I just acquired this bass and found out it's kinda rare. Would anyone know how rare? It needs new pots and I'm not sure if I need 250k or 500k? Ideas?
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1983 Fender Precision Elite II
- Thread starter BigPapaKuff
- Start date
Yep they're rare. They only made them in 1983, very well made basses, top of the line for that period. I bought mine new in 1985 and have had it since. Don't know about the pots, however.
I've seen them on ebay from time to time and from what I've seen they don't seem to fetch more than about $1,200. Who knows whether the vintage collector market will start pushing that up later.
Check out my website: Fender Precision Elite Bass
There you can find pictures, wiring diagrams etc.
I presume the pots are 250k.
You say that the color is silver. Is there some green in the color? If so, I think the color is Pewter.
There you can find pictures, wiring diagrams etc.
I presume the pots are 250k.
You say that the color is silver. Is there some green in the color? If so, I think the color is Pewter.
Though they were only made for 2 years they come up on ebay with some regularity. I wouldn't say they're rare so much as less frequently available compared to standard P's from that time. Still, I've seen as many as 3 or 4 for sale at the same time. Mastermold hit it and they pretty much max out around $1200 for Exc condition and OHSC. Usually less.
The thing that happens to them most often is you find them with the original electronics gutted, usually replaced with EMG's. They are definitely in a love/hate niche. Those passive pickups with the active electronics can peel your eyelids back with highs. The EQ is to be used gingerly for sure. BTW, Finding a set of the original electronics for replacement is almost impossible. THAT is truly rare.
I had 2, an Ash Gold Elite II in Natural which weighed a ton and a Black Elite II that was more manageable. I found flatwound strings helped tame most of those crackling highs. I managed to get some very good tones without much difficulty. The other thing for me was the neck. Is is very wide (1 3/4" nut) and a real handful. Ultimately I found them much less comfortable to play than my other basses and they went off to fund other things.
But, if you can get past the neck profile and can deal with the preamp tones, they are extremely well made basses built to last. Not a rare bird yet, but who knows 20 years from now? The 70's have already become the "modern" vintage - it's only a matter of time before the 80's do the same in their own way.
The thing that happens to them most often is you find them with the original electronics gutted, usually replaced with EMG's. They are definitely in a love/hate niche. Those passive pickups with the active electronics can peel your eyelids back with highs. The EQ is to be used gingerly for sure. BTW, Finding a set of the original electronics for replacement is almost impossible. THAT is truly rare.
I had 2, an Ash Gold Elite II in Natural which weighed a ton and a Black Elite II that was more manageable. I found flatwound strings helped tame most of those crackling highs. I managed to get some very good tones without much difficulty. The other thing for me was the neck. Is is very wide (1 3/4" nut) and a real handful. Ultimately I found them much less comfortable to play than my other basses and they went off to fund other things.
But, if you can get past the neck profile and can deal with the preamp tones, they are extremely well made basses built to last. Not a rare bird yet, but who knows 20 years from now? The 70's have already become the "modern" vintage - it's only a matter of time before the 80's do the same in their own way.
I bought a black Gold Elite II new back in the 80's, but as stated above the are very heavy. That gave it a great tone, but it wasn't worth the sore sholder. I'm am amazed how they have held their value and if I wasn't a poor college student at the time I would have kept it for studio work.
I played a Walnut Elite II at a music store on Page in St.Louis. It had a unique sound, but I was just not looking for that at the time. Later, I owned a Walnut Precision Special, which I liked a lot more, but I sold it because I wasn't really using it. I think maybe the problem was the fact that they weren't really "traditional" basses with the expected Fender passive sound, and they weren't really high-end boutiques, either. Neither fish nor fowl.
But I like them Walnut ones!
But I like them Walnut ones!
That was a great color!!!
Tone-wise, I like flipping the tone assign switch to bridge and turning it down halfway with both pickups volume on full.
That was a great color!!!
Tone-wise, I like flipping the tone assign switch to bridge and turning it down halfway with both pickups volume on full.
I was in a Pop Swing Band (Fader's Club Music...... I am now a "fader" myself....) It worked perfectly.... smooth clean tone.... I've only seen mine in the Blue.... I'm sure they painted more that color but I've never seen one... I traded mine in for a (then new) Music Man String Ray at Guitar Showcase in San Jose CA.... I believe they still have it in their collection.
I had 4 of these until about 3 years ago. They were (except for 1) in mint condition with all original parts including the cases. I played one for awhile in a cover band, but wasn't enamored with the range of tones so began a process of selling them all. Nice flat wide necks. Very well made basses. One thing to note...do not lose the fine tuner knobs on the bridge. You will not find replacements.
