear Rundowns from the archives here. Ranging from his trusty Jazz Bass to the Moog Taurus, we take a look at the equipment used by John Paul Jones throughout his career. Over his long career, Jones has been at the forefront of several new movements in music, with his arsenal of gear playing an important role in creating different musical textures. Widely regarded as one of the most influential bassists of all time for his work with Led Zeppelin, Jones is a masterful multi-instrumentalist and appears on dozens of artists’ records, with his work ranging from playing on Donovan’s ‘Sunshine Superman’ to writing the string arrangements for R.E.M’s Automatic For The People. Words by Will Brewster Few bassists are as legendary as John Paul Jones.