1967 Fender Coronado Bass I Sunburst (SOLD)

Designed by Roger Rossmeisl, the Fender Coronado Bass I was part of an effort to address the market for hollowbody instruments created in part by bands like The Beatles. Other instruments in the line included Coronado guitars in six and twelve string versions, and the Telecaster Thinline. Roger Rossmeisl was also responsible for many innovations at Rickenbacker, including the 330 and 360 hollowbodies.

The Fender Coronado Bass I was introduced in 1966 and discontinued in 1972. As a fully hollow instrument (it has only a bridge block) it was not appropriate for rapidly escalating stage volumes; breakthroughs in applying power to amplification caused a lot of changes in many areas.

The construction of the Fender Coronado Bass is pretty straighforward. The arched top, arched back and sides are laminated maple, with a solid block under the bridge. The body is bound, and the short scale - 30 inch - maple neck bolts on in the Fender style. The fingerboard is rosewood, with mother of pearl dot position markers and a black-finished headstock bearing the Fender Coronado Bass I logo.

Unusually for Fender instruments, Coronado pickups - just one on the Coronado Bass I - were made by deArmond. The wiring is consequently pretty simple - volume and tone.

To complete the hardware, standard Fender tuners are used, both thumb and finger rests are installed, the bridge is a nice height-adjustable arched chrome piece with a black insert for the saddles. The Coronado trapeze tailpiece has an F logo and three diamonds.

This instrument was built during 1967 and is in good playing and working order. There is some wear to the finish, a worn spot on the back and a bit of natural checking, and a few dents. Fretwear is fairly heavy in the low positions, but it plays cleanly while strung with round-wounds.

While the fully hollow body makes this type of instrument awkward for louder applications, at lower volumes such as recording it can hold its own very well. The short scale is very comfortable and it's quite resonant and good sounding.

The original hardshell case is included.