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Up for sale, a 1980 Fender Precision Special Bass in excellent, 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original hangtags and hardshell case. A precursor to the Elite series Fender basses and available only from 1980-82, the Precision Special was Fender's first bass with active electronics and is unique both visually and sonically. The custom color Lake Placid Blue finish features a matching peghead, accented by gold-plated hardware and a "Brassmaster" bridge designed to increase sustain and articulation.
At 10lbs 15oz, this bass has no shortage of punch and power, and it's a well-balanced instrument on a strap. Strung with fresh roundwound 45-100 strings, the bass has both ample low end thump and aggressive top end detail, accentuated by the active Bass and Treble controls. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this bass has been dialed in to perfection with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.
The maple neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve with moderate shoulder and faintly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .810" deep at the 1st fret and .925" at the 12th. The maple fretboard features pearloid dot inlay and practically perfect jumbo fretwire, playing cleanly up the 34" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width, and the matching Lake Placid Blue headstock features a gold Fender logo, block "Precision Special" text and E-prefix serial number, with one small finish chip on the headstock edge. The bass retains the original gold plated Fender-branded tuning machines which turn smoothly and hold pitch as they should. The gold plating has held up notably well, with plenty of shine and just a speckling of patina across the clover buttons.
All of the electronics work as intended, with the original gray bobbin pickup, untouched solder joints, and CTS pots which date to the 44th week of 1980. Both active EQ controls have center detents so it's easy to find their neutral settings, and the small mini-toggle adjacent to the input jack toggles between active and passive operation. All of the original gold-plated brass hardware is present including the knurled knobs, gold "Fender USA" embossed thumb rest, and Brassmaster bridge, substantially more robustly built than previous Fender designs.
The Lake Placid Blue goss finish exhibits subtle greening in the clear coat, with very subtle texturing in the clear coat on the back of the body from prolonged contact with the case lining, also extending to the outside edge of the treble-side body horn. There is notable
stand rash into the finish on the lower bout body edge, and cosmetic wear is otherwise limited to a few tiny dings on the body as a whole. The ambered gloss on the neck profile is nigh-flawless, highlighting subtle figuring in the maple.
The original plastic molded "Fender USA" hardshell case is included, along with the original manual and instruction leaflet in Japanese (this USA-made bass was originally distributed in Japan via Fender's partner Yamano).
At 10lbs 15oz, this bass has no shortage of punch and power, and it's a well-balanced instrument on a strap. Strung with fresh roundwound 45-100 strings, the bass has both ample low end thump and aggressive top end detail, accentuated by the active Bass and Treble controls. Professionally setup here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar, this bass has been dialed in to perfection with easy-playing action and accurate intonation.
The maple neck has a slender C-shaped profile carve with moderate shoulder and faintly rolled fretboard edges, measuring .810" deep at the 1st fret and .925" at the 12th. The maple fretboard features pearloid dot inlay and practically perfect jumbo fretwire, playing cleanly up the 34" scale with a straight neck and responsive, optimally adjusted truss rod. The nut measures 1 5/8" in width, and the matching Lake Placid Blue headstock features a gold Fender logo, block "Precision Special" text and E-prefix serial number, with one small finish chip on the headstock edge. The bass retains the original gold plated Fender-branded tuning machines which turn smoothly and hold pitch as they should. The gold plating has held up notably well, with plenty of shine and just a speckling of patina across the clover buttons.
All of the electronics work as intended, with the original gray bobbin pickup, untouched solder joints, and CTS pots which date to the 44th week of 1980. Both active EQ controls have center detents so it's easy to find their neutral settings, and the small mini-toggle adjacent to the input jack toggles between active and passive operation. All of the original gold-plated brass hardware is present including the knurled knobs, gold "Fender USA" embossed thumb rest, and Brassmaster bridge, substantially more robustly built than previous Fender designs.
The Lake Placid Blue goss finish exhibits subtle greening in the clear coat, with very subtle texturing in the clear coat on the back of the body from prolonged contact with the case lining, also extending to the outside edge of the treble-side body horn. There is notable
stand rash into the finish on the lower bout body edge, and cosmetic wear is otherwise limited to a few tiny dings on the body as a whole. The ambered gloss on the neck profile is nigh-flawless, highlighting subtle figuring in the maple.
The original plastic molded "Fender USA" hardshell case is included, along with the original manual and instruction leaflet in Japanese (this USA-made bass was originally distributed in Japan via Fender's partner Yamano).
