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Fender 50th Anniversary Precision Bass

Johnny Alien

Johnny Alien

Supporting Member
Jan 24, 2003
6,207
3,591
Harrisburg, PA, USA
#1
Put out in 2001...less than 500 or so made. It has earned the title of best off the shelf Fender P I have played in the past decade or so. In my small list of basses that will never go anywhere.

Just used it at my Halloween gig and it sounded incredible.

Lebowskis20092.jpg


Sorry that's the best picture I have gotten so far. (Of the show that is)

Anyone else own one?
 
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#4
I am not even sure it's 500. I know it's no more than that but I think in reality they only made like 470 or something like that. Fender never released the actual number made. I will need to check my cert of authenticity for my number.

I think tort would look nice too but it has that special anodized guard that I would hate to take off.
 
#7
That was the bass I was going to buy back in 2001 but the store was all out of them. (I had seen one a week before). I ended up playing and loving my current MIA P-bass that I bought that day but will never forget how nice those are! :D

Still gives me GAS. lol.
 
#9
I bought a lefty for my daughter. I believe it's red with a white guard and rw board. Not 100% sure it's a 50th, but it is an anneversary edition, and was bought new in late '01. Got it for half price, too, 'cause Mars Music was going out of bussiness. I'm gonna check with her, and I'll get back to the thread when I know for sure.
 
#10
There were a few different anniversary basses out there. For one year they tagged everything with an Anniversary tag.

This specific bass was a special run for the 50th anniversary of the Precision bass. They were all butterscotch finish (this was before that finish was a standard option), maple fretboard with a tinted gloss finish, anodized black guard and they came in a tweed case with a certificate of authenticity. The back neckplate is engraved as well.

I am not sure any of them came lefty but if that is what she has then I would bet it's fairly rare.
 
#12
I've got two of them. One I put a '72 Jazz neck on, the other is stock. I heard 400 were made, but have never seen any proof.
The certificates only have a date and the serial number, no xx of 400.

The hybrid.
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The stock one. Made in June.
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#13
I don't know much about these but from what I've read there is a 1996 50th Anniversary model Link Removed and the 2001 version you have in your pics. The guy who wants to do a trade says he has one in Olympic White with Rosewood board. From what I've read I'm not sure his would not be legit but I'm trying to find out for sure. I'm not an expert on these. Do you know if? I haven't been able to find more info that confirms there was an OW version. I have a post in on the Fender Forum but they are not as fast in getting back with an answer. I'm hoping to find out more info.
 
#14
The '96 celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Fender company, which began in 1946. All the instruments had a sticker on the back of the headstock (I have a sunburst P from that year).
The 2001 butterscotch blonde model was to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Precision Bass. I have one that looks just like the photos here. It's a great bass with great attention to detail. It sort of ticked me off, though, that they made butterscotch a standard color a year or so later.:hmm:
 
#16
I can't absolutely swear to it, but if I remember right, Fender offered 50th anniversary (of the company) models of the Strat, Tele, P and J -- all in sunburst with white pickguards like the one in the link you posted.
The 2001 butterscotch was a different animal. The butterscotch was supposed to harken to the original '51, except in a modern P-bass. Fender also offered a 50th anniversary 1951-style Precision (from the Custom Shop, I believe) at a much higher price.
 
#17
Yes, I believe you are right about the '96 only being 3TB with white guards. Still not sure about the 2001 being anything other than butterscotch. :hmm:

Pet Sounds said:
I can't absolutely swear to it, but if I remember right, Fender offered 50th anniversary (of the company) models of the Strat, Tele, P and J -- all in sunburst with white pickguards like the one in the link you posted.
The 2001 butterscotch was a different animal. The butterscotch was supposed to harken to the original '51, except in a modern P-bass. Fender also offered a 50th anniversary 1951-style Precision (from the Custom Shop, I believe) at a much higher price.
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