Fender Precision Bass Natural 1979
Fender Precision Bass, Natural gloss, made in USA 1979. This honey-hued honker is one hell of a high performer. The late 1970s version of the P can vary quite a lot, but you always get the CBS-era bol logos, three ply guard, simple hardware and the classic curves. This one has a medium U shaped neck: not super skinny, not nearly as fat as some other 70s P examples we've had, and the Rosewood board is a bit less common than the Maple for this era. The finish, as best we're aware, is all original. It's got plenty of play wear around the usual areas; it certainly has a certain well-loved ambience to it that's hard to replicate without thousands of hours on the clock. The pickup was swapped for a Custom Shop model by the previous owner, as the original pickup was lost to the sands of time. It sounds magnificent: fat, punchy and round, with a very pleasing balance of snappy definition and warm, wide midrange spread. At a hair under 4kg, this is a gloriously lightweight example too. P stands for perfect punk pizzazz, partner.
Model: Fender Precision Bass
Made: USA; 1979
Serial: S900043
Finish: natural, gloss polyurethane
Body: Ash
Neck: Maple, Indian Rosewood radius laminate fretboard, 7.25" radius, 34" scale, 42mm nut, medium U shape
Weight: 3.965kg
Mods: pickup replaced
Pickups: Fender Custom Shop '62 Precision Bass split coil
Accessories: hard case, seems to be original but de-badged with some extra black paint here and there
Cosmetic condition notes: minor finish wear. The headstock has fading and yellowing on the front, scuffs and dimples on the end and both edges, a dent on the bottom edge and a bald patch in th clearcoat on the back near the G tuner. The is clean and smooth in the hands, dimples, checking and rub wear on the back, as well as a couple of clearcoat chips but nothing that feels or looks especially bad. The back has checking lines all over, scratches in the middle of the body, a bald patch along the belly carve, dimples on the top horn, elbow area and back edge and a dent near the jack. The sides have minor dimples, scuffs and checking all over, as well as some dents and small chips in the elbow area and near the jack. The front has a bald patch between the pickup and elbow area, holes from the removed bridge cover, dimples around the bridge, a broken corner of the pickguard near the jack and widespread checking and minor scuffs all over.
Overall: very 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 Moonshiners strings.
Fret Life: 7/10, minor wear only