To honor one of the most creative bassists’ vision, Fender today launched the MonoNeon Jazz Bass V. Mono’s sense of style is on par with his playing; he frequently wears bright clothing and accessories that could compete with any glow stick. The visual appeal of this bass matches the sense of style of the person who served as inspiration for its creation. The MonoNeon Jazz Bass V is, however, much more than meets the eye.
“Getting my own artist signature bass with Fender is definitely a full circle experience,” said MonoNeon. “Seeing my dad holding my bass is really crazy. He’s like my first musical hero. I wanted to be just like him and I still do.”
Dywane Thomas Jr., better known by his stage as MonoNeon, was born with the bass guitar in his veins. After playing bass in church while growing up and around musical family members, MonoNeon posted his first video to YouTube in 2013. His enduring love for the bass and the influence it has had on his life were on full show for all to see.
MonoNeon in conversation with George Clinton:
His first big break came when he was asked by Prince to join his band. A dream come true for any musician, but especially for one like Mono, whose origins are in the emotive funk and R&B music of the 1980s. By 2020, his resume grew extensively with collaborations with artist such as Ne-Yo, Mac Miller, Nas, Bootsy Collins, Jacob Collier, and many others.
Fender MonoNeon Jazz Bass V
The MonoNeon Jazz Bass V makes a statement with swagger and professionalism in equal measure. It has an eye-catching neon yellow urethane finish on an alder body, which is matched by a neon orange painted pickguard and headstock.
The one-piece, roasted maple neck has 22 frets, a 10″–14″ compound radius fingerboard, and pearl block inlays for added comfort. The 18-volt active preamp offers more headroom, and the custom Fireball 5-String Humbucking Bass pickups give lush, strong bass tone with a snarl.
Meanwhile, the Fender HiMass string-through-top-load bridge improves resonance, weight, and sustain, and the 3-band active EQ offers musicians limitless tonal options. A MonoNeon sticker pack and unique headstock Stance sock are included with each instrument. “To honor MonoNeon with a Fender bass that reflects his unique style and extensive talents is a delight,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Products at Fender. “He is one of the most innovative bass players of this generation.” We collaborated closely with him to design a bass that not only physically reflects the online persona we’ve grown to know, but also accurately captures his abstract, microtonal, and funk-inspired playing.
Featured Specs
- Alder Body with Gloss Polyester Finish
- Roasted Maple, Satin Urethane with Gloss Urethane Headstock Face Neck
- Roasted Maple Fingerboard with 10” to 14” Compound Radius, 22 Medium Jumbo Frets and Pearl Block Inlays
- Standard Open-Gear Tuning Machines
- 5-String Bass Humbucking (Bridge, Middle) Pickups with Pan Pot Pickup Switching
- Deluxe Gig Bag include
Visit fender.com to find out more.
