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2002 American Made Fender Precision Question

MdC64

MdC64

Jan 25, 2011
525
775
Albuquerque, NM
#1
Someone in my home town has a classified add for this bass. Can anyone give me information about the 2002 USA Precision bass compared to the newer Precisions basses out there. Quality, hardware, etc. I greatly appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Mike
 
#2
bigbassmike said:
Someone in my home town has a classified add for this bass. Can anyone give me information about the 2002 USA Precision bass compared to the newer Precisions basses out there. Quality, hardware, etc. I greatly appreciate any information.

Thanks,
Mike
Click to expand...

The differences are:

1. The bridges are different. The 2002 should be through body only. The new one is a high mass bridge that strings though body or through bridge.

2. The 2002 neck finish will be all satin and the newer ones have a gloss finish on the headstock but satin on the back.

3. The newer ones have a new lighter weight tuner.

4. The newer ones have a thinner finish on the body.

Generally that's it. Otherwise they are fairly similar.
 
#3
Johnny Alien said:
The differences are:

1. The bridges are different. The 2002 should be through body only. The new one is a high mass bridge that strings though body or through bridge.

2. The 2002 neck finish will be all satin and the newer ones have a gloss finish on the headstock but satin on the back.

3. The newer ones have a new lighter weight tuner.

4. The newer ones have a thinner finish on the body.

Generally that's it. Otherwise they are fairly similar.
Click to expand...
Yep on these things. You can string it through the back of the bridge but, I have always run mine thru-the body.
The poly finish is near impregnable but, the tone, playability and the fret work on my 2002 is very good. No complaints. The satiny finish on the back of the neck has been rubbed to gloss from regular playing.

I have a 3-tone with rosewood board. Kept it stock, but replaced the case with the new cases Fender issues now. I also replaced the Strap-Lock pins with the Fender pins they put on P-Basses these days.
 
#6
The newer (starting in '08 I think) models have rolled fretboard edges.

I just got a 97 from a TB'er and one of the things I immediately did to it was replace the bridge. I just don't understand why they decided to only give a string-thru option. That pretty much ruled out anyone from using LaBella Flats since they don't recommend stringing-thru.
 
#8
fourstringdrums said:
The newer (starting in '08 I think) models have rolled fretboard edges.

I just got a 97 from a TB'er and one of the things I immediately did to it was replace the bridge. I just don't understand why they decided to only give a string-thru option. That pretty much ruled out anyone from using LaBella Flats since they don't recommend stringing-thru.
Click to expand...

Rolled fingerboard edges started in 2000.
 
#12
2002 would be the second year under the American Series banner ... rolled fretboard edges were a noted feature with this series, and as mentioned most bridges were top load as well as STB (the very earliest in this series were not) ... the case that came factory issue with this bass would have been the one that was bass shaped, with the outline of a upper horn visible on the outside, and slight pebble finish ... not the one with the smooth outside and no impression of a bass, that just says Fender ... Fender also offered a limited run of a natural finish ash body early in this series as well .... that is what my 2001 was ... nice!!
 
#13
bigbassmike said:
Someone in my home town has a classified add for this bass. Can anyone give me information about the 2002 USA Precision bass compared to the newer Precisions basses out there. Quality, hardware, etc. I greatly appreciate any information.
Click to expand...
"Quality" is always a crapshoot with production basses.

This is the model -- the first version "American" -- I prefer to all other modern basic US Precisions, especially over the current American Standard.

It's a no-BS bass without the nonsensical "upgrades" (not!) of the American Standard, everything you want and nothing you don't want (except the Schaller straplocks).
 
#14
A lot of great responses. It's kind of like vehicles, there is always going to be the next years models with new features and upgrades. However, I say if you like it, it is what you want, it works well and it is a great price then I say go for it regardless.
 
#16
fourstringdrums said:
I just don't understand why they decided to only give a string-thru option. That pretty much ruled out anyone from using LaBella Flats since they don't recommend stringing-thru.
Click to expand...

My '99 MIA P bass has a string-through-only bridge, and I've been running a set of La Bella flats for about seven years now, with no problem. The way they bend at the bridge does look a bit dubious, and (they're the Extra Long ones) the metal portion of the E string goes a quarter the way round the tuning post despite the note on the package that "they will almost certainly break" if wound onto the post.

Now, someone will say I'm losing the old-school tone by doing this, and someone else will say the string will break and cut the drummer's head off. Sounds pretty-much like a P bass to me though.
 
#18
Well, I found out that the bass has a hole on each side of the bridge where the chrome cover was. The cover is no longer there. Would you still get the bass? I can easily buy a cover for about 18 bucks from guitar center. Very nice other than that.
 

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