Fans are buzzing about Blink-182’s comeback, and for good reason. Since reuniting with original co-vocalist and guitarist Tom DeLonge last year, the pop-punk icons have roared back into the spotlight with their album One More Time and its deluxe follow-up, One More Time Part 2. With their revitalized lineup and the debut of the new Mark Hoppus signature bass, the band has been packing arenas worldwide, proving they’re still a dominant force in the genre. Blink-182’s revival shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
Along with the band’s resurgence, DeLonge has brought back his much-loved single-pickup Stratocaster and even launched a brand-new hollowbody Starcaster model earlier this year. Not to be outdone, Mark Hoppus has also introduced a fresh addition to his lineup of Fender signature basses: the Limited Edition Jaguar Bass.
Mark has shared insights about his new bass, his approach to tone, and how Blink-182’s evolving sound has shaped his gear choices.
"Why Would I Play Anything Less?"
Mark Hoppus has been a lifelong fan of Fender, and his new Jaguar bass reflects his deep connection with the brand. “Signature models mean just that,” he explains. “You play the same bass I play, and you’re probably better at it than I am!” Hoppus emphasizes that the bass fans can buy is identical to what he uses on stage and in the studio. “I used my signature models on One More Time Part 2. They’re the exact production versions we just released.”
The bass combines a Jaguar body with a Jazz Bass neck for a comfortable, familiar feel. It also features a pearloid pickguard, a single volume knob, and reversed Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound P-Bass pickups for a punchy, balanced tone. Mark credits the pickup configuration to a brainstorming session with the late producer Jerry Finn. “We realized reversing the pickups gave the E/A strings more punch and the D/G strings more body. It just sounds more even,” he says.
Why the Jazz Neck?
Despite the Jaguar bass traditionally having a shorter scale, Hoppus opted for a full 34-inch Jazz Bass neck. “I love the feel of a Jazz neck,” he says. “I used to prefer P-Bass necks, but over the years, I’ve switched, and now I’m all about the Jazz.”
When asked if he’d consider branching out to a Starcaster bass like Tom’s new guitar, Hoppus laughs, “I’d try one! I’m always open to new ideas, but I feel like where I am now is hard to beat.”
Adapting to the Times
On stage, Hoppus has fully embraced digital modeling, swapping his trusty Kemper Profiler for the Neural DSP Quad Cortex. “Modellers have come so far,” he says. “In the studio, we compared my full amp setup to a Kemper profile, and no one could tell the difference. Touring with all my tones in one box is a no-brainer—it’s lightweight, reliable, and sounds incredible.”
Despite his modern setup, Hoppus stays grounded in his role as Blink-182’s bassist. “I love what bass does in a song—tying the melody to the rhythm. I feel like I’m the bridge between Tom and Travis. Bass is a working man’s instrument, and I’ve never wanted to play anything else.”
Looking Back and Moving Forward
Reflecting on his growth as a bassist, Hoppus admits he hasn’t changed much over the years. “My technique is still imperfect but solid enough,” he says. “In the beginning, it was all eighth-note downstrokes. Now, I pay more attention to syncopation and follow Travis’s kick patterns more closely.”
When asked which riff defines him as a player, Hoppus points to Carousel from Blink’s 1995 album Cheshire Cat. “I wrote it by accident while trying to learn Für Elise. That riff was the first thing Tom and I ever wrote together.”
As for advice to aspiring bass players? Hoppus keeps it simple: “Practice all the time, and have fun!”
The Fender Mark Hoppus Limited Edition Jaguar Bass is available now in Sea Foam Green and 3-Color Sunburst for $1,399, complete with a deluxe gig bag. For more details, check out Fender’s website.
