In Search of the Funk Machine

"The Funk Machine" is described in Standing in the Shadows of Motown this way: "There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was a stock '62 sunburst Fender Precision E. The only part of the instrument that wasn't stock was the heel of the neck, where James had carved the word "Funk" into the wood and filled it in with blue ink." In addition to the carving, there are some other characteristics which only Jamerson's son would recognize. If you think you might have Jamerson's bass (or if you have information about it's location), please call (650) 513-4414. Help us put this historic instrument into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where it belongs. - Jim Roberts

It's a 1962 Fender Precision Bass.
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It was once owned by legendary Motown bassist James Jamerson. In 1983 as he was literally lying on his death bed, someone broke into Jamerson's apartment and stole his stuff including the "funk machine".
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This guitar belongs in the rock and roll hall of fame. Think of the first few notes you hear before these lyrics...

"I've got sunshine on a cloudy day....". That's the funk machine.

You can't hurry love - Funk Machine

Reach out (I'll be there) - Funk Machine

Bernadette - Funk Machine

I Heard it through the grapevine - Funk Machine

Dancing in the Streets - Funk Machine

What's Goin' on - Funk Machine

Theme from SWAT - Funk Machine

You get my point I hope.

Oh...and Stevie Wonder's "I was made to love her"

This track has (arguably) the best bass line every recorded in the history of modern music. Although it has been reported that session bassist Carol Kaye (a fine bass player in her own right) played the legendary riffs, it was actually Jamerson that played on this tune. Motown legend James Jamerson was Berry Gordy's master of funk.

This one 62 Fender Precision pumped out so many hit songs. It should be in the R & R hall of fame and I wonder if whomever stole it knows what is in their possession. It's probably in some kids' closet now. If you know someone who has a 62 precision that looks like the one in that picture, take the neck off and look at the back of the neck under the plate where it attaches to the body. Once, when Jamerson was doing some maintenence on the guitar, he scratched the word "FUNK" into the neck with a pocket knife and then filled it in with blue magic marker. This is the Holy Grail of missing guitars at the moment. I sure hope we find it one day.

BTW...Fender musical instruments has promised that if the actual funk machine is returned, it will be replaced with an authentic 1962 Fender Precision Bass with no questions asked.

Here's a few more diddys about the legendary bassist....

Interview with the ghost of studio A

Inside the Jamerson Style

Watch these two guys try to replicate the Jamerson finger style on the classic, Stevie Wonder "I was made to love her" bass line.

First guy

Second guy

The only difference in Jamerson and those guys is that HE ONLY USED ONE FINGER! Really. He did all the high speed finger picking with his right hand index finger only. That's why they referred to it as "the hook". Jamerson had toughened it playing Jazz on the upright bass before ever picking up his 62 Fender Precision Bass. Amazing.