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NBD: (1994) Fender Precision Lite (MIJ)

mikewalker

mikewalker

Supporting Member
Jul 30, 2017
8,882
21,794
Canada, Eh!
#1
:) I was out of town doing production work at a drummer's place when someone showed up looking to sell off some of their surplus bass gear. On offer was a GENZ-BENZ 600 and 2-10 cab (which I really didn't need) and this bass (which I also really didn't need!!).

The bass has followed me home, though! I know that a lot of these basses are known to suffer from neck issues, anemic/noisy preamps/pups, loose output jacks, etc etc... but in fact this one is not plagued with any such imperfections. Aside from a couple of small chips in the headstock, it's pretty much pristine, and plays great with no rattles. Came in a very nice molded flight case, and weighs only about seven and a half pounds. One of those basses that when you pick it up, it says "take me home!!".

This is in direct contravention of my standing orders ("sell off ten surplus basses this year!"), but the purchase was in support of a good cause (urgent medical bills). On the fence for a while: do I squeeze it into my armada, or send it out to the marketplace. Time will tell...:bassist::bassist::bassist::bassist:

_Basses_20190707_150620 (7)_.jpg

_Basses_20190707_150620 (8)_.jpg

_Basses_20190707_150620 (9)_.jpg
 
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#6
I found one of these in my local GC last week and also fell in love with it. I have only owned 1 bass so far (still a noob in the grand scheme of things) but been playing long enough to know what I like and don't like about my sr300. When I picked up the p-lyte bass, I instantly felt like a better player. I've tried out many different basses and styles in the store over the past couple years and never had the feeling that I had to have one until I picked this one up. I grabbed a strap and played it for an hour before realizing I was still in the store and it wasn't mine yet. Remedied! It is now my second bass. After looking up the serial number I+6 digits I found that it was made in 89. Looks just like the OP picture.

The only issue I've found is that it eats through batteries. They replaced the battery in store when I first plugged it in and nothing. In a week with some playing and unplugging from the amp when not, the new battery is dead. It wouldn't be so bad if it had a quick battery door, but these old one require unscrewing the backplate to reach the battery. It's a small annoyance for such a great sound, but still kinda a pain.
 
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#8
evilleotter said:
...

The only issue I've found is that it eats through batteries. They replaced the battery in store when I first plugged it in and nothing. In a week with some playing and unplugging from the amp when not, the new battery is dead. It wouldn't be so bad if it had a quick battery door, but these old one require unscrewing the backplate to reach the battery. It's a small annoyance for such a great sound, but still kinda a pain.
Click to expand...

Hmmm... Are you sure you might not have a bad output jack, that isn't switching off properly? I've played this probably eight or nine hours over the past week, and it still sounds completely fine. I haven't yet opened the battery compartment to look inside. And the previous owner said he doesn't recall EVER changing the battery...

PS: I suppose they may have remedied any battery problems, by 1994
 
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#9
mikewalker said:
Hmmm... Are you sure you might not have a bad output jack, that isn't switching off properly? I've played this probably eight or nine hours over the past week, and it still sounds completely fine. I haven't yet opened the battery compartment to look inside. And the previous owner said he doesn't recall EVER changing the battery...

PS: I suppose they may have remedied any battery problems, by 1994
Click to expand...

Thanks for the reply.......I'm not sure why it is eating battery. I haven't yet had the time to have it looked over to determine the problem. There's a guy here in town that does good work according to other musicians I've spoken to (not a luthier but I hear he's very knowledgeable) so I plan to have him look it over and try to resolve the issue. Hopefully it's an easy and inexpensive fix. I'll post what the issue was and the solution once I get it resolved.
 
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#13
Just got it back yesterday. They inspected the input jack and all looked good, but the other wiring was old and corroded so they replaced and shouldn't be eating batteries any more. Time will tell. But, my fingers are sore from playing it so much.
I LOVE THIS BASS!
I've never needed an excuse to practice, but it's like I just don't want to put it down. Tone is rich and full and I love playing with the adjustments from neck p to bridge j pups depending on the music style. I know this bass will make me a better player.
 

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