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Gear News: Limited Edition Blu DeTiger x Player Plus Jazz Bass
Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) proudly announces the release of the Limited Edition Blu DeTiger x Player Plus Jazz Bass®, the first-ever artist signature bass in collaboration with the boundary-pushing bassist, singer, songwriter, producer, and DJ, Blu DeTiger. Known for her distinctive bass grooves, energetic performances, and trailblazing presence both on stage and online, Blu DeTiger has become a defining representation of the next generation of players, inspiring bassists with her innovative approach and genre-blending sound. With this release, Blu makes history as the first woman to have a Signature Bass with Fender.
“This bass is a reflection of everything I love about playing,” said Blu DeTiger. “I wanted an instrument that could handle the diversity of sounds I create, from deep, funky grooves to melodic lines that cut through the mix. Fender and I worked closely together to make sure this bass not only looks amazing but sounds incredible in any setting.”
Having picked up the bass at the age of seven, Blu DeTiger has taken the music world by storm through her debut album “All I Ever Want is Everything” and her viral bass covers. Featured as the cover of the Forbes 30 Under 30 music list, Blu, who defines her musical style in the “groovy Indie” genre blending elements of Pop, Rock, and Funk, represents the next generation of pop music, earning accolades and a dedicated global fanbase with her work alongside top artists and successful solo releases. Bringing her signature sound and style, Blu marks a new milestone in her storied partnership with Fender and solidifying her influence on the future of music in creating the Limited Edition Blu DeTiger x Player Plus Jazz Bass®.
The Limited Edition Blu DeTiger x Player Plus Jazz Bass® is designed to capture the essence of Blu’s dynamic playing style, offering a versatile instrument that seamlessly transitions from the stage to the studio. This bass features custom electronics handpicked by Blu herself, including a powerful, growling pickup configuration that delivers both punchy lows and articulate highs. The sleek, modern design, combined with vintage-inspired elements, reflects Blu’s eclectic musical influences, making it the ultimate tool for both seasoned players and aspiring musicians.
Her successful releases including “Figure It Out,” “Vintage,” and recent album “All I Ever Want is Everything” have earned her accolades and sent her on the road to tour across the world to perform for her dedicated fanbase. Her distinct style of playing has also seen her play live with top-tier artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Bleachers, Dominic Fike, Caroline Polachek, Chromeo, and more.
The Limited Edition Blu DeTiger x Player Plus Jazz Bass® features an eye-catching Sky Burst Sparkle finish, accented by sleek chrome hardware and a mirrored pickguard, making it as innovative as it is visually striking. Designed for comfort and effortless playability, the bass features a chambered lightweight ash body while its satin-finish maple neck, paired with a bound 9.5” rosewood fingerboard and vintage tall frets, delivers a smooth and responsive feel. At its core, the bass is powered by custom Blu DeTiger Fireball® bass humbucker and Player Plus Noiseless™ Jazz Bass® pickups, offering a rich, dynamic tonal range. The 18V Player Plus preamp with a 3-band EQ and active/passive toggle further enhances its versatility, making it an ideal instrument for any musical environment.
“It’s been such an exciting journey with Blu DeTiger to get to where we are today, celebrating the launch of her signature bass! Blu’s innovative spirit and unique style resonate deeply with the next generation of players,” said Justin Norvell, EVP of Product, FMIC. “We’re thrilled to introduce the Limited Edition Blu DeTiger x Player Plus Jazz Bass®, allowing players to experience its meticulously crafted specs firsthand. Key features like the Custom Blu DeTiger Fireball® bass humbucker deliver a rich, punchy sound that embodies Blu’s distinctive style, while the stunning Sky Burst Sparkle finish and Chambered lightweight body ensures this bass makes a bold visual statement as powerful as its tone.”
In keeping with tradition, Fender’s Artist Signatures honors iconic musicians through product progression and storytelling, creating instruments and gear inspired by the unique specifications of the world’s greatest guitarists and bassists. This collaboration with Blu DeTiger continues that legacy, offering a fresh perspective on what it means to push musical boundaries Introducing the Limited Edition Player Plus x Blu DeTiger Jazz Bass®.
For technical specs, additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender.
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Photo: Self-portrait by Melissa Auf Der Maur
Melissa Auf Der Maur is a Canadian bassist who played with Tinker, Hole, and The Smashing Pumpkins. She released her own work and is a photographer with photos published in Nylon, Bust, and National Geographic. She released her ‘90s Rock Memoir “Even The Good Girls Will Cry” on 17 March 2026.
KB: Did you always want to be a singer-musician growing up?
I’ve played music my whole life. In school, I played trumpet and sang in a children’s choir, so music was always within me. My mother was the first female disc jockey on the Montreal airwaves; her record collection played a huge role in my inspiration and love of music.
KB: When did you start playing bass, and why this instrument?
When I was 19, the early 90s music explosion began to percolate in tiny clubs around the world. I was lucky to be a ticket girl at Montreal’s underground music club. In one year, I saw Hole, Sonic Youth, Smashing Pumpkins, White Zombie, and The Breeders – all had female bass players. That’s when the seed was planted. By the age of 22, I was the bass player of Hole.
KB: Which brands of basses have you used in your career, and which one are you using now?
The first bass that I learned on was a vintage Squier Precision. Hole was sponsored by Fender guitars, so I upgraded to Fender Custom Shop Precisions. That is all I play, but I have a cool vintage 8-string Greco that I use on recordings to thicken up guitar parts.
KB: What equipment do you use or have you used with your basses?
Ampeg SVT amps and cabinets, a couple of Sans-Amp pedals, and that is it.
KB: How did you become a member of Hole, and what is your fondest memory of that time?
Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins was helping scout a replacement for (RIP) Kristen Pfaff, Hole’s bass player. My band, Tinker, opened for them on the Siamese Dream tour, so Billy had seen me play and could vouch for me. Courtney trusted her talented friend, and that was it. I initially said “no thank you” due to my commitment to my photographic studies and the drama and chaos surrounding the band during the “Live Through This” album release. Courtney took it as a good sign that I said no, so convinced me to reconsider, and soon after, I accepted their invitation, in the name of helping put females in the male-dominated landscape of rock music. My fondest memory is every show we played as a mostly female band, symbolizing what a woman could do in a rock band. Every show had a purpose: get more women to play music.
KB: You are a photographer as well. What makes a great picture? Do you shoot in color or b/w?
I started shooting photographs at age 15. Initially only shot black & white and worked in the art school darkroom. In university, I took a color photography course, and shifted mostly and forever to that, because it was easier to process film on the road when I joined a rock band. I experimented with many cameras, point and shoots, manual, polaroids, medium format, and vintage finds. The trick to a good photograph is to shoot many and all the time – the magic is in the edit and selection process.
KB: Are there artists you would love to collaborate with or wish you had?
??I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some of my favorite musicians in my career. I would still love to collaborate with a new generation heavy electronic artist on an analog bass, heavy electronic drums, and synths collaboration project. Take me out of my usual zone, merging the past and future: my love of 80s dark new wave and new artists exploring that genre. It was very futuristic back then, and we are now, after all, living in the future. I am in the mood to play bass to heavy beats I want to dance to.
KB: What are your 7 favorite bass lines in music across all genres? And why these 7?
“Mountain Song” – Jane’s Addiction (love a rambling, rolling bass line – feels like the ocean waves)
“Black Top – Helmet” (was the first bass line I taught myself)
“Gold Dust Woman” – Hole from “The Crow 2” Soundtrack (it was my first bass line contribution to the band)
“Get Ready” – The Temptations (Motown just feels so good, because of the bass)
“Lucretia My Reflection” – Sisters of Mercy (makes me want to hit the dance floor and play bass simultaneously)
“Be My Druidess” – Type O Negative (full chord bass playing at its best by iconic, demonic, Peter Steele, RIP)
“Romantic Rights” – Death from Above (1979 – unique distorted overdriven tone, combined dance rhythm and melodic intelligence, all in one shot – also! Shout out to a bass & drum only band, which is awesome, and we should have more of, but the bass player needs to be a killer to fill that role.
KB: What are you currently up to?
Releasing my ‘90s Rock Memoir “EVEN THE GOOD GIRLS WILL CRY”. Visceral healing process, it was to get it out of me and write it, but I suspect the real magic will begin by putting it into the world and reflecting with others on what the magic of the ‘90s was all about. Powerful music decade that carried us into what is now a brave new world of digital corporate weirdness – may the past shed a light on our future. That’s my hope for this book release and tour.
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