1983 Fender Precision Elite II

[Marco Frossard]

That is correct - 3/4" standard string spacing.

Hi! My friend measured the spacing. It’s bigger than the regular precision. It’s 62 millimeters or 2,441 inches.

 

[TonH]

Hi! It’s funny how every elite owner say that. I will put superglue or loctite. Lol
Thanks for the advice and concern.

You can leave the fine tuners on the bass, but just don't let them loose in the bridge. Be shure they are tight, use them. I played my Sienna burst Elite II for many years and never lost a tuner that way.

 

[Bob_Ross]

what is the string spacing on the bridge?

Same as any P-bass I think.

That is correct - 3/4" standard string spacing.

Is that really the same as every Precision? I sold my Elite II 20 years ago so I can't compare side-by-side, but my recollection was that the string spacing was wider than either the stock '70 Fender Precision I'd owned previously, or the Warmoth P Bass I currently own.

In fact, that was one of the things I loved about the Elite II: Both the string spacing and the string tension made it a killer bass for slapping...and since I got mine in '84 when every gig seemed to require some obligatory slapping, I was all set!

 

[Luckydog]

You can leave the fine tuners on the bass, but just don't let them loose in the bridge. Be shure they are tight, use them. I played my Sienna burst Elite II for many years and never lost a tuner that way.

youre lucky. Most Elite owners I have seen on the web has lost them. When they are on your bass, the vibrations can loosen them and they will then fall off unnoticed. They are absolutely unnecessary for tuning.

 

[Marco Frossard]

Is that really the same as every Precision? I sold my Elite II 20 years ago so I can't compare side-by-side, but my recollection was that the string spacing was wider than either the stock '70 Fender Precision I'd owned previously, or the Warmoth P Bass I currently own.

In fact, that was one of the things I loved about the Elite II: Both the string spacing and the string tension made it a killer bass for slapping...and since I got mine in '84 when every gig seemed to require some obligatory slapping, I was all set!

Hi! Unfortunately isn’t the same from other precisions. I don’t know what’s happened in the 80’s that they choose to put gigantic string spacing. Usually Fender use 19mm, but the elite is 20,5mm. I have one “Dan Smith era” jazz bass that is 21,5mm. Horrible for my taste... I changed the bridge for a badass II. Will do the same with the elite, just bought one high mass fender bridge. I will pack the original one and keep in a safe place.

 

[Marco Frossard]

youre lucky. Most Elite owners I have seen on the web has lost them. When they are on your bass, the vibrations can loosen them and they will then fall off unnoticed. They are absolutely unnecessary for tuning.

youre lucky. Most Elite owners I have seen on the web has lost them. When they are on your bass, the vibrations can loosen them and they will then fall off unnoticed. They are absolutely unnecessary for tuning.

Thanks! Due to big string spacing, I will change the bridge for one fender high mass with 19mm spacing. So the original bridge and the screws will be packed in a safe place.

 

[Bob_Ross]

Unfortunately isn’t the same from other precisions. ...[snip]...gigantic string spacing. Usually Fender use 19mm, but the elite is 20,5mm.

That sounds far more like what I recall about my Elite: slightly but conspicuously wider than most P Basses.

 

[Marco Frossard]

That sounds far more like what I recall about my Elite: slightly but conspicuously wider than most P Basses.

When my friend measured and gave me the numbers, I got disappointed. 20,5mm is too much string spacing to my taste.

 

[bassclef112]

Clearly the numbers don't lie and I stand corrected.

That particular characteristic does not stand out in my memory so I assumed std.. I never felt an issue with the string spacing.

Having said that, between that and the meaty neck profile I would find that actively playing 2 or 3 songs in a row around first position was a lot for my hands. Though the build was first rate eventually i had to flip them. They were unique beasts from that time, still hold up well and I'm glad I had my time them.

Fine tuners: I left mine on per TonH. Just screw them down a bit and the string tension will lock them in. And upon occasion they actually came onto play. Much cooler vs holes.
Rock that puppy.

 

[TonH]

I did some quick measurements and my Elite's have a string spacing above 20mm: 20,5 to 21 mm.

 

[Marco Frossard]

I did some quick measurements and my Elite's have a string spacing above 20mm: 20,5 to 21 mm.

Hi! Same as mine measurement. Unfortunately, I don’t like bass with spacing bigger than 19mm. I have other basses (Music man, G&L and fenders) all with 19mm or less. And you play with this spacing all the time and change the bass to other one with bigger spacing it’s like your right hand fingers didn’t reach the strings properly.

 

[Marco Frossard]

Clearly the numbers don't lie and I stand corrected.

That particular characteristic does not stand out in my memory so I assumed std.. I never felt an issue with the string spacing.

Having said that, between that and the meaty neck profile I would find that actively playing 2 or 3 songs in a row around first position was a lot for my hands. Though the build was first rate eventually i had to flip them. They were unique beasts from that time, still hold up well and I'm glad I had my time them.

Fine tuners: I left mine on per TonH. Just screw them down a bit and the string tension will lock them in. And upon occasion they actually came onto play. Much cooler vs holes.
Rock that puppy.

Hi!
Maybe because you get used to this bass. I don’t know if you had a same time, but if used a jazz bass together with the elite, you will notice that, almost sure about it.
Thanks!

 

[Marco Frossard]

Hi friends, got another one.

 

[John Thibodeaux]

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.

Actually made them for 3 years, not just 83

 

[John Thibodeaux]

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.

They are rare, having only been made for 2 and a half years or so of production. Meaning there is'nt many around, which makes it rare. Additionally, the walnut version is the rarest of the rare, being the only Elite II model with ebony fretboard vs rosewood or maple.

 

[Mastermold]

Actually made them for 3 years, not just 83

Yes you are correct. I didn’t realize that 10 years ago when I posted that but learned later about the run.

 

[pachoate]

They are rare, having only been made for 2 and a half years or so of production. Meaning there is'nt many around, which makes it rare. Additionally, the walnut version is the rarest of the rare, being the only Elite II model with ebony fretboard vs rosewood or maple.

Correct, this is the exact bass that I have.

 

[Bolderbass]

Hello, i have a question about the Fender Precision Elite II Walnut. On some websites i read that the body and neck are made from walnut, but others say that the body is from Alder with a Walnut finish. What is true? Did Fender made both? With walnut body and neck, and with alder body but with walnut finish?

 

[TonH]

Hello, i have a question about the Fender Precision Elite II Walnut. On some websites i read that the body and neck are made from walnut, but others say that the body is from Alder with a Walnut finish. What is true? Did Fender made both? With walnut body and neck, and with alder body but with walnut finish?

What I know is that there was no walnut finish for the Special and Elite. So the walnut versions are with a body made out of walnut wood.
See the color table with info from Fenders pricelists from the 80's:
Fender Precision Elite Bass (riverband.demon.nl)

 

[Bolderbass]

Thank you for your reply!