Featuring a Jaguar body, Jazz bass neck and unique pickup design, the bass is now available worldwide.
Mark Hoppus himself is as iconic as Blink 182 are, and the only member to have been on all ten albums over the last two decades, their debut Buddha having been released in 1994. A whole lot of these years have seen Mark sporting a Fender bass, so it makes sense this year, after 20 years of influence, tongue-in-cheek inspiration and hundreds of shows, that Mark would be honoured with a Limited Edition Mark Hoppus Jaguar Bass.
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Built as a workhorse bass, the Limited Edition Mark Hoppus Jaguar Bass features a single, inverted, split coil P-bass pickup, a single volume control and… that’s it. We had the chance to chat design with Mark ahead of the release.
Mark, thanks for taking the time! You’ve played a multitude of basses on stages and in the studio in your career. Do you feel this has all culminated in the Limited Edition Mark Hoppus Jaguar Bass?
Yes absolutely. I feel like this is the culmination of 30 years or playing fender basses. I took the best parts of every bass fender makes and put them all together like Voltron. The midrange growl of the Jaguar body, the playability of the Jazz neck, the inverter Seymour Duncan Quarter poud P-Bass pickups. One volume knob. Rosewood fret board. Adler body. Maple neck. Awesome.
Fender Limited Edition Mark Hoppus Jaguar Bass
What makes the Limited Edition Mark Hoppus Jaguar Bass so special or different from other basses?
I think this a bass that a new player could pick up and it rocks right out of the gate. And then I take the same exact bass onstage in a stadium and it rules.
You’ve gone for a split P Bass pickup. Why do you prefer this?
The inverted configuration of the split P pickups put the one under the E and A strings closer to the bridge, giving them a little more punch. The pickup under the D and G strings is closer to the neck, giving them more body. The four strings sound more even across the spectrum.
What is the rationale behind the simple electronics configuration (i.e. a single master volume)?
I never used a tone knob. It always got in the way. Got rid of it. I want a simple, solid, workhorse bass.
Why do you choose a Fender bass?
Fender has been my dream bass since I first saw Simon Gallup from the Cure playing one in the video for Just Like Heaven. He looked so cool. I was like “THAT’S what I want to play.” Then now years later I get my own signature model with Fender, it’s a dream come true.
The Jazz bass neck is an interesting addition – what made you go with this configuration?
I used to swear by a P-Bass neck but then I played a thinner neck one day and fell in love with it. It’s easier for me.
The Fender Limited Edition Mark Hoppus Jaguar Bass is available worldwide today. Keep reading at Fender Australia.
