Fender Mikey Way Jazz Bass: A Tribute to an Iconic Era
Earlier this week, Fender announced the release of the Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass. This collaboration between Fender and the renowned bassist marks their second partnership. The signature Jazz Bass guitar celebrates Mikey Way’s profound impact on the music industry over two decades. It also pays homage to the 1970s, a pivotal era in Way’s career.
The Mikey Way Signature Jazz Bass is designed explicitly for bassists and allows fans to own the same instrument Way used during his worldwide reunion tour with My Chemical Romance in 2022-2023. Way’s journey with the bass guitar began at the tender age of three when he was captivated by Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust.” Inspired by rock legends like David Bowie and Queen, Way developed a distinctive sound that became his own.
His dedication to mastering the bass led him to join My Chemical Romance, where his contribution propelled the band to great success. It was Way who coined the band’s name after reading the book “Ecstasy: Three Tales of Chemical Romance.”
With nine songs charting on the Billboard Hot 100 and multiple platinum albums, the Grammy-nominated rock band became one of the most influential artists of the 2000s. Today, Way’s unique approach to bass playing solidifies his status as an iconic figure in the music industry.
The Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass commands attention with its silver sparkle finish, reminiscent of Way’s signature Squier Mustang Bass. The bass features an alder body, producing a well-balanced sound with equal lows, mids, and highs distribution. For an authentic vintage playing experience, the ’70s C-shaped neck profile is sculpted thinner at the first fret and thicker at the twelfth.
The instrument is equipped with ’70s J Bass pickups, delivering the growling and punchy tone that made Fender famous. It boasts 20 medium jumbo frets and a 9.5″ radius bound fingerboard for modern playability. The 4-saddle bridge with modern slotted saddles ensures enhanced tuning stability and a punchy attack. The black block inlays, binding, and black painted head cap complete the iconic Mikey Way-approved aesthetic. Way expressed his enthusiasm: “It’s as if the bass jumped straight from my dreams into reality. It’s my favorite instrument I’ve ever played.”
The Perfect Harmony: Fender and Mikey Way Join Forces with the Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass
Justin Norvell, the Executive Vice President of Products at Fender, expressed gratitude again for the opportunity to collaborate with Mikey Way, acknowledging his legendary influence in modern music. Norvell praised the balanced sound and punchy tones delivered by the ’70s-inspired Jazz Bass pickups and stamped tuning machines, making it an excellent choice for musicians performing in various settings. As a special treat, the Limited Edition Mikey Way Jazz Bass includes a surprise for fans: signed pickguards by Mikey himself concealed in eight gig bags. FMIC hopes that the lucky few who purchase these special instruments will appreciate these unique additions.
The autographed pickguards add an invaluable touch to any music lover’s collection. Eight fortunate individuals who stumble upon these hidden gems will own a cutting-edge instrument and possess a one-of-a-kind pickguard bearing the signature of their musical idol. Four pickguards will be concealed in gig bags for the Mikey Way Signature Jazz Bass sold by Fender’s trusted global dealers, while the remaining four can be found on Fender.com.
