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My "new" Fender Walnut Precision Special

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by PolkaHero, Dec 2, 2005.

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  1. Dec 2, 2005 #1
    PolkaHero

    PolkaHero

    Jan 5, 2002
    Michigan
    Bought this rare bass several weeks ago off of Ebay. I haven't been able to access this website for the last two weeks, so I'm finally posting pics of this bass. Made in 1982, I've heard that Fender produced only 300 of these instruments. I really like the active preamp; it gives the bass so much more range and power! It also isn't heavy (about 9.5 lbs.) and the neck plays wonderful (about the same profile as my Steve Harris signature). I mainly bought this as an investment, but it looks like this one will be seeing quite a bit of live playing time!
     
  2. Dec 2, 2005 #2
    BlackburstJBP

    BlackburstJBP

    Oct 7, 2005
    Cardale Pa
    I noticed your name is polkahero.I have played for some Pa polka bands .Do tell where you are from and what band you have played for.Chances are I might have seen you.BTW I like the look of your new bass.
     
  3. Dec 2, 2005 #3
    BurningSkies

    BurningSkies CRAZY BALDHEAD

    Feb 20, 2005
    Syracuse NY
    Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
    Wow...that's a nice one and in great shape. Congratulations. Do you have any details about the pre-amp?
     
  4. Dec 2, 2005 #4
    HighwayOneJazz

    HighwayOneJazz

    Nov 29, 2005
    Dallas, Texas
    very nice!!
    Fender Walnut Precision Bass Special- 1980 to 1983.
    prices are listed, low to high, excellent cond. $900 - $1200
    beautiful and rare. :cool:
     
  5. Dec 2, 2005 #5
    ClassicJazz

    ClassicJazz Bottom Feeders Unite!! Supporting Member

    Sep 19, 2005
    Delray Beach, Florida
    Very nice looking bass...

    I always liked the look of walnut. I had a Carvin fretless that was also walnut, got many comments on it.
     
  6. Dec 2, 2005 #6
    sk8inbassist17

    sk8inbassist17

    Oct 23, 2005
    Atlanta, Ga USA
    That is an absolutly gorgeous bass, i love the look of walnut i want one.
     
  7. Dec 2, 2005 #7
    PolkaHero

    PolkaHero

    Jan 5, 2002
    Michigan
    Thanks. All I know about the preamp is it was Fender's first active preamp and that it's 9 volts. The controls are treble and bass boost/cut with a substantial amount of boost! The low end from this thing just rumbles. I should also mention that it has a passive/active switch as well.
     
  8. Dec 2, 2005 #8
    PolkaHero

    PolkaHero

    Jan 5, 2002
    Michigan

    I'm almost positive the Walnut models were only produced in 1982. Oh, and mine didn't cost that much. ;)
     
  9. Dec 3, 2005 #9
    pyrohr

    pyrohr

    Aug 28, 2001
    Pakistani compound
    Congrat's on the precision special! I love mine to death! this bass was actually made for a couple of years (even though mine is a 82). earlier years had a different bridge and came with a finger rest under the "G" string.
     
  10. Dec 3, 2005 #10
    Osprey

    Osprey

    Jun 20, 2005
    UK
    The only P I've ever seen that looks better than mine.
     
  11. Dec 3, 2005 #11
    Coutts_is_god

    Coutts_is_god Guest

    Dec 29, 2003
    Windsor, Ont, Canada
    Awsome bass.
     
  12. Dec 3, 2005 #12
    muggsy

    muggsy Supporting Member

    Dec 14, 2000
    Alexandria, VA
    I have one too and it's the one bass I'd never part with. I'm pretty sure the all-walnut models were only made for one year, in 1982, and I've read posts from Fender historians who believe there may have been as few as 100 made. Any way you look at it, great score! I got mine off ebay too, and it was a steal. Best neck I've ever played.
     
  13. Dec 3, 2005 #13
    BurningSkies

    BurningSkies CRAZY BALDHEAD

    Feb 20, 2005
    Syracuse NY
    Endorsing artist: Dingwall Guitars
    Sounds like a good thing...any idea of what bands or ranges the EQ effects? I really think a passive/active switch should be standard with any preamp. Do you know yet if you have any tone control if the pre is off? Thats one place where some switches miss out, you can turn the pre off, but then have no tone knob!

    I used to play my 73 Precision for my main reggae gig, and it had plenty of warm, fat, low end...I assume that with the combination of the walnut and the pre that it would be great for fat bottom.
     
  14. Dec 3, 2005 #14
    PolkaHero

    PolkaHero

    Jan 5, 2002
    Michigan
    With the preamp off, the treble knob becomes a standard passive tone knob. The bass knob has no effect on the sound. I'm not sure what frequency centers the treble and bass are, but both seem to be at the extreme ends as the bass can become really boomy and the treble very harsh if both are boosted all the way.

    Either way, I really like the preamp on this bass and the passive/active switch was the main reason I chose this model over the subsequent "Elite" series that Fender introduced in 1983. I tried one of these at a music store a couple months ago and was not impressed with the sound. Something about adding the extra pickup at the bridge which detracts from the "P-bass" sound.
     
  15. Dec 3, 2005 #15
    HighwayOneJazz

    HighwayOneJazz

    Nov 29, 2005
    Dallas, Texas
    the prices are quoted from Vintage Guitar Magazine's Price Guide, 2005 edition. it just states years of production, on this bass, not the quantity produced.
    again, very nice bass. :cool:
     
  16. Dec 3, 2005 #16
    Pickebass

    Pickebass Supporting Member

    Jul 12, 2004
    San Antonio, TX
    This is a great bass!! I had one and it sounded great. No complaints really, just not a pbass guy. This P bass with the preamp that gives you active bass and treble and when in passive mode it just sounds like a great pbass. You'll love it!!
     
  17. Dec 3, 2005 #17
    FeelTheGroove

    FeelTheGroove

    Dec 2, 2005
    Sweet find dude, a great looking Precision!
     
  18. Dec 3, 2005 #18
    PunkerTrav

    PunkerTrav

    Jul 18, 2001
    Canada & USA
    That looks like a great bass. I have a soft spot for walnut basses. ;)
     
  19. Dec 3, 2005 #19
    OrionManMatt

    OrionManMatt

    Feb 17, 2004
    Houston
    Great looking bass!

    What are the tonal qualities of walnut anyways? I've always wondered that.
     
  20. Dec 7, 2005 #20
    Phyrexian

    Phyrexian

    Jun 29, 2002
    Mechelen, Belgium
    Great looking P-Special. I want one too! (blue one, or perhaps the white one).
     
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