This is a picture of my Fender Precision that my parents bought for me in about 1983. The serial number is S909637, which I believe indicates that it was built in 78 or 79. I'm wanting to know if it looks original, other than the thumb rest that I know I added. I believe that it is, but I question the pick guard and knobs. I haven't been playing much over several years, but decided to start playing more, so I've built a new interest in this bass. It weighs a ton.
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Fender Precision - looking for some input
- Thread starter Flyboyandy
- Start date
thought it was a special precision, but brass thumb rest may have been added, yours isn't an active
Last edited:
I will post some other pics close up. The thumb rest was added by me in the mid 80's, and it has the name Fender scribed in it.
yeah that was from those special's, heck that chuck of brass probably add's 5 pounds to the bass...
Tough to tell from just one photo, but it appears to be an authentic CBS-era Precision. The pickguard is probably original – it has the extra screw to the upper right of the pickups, which was omitted on later US Precisions. Knobs appear to be original, too. The one thing that might not be original are the pickups. I don't think Fender offered anything but black pickup covers during this era, which suggests that your white/cream/mint/whatever pickups are probably something aftermarket – perhaps DiMarzio Model P.
More knowledgeable folks will be along here shortly.
More knowledgeable folks will be along here shortly.
Certainly looks like an otherwise-stock ‘82 in Sienna Sunburst, which did indeed come with white pickups.
Looks stock to me. Yes, white pickups were around in the early 80s.
JeezyMcNuggles
Inactive
- Feb 23, 2018
- 14,723
- 20,970
- Disclosures
- I suck, but nobody really notices
Nice bass! And by the way, this curvy and bold "PRECISION BASS" typeface is much nicer than the current anaemic one (on Am.Std. & Am. Prof.) that looks like some random boring MS Word font. Unfortunately on both my Pbasses 
At the very end of the run, in '82 there is a gold outline on the fender script in the logo, white pickups and the bridge plate is just ever so thicker than the ones used up until that point. I like the '82s they are pretty rare and last of the 'vintage' style from '76 onwards before they made a huge update in '83.
If it's an 82 that would be awesome. I received it for a graduation present in 83 and thought it was a bit older. Can't believe I never did any research other than check the serial number. I love playing it, but need to get it setup, and have the electronics looked at. It can be a little scratchy.
It's a delightful bass, glad you see that you are getting it serviced and using it again. From a sentimental point, I would never get rid of such an instrument. Best of luck with your rekindled friendship.
Yeah...but I would change to black.
Remove the thumb rest, too.
Nice looking P-bass.
