Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) announced the launch of the Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar® Bass, the brand’s first collaboration with the influential frontman, bassist and founding-member of UK rock duo Royal Blood. Over the course of three chart-topping studio albums - including their 2014 platinum-selling self-titled debut - Royal Blood have had a seismic impact on the UK music scene and Kerr has inspired a generation of bassists with his innovative playing style and thunderous riffs. Now, ahead of the release of the band’s fourth record, Back to the Water Below, Fender is honoring these achievements with the Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass, an instrument that offers both effortless playability and ferocious tone.
“When I play bass and write riffs, I’m looking to feel childish excitement, and I get that feeling from this bass,” said Mike Kerr. “The Custom Humbuckers are a big part of that, and the smaller one at the bridge is a real wildcard. I use it a lot in the studio, particularly when I want to double-track bass. I can get a twang and something subby at the same time, without having to go and grab another guitar. Hopefully players will enjoy it as much as I do!”
Kerr has penned some of the greatest bass riffs of the last decade, but surprisingly he didn’t actually pick up the bass guitar until the age of 21, when he joined a punk band with now Royal Blood bandmate Ben Thatcher. Rather than bassists, Kerr’s musical heroes growing up had been guitarists like Jimmy Page, Tom Morello and Jack White and this fact drew him to short-scale basses and, eventually, the Fender Jaguar Bass. Whilst getting to grips with his new instrument, Kerr began experimenting with a signal splitter to route through different amps and effects and soon after, his huge signature sound was born. Fast forward to today and Kerr’s accolades with Royal Blood include a BRIT Award for Best British Group, two NME Awards, wins at the Kerrang! Awards and the Q Awards, plus countless other prizes and nominations.
Featuring an alder body and a maple neck with slab rosewood fingerboard, the Limited Edition Mike Kerr Jaguar Bass has a classic Fender tonewood formula that delivers well-defined punch, massive resonance and ample warmth, whilst a versatile set of high-output humbuckers offer Kerr’s trademark savage sound. The compact 30” scale length modern “C”-shaped neck sports a slim profile and medium jumbo frets on a 9.5” radius fingerboard for a modern playing feel. Meanwhile, gleaming gold hardware and elegant block inlays complement the vibrant Tiger’s Blood Orange finish to create a truly striking aesthetic.
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