80's fender basses

[bassfiddlesteve]

There was a very nice 1983 Precision on consignment at my local shop and I took it home after trying several new Fender alternatives. It's either Sienna burst or Cherry burst (hard to tell which) and plays and sounds beautiful.

People complain about the neck profile on these 1983s, but I think this neck feels 90% like the Pedulla Buzz neck, one of my all-time favorites. The "sharp edges" seem to get on people's nerves, but my technique isn't bothered by it at all.

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This is Sienna Sunburst, one of the four finishes that were offered on the standard series instruments in 1983, the others being Brown Sunburst, Ivory and Black. Cherry Sunburst was not offered on this model.

- Steve

 

[600 Ohms]

This is Sienna Sunburst, of of the four finishes that were offered ion the standard series instruments in 1983, the others being Brown Sunburst, Ivory and Black. Cherry Sunburst was not offered on this model.

- Steve

Thanks Steve. When I look at this bass in the sun, I see the reddish-brown easily. Under some warm tungsten lights, it looks much more cherry, so it was hard to tell. Thanks for the knowledge.

 

[600 Ohms]

This is Sienna Sunburst,

I really see it now, next to an actually red bass. Thanks again

 

[600 Ohms]

The standard basses were stripped down even more with one ply white pickguards, flat radius maple fingerboards and only four color choices. The Jazz Bass lost it's metal control plate and the Precision went back to the wide C width nut.

Hey Steve, when did these get the flat radius fingerboards? My 1983 has a perfectly curved 7.25" and the Fender magazine ad I've seen (or was it a catalog?) also specifies 7.25". Mine has the "wide-C"at the nut shape, but is really comfy. I just love this neck.

 

[bassfiddlesteve]

Hey Steve, when did these get the flat radius fingerboards? My 1983 has a perfectly curved 7.25" and the Fender magazine ad I've seen (or was it a catalog?) also specifies 7.25". Mine has the "wide-C"at the nut shape, but is really comfy. I just love this neck.

This happened in 1983 when the standard series was introduced with the single-ply white pickguards, but it only applies to the guitars.

- Steve

 

[bigtone23]

The 83/84 Fender P bass neck with the 1.75" wide nut, but thinner depth is a really cool profile, have it on my 83 P Elite. Those late 50s Ps have it, too.
Even the late 70s to early 80s Peaveys used that same profile. My 82 T45 and 85 Patriot necks are dead ringers for the Fender P neck.

 

[600 Ohms]

The 83/84 Fender P bass neck with the 1.75" wide nut, but thinner depth is a really cool profile, have it on my 83 P Elite. Those late 50s Ps have it, too.
Even the late 70s to early 80s Peaveys used that same profile. My 82 T45 and 85 Patriot necks are dead ringers for the Fender P neck.

I’ve owned and played several P basses but this neck profile is the first I’ve played that really makes me connect with the Precision. I am much more a natural Jazz player.

 

[bigtone23]

I’ve owned and played several P basses but this neck profile is the first I’ve played that really makes me connect with the Precision. I am much more a natural Jazz player.

I'm a J guy, too. It's funny, I love the 1.5" 4 string J nut, but also the 1.75" P. My 5 string Fenders are closer to 1.9". Guess that's why the 1.75" is so nice..?

 

[Viggo51]

Just picked up this 1981 p bass, near mint! A bit on the heavy side but a beaut!

 

[Lo-E]

I have an ‘83 Standard P and an ‘86 MIJ E series P. Both are excellent instruments.

 

[BritBass 2]

By 1982 both Dan Smith and Bill Schultz had started to address the quality control issues which had the plagued the company during the seventies, they were responsible for shutting down the factory and retaining the staff in ‘81 . The finish and attention to detail on each model I’ve found is an improvement certainly compared to some of the offerings from previous years. I’ve a Standard Jazz ( white pickups/controls ) from ‘82 and an American Reissue Series from ‘83 and very much appreciate both the playability and styling improvements .

 

[Metal Sombreros]

I do know that 80s MIJ Fenders are class

 

[BritBass 2]

Photos -1982 Standard Jazz bass ‘Dan Smith’ 1st issue .By early/mid ‘83 the 2nd issue was launched , most notably featuring a single ply one piece pickguard which also housed the controls.