Fender Precision Bass

This is a passive 4-string, 2001 Fender made in Mexico Precision Bass, in a Midnight Wine colour, with the standard "C" maple neck, with an alder wood body. It's got a rosewood fingerboard that has medium-jumbo frets, and a standard precision single-split coil pickup. It's got a 3-ply white pickguard, with 20 frets and comes with one volume and tone knobs, and a standard vintage style bridge, with standard machine heads and chrome hardware. I would've liked to have more options tone-wise though. One is not enough as it doesn't give me enough variety.

I can get a decent sound out of this from a small-wattage guitar amp with the mids boosted up. I've had it run through many different amps, Fenders etc, and it sounds pretty good. In my opinion though, it just kind of sits there, it's either got too much treble, or not enough of a low-down bass sound. If you put it in the middle it just kind of sits on the fence. Although it's not extremely noisy, but a bit of buzzing. I would not use it in the studio though, but rather for a live setting. I like to play a lot of things that range from Metallica to Chris Isaak, and from things such as rock to pop. I tried to play funk with this bass, and it does not work. You cannot get a good slap or popping sound out of this and make it sound good, which is kind of disappointing for me. I bought it when I didn't know a lot about basses and hadn't started popping/slapping yet, so I really didn't care at the time. It's definately better for punk music, used with, or without a pick.

I cannot comment on the action directly from the factory, because the store had since set it up. The saddle isn't very good to tell you the truth, it is often loose, and likes to lower itself, and has been that way since I bought it, mostly noticeable on the E string, and rarely on the G. The finish has been amazing since I bought it, it has a few scratches but nothing major. I try to take care of my equipment, though. I don't like to let other people play it anymore, though, because I found more accidents were happening because other people were careless, but, even those can be cleaned out with guitar cream, so, nothing major. Things such as the tone knobs have not fallen off yet, either, and the machine heads are sturdy. This thing is seriously built like a tank, and has the weight of one too.

The intonation is fine on it and has been since I bought it. I would go to a gig without a backup, as it is a passive, and nothing is loose inside, and it has been a consistant bass. The hardware and finish have both lasted, and the strap buttons are extremely solid as well. It's kind of heavy, and will tire you out after playing for awhile, but, it is still quite a sturdy bass.

It was under warrenty, but I haven't needed to use it. Anything I've ever had to do, I took it to my local guitar shop.

I've been playing bass for about three years, and I've had this bass that long as well. It's pretty much grown along with me, and I have a lot of memories with it, which is why, despite it's many flaws I will not get rid of it. If it were stolen or lost, I'd probably be upset just because of all the time I've spent playing with it, but I'd ultimately have to buy something else. I wish I would have inspected the saddles a little clearer though. I also own a Yamaha DP series drumkit, a Washburn acoustic guitar, a Squire 20th Anniversary Telecaster(yeah, it's not the best, but, it's kinda cool), and an old classical acoustic guitar. I've played this bass through a PH-2 Super-Phaser and a DD-5 Delay pedal, and it sounds great. If I had known the musical direction I have taken, I would have never bought this bass, but it's kind of good to know where I'm at now compared to where I was, and how it's lasted while doing that. It was a great bass for what I used to use it for, and I have no regrets about buying it when I did. Not enough sound variation and the fact that it's pretty heavy kind of weighs it down.

1977 Made in USE P-bass. Usual features. Black body, maple neck. Bridge and pickup-covers (but i play it with those removed)

I play mainly 70's rock covers (Thin Lizzy, Deep Purple, Wishbone Ash) so its perfect for that. I used to play it on a Marshall 100w Lead (yes, LEAD) but use a Trace Eliott GP11 now. Much better. Zoom 506 bass pedal makes a good sound.

I can vary a lot more with my Ibanez SR405 5 string, but this thing still is the best.

I dropped it once (shame on me) and there's some small damage. But it even stayed in tune. Perfect. Loose controls? What is that? Keep them guitar boys in our band tuning and tuning and I just pick it up out of the case and play.

This thins will withstand the apocalyps. Really. I DO have a backup, but you really don't need it.

Dunno. Once checked the serial number on the UK Fender website and I got an answer right away (I just wanted to know the year and make; I bought it second hand in 1979 for about ? 400,- ($350 or so)......

I play in bands for about 25 years now. Had an Egmond first, a Sakai after that. Then bought this one. Still have another Harmony Jazz bass (made it fretless) and an Ibanez SR405. If this one was stolen? I'd hire them guys from Mission Impossible and get a contract on the guy who stole it. If possible I would buy it back yes...

1978 P bass american made, Sunburst
Standard 20 fret neck 4 string
3 piece ash body
Vol tone pots
Standard Fender split pickup
All passive, Volume and tone controls
Glossy finish, lots of checking now, perfect then
Precision body, the one that started them all
Standard bridge
Standard Fender / Schaller tuners
B-width maple neck, 1 5/8 inches at the nut Rosewood board.
Original hard shell case

Perfect for rock'n roll, blues, RnB
Played through a 1979 Music Man 130 amp with 4x12" cabinet. Flat settings, no effects. Planning on getting a conmpressor though.
Not particularly noisy
Rich full sound, you can take off the treble but that's about it.
Makes big bass sound, but you just don't get the dry Jaco sound.
Haven't tried the studio yet, great for gigs.
You just play better using a classic Fender bass.

Action and fit good, but not to 90's standards. Rather a heavy bass to play, but the vibe can't be beat. Neck pocket allows some movement of the neck, but I removed the "timesheets" sticker at the heel of the neck, and pulled the screws real tight, which cured the problem.
Hardware is bulletprof. I also like the truss rod at the heel adjustment, simply don't trust the bullet tuss rods. (with good reason, the bullet may crack the wood below it and ruin the neck. Be aware, that the P bass was NEVER made with a bullet adjustment and 3 bolt neck fixture)

You would not think of bringing a backup to this bass, it is built like a tank. Bring a set of strings and an extra cable and that's it. Finish is hard wearing, too much so, at this age you would welcome some finish checking and cool wear marks, but they are hard to make the natural way due to the thick skin finish. Notice that the bodies are all clear coated first to seal the wood, so they all look like they are refinished naturals when you wear through. Not so.

After you find your string gauge and the bass settles with them, you don't need to touch the truss rod, unless you move from Greenland to Indonesia.

Used to be good, they swapped the neck for me back in 79, since there was a fault with the truss rod.

Today the support is average I guess, BUT they sell cheap replacement parts that don't fit or break when you fit them on.

Example: I got a '62 tortoise pickguard, it was 5 mm too small in all directions and would not fit at all. The seller claimed that the '62 Pbass was different from the 78, and only took it back after a big row. Got another part from the states, exactly same spec, and it fit perfectly.

Got a replacement bullet for my 77 Jazz bass, its made from BRASS and stripped the threads the minute I got it on. Neither were the threads deep enough. Who do they think they are fooling?

Got an "authentic replacement '62 Pbass pickup" which looks much more like a 1999 Squier or El cheapo Pbass excuse. Havent bothered to put it in since it looks so bad I went on Ebay and got a Seymour Duncan Quarterpunder instead.

Bill Schultz, you are digging your own grave, if the replacement parts hoax is allowed to continue.

Started playing 1975, own 3 other P basses, and an Ibanez musician.
Wish I knew they were available with A-widht (1 1/2") neck on special order. Just made myself a hybrid P bass with Jazz bass neck, but havent got the quartepounder Pickup yet so I haven't tested it properly yet. Acoustically it is awesome.

The late 70s Pbasses are good instruments, not like the same era Strats and Jazz basses. Unlike these, the Pbass and standard Tele never got the infamous 3 bolt neck and bullet adjustment. The only possible weak point may be the electronics, but I never had any problems. Not too much variation on the sound, though, wich is why I got the Ibanez with 6 pots and neck through. Beautiful guitar, but no mojo. Life has not been the same until I got an identical 78 Pbass back a couple of years ago. Same price as in 78, as well.

These basses are very good value now, but beware, in 5 years they are going to increase in value as they turn 30.

I bought this instrument in 1975. I was the third owner and it had already been used pretty hard. It is completely stock, never refretted, no bells/whistles...completely original. It has a Rosewood fretboard and the neck is more like a Jbass neck (thin and fast). It has the original Sunburst finish though most of it has worn off. It came with the original case but I've gone through two cases since I bought it. An original work horse, a real beauty!

The classic Pbass sound. Sounds best through a tube amp though currently I play it through a small Fender bass cube and mic/DI it through the PA. Pickups are sort of noisy but that's one of the characteristics of the beast and I would not trade it off. This instrument has become a part of me over the years and is comfortable to play.

Over the years I've had the neck tweaked a bit but generally the guitar is as smooth and easy to play as it was back in '75.

This has been my main instrument since 1975 and it has never let me down once. In the early years I didn't have money for a backup bass so it was let it hang out and see what happens. I've played R/R, blues, country, jazz, and bluegrass with this guitar and it has adapted well to all styles. My impression is that the instrument will go another 30 years without any problem.

N/A

One thing I have learned is that Fender instruments will go the distance without a whimper or whine. At a recent gig a guy came up and offered me $5000 for the '64 right there on the spot, which I turned down. After that I bought a newer Made in Mexico Pbass to take to gigs because I got worried about having the '64 stolen. While the MiM Pbass is no match for the '64, it still has that quality Fender feel and playability.

I have a 1998 Fender precision bass made in Mexico
standard neck lenth , frets etc
rosewood fingerboard on maple neck ...body ?? (poplar)
standard split pickup
in a wine red metallic finish (mmm nice)
with a white tortoishell pickguard

the good old Fender Precision ... you cant beat it !! I play in a rock n roll/rockabilly/blues Band and it suits my style perfectly, it has an amazing fast neck and punchy low sound or ringing high notes
I run it through a Peavey sessionmaster Bass head and enclosure rated at around 300 watts .. Ive used the bass for around 70 gigs so far and the only thing thats let me down was a saddle grub screw !! I like the weight and its balance ...

I bought secondhand so I made my own adjustments to the action and set up and changed the crappy strings to rotosounds .. apart from the above mentioned bridge saddle the guitar was excellent when i got it .

As Ive said Ive used the bass for 70 gigs + and still going you can bang it drop it, throw it, stand on it ...its very solid typical Fender quality .. It now has several chips and heavy arm wear on the body and the hardwear is tarnishing badly due to sweat , but hey its a workhorse and I gig without a backup !!

My local guitar shop keeps me happy ...

Ive been playing guitar for about ten years, Bass for about three , I also own a Fender DG3 Acoustic, a 1993 Fender Jaguar (jap reissue) and a 2001 Gibson SG Special (Pete Townshend model) ...stunner !!!
I had a Vester p-bass copy before this and a Epiphone EB0 but they were both crap !! ....do not be put off by Mexican Fenders !!

I have recently bought this '84 Fender Precision Bass made in Japan.

I play rockmusic and the sound this bass gives is really the best I can get out of my MESA/BOOGIE 400+ Bass Head and MESA/BOOGIE 2x10" and MESA/BOOGIE 2x15" cabinets. I have to admin I make my sound mainly with my amp because the Bass doesn't give that much different sounds with just the precision pickups. But, what it has it do, it does well.

The bass was build in '84 and it's previous owned said he played it a lot, but there are hardly any marks on it. It looks brandnew.

I haven't dealt with them so far...

I play bass for a couple of years now and this is the best Bass I've owned so far. My Ibanez Artist '78 is degraded to a backup bass when I bought this one but I would replace my Fender with a precision USA if it would get stolen :)

I own a 1968 Fender Precision Bass with the classic sunburst and tortoise shell pickgaurd look. I purchased the bass about 2 years ago from its original owner, who bought it brand new. Everything on this bass is entirely stock, so it's your standard p-bass. Only a few scratches and dings here and there, overall in excellent condition. The original case, also in outstanding condition, was included as well.

This bass epitomises the stereotypical bass tone of the late 60s and early 70s. From a roaring thud to bright, warm highs, this is the most versatile bass i have ever owned/played. Tonality wise, this bass's niche is definitely rooted in a stones, zeppelin and cream sort of groove, but with the potential to go in many different directions. I occasionally use an old mxr distortion + on it and it sounds amazing, really dirty growl. I had been using an early 80s Spector NS-2 with dimarzio pickups and an EMG active 18 volt inside along with a 1979 Fender Bullet Deluxe fretless (Made In the USA). Once i bought the p bass, the others have been taken to gigs solely as back up instruments. I play through an Ampeg SVT-350 and a Fender Concert (1983 Riverra series) pushing an Ampeg 4 10 cab and a Musicman 15. This setup easily allows the bass to cut through the mix and put out more than enough punch!

After many, many adjustments the bass is finally "perfect", for me atleast. The action is just right, slightly low and very fast. The only drawback is that the neck is slightly warped, due to its age (35 years old!). But, like i said before, through many,many adjustments the bass feels flawless.

The guy i bought the bass from had been using it as his main gigging axe for well over 25 years, so it has obviously showed that it can handle the rigors of the road. In the 2 years that i have owned the bass it has never given me a moments trouble.

Considering the age of this guitar, I'm sure the warranty has ran out many years ago.

This is the best bass i have ever owned, hands down. The sound it produces is killer. This is the only bass ive played that allows me to get the tones of such bass legends as John Paul Jones, Jack Bruce and John Entwistle. I suggest to anyone looking for these vintage tones and are about to buy a "reissue" to seek out the real deal. there is no comparisson. If this guitar were stolen or lost i would be utterly heartbroken. A guitar like this is irreplaceable. Truly an excellent bass guitar that has stood the test of time.

you can view this bass guitar and my spector at www.vintage-bass.com in the gallery under "Jeremiah Shriver"

My Precision bass was made in 1963; I bought it in 1967. It's USA- made in Fullerton, CA. 4-string, of course. Frets: enough...never counted. Two passive pickups, offset from each other and original. Tone and volume controls. I run the tone at full bass all the time, because that's the sound I like.

The original finish was glossy Olympic White, if memory serves. It was so dinged up that I had an auto shop re-paint it Ford metallic gold in about 1969 or 70. (Didn't realize till recently that all Fender's original colors were automotive paint, too.)

Tuners and all hardware are 100% original and work as nicely as they did in 1963. Tuner are chrome-plated, and never slip. Original pickup guard and bridge guard are still in place, as I like to use both. Neck was replaced in 1972 when the original truss rod broke right before a job and I had to get the neck replaced; it has a rosewood fingerboard and frets with edges which are much smoother and less prone to grab clothing than the frets on newer P-basses.

I have the original tan color hard case with orange velour lining;very nice for preventing damage, as this bass has been carried and shipped around the US a fair amount.

I have always used flatwound strings on this bass, and I see no reason to even consider round-wounds.

Overall rating is 9 because the features are not exotic, but they're solid and it does exactly what it was designed to do when built in 1963. I don't need active pickups, I just need P-bass sound.

I will give this bass a 7 because compared to modern units, it doesn't have tons of features that compare with active pickup units with hi, middle and low tone controls and that kind of foo-foo. OTOH, I don't need or want a unit with that kind of versatility - I want a P-bass that sounds like a P-bass.

This bass defines the Fender sound. Crank the tone down to full bass and the tone on my '67 Bassman head (driving a 2x15 Fender cabinet)down to full bass, and what you get is a rumble similar to Jack Bruce on the Disraeli Gears album. Since I like a "thud" sound rather than a sound with overtones, I use strings a LONG time. The flatwounds on it have been on for about six years, and I won't be replacing them anytime soon. If I want a bit more overtone, I can ass some treble at the amp, but I don't change the tone on the bass itself.

I play mainly surf music and classic rock and jazz, and the deep rumble of this bass is perfect. It's not a bass to use for a wide variety of sounds, although processing could easily be added in the signal chain to create variety.

I've never used it in a studio, but I have used it to play rock, big band music and jazz, and it meets all those needs. It would work in a studio just fine - if an engineer can't work with a '63 P-bass sound, you need a new engineer.

Likes: Solidly built; can't break it without trying. Action and intonation can easily be adjusted as needed (directions are on the Fender website in the Mr. Gearhead section) and you can get a low, easy action with little work. I like the SOUND of a P-bass turned down and thudding along in music - you can't beat it, and it built the whole modern electronic music industry. Everything else tries to sound like a P-bass.

Dislikes: It's a bit heavy after you wear it for a while. When you lean over, watch out because the neck is heavy enough it will tend to tip and try to hit things. Just be aware of this and it's no problem.

The factory setup is lost to history, but I played the bass for years just by picking it up and playing. Its action and intonation were not adjusted between 1967 and 1992...and they didn't change! The neck installed in '72 has never bowed or given problems, and the truss rod has never needed any adjustment. Let's call that solid!

Pickups have never been adjusted, but there's no apparent problem with them and they work fine, so I presume they're great.

Tuners are very dependable, and almost never slip (it probably helps to have six-year-old strings on it, as there's not much stretch left in them). I can tune it, walk away for a week, pick it up and it's still almost in perfect tune.

One thing I notice in particular is that newer P-basses and other instruments often have sharp ends on the fretwires that will catch on clothing. The ends of the fretwires on this P-bass are smooth and nice, and have never caught on anything. I think the attention to fine detail and finish on instruments was much better in '63.

The original paint job was better than the one on it now, but it was very fragile and easy to chip. That's worth dropping the rating to a 9.

This bass has never been beaten around or mishandled, so it hasn't been tested in that environment. However, since it is extremaly stable, never goes out of tune and hasn't had required a truss rod adjustment or had a single part fail with extremely intermittent and occasional use over 30 years, it has to rate high on durability.

Strap buttons have never come loose or given any trouble. I would use it anywhere, any time with no backup. Never even thought about having a backup until I read these reviews. With a P-bass, backups are totally optional - you only need them if you want to change instruments during a gig.

Never needed support, but the Fender website is very helpful for someone like me who is coming back to the electric bass after a laoyff of many years. I'll give them a 7 because they provide more online help than most manufacturers.

I played for years in the late 60's and early 70's, mostly in a dance band playing big band music. In the 80's my younger brother used the bass on and off. I've taken it up again in my early 5-'s to play classic rock and surf music.

Amps:
1) 1967 Fender black-panel Bassman head and 2x15 Fender cabinet.
2) 1980's Fender Bassman 120 combo amp with 1x15 speaker.
3) 1962 Fender Champ practice amp - the bass totally overwhelms it, even with a new Fender speaker installed.

This bass is all I could ask for as a dependable, consistent performer with great sound. I may buy a fretless bass for grins, since I started on orchestral string bass and I think playing a fretless might be a hoot. However, this P-bass will never leave my hands! It fits me, never loses its tune or has problems, and will perform dependably longer than I'll be able to. If it were stolen or lost, I'd probably try out a Jazz bass and maybe a Gibson Les Paul (had a friend who played one in the early 70's professionally and loved it) but chances are I'd buy something that says Fender on it again...most likely a P-bass.

And this summer, I'll probably go to Reranch.com and get the materials to re-paint it to its original Olympic White again. it will help resale value if I ever do sell it, and I'm tired of the gold metallic color after 30 years.

Fender Precision Bass, 70?s reissue, crafted in Japan in 2002. Olympic white finish, black pickguard, 20 fret rosewood fingerboard. The body is made of alder, and the U-shaped 34? scale neck is made of maple.

The electronics is the standard P-Bass one : passive electronics and vintage Precision Bass pickup (made in USA). Volume and tone control.

The bridge is a standard one, too. Strings are mounted on vintage mode (no string thru body).

This bass came with a gigbag.

Well, this is a Precision Bass, and you don?t have to expect for lots of features. Actually, what makes P-Basses magic is their simplicity.

I mainly play rock, blues and rhythm?n?blues. This bass is THE bass for that. Besides, I also own a Music Man StingRay 5 and a Status Energy 4. My main amp, for live situations, is an Ampeg B-100R. For studio recording, I use either the B-100R or a Line 6 Bass Pod. This bass is really quiet.

The sound of this bass is deep and warm. It has basically one tone, but what a tone ! My favourite one is when tone control is around 8. I always adjust level control at 10.

Despite of this one tone, this bass is so versatile that you definitely can?t say it?s a one-trick pony.

Out of the box, the action of strings was a bit high. Well, as you may know, setting up a P-Bass is very easy. A 5-year old kid could do it. So it took me a couple of minutes to have this bass properly setup. Now it has very low action, no buzz and no dead spot either.

This bass seems to be built to last. I?ve been owning it for one month now, and it is still in mint condition. Nothing suspect for me at this time.

I didn?t have to deal with the company. I only had a question to ask the dealer, and they replied within a couple of hours.

I?ve been playing for 27 years, always on. I?ve owned dozens of basses, in many different styles : Rickenbacker, Jacobacci, Music Man, etc. The only Fender I had owned before was a 72 Telecaster Bass that I owned for only a few months.

If this Precision Bass was stolen, sure I?d get another one in a heartbeat, but I?d also hunt the stealer until I find him and shoot him down.

The most incredible thing with this bass is that I spent 27 years of my life playing bass, but without ever owning a Precision Bass.

An early 80's Fender Japan Precision bass, 20 frets, stock issue with no modifications whatsoever. Ash body, 3 color sunburst...essentially a '62 reissue. We all know what we're getting into when we go with a Pbass right?

With my Ashdown and Eden 410XLT it sounds smooth and fat, like a good well behaved Pbass should sound- even, balanced, punchy, with some serious girth! The low mid thing that P basses are noted for definitely shines this one. Slight deadspot in the area of the 6th fret, but nothing that's bothersome or really noticeable. Records great and sounds huge on a stage too.

I purchased this bass used so I can't comment on the factory setup. With my personal setup however, this bass plays and sounds kickass.

At almost 20 years old this bass is holding up very nicely, and as I take good care of my gear it should last indefinitely. The trussrod works and everythings solid.

I've been playing a long time, own plenty of gear, and I'm a busy player. I have absolutely no complaints about this bass whatsoever. It's a great bass. In fact, I'd say it smokes the new USA Fenders I've played. Not that the USA Fenders are bad at all- but this one simply *sounds* better. Go figure. I got lucky.