Fender Precision Special, 1980-1982, Opinions?

[micguy]

I'd spend good money to get an 11.5 pound bass out of my house.

Pretty sure 80-82 was before Fender would have started doing bodies and necks by CNC, which is why today's instruments are far more consistent than the early stuff.

 

[mikeswals]

They also came in white. I had one, it was okay but it wasn't that good of sounding. I wouldn't pay anything more than 1500ish... to me a 62/63/64/66 reissues sound far better.

Also, the active circuit is very crude and spikey on the treble, it sounded much better in passive mode.

 

[jumbodbassman]

Pure tone monster. North ash body. Heavy. I have 3 in different degrees of condition.

Way underpriced compared to regular p basses or elites. I think they are under appreciated. I might consider selling one

 

[bylar13]

Get this and get everything you want/love in one package:

Vintage 1987 Gibson BASS IV Natural Electric Bass Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

 

[Count Bassie]

I'd spend good money to get an 11.5 pound bass out of my house.

Pretty sure 80-82 was before Fender would have started doing bodies and necks by CNC, which is why today's instruments are far more consistent than the early stuff.

My Sterling Ray 34ca weighs about 11+ lbs. But it plays and sounds good enough that I don't mind. But I do prefer lighter weight, going into a3-4 hour night.

 

[Count Bassie]

Get this and get everything you want/love in one package:

Vintage 1987 Gibson BASS IV Natural Electric Bass Guitar Natural | Guitar Center

That's a beautiful thing. This I would do. Maybe in a month but it'll be gone by then... But I dig it.

 

[ajkula66]

That's a beautiful thing. This I would do. Maybe in a month but it'll be gone by then... But I dig it.

That one has been modded. A lot.

Here's what they normally look like

This is as close as one will get to a Bird sound in an FSO shape, IMO/IME. Quite inexpensive since most people have no clue that these ever existed.

 

[80jazz]

I suspect it was intended more to compete with the Stingray

I was born at the time these basses were being released so I have no knowledge of what was going on in real time, but this is the impression I am under. Does anyone here recall if Fender was overtly saying or advertising this at the time?

To those who have one, I am also curious: what benefit did the treble boost have? The P isn't my very first choice of bass but I do have 3 and like them very much. They sound excellent passive so I am curious as to what improvement (if any) would come from a 2-band EQ (but I am the crazy who could see the benefit of a 4-band EQ).

 

[ajkula66]

To those who have one, I am also curious: what benefit did the treble boost have? The P isn't my very first choice of bass but I do have 3 and like them very much. They sound excellent passive so I am curious as to what improvement (if any) would come from a 2-band EQ (but I am the crazy who could see the benefit of a 4-band EQ).

As previously stated, I've owned two Specials. A "regular" CAR and the more exclusive and far less common Walnut Special. Same electronics on both.

To me, the active circuit found in them was harsh and pretty useless. Treble boost was bordeline eardrum-shattering. Just an utterly unpleasant sound. IMO/IME.

What one could accomplish with a modern, polished, civilized active circuit on a P-Bass ? Probably getting much closer to "that" sound which they envisioned but couldn't get out of a "regular" passive P. Having given up on P basses decades ago I can't say that I've done much experimenting in that respect.

Good luck.

 

[Rayjay]

Pro - early 80s Fullerton made P's have the really thin '62 profile, certainly a pro to me but some may not like it, but personally I think they're the best necks ever, even better than a modern CS

Cons - typically VERY heavy, from the "heavier is better for tone" era

 

[Kdmoo]

I remember one of these back in the early 1980's, sitting unloved in a music store for nearly two years. I think it was the aesthetics mostly keeping it unsold. It had a bright green finish, rosewood board and gold hardware. It was heavier than normal. Can't recall if I ever actually plugged it in. The extra controls were kind of interesting at the time, especially on a P bass. Finally one day I went in there and it was gone. Never saw another like it before or since!