It's not a stretch to call bassist Darryl Jones a master of the low-end. After coming up in Chicago through the '60s and '70s, Jones began collaborating with and playing bass for several notable musicians in the 1980s.
He played bass on a few Miles Davis records, and performed as part of Sting's first solo band, recording a couple of records with him and many others. In 1993, Jones succeeded the retiring Bill Wyman as the Rolling Stones' bassist and has been recording and touring with them ever since.
This week's find is a special Fender bass from Jones' personal collection—particularly special in that only one was ever made just like this.
Fans likely know that Fender J-style basses are among Darryl Jones' favorite basses to play, although his official signature model—the Jazz-esque DJ-4 Darryl Jones Signature—was made by Lakland and introduced in 2002. What fans probably don't know is that Fender likely floated the idea of making a Jones signature model in the late '90s and built him this one-of-one prototype that never saw mass production.
According to the listing, this seller purchased two basses from Darryl Jones in 2011: a 1966 Jazz bass that he sold a few years ago and this special Fender prototype. It features a narrow, J bass-style neck and appointments and is likely otherwise quite close to the '66 Jazz bass that Jones is most known for playing.
Why this potential Fender signature model never made it to production is a mystery. But it does make this guitar an extra special collector's item for anyone looking to own an alternative bit of history. To learn more about the bass legend, check out the new documentary released last month, Darryl Jones: In the Blood.