At the time the electric bass guitar was still a relatively new instrument, and some manufacturers were still experimenting with design variations that would be considered radical by today's standards. (See the rather unrelated Fender Bass VI for example.)
The Bass V had the same scale length as an Precision Bass, but only had 15 frets. It featured a high C string instead of the low B string much more common on modern five-string basses. This was supposed to allow reading bass players to reach high notes on the instrument more easily. The top note on the instrument is still the same E♭ as on a standard 20-fret 4 string Jazz or Precision Bass, so strictly speaking the Bass V cannot be regarded as an extended-range bass.
The Bass V originally came with chromed bridge- and pickup-covers.
The innovative concept did not resonate with bass players, partly due to its size and shape.[1]
Many also had problems with the narrow string-spacing. Consequently only about 200 instruments were produced, before the model was discontinued in 1971.[1] Surplus bodies were used in the construction of the Fender Swinger.