NBD: 1976 Fender Precision

[cataract]

I've gone through about 15 or 20 Precision basses over the years. I sold my first "real bass" 1983 Made in the USA Precision back in 2011, after owning it for 12 or so years. Didn't think too much of it at the time but as the years have gone by I've been missing it more and more.

Been chasing that solid, thick poly neck and overall robust feel of those older Fender basses. Seems like most newer Precisions are lacking in both of those departments.

Which got me thinking- I should just snag an OG 70s P and call it a day. WHICH I DID!

Shout out to @deesonic for the trade!

I had a couple of Stingrays laying around not seeing much use since I acquired my 1978-79 Travis Bean TB2000. Glad to see those go to a great new home, and equally glad to finally have an awesome 1976 Fender Precision in the stable!!

This one's all original except for the thumbrest, and it's missing its chrome pickup cover. But who needs that anyways lol.

First time owner of a 70s one piece maple B neck and gotta say, it's wild how cozy it is. I missed having that thicky P neck on hand. I love all of my other gnarly basses so much but there's really no substitute for a proper Precision IMO.

Alright I'll stop gushing now. TLDR: Life's too short- grab your dream Precision!!

 

[bass player 53]

I've gone through about 15 or 20 Precision basses over the years. I sold my first "real bass" 1983 Made in the USA Precision back in 2011, after owning it for 12 or so years. Didn't think too much of it at the time but as the years have gone by I've been missing it more and more.

View attachment 7529594
Been chasing that solid, thick poly neck and overall robust feel of those older Fender basses. Seems like most newer Precisions are lacking in both of those departments.

Which got me thinking- I should just snag an OG 70s P and call it a day. WHICH I DID!

Shout out to @deesonic for the trade!

View attachment 7529598
I had a couple of Stingrays laying around not seeing much use since I acquired my 1978-79 Travis Bean TB2000. Glad to see those go to a great new home, and equally glad to finally have an awesome 1976 Fender Precision in the stable!!
View attachment 7529599
This one's all original except for the thumbrest, and it's missing its chrome pickup cover. But who needs that anyways lol.
View attachment 7529602
First time owner of a 70s one piece maple B neck and gotta say, it's wild how cozy it is. I missed having that thicky P neck on hand. I love all of my other gnarly basses so much but there's really no substitute for a proper Precision IMO.

Alright I'll stop gushing now. TLDR: Life's too short- grab your dream Precision!!

Very nice bass. The usual question is "what does it weigh?"
My '73 maple neck and fingerboard is very light weight and comfortable.

 

[cataract]

It's not bad at all. Comes in at around 9 lbs 10.6 oz (or 9.6625 lbs.)

Random factoid- my aluminum neck TB2000 weighs less than this P (it's 8 lbs 15.8 oz)

 

[bass player 53]

It's not bad at all. Comes in at around 9 lbs 10.6 oz (or 9.6625 lbs.)

View attachment 7529619
Random factoid- my aluminum neck TB2000 weighs less than this P (it's 8 lbs 15.8 oz)

Enjoy your new bass. I still love mine,
52 years on now (bought it 1 year used).

 

[Robert Udell]

I had a 76, no complsints

 

[Pdaddy1978]

Its the twin sister of my 78. Or..at least how mine looked before I played the snot out of it for 50 years anyway. Even the case!
I hope you love it as much as I love mine.

 

[DionClassic]

Congrats. I have a 75 and I just love how it's just the bass that'll be there for any gig and just has that old P vibe and feel. It's no pre cbs closet queen and is asking to be played hard. Fits like a glove and will never let you down.

 

[deesonic]

Glad you love it! I'm especially digging that '86 StingRay you traded me. It plays like butter! Gotta love a great local trade without shipping.

 

[cataract]

Glad you love it! I'm especially digging that '86 StingRay you traded me. It plays like butter! Gotta love a great local trade without shipping.
View attachment 7529668

Heck yeah man, that Stingray was a definite keeper til I got this Bean! I'm glad you dig it. The neck on that one is just perfect.

Thanks again for getting me hooked on vintage Fenders lol. Might start looking for an A neck next!

 

[cataract]

Its the twin sister of my 78. Or..at least how mine looked before I played the snot out of it for 50 years anyway. Even the case!
I hope you love it as much as I love mine.

Thanks! I can't believe how good the neck feels on this one. Also, after years of reading about how good these vintage gray bobbin pickups sound, it's nice to finally be able to experience them and agree.

If you have any photos of your '78 I'd love to see it!

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I've gone through about 15 or 20 Precision basses over the years. I sold my first "real bass" 1983 Made in the USA Precision back in 2011, after owning it for 12 or so years. Didn't think too much of it at the time but as the years have gone by I've been missing it more and more.

View attachment 7529594
Been chasing that solid, thick poly neck and overall robust feel of those older Fender basses. Seems like most newer Precisions are lacking in both of those departments.

Which got me thinking- I should just snag an OG 70s P and call it a day. WHICH I DID!

Shout out to @deesonic for the trade!

View attachment 7529598
I had a couple of Stingrays laying around not seeing much use since I acquired my 1978-79 Travis Bean TB2000. Glad to see those go to a great new home, and equally glad to finally have an awesome 1976 Fender Precision in the stable!!
View attachment 7529599
This one's all original except for the thumbrest, and it's missing its chrome pickup cover. But who needs that anyways lol.
View attachment 7529602
First time owner of a 70s one piece maple B neck and gotta say, it's wild how cozy it is. I missed having that thicky P neck on hand. I love all of my other gnarly basses so much but there's really no substitute for a proper Precision IMO.

Alright I'll stop gushing now. TLDR: Life's too short- grab your dream Precision!!

Very nice. I did a fair about of session work on a 76 PB just like yours.

 

[andymac]

That's almost exactly my bass! 76 Precision, in the same finish, same details. I had a bunch of more affordable, newer precisions, looking for something... Buying the 76 P was a stretch $$-wise, but there is something magical about it that I haven't felt in another bass. I would let go of my other basses, but never this one!

 

[cataract]

Enjoy your new bass. I still love mine,
52 years on now (bought it 1 year used).

That's so cool that you still have yours after all these years. I gave my first bass away to a friend and since then fell into the habit of selling instruments to afford other instruments. I have a few keepers now, this one included. Would love to see photos of yours if you have any!

 

[Saetia]

Glad you love it! I'm especially digging that '86 StingRay you traded me. It plays like butter! Gotta love a great local trade without shipping.
View attachment 7529668

I almost tried to get this a few times haha. Always great dealing with Eric! Play the piss out of that beautiful bass.

 

[Saetia]

I've gone through about 15 or 20 Precision basses over the years. I sold my first "real bass" 1983 Made in the USA Precision back in 2011, after owning it for 12 or so years. Didn't think too much of it at the time but as the years have gone by I've been missing it more and more.

View attachment 7529594
Been chasing that solid, thick poly neck and overall robust feel of those older Fender basses. Seems like most newer Precisions are lacking in both of those departments.

Which got me thinking- I should just snag an OG 70s P and call it a day. WHICH I DID!

Shout out to @deesonic for the trade!

View attachment 7529598
I had a couple of Stingrays laying around not seeing much use since I acquired my 1978-79 Travis Bean TB2000. Glad to see those go to a great new home, and equally glad to finally have an awesome 1976 Fender Precision in the stable!!
View attachment 7529599
This one's all original except for the thumbrest, and it's missing its chrome pickup cover. But who needs that anyways lol.
View attachment 7529602
First time owner of a 70s one piece maple B neck and gotta say, it's wild how cozy it is. I missed having that thicky P neck on hand. I love all of my other gnarly basses so much but there's really no substitute for a proper Precision IMO.

Alright I'll stop gushing now. TLDR: Life's too short- grab your dream Precision!!

Glad you got your vintage P. Of all our talks, we always seem to sing the praise of the P.

Between your 70's bean and your Ripper (which year again?) you're rolling deep in vintage keepers!!!

 

[cataract]

That's almost exactly my bass! 76 Precision, in the same finish, same details. I had a bunch of more affordable, newer precisions, looking for something... Buying the 76 P was a stretch $$-wise, but there is something magical about it that I haven't felt in another bass. I would let go of my other basses, but never this one!

That's so rad, and I know what you mean- this one just feels solid and so robust. I loved my Nate Mendel Signature to death but something about it made me miss my '83. I love these old workhorses, man. I can tell this one's been played but cared for- a great combination IMO. Looking forward to putting some miles on it!

 

[cataract]

Glad you got your vintage P. Of all our talks, we always seem to sing the praise of the P.

Between your 70's bean and your Ripper (which year again?) you're rolling deep in vintage keepers!!!

You got that right, man! The Ripper's a '75. Didn't know becoming a 70s bass guy was on my 2026 BINGO card but here I am lol.

 

[bass player 53]

That's so cool that you still have yours after all these years. I gave my first bass away to a friend and since then fell into the habit of selling instruments to afford other instruments. I have a few keepers now, this one included. Would love to see photos of yours if you have any!

Sure:

 

[Sharko]

lol, who cares? Tell me about the Patriot

 

[cataract]

lol, who cares? Tell me about the Patriot

Oh man, it totally rips. Mine's an '85, mahogany body. Pairs well with my Decade! The Super Ferrite is one of my favorite bass pickups. There's nothing else quite like them IMO. This one's on the keeper list as well.