Fender Precision Basses. Please can some explain all the different models past and present?

Ossyrocks · January 2022

Hi chaps,

Well, I'm hooked on bass. So, the inevitable GAS has kicked in and I'm looking around for a used/vintage Precision. Something will have to go either in trade or sale to get there, but that's ok.

Now, what is holding me back are ALL the numerous lines/versions that have been or are being produced. It's hard to know where to start.

I'm probably OK with understanding the vintage stuff, ie '"73 Precision Bass" etc, as that's basically all they did back then. But when we get into the 80's/90's/2000's, there are so many models that I don't know where to start.

As an indicator of where I'm heading, I really would like a late 60's / early 70's Precision, preferably rosewood board (don't ask me why as I don't really know, I just like the feel of rosewood on guitars, so I reckon it's the same for basses).

Looking at new basses, I really like the idea of the new American Original series. Basically a recreation of a vintage bass.

But, what's in between, what am I missing, what should I be looking at?

Help!

Rob

Funkfingers · January 2022

Strictly speaking, the Fender AO Series blends the cosmetics of vintage bass guitars with modern playability.

IMO, the single most critical feature is the neck profile. My 1978/79 factory fretless has a neck that is a fairly clubby D shape and smothered in poly finish. My AV'63 has the wide/shallow profile of that era. On this, Jamerson, Dunn and Babbitt bass lines fall easily under the fingers. The bass moves of classic dance records make perfect sense. It is necessary to reach further between the strings but this is no hardship. If anything, it makes things easier.

The modern Fender American Standard/Original/Professional instruments are easier to play than the "vintage correct" models but that is not always the best option.

FWIIW, I have tried the Fender American Deluxe/Elite models and found them disappointing - especially for the money. The instruments are slick to play but, in my opinion, their sound is spoiled by the onboard active EQ. Specifically, the EQ band frequency bands are not where I would want them.

I would cheerfully gig on a MIM or MIJ Fender bass with a Duncan Antiquity pickup and, maybe, a John East pre-amp.

stickyfiddle · January 2022

Bear in mind that old Ps usually have massive necks - 44mm wide or so. The American Original series retains this (WHY?!?!), as does the Vintera, but pretty much everything else will have a narrower neck. Am Pro II and Player series both use 41.3mm

FWIW I built one with MJT about a year ago and I love it to bits; I went with a medium nut so still feels mostly like a P but without the ridiculous heft of an old one. Lollar makes a great P pickup if you need one.

Ossyrocks · January 2022

@Funkfingers @stickyfiddle ;

Thanks for the info. I wasn't aware of the nut width differences! I've just measured the cheap Squire P-Bass I've been using and the nut is bang on 41mm. I think the extra 3 mm of the American Original series might be too much, but obviously I need to try one. My local shop Promenade Music have an AO Precision, but it's a maple board one, although it could give me an idea of just how much wider it actually feels. I'm not optimistic though, I thought I was already playing a guitar with vintage precision nut width!

The American Professional II range look nice though, but I was hoping for something vintage vibey.

What do people feel about MIJ Precisions, and what are the nut widths on those?

Cheers chaps,
Rob

Reggaebass · January 2022

If your going vintage there are 3 nut sizes A,B,and C, A being the smallest, (jazz size) and apparently they did a D but I’ve never seen one ,the transition period from the C wider nut to the B was around 68-69 . If you like the 41mm ish nut you might be better with an early 70s one, which is what I’m looking for at the moment, it’s quite a minefield, I can only recommend you try as many as you can to see what feels good to you, good luck

Ossyrocks · January 2022

Reggaebass said:

If your going vintage there are 3 nut sizes A,B,and C, A being the smallest, (jazz size) and apparently they did a D but I’ve never seen one ,the transition period from the C wider nut to the B was around 68-69 . If you like the 41mm ish nut you might be better with an early 70s one, which is what I’m looking for at the moment, it’s quite a minefield, I can only recommend you try as many as you can to see what feels good to you, good luck

Good info thanks.

Am I right in thinking a ‘73 I’m looking at would be 41mm?

Reggaebass · January 2022

Yeah, should be a B width nut
A-1 1/2 in.
B- 1 5/8 in.
C- 1 3/4 in

Ossyrocks · January 2022

Ok chaps, maybe I'm an impetuous fool, but I've been negotiating on an all original '73 PB. The business owner is away in the US, but we've communicated via email and agreed a price. I've now also talked to the shop manager and gone through aspects of the bass over the phone, it does sound like the one to me, and it has a 41mm nut width.

I'm waiting for a reply on my offer of a trade, but either way, the bass is now "on hold" for me and I expect to close the deal today or tomorrow.

Rather exciting times!

Thanks for all your input chaps, much appreciated.

Rob

markj · January 2022

Is it the one at ATB guitars?

Ossyrocks · January 2022

markj said:

Is it the one at ATB guitars?

Guilty as charged mi 'lud.

Not at the advertised price I might add.

Reggaebass · January 2022

That’s a nice 73, I considered that one myself , I’ve heard of a few people doing business with Mike and all was really good, I also nearly bought a 65 jazz from him, good luck Ossyrocks , keep us posted

markj · January 2022

Hi Rob, a fellow Gartone Bluesman owner here. Have you seen the Bluesman for sale on their website for 3K.

ICBM · January 2022

Despite my love for Rickenbacker and Aria SB basses, it remains true that the plain old 1957-style Precision is the absolute definition of the electric bass… there’s no type of music that can’t be played on it, and it will sound at least good for all of them. It’s also one of the simplest instruments, and it’s actually hard to make a bad one even at very low prices - but a great one is more a function of good wood and to some extent luck (and/or knowledgeable selection) than fancy features.

I don’t get on with the original wide necks at all, admittedly - but the later medium-width ones are fine. Nor am I a fan of the original reverse-gear tuners, they’re just an anachronism that’s (in my opinion) pointless to reproduce for the sake of it. But aside from that, just find one you like and you can’t go wrong. There’s only one minor design flaw - the pickguard-mounted jack can be a bit fragile if the lead gets tugged - but using a right-angle plug and running the cable through the strap fixes that.

Probably Leo Fender’s single greatest invention. (Which is saying quite a lot.)

Funkfingers · January 2022

Reverse gear machineheads were a carry over from the contrabass. They were chosen so as not to alienate the target demographic.

ICBM · January 2022

Funkfingers said:

Reverse gear machineheads were a carry over from the contrabass. They were chosen so as not to alienate the target demographic.

I know, but there's absolutely no need to put them on a modern reissue... it's just perversely 'authentic' for the sake of it.

stickyfiddle · January 2022

That looks like a really nice bass.I fully agree the P is just the classic all-rounder electric bass in a way I didn't quite fully appreciate until I got one. Mine has reverse tuners that I'm ok with because I don't have any other basses. I'm pretty sure I'll swap them as soon as I have another.

Ossyrocks · January 2022

Hi chaps, I’ve just paid for it, shipping on Monday, can’t wait.

I’ve known Mike for a few years and met him a couple of times. He’s one of the good guys.
He was very good to deal with in this instance, I didn’t haggle, he just offered me a good price straight off, and I accepted.

Thanks for all your help on this,
Rob

Funkfingers · January 2022

ICBM said:
just perversely 'authentic' for the sake of it.

That explains the reverse gear 'heads on my RIC 4001. :-p

ICBM · January 2022

Funkfingers said:

That explains the reverse gear 'heads on my RIC 4001. :-p

Indeed

.

Luckily mine has the 'wavy' Grovers. At least, luckily until one of them breaks and I have to pay about £200 for a replacement set...

icu81b4 · January 2022

@Ossyrocks Congrats on your purchase, I notice that there is also an Olympic White 71 for sale, do you know why that one is so much more money than yours was?

Ossyrocks · January 2022

icu81b4 said:

@Ossyrocks Congrats on your purchase, I notice that there is also an Olympic White 71 for sale, do you know why that one is so much more money than yours was?

I don’t really know why. But custom colours are generally more expensive. The shop manager said mine played better than the white one though. I did really fancy the Olympic White one, but as it’s my first vintage bass, it was a bit of a stretch too far.

Reggaebass · January 2022

I think you’ll find the Olympic white ones normally are more expensive as they didn’t do so many, especially the jazzes, if the 71 P had the original case I probably would have made him an offer , they add to the value

Zoonyboy · February 2022

You did the right thing. 70s P Basses are generally great sounding (but can be heavy sometimes). Any P Bass will sound good on ANY recording, just do not over eq or process it, they always sound right, straight out of the jack socket. That goes for both round wound and flat wound strings. Different but equally effective. So eventually you need another P Bass, maybe.

Ossyrocks · February 2022

Zoonyboy said:

You did the right thing. 70s P Basses are generally great sounding (but can be heavy sometimes). Any P Bass will sound good on ANY recording, just do not over eq or process it, they always sound right, straight out of the jack socket. That goes for both round wound and flat wound strings. Different but equally effective. So eventually you need another P Bass, maybe.

Cheers. I’m probably going flats very soon. My bass is not one of the heavy ones, it’s 8 1/2 lbs.

I won’t be processing anything, just straight into a Markbass with minimal eq.

I’m loving this bass.

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Fender Precision Basses. Please can some explain all the different models past and present?

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