IMG_6211.jpg

For sale 1983 USA Fender Standard Series Precision Bass - Black - Maple Fretboard

$1,495.00
Location
Portland Oregon, United States
Strings
4
Status
3 members are watching this classified ad

Details

Ships to:
  1. United States
This is a somewhat unique transitional year in Fender's American made Precision history that do not pop up for sale that often (I only see one other right now here on Reverb). This one is a player's instrument and thus priced accordingly. Feel free to read through the detailed description below, or let the pictures do the talking. I am always happy to answer any questions. Thanks for looking! Shipping will be calculated based on buyer's location (I use Pirate Ship to save $$).
IMG_6211.jpgIMG_6209.jpgIMG_6210.jpgIMG_6212.jpgIMG_6213.jpgIMG_6226.jpgIMG_6227.jpgIMG_6215.jpgIMG_6208.jpgIMG_6214.jpgIMG_6216.jpgIMG_6217.jpgIMG_6218.jpgIMG_6219.jpgIMG_6220.jpgIMG_6222.jpgIMG_6223.jpgIMG_6224.jpgIMG_6225.jpg IMG_6529.webpIMG_6530.webpIMG_6531.webp
fender-cat-1983-std-basses-back-cover-rr-150dri_zps13qxdzbx.webp
Not to be confused with one of the Fullerton Vintage Reissue models, this is the Standard Series that later became the American Standard (see the final photo which is an Internet archive of the info sheet that Fender put out for the release of these basses). This bass was made in Fullerton, CA at the original Fender factory (before production moved to Corona in the later 1980s), and is all original including the molded hardcase.

The pots date to the 16th week of 1983 and the Neck has a date stamp of July 19th 1983. This Era of Fenders is known of as the Dan Smith era, when the entire line of guitars and basses was revamped. Dan Smith and other talented new hires breathed new life and quality into the Fender line and some excellent instruments were produced such as this bass.

The frets have plenty of material with barely any actual wear to them. The neck does have some finish wear to the gloss fretboard edges. The previous owner was an older woman who played in a country band with her husband, and her wedding ring wore at this finish over countless gigs and left it feeling nice and broken in. There is some similar wear to the top edge , but not as a severe. There are also a LOT of surface scratches, pick marks, that show this bass was loved and played over all those country gigs. They are all in that "nearly impossible to photograph on a gloss black finish" variety, but they are there. There are also two dings - one just above the 20th fret and one on the lower bout from strap wear. See the photos for details.

The necks these years feel similar to the previous American '57 Reissues, with a similar wide, flat neck. The nut width is 1.75 inches but the width front to back is rather slim. This year was also the first introduction of these style of Fender tuners that would stay on future American Standard Fender Basses years to come, they are smooth and keep it in tune well. There had been a Hipshot drop key installed and the screw head was sheared off leaving the screw shaft in the back of the headstock - again, see the photo for details. It does not affect playability.

One of the most striking features of this series is the single ply white pickguard and white pickup covers which were used on both the Precision and Jazz basses. The pickup has a nice, authoritative presence and heft to it. The tone is classic Precision Bass, and this is one of my favorite p-basses! It balances well and is a lightweight 8.25 lbs.

Included is the original case. The top has some of the warping that is common in these 80s cases. Three of the four latches work fine but one is missing the locking latch. The hinge is there but there is nothing for the latch to click into. The case still functions well and works to get to and from the rehearsal or gig, and will protect the bass in shipping.

Comments

lala

Gold Supporting Member
Jul 16, 2014
1,672
3,054
67
THX. WHat about the neck carvers name? on top.
 

lala

Gold Supporting Member
Jul 16, 2014
1,672
3,054
67
HEHE!! NIce. nobody stamped their name on the inside. Pretty strange. and no scribble on the paper tag. THese are very underrated basses in my opinion. Leaps and bounds better than the late 70's P's. I had the twin to your bass and it was amazing. The neck was carved by Herbie Gastelum,.....Fender legendary neck carver. I should not have let it go. This looks like solid bass. Last of the great Fullerton-made basses using the old tooling.
 

kazuhank

Supporting Member
Nov 12, 2002
2,782
7,903
Portland, OR
Agreed on all accounts. These are killers and severely underrated. This one was my #1 P-Bass for the past two years.
 

Classified ad information

Posted by
kazuhank
Feedback score
+232 /0 /-0
Category
For Sale: Bass Guitars
Views
242
Watchers
3
Comments
8
Last update

More from kazuhank