Fender Precision Bass Natural 1978
Fender Precision Bass, natural gloss, made in USA 1978. This is awesome. The P went through a bunch of changes between it's inception in 1954 and the early 80s, and this one is quintessentially late 70s: bold black logos, slim 40mm nut, U shape neck, black guard, ash body, natural finish... era specific stuff, and very cool. The neck feels great in the hands: there's a bit of natural play wear, but it's in tidy shape, and the slightly slim shape is very agreeable indeed. It's still fatter than a Jazz Bass, but just a little easier to move around on and more comfy to play for long sessions. The original pickup is missing, but the Duncan SPB-1 on deck delivers the goods: fat, full, warm and punchy, with a generous midrange growl and a gorgeous rich fundamental note. This will sit in a mix on your recordings or live work perfectly, it has that simple roundness that anchors a band just right. The finish has a few scrapes and knocks, and the tone pot is a little bent, but it's in pretty good shape for a bass from five decades ago. If you're after a very enjoyable vintage P that will both deliver the goods for a busy player and steadily appreciate for a discerning collector, this is the thing.
Model: Fender Precision Bass
Made: USA, 1978, Fullerton plant
Serial: S887007
Finish: natural, gloss urethane
Body: ash
Neck: maple, maple fretboard, 34" scale, 7.25" radius, 40mm nut, moderate U shape
Weight: 4.395kg
Mods: pickup replaced, thumb rest installed and removed, some screws replaced, knobs replaced
Pickups: Seymour Duncan Basslines SPB-1 Vintage P Bass split single coil
Accessories: basic non-original case
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has some scuffs and minor chips on the end, dimples on both edges and the front near the 'bass' decal and the back along the bottom edge. The neck is clean and smooth in the hands, there's a small dent on the back on the treble side very close to the body join as well as a few dimples up and down the neck. The back has some minor lacquer chips between the neck join and the belly carve, in the bottom corner and on the back edge up from the rear strap pin, dimples on the bottom horn, back edge and elbow area and some scuffs and surface scratches around the neck join, belly carve, middle of the body and back edge. The sides have scuffs and dimples on both horns, scuffs, dents and dimples and some rub wear in the elbow area, and a few dents and scuffs near the jack, The front has dimples and scuffs in the elbow area, around the bridge, near the jack and on the top horn, as well as extra holes from a removed and missing bridge cover, holes in the guard and body from a removed thumb rest and some play wear on the guard and horns. The tone pot is original but a little bent, but it looked cute so we left it.
Overall: good condition (7/10)
Playing condition notes: Action is low, neck is straight, intonation is good, truss rod works. All electronics tested and working properly. Wearing fresh 45/105 strings.
Fret life: 8/10, minor wear only