Fender Steve Harris, Standard Dim, Standard Str, Nate Mendel, American Vin User Manual

OWNER’S MANUAL

For Fender Bass Guitars

2

LANGUAGES

Si necesita acceder a los manuales de
instrucciones de las guitarras en Español,
visite nuestra página web

http://www.fender.com/support

Vous trouverez le mode d’emploi des
guitares Fender® en français sur le site Internet

http://www.fender.com/support

Il manuale d’uso delle Chitarre Fender in
Italiano disponibile nel nostro sito web

http://www.fender.com/support

Das Fender Bedienungshandbuch für Gitarren
in Deutsch, finden Sie auf unserer Website

http://www.fender.com/support

Se desejar ler o manual do proprietário
Fender para guitarras em português, por favor,
visite nosso website em

http://www.fender.com/support

日本語のギター用 Fender オー ナ ーズ･マニ
ュ ア ル は 、弊 社 の ウ ェ ブ サ イト

http://www.fender.com/support

をご 参 照くださ い 。

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CONGRATULATIONS

… On your new Fender® electric instrument.
You’re now part of a worldwide family of
Fender musicians inspired by an expansive
musical future and connected to more than
half a century of heritage. The sound of Fender
is heard everywhere. It’s the culmination of
musical expression that drives the sound of
modern music. You can now contribute your
sound with unlimited musical imagination
and creativity. Pick up your instrument and
let it take you where you want to go.

Connect with us and other Fender players
worldwide by becoming part of the Fender
online community. Create your own profile
and receive updates on music news, new
products, events, promotions and more. Visit
www.fender.com for more information.

Thank you, and enjoy your new Fender instrument!

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SINCE 1946...

Your new Fender® bass guitar holds more
than half a century of musical history.

Fender was founded in 1946 by Clarence
Leonidas “Leo” Fender, a Southern California
inventor and businessman with a talent and
passion for electronics. He started the company
in his small radio repair shop in Fullerton, Calif.,
building solid amplifiers and lap steel guitars
that were popular with Western swing bands
of the era. A decade later, these modest and
earnest beginnings would lead to an explosive
intersection with the birth of rock ‘n’ roll and
the first of several Fender “golden ages.”

With a tireless and constant commitment to
improved sound and design fueled by direct
and immediate feedback from professional
and influential musicians of the time, Leo and

his staff soon embarked on an extraordinary
creative streak that began in early 1951 with the
world’s first solid-body Spanish-style electric
guitar, the Telecaster® (and its single-pickup
version, the Esquire®). Later that year, Fender
introduced the world’s first commercially
successful solid-body electric bass guitar, the
Precision Bass®, soon followed by its companion

®

Bassman
1952 as the first model in one of the world’s most
acclaimed and enduring guitar amp families.

Fender unveiled perhaps the most popular
and influential electric guitar ever—the
Stratocaster®—in 1954. Within a decade, some
of rock’s greatest artists would start wringing
unbelievable sounds from the instrument—
sounds never envisioned by Fender designers,
or anyone else for that matter. Other classics

amp. The Twin Amp® appeared in

followed—the Jazzmaster® guitar (1958 ),
the Jazz Bass® (1960) the Jaguar® guitar
(1962), and more great amps. By the time it
was sold to CBS in 1965, Fender had grown
from a fledgling California guitar maker to an
industry leader with a stable of acclaimed
instruments and amplifiers that revolutionized
and profoundly transformed music worldwide.
After the CBS years, the modern-era Fender
emerged in the mid 1980s to become the
iconic brand it is today, with worldwide
influence on music and popular culture.

Just as it was when it began, Fender continues
to be driven by continuous innovation,
passion for music and a commitment to
constant input from musicians like you.
Thank you for becoming part of this history,
and enjoy your new Fender instrument.

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OVER 60 YEARS OF INNOVATION

8

GENERATIONS OF WORLD-CHANGING MUSIC

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FEATURES, CONTROLS, AND SPECS

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For details on the features and specifications of
your bass guitar model, visit the Products section
of www.fender.com, where each individual bass
guitar listing has a Specs link that provides
complete and comprehensive information.

For wiring diagrams, switch/control function
diagrams and parts lists for your specific
model, visit the Knowledge Base in the Support
section of www.fender.com, where the Service
Diagrams link presents detailed information on
more than 250 Fender instrument models.

For additional support, please contact us
directly by mail, e-mail or telephone at:

Attn: Consumer Relations

Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
Global Headquarters
17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
[phone]
[e-mail]

111213

FACTORY SPECS AND SET UP

Your bass guitar is solidly built with the best
materials and craftsmanship. As part of its
final assembly, we’ve hand-adjusted it and
set it up to Fender® factory specs, which
give you the best possible playing action.

Like all instruments made of wood, your bass
may have experienced moderate changes
brought about by exposure to different
temperatures and humidity levels. This
happens naturally with time and with changes
in your instrument’s geographic location.

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The exact condition of the playing action can be affected by:

• Amount of time between final assembly and shipping from Fender.

• Amount of time between shipping from Fender and arrival at shipping destination.

• Method of shipment—e.g., trucking, shipping, airfreight, etc.

• Climate conditions during transportation.

• Climate conditions at shipping destination.

• Climate conditions at dealer before purchase.

TAKE NOTE

When you first get your bass guitar, don’t
be alarmed if the playing action is no longer
set to exact factory specs. It is natural for an
instrument’s setup to change due to the factors
just listed. Your bass is designed to include many
adjustment points that allow you to compensate
for changes that might have taken place after
final assembly but before you received it, or
to simply customize the instrument to fit your
personal preferred playing style. If the action
is higher or lower than you prefer, for example,
this manual describes how to set up, adjust and
maintain your bass so that its playing condition
is optimal for you. Of course, if you’d rather not
adjust it yourself, you can always take your bass
to an Authorized Fender Service Center for help.

Initial standard setup and adjustment of an
instrument and its parts at time of purchase are
considered normal dealer product preparation
and are not covered by the Fender warranty.
On receipt and acceptance of the instrument,
the consumer assumes all responsibility
for setup, adjustment and maintenance.

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ANATOMY

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3

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5

6

8

10

7

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1. ST RAP BUTTO N

2. BRIDGE

3. B RIDG E S ADDL ES

4. INPU T JACK

5. TO NE CONTROL

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6. VOLUME CON TROL

7. PIC K G UARD

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15

14

8. PICKU P

9. LOWER BO UT

10. UPPER BOU T

11. FINGERBOA RD

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12. S TRA P BUTTON

13. 12TH FRET MARKER

14. F RETB OARD

15. NU T

16. MACHIN E H EAD

17. S TRING TREE

18. TUNING K NOB

19. HEAD STOCK

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BASS GUITAR SET-UP

To put your bass guitar in top playing shape, follow
the five steps presented here. First, you’ll need the
right tools:

• Electronic tuner

• Wire cutters

• Capo

• Set of automotive feeler gauges (.002” - .025” )

• 6” ruler (with 1/32” and 1/64” increments)

• Large Phillips screwdriver ( Vintage Series
basses), or the hex truss rod adjustment wrench
that accompanied your bass (modern basses)

• Mini flat-head screwdriver (Vintage Series basses),
or the hex saddle height adjustment wrench that
accompanied your bass (modern basses)

TUNING

If you don’t own an electronic tuner, you may
want to purchase one. It will simplify many of the
following procedures. If you already have one, just
plug in and turn the bass’s volume control all the
way up. Pluck either an open string or the 12th fret
harmonic*, to produce the clearest tone for the
tuner. (*A harmonic is a “chime-like” tone that is
produced by lightly touching the exact mid point
of the string at the twelfth fret with your finger
tip, and plucking the string with the other hand.)

If you’re playing a 4-string bass, tune the open strings to E, A, D, G

E A D G

If you’re playing a 5-string bass, tune the open strings to B, E, A, D, G

B E A D G

Note: If you press the string too hard, it will
choke the string and mute the sound. With a
little practice though, you’ll develop the light
touch needed to make the harmonic ring out.

If you’re playing a 6-string bass, tune the open strings to B, E, A, D, G, C

B E A D G C

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1. CHANGE STRINGS

A fresh set of strings can breathe new life into your bass,
and something as simple as how you wind the strings
onto the tuning machine posts when changing your
strings, will determine tuning stability and string tension.
It’s also a good idea to stretch your strings a little as
you tune to make sure that each string is seated well
and snugged down on the tuning machine post. This will
save you some tuning frustration down the road. Just
grab the string in the middle, lightly tug it up and down
to remove slack, and then retune. (See your Fender
Dealer to obtain replacement Fender bass strings.)

First start by pulling each string through the bridge,
over the nut and past the corresponding tuning
machine post, with enough extra length to allow a
minimum of three winds around it. Mark that point
on the string. With wire cutters, crimp the string
over at a 45-degree angle one inch before the mark,
then clip off the excess at the mark, (Figure A).

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®

Next, place the end of the string all the way
down in the hole in the center of the tuning
machine post and bend the string over in the
slot. Wind the tuning key to tighten the string to
pitch while holding the loose end of the string
in place with your other hand, (Figure B).

Make sure that the string does not overlap
itself and is wound from the top down to the
base of the tuning machine shaft, to insure the
string is seated properly on the nut with the
most acute break angle possible, (Figure C).

Figure A

Figure B

Figure C

2. CHANGE BATTERIES

Fender® offers basses with passive electronics
(no batteries) and basses with active
(battery-powered) preamps. Depending on
the instrument, your active bass may have
either a 9-volt (one-battery) system, or
an 18-volt (two-battery) system. Visit the
Knowledge Base in the Support section of
www.fender.com, where the service diagrams
link presents detailed information on more
than 250 Fender instrument models.

Typical battery life for both systems is
approximately 600 hours of playing time.
All Fender basses with active preamps are
equipped with switching jacks that engage the
battery when a cable is plugged into the jack.
To maximize battery life, unplug your cable from
the bass when not playing the instrument. As
batteries lose power, the voltage supplied to
the preamp will drop, resulting in distortion and

unwanted noise that indicate that the batteries
must be changed (note that active basses
without an active/passive switch will not operate
in passive mode when the batteries are dead).
For basses with two-battery 18-volt preamps,
always replace both batteries at the same time,
as mismatched voltages may adversely affect
the performance of the preamp. It is a good idea
to use the same brand of battery consistently.

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3. TRUSS ROD ADJUSTMENTS

The truss rod is the ingenious unseen device
inside the neck that counteracts the bending force
caused by string tension. An ideally adjusted
neck will have a moderate amount of relief
(curvature) in it to accommodate the vibrating
strings. The factory specification for neck relief
on Fender® bass guitars is between .012” and
.014”, measured between the bottom of the
string and the top of the fret, at the 7th fret.

To adjust the truss rod, fasten a capo to the first
fret. If you are adjusting a four-string bass, fret
the “E” string at the last fret; if you are adjusting
a five- or six-string bass, fret the “B” string at the
last fret). Then measure from the bottom of the
string to the top of the 7th fret using the feeler
gauge—the gap should be between .012” and
.014”. When you view the neck by sighting down
it from the body end toward the headstock, you
can see whether the neck is straight or bowed.

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If the truss rod needs adjustment, detune
the strings first to relieve neck tension, and
remember to retune to pitch before measuring
again. To adjust the truss rod, use either a large
Phillips or flathead screwdriver (for most vintage
style basses), or the hex wrench supplied
with your bass (for modern basses). Note that
for vintage-style basses with the truss rod
adjustment at the neck heel, you must remove
the strings and loosen the neck mounting
screws and /or remove the pickguard to gain
access to the truss rod adjustment nut. If the
neck curvature is too concave, turn the truss rod
adjustment nut clockwise. If the neck curvature
is too convex, turn the truss rod adjustment
nut counterclockwise. Check your tuning; then
check the gap again with the feeler gauge.
If you meet excessive truss rod resistance or if
you’re not comfortable adjusting it yourself, you
can always take your guitar to your Authorized
Fender Service Center.

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4. STRING HEIGHT

String height is more about personal preference
and playing style than a pre-determined spec.
Check your tuning first, then use a 6” ruler to
measure the distance between the bottom of
each string and the top of the 17th fret. That
distance should be approximately 6/64”, which
is Fender’s recommended spec on both the
bass and treble sides. Adjust each bridge saddle
accordingly, and keep in mind that string height
can be set to whatever feels right for you.

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PICKUP HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT CHART

Pickup Type Bass Side Treble Side

Vintag e Styl e Precis ion Bass

Vintag e Styl e Jazz Ba ss

Standa rd Jaz z Bass 7/6 4” 5/64”

Standard Precision Bass 7/6 4” 5/64”

American Standard Jazz Bass 7/6 4” 5/64”

American Standard Precision Bass 7/6 4” 5/64”

Vintage Noiseless™ Jazz Bass 8/64” 6/64”

N3 Noiseless Jazz Bass 8/6 4” 6/6 4”

Special Design Humbucking 7/6 4” 5/64”

®

®

8/64” 6/64”

8/64” 6/64”

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5. SET INTONATION

You can easily set your bass guitar’s basic
intonation. Plug into your tuner and tune a string
to pitch using the 12th-fret harmonic. Then
fret the string at the 12th fret and compare
that pitch to the 12th-fret harmonic pitch.
If the pitch of the harmonic and the pitch of
the fretted note agree, the string is properly
intonated and no adjustment is necessary. If
the two pitches disagree, an adjustment must
be made, using either a Phillips screwdriver or
a hex wrench, depending on the bridge type.

If the fretted note is sharper (higher in pitch
relative to the harmonic), the string must be
lengthened until both pitches agree. To do
this, turn the saddle length adjustment screw
clockwise, moving the saddle toward the back
of the bridge, until the harmonic and the fretted

pitches read the same. It’s a good idea to stretch
and re-tune the string during the adjustment, as
the movement of the saddle will affect the pitch.
If the fretted note is flatter, (lower in pitch
relative to the harmonic), the string must
be shortened until both pitches agree. To
do this, turn the saddle length adjustment
screw counterclockwise, moving the
saddle forward, until the harmonic and the
fretted pitches read the same. Remember
to stretch and re-tune the string.

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CARE AND MAINTENANCE

Your Fender® bass guitar is precisely
crafted to give you years of satisfaction and
enjoyment. Occasional routine maintenance
will go a long way toward keeping it looking,
sounding and playing great for many years.
Several helpful tips are listed here:

Keep it clean. Dirt, dust, sweat, skin oil, smoke

and other pollutants can prematurely age your
bass’s finish and hardware. Wipe the strings, neck
and bridge often with a lint-free cloth regularly.
Use Fender-approved polish on the finished
surfaces, and wipe metal parts clean with a
soft, dry polishing cloth (visit the Accessories
section of fender.com for recommendations).

Oil the fingerboard. The natural oils in unfinished

rosewood, ebony and pau ferro fingerboards
can dry out. Keep these fingerboards beautiful
by periodically hydrating them with lemon oil,
boiled linseed oil or other non silicone-based

wood/furniture oil. Apply with a lint-free
cloth, rub in, let soak, wipe off excess and
let dry. And remember—no oil on finished
surfaces (including maple fingerboards).

Tighten the strap buttons. They do

loosen sometimes. Use a standard
Phillips head screwdriver to periodically
check and tighten strap buttons.

Set up and adjust. Familiarize yourself

with the setup and adjustment procedures
in this manual and on www.fender.com,
or visit your Authorized Fender Service
Center for routine seasonal adjustments.

Avoid climate extremes whenever
possible. Extremes in temperature and

humidity can damage your bass. If such
exposure can’t be helped, however, loosen
the strings to minimize damage, and let a

cold instrument warm up gradually before
opening its case to avoid finish checking.

Lacquer finishes. Lacquer is a natural wood

finish long used on fine furniture and musical
instruments. If your bass has a lacquer finish,
do read the “Lacquer Finishes: Precautions
and Care” card that came with it. Try not to
expose lacquer finishes for very long to plastics,
synthetics and surgical rubber tubing (it’s used
on some guitar stands and straps), all of which
react adversely with lacquer and can mar
the finish. Also note that checking, shrinkage
and discoloration are all natural elements of
the aging process of lacquer finishes. The
lacquer finish on your bass will take on its own
distinctive appearance over time from this
type of wear, and though preferred by some,
it is not covered under the Fender warranty.

2929

LIMITED LIFETIME WARRANTY

Fender Musical Instruments Corporation warrants
this Fender brand instrument to be free from
defects in materials and workmanship for as long
as it is owned by the original retail purchaser,
except that pickups, switches, jacks, controls, all
other electronic components, tuning machines,
hardware, pickguards, plated surfaces, gig bags,
cases and case hardware are warranted for a
period of one (1) year from the date of original
purchase. This warranty applies only to the
original retail purchaser when this instrument
is purchased from an Authorized Fender Dealer
and is subject to the limitations set forth herein.

IMPORTANT: PLEASE RETAIN YOUR
ORIGINAL SALES RECEIPT, AS IT IS
YOUR PROOF OF PURCHASE VALIDATING
THIS LIMITED WARRANTY.
Fender has established a network of independent
Authorized Fender Service Centers for warranty
service. The Fender Dealer from whom you

3030

purchased your instrument may also be authorized
for warranty service and should be the first
point of contact when service of any kind is
required for your Fender instrument. To receive
warranty service, return the complete instrument
to an Authorized Fender Service Center, with
your sales receipt as proof of purchase, during
the applicable warranty period. Defective
components that qualify for coverage under this
warranty will be repaired or replaced (at Fender’s
discretion) without charge. Remedies beyond
normal service repair of any Fender instrument
require both an evaluation and confirmation
of the defect and a direct recommendation
to Fender from an Authorized Fender Service
Center for alternative considerations.
All transportation, insurance and freight charges
associated with warranty service and repairs
on Fender instruments are the responsibility of
the purchaser, as is any service initiated for the
purpose of customizing setups or adjustments

beyond factory specifications. Initial standard
setup and adjustment of the instrument and
its components at the time of purchase are
considered normal Dealer product preparation
and are not covered by this warranty.

Limitations and exclusions

The following items are not covered by
this warranty.

1. Fret wear, saddle wear, nut wear, strings
and batteries.

2. Checking, shrinking, sinking, discoloration
and wear of lacquer finishes.

3. Setups, adjustments or routine maintenance
of any kind.

4. Damage to finishes or cracks, splitting,
or warpage of wood due to changes in
temperature or humidity, exposure to or
contact with sun, fire,moisture, body salts

and acids of perspiration, guitar straps, guitar
stands/hangers made from vinyl, plastic,
rubber or other synthetic materials, any other
chemicals or non-Fender-approved polishes.

5. Damage, corrosion or rusting of any
hardware components caused by humidity,
salty air, or exposure to the moisture,
body salts and acids of perspiration.

6. Any damage to an instrument resulting
from customization or modification.

7. Normal wear and tear on any part of the
instrument case or gig bag including jacks,
controls, switches, plated surfaces, tuning
machines, pickguards, zippers, clasps,
handles, latches, case hardware, etc.

8. All other damage and deterioration due to
normal usage, wear and tear, aging, accidents,
neglect, abuse, or acts of nature.

9. Any instrument, whose serial number is

missing, altered or tampered with in
any fashion.

10. Any instrument purchased from anyone
other than an Authorized Fender Dealer.

11. Instruments that have been serviced by
unauthorized persons (any person other than a
Fender Certified Technician at an Authorized
Fender Service Center).

THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTES THE ONLY
WARR ANTY MADE BY FENDER WITH
RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS AND IS
MADE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER
WARR ANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED

Any implied warranties, including without
limitation, any implied warranties of
merchantability or fitness for any particular
purpose, imposed under state law are limited
to the duration of this limited warranty. Some
states do not allow limitations on how long

an implied warranty lasts, so the above
limitations may not be applicable to you.

FMIC ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR PROPERTY
DAMAGE RESULTING FROM FAILURE OF
THIS PRODUCT NOR ANY LOSS OF INCOME,
SATISFACTION, OR DAMAGES ARISING FROM
THE LOSS OF USE OF SAME DUE TO DEFECTS
OR AVAILABILITY OF SAME DURING SERVICE.

This warranty applies only to Fender instruments
manufactured after January 1, 1998, and
purchased and serviced within the U.S.A. and
Canada. Warranties outside these countries
are as defined by the authorized Fender
Distributor for your country or region, and may
vary from the above in terms and/or length.
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
17600 N. Perimeter Drive, Suite 100
Scottsdale, AZ 85255
Phone: [phone]
www.fender.com

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Fender®, Bassman®, Twin Reverb®, Super­Sonic®, G-DEC®, Stratocaster®, Strat®,
Telec ast er®, Tele®, Jaguar®, Jazzmaster®,
Mustang®, Precision Bass®, P Bass®, Jazz
Bass®, J Bass® and the distinctive headstock
designs commonly found on these guitars are
U.S. registered trademarks of Fender Musical
Instruments Corporation. All rights reserved.

IMPORTADO POR: Instrumentos Musicales
Fender S.A. de C.V., Calle Huerta #
132, Col. Carlos Pacheco, C.P. 228890,
Ensenada, Baja California, Mexico.
RFC: IMF870506R5A Hecho en Mexico.
Servicio de Cliente: 001-8665045875

NOTICE REGARDING USE OF HISTORIC PATENT
NUMBERS/MARKINGS: FENDER® is proud to
offer some of the most iconic musical instruments
and amplifiers of the past 60 years. Some
FENDER products are intentional recreations

32

or reissues of vintage guitars and amplifiers,
and may therefore incorporate markings or text
associated with original patents that have since
expired. Specific examples of such models include
patent numbers on the tremolo plates and decals
of the JAGUAR® and JAZZMASTER® guitars,
“Pat Pending” on some vintage TELECASTER®
guitar bridge plates, and “Design and Circuits
Patented” language on the control panels of
certain model amplifiers in FENDER Vintage
Modified, Vintage Reissue and Custom lines.
Such markings are included only for the sake of
historical accuracy, and are not intended to denote
or imply live patents or ongoing patent protection.

SERVICE

For service in the United States and
Canada, please contact an Authorized Fender
Service Center, which you can find by
calling the Fender Consumer Relations
Department [phone] or using the
Service and Repairs link on the Support section
of fender.com.

For service outside the United States and
Canada, please contact your authorized dealer
or the Fender distributor in your country or
region. There is a helpful list of international
distributors online at fender.com/distributors.

MODIFIED ACTIVE GUITAR WARNING

WARNING - To maintain product safety :

Batteries and/or the product in which they are
installed, shall not be exposed to excessive
heat such as sunshine, fire, or the like.

• DO NOT replace batteries with rechargeable
types of any kind.

• Replace only with same or equivalent PP3, 9V
type battery.

• There may be a danger of fire or explosion if
the battery is incorrectly connected/replaced.

Replace the Batteries as soon as they are
drained and the power indicator is no longer lit.

ALWAYS UNPLUG YOUR GUITAR
WHEN NOT PLAYING
FOR BEST BATTERY LIFE

If used improperly, batteries
may explode or leak and cause
damage or injury. In the interest
of safety, please read and
observe the following precautions.

• Incorrect handling of batteries can cause
leakage, overheating, fire, or explosion.

• Batteries must never be heated, taken apart, or
thrown in water.

• Make sure you observe the correct polarity
when installing the batteries.

• Avoid using new batteries mixed with used
ones. In addition, avoid mixing different types
of batteries.

• Remove the batteries whenever the unit is to
remain unused fir ab extended period of time.

• If a battery has leaked, use a soft piece of
cloth or paper towel to wipe all remnants of the
discharge from the battery compartment. Then
install new batteries. To avoid inflammation of
the skin, make sure that none of the battery
discharge gets onto your hands or skin.

• Exercise the utmost caution so that none of the
discharge gets near your eyes. Immediately
rinse the affected area with running water if
any of the discharge has entered the eyes.

• Never keep batteries together with metallic
object such as ballpoints, necklaces,
hairpins, etc.

USING THE UNIT SAFELY

• Use a reasonable amount of care when
using the unit’s knobs and other controls;
and when using its jacks and connectors.
Rough handling can lead to malfunctions.

• Do not expose the unit to direct sunlight,
place it near devices that radiate heat, leave
it inside an enclosed vehicle, or otherwise
subject it to temperature extremes.

• Do not allow any objects ( e.g., flammable
materials, coins, pins); or liquids of any kind
(water, soft-drinks, etc.) to penetrate the unit.

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Register your new Fender electric instrument at www.fender.com/prodreg

P/N 0079381000 REV. B