Fender Original Precision Bass, two tone burst, crafted in Japan 1999-02. We've had a mammoth amount of Fender Japan basses through the store in the last four years, but this is the first time wee've ever had one of these. Back in 1951, a young and luminary Leo Fender wanted to offer bass players an alternative to the cumbersome upright bass, so he designed the first ever electric bass, launching in October that year and called the Precision Bass. It was made from an ash 'slab body' (no contours, they came later) with an extended top horn for weight balance  and utilised a pickup originally designed for a mandolin. The design changed a couple of times before settling in 1957 to something pretty close to the P Bass we all know, but... this first design really has a lot of charm. The design was re-introduced in 1968 as the 'Telecaster Bass', but shortly after that they disappeared until the first of the Japanese made reissues came out in the early 80s. The OPB51 model pops up here and there in a few different Fender Japan catalogs, but they were never made in big numbers, almost always sold exclusively within Japan and often fetch fairly insane prices in JPY on the Japan secondary market. So, all that to say, it's pretty rare and certainly a fun little piece of history. But, all that aside, is it any good? I had no idea what to expect, but I really love it. Despite being ash, it's pretty light at a whisker over 4kg, and the body is both superbly resonant and perfectly balanced against the neck. The neck is a similar shape to the PB57 models we've sold a stack of previously, so it's a moderately chunky D-shape with a vintage 7.25" radius carved from a single piece of maple. It's straight, comfy and simply satisfying in the hands. The factory pickup is a 50s style offering by Seymour Duncan, which is surprisingly hot. The tone is a little more midrange focussed than a regular P, so it's got a warm piquant growl with heaps of definition and a vintage honk. The tone knob is pretty powerful, so you can roll it right up for snappy snarky bite or roll it back for warm, gooey motown tones. When these do occasionally pop up, it's more often in the butterscotch finish, so this lux two tone burst finish is especially welcome. Paired with the weird shape guard, skinny Tele headstock and the golden maple board... what a gorgeous piece of bass. Anyway, that's enough from me... it's very good etc.

Model: Fender Original Precision Bass OPB51-95SD
Made: Japan, Dyna plant, 1999-02 (serial P029061)
Finish: 2-tone sunburst,1-ply white guard
Body: lightweight ash, 3-piece
Neck: maple with maple board, 34" scale, 7.25" radius, 42mm nut
Weight: 4.045kg
Mods: none
Pickup: Seymour Duncan OPB-Vintage single coil
Case: basic gig bag

Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has a few minor scuffs on the end. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, no major marks. The back has widespread very light scuffs but no major marks. The sides have no major marks, just some minor dimples in the elbow area, near the jack and on the bottom horn. The front has a few dimples in the elbow area and near the controls, as well as some standard play wear on the guard. Overall: excellent condition (9/10)

Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electrics tested and working properly. The frets look good, minor wear only, 8/10 for life left. Set up with fresh 45/105 Moonshiners strings.