“James Brown told me, ‘Son, you can’t come on my stage with that funny-looking thing!’” When a young Bootsy Collins joined James Brown’s band, the Godfather of Funk bought him a Fender Jazz Bass. Now it’s up for auction

American soul singer and songwriter James Brown (1933-2006) performs live on stage with the J.B.'s, including bass guitarist Bootsy Collins on left and guitarist Catfish Collins (1943-2010) behind on right, in East Ham, London in March 1971. .

Show us a bassist who doesn’t have at least a little bit of affection for a late-’60s Fender Jazz and we’ll show you a bassist without a heart.

One particular Jazz Bass, which bears the serial number #266610, was once owned by the coolest cat in pretty much all of bass guitar history, Bootsy Collins, and is to be sold at auction on December 5 2025.