FS: Fender Walnut Precision Special (the one from the 1982 Fender Catalog)

JFN · #1 01-12-2010, 06:54 PM

*** Price Drop: $2600 ***

Beautiful all walnut 1982 Fender Precision Special from the Fullerton plant. This bass has a solid walnut body, neck and fret board and features an active pre-amp with active/passive switch. Passive mode gives a deep resonate old-school P-Bass thump (with tone control). Switch to active mode for tones that really cut through the mix.

From the serial number, it seems like the 21st instrument made. A quote from someone who knows a bit about them:

"The natural (lighter) color Walnut Specials were the first batch made and are very, very rare. I've seen 2 vs. 50+ of the tinted ones. Fender started spraying a burst pattern tinted clear coat after that first batch. Unfortunately, the tinted clear coat has a reputation of bubbling and flaking off, unlike the lighter first batch of instruments. John Page posted on the FDP forum that less than 200 Walnut Precision Specials were produced and Fender lost money on every one sold."

Now, what makes this instrument a little more "special" is the fact it's the actual bass chosen and photographed for the 1982 Fender catalog.

Specs:
* 1982 Walnut Precision Special
* The nut is 1.65" (or B width)
* The neck has the thinner D shape
* Solid black walnut body and neck
* One of approx. 200-300 made
* This is one of the earliest P Specials produced
* Excellent condition, fantastic tone
* Copy of 1982 Fender catalog will be included
* Weight is 8.5 pounds

This bass was sold by Krall from Canada to OriginalKeyster last May. Key and I traded some gear and I ended up with it. Due to a change in my employment status, I am forced to let this one go.

The bass is in great condition and the neck plays great with low action. Includes Fender hard shell tweed case. Price is $2600 shipped in the CONUS and PayPal is fine. No Trades Please. Below are links the previous for-sale listings for this bass. There are many more pictures and good information in these threads as well.

FS:1982 Fender Walnut Precision Special

FS: 1982 Fender Walnut Precision Special

OriginalKeyster · #2 01-15-2010, 09:01 AM

Here are some additional pics from my collection. It pains me to see this go, but I am also unemployed and have little hope of buying it back as I had initially planned. Free bump for a cool piece of Fender history and one heck of a good guy to deal with!

This is the catalog shot. In the actual catalog you can read the serial number, which matches this one. I have an extra copy of the catalog, if the buyer wants to make an offer.

Twocan · #3 01-15-2010, 02:09 PM

Beautiful bass. I'm confused about the third dial, the one closest to the pickups. Is that a modification? What is that for?

JFN · #4 01-15-2010, 02:31 PM

Good question. First, it is not a mod, that's how it came from the factory. It has an active passive switch with a 2-band EQ when in active mode. The one closest to the pup is a master volume.

When in active mode, the other two knobs are Hi boost/cut and Low boost/cut.

When in passive mode, the knob next to the volume functions as a passive tone knob, and the third one does nothing. Hope this helps.

John

lpdeluxe · #5 01-15-2010, 08:43 PM

Bump from a fan; I'll look again on Monday. What a gorgeous bass!

tbone409 · #6 01-20-2010, 07:10 PM

One of the HOTTEST Fenders ever produced!

audiorep2 · #7 01-21-2010, 05:11 AM

http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v5...assSpecial.jpg

Here are the 3 common colours. I saw a Trans Blue last week at the Orange County show.
These basses, sound amazing. But they are on the heavy side.
Stuart

JFN · #8 01-21-2010, 07:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by audiorep2

These basses, sound amazing. But they are on the heavy side.
Stuart

This one weighs 8.5 lbs. There is a picture of the bass on a scale in Krall's previous for sale thread. This is in the first link in my top posting. I also attached it below. Great sounding bass, and not too heavy.