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Steve Harris Precision Bass Club

led4thehed2

led4thehed2

Sep 29, 2008
179
303
Indiana
#1
I figured I can't be the only one who has one of these basses and loves them, or just wants to learn more about them. Over the years there has been a lot of mis-information spread about these basses in threads discussing them. Heck, even Fender's published specs have been incorrect at times! I'm hoping to create a thread with information from official/verifiable sources, and then plan to update this first post with info and specs about all three generations.

So- let's see your pictures, hear your reviews, soundclips, etc.

My thread- so I get #1! :D Okay, now for information...


First Generation: July 2001 - January 2002
Info obtained from Eli Srouji - Fender Customer Service - 9/14/2014

Model Number: 025-2602-(502)
Body: Basswood
Neck: Maple
Fingerboard: Maple, 7.25" radius
Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Scale Length: 34” (864 mm)
Width @ Nut: 1.750” (44.5 mm)
Hardware: Chrome Plated Nickel
Machine Heads: Vintage Style
Bridge: Bad Ass II Bridge
Pickguard: Wine Red Mirror Pickguard
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SPB-3
Colors: (502) Lake Placid Blue
Strings: Super 7250ML, NPS, p/n 073-7250-005.
Gauges: .045, .065, .080, .100.
Other Features: Separate Laminated Maple Fretboard,
Steve Harris Signature and Iron Maiden Logo on the Headstock,
Black Dome Volume and Tone Knobs
Source: Japan

U.S. MSRP: $799.99
INTRODUCED: 7/2001
DISCONTINUED: 1/2002
WRENCH SIZES: Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench, (.050 Hex), p/n 0018531000


Second Generation: January 2009 - January 2015
Info from Kevin Castenada- Fender Customer Service- 3/10/17

Model Name: Steve Harris Precision Bass®
Model Number: 025-2602-(350)
Body: Alder
Neck: 1-Piece Maple, (Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
Fingerboard: Maple, 7.25” Radius (184 mm)
Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo Frets
Scale Length: 34” (863.6 mm)
Nut: 1.65” (42 mm)
Hardware: Chrome
Machine Heads: Vintage Style
Bridge: Leo Quan Badass® II
Pickguard: 1-Ply Chrome Pickguard
Pickups: Seymour Duncan SPB-1
Colors: (350) Royal Blue Metallic, (Gloss Polyurethane Finish)
Strings: Rotosound® Steve Harris Signature Custom Flat-Wound,
Gauges: .050, .075, .095, .110.

Other Features: Steve Harris Signature on Back of Headstock
Source: Japan
Accessories: Deluxe Gig Bag
U.S. MSRP: $1,299.99
INTRODUCED: 1/2009
DISCONTINUED: 1/2015
WRENCH SIZES: Saddle Height Adjustment Wrench, (.050” Hex), P/N 0018531000,
Truss Rod Adjustment Wrench, (5 mm Hex), P/N 0074911000
COMMENTS: Price drop from $1,750.00 to $1,699.99 in 1/2010


 
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#2
For the first gen, I'm doubting the reported 1.75" nut width. I had one of these basses for a short time, and IIRC, the neck seemed to have a standard 1 5/8" nut width. Can anybody with one post a photo measuring the nut? Thank you!
 
#3
cool thread...i have second bass (sparkle Blue) which i am still absolutely in love with..tho i cannot find what the body is finished with..IE lacquer ...polyester etc..it is beautiful and i have loved this bass since i first saw it 8 years ago...and altho i am probably going to get alot of poopie for this next comment but oh well..i honestly think this bass is more of a 50s style bass because of the thick thick neck... also the new (olympic white) signature is as close to steves bass then they have gotten ...

anyway heres a pic of my bass and playing it..errr

005.JPG
1.jpg
 
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#6
All i can say is, they got it right with the blue sparkle. It actually is the one with 1.75 nut width, hence the fatter 50's style feel. The first gen and the new white one have standard 1.65, and feel very similar to each other. As with Steve's original sparkle bass, its made of alder, and has the best weight out of the three. The first gen is made of basswood, and is extremely light. I have a squire that is heavier than the first gen! The new white on the other hand, is beastly heavy with its 2 piece maple body.
 
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#8
ScottyMoe said:
All i can say is, they got it right with the blue sparkle. It actually is the one with 1.75 nut width, hence the fatter 50's style feel. The first gen and the new white one have standard 1.65, and feel very similar to each other. As with Steve's original sparkle bass, its made of alder, and has the best weight out of the three. The first gen is made of basswood, and is extremely light. I have a squire that is heavier than the first gen! The new white on the other hand, is beastly heavy with its 2 piece maple body.
Click to expand...
Huh, mine definitely does not have a 1 3/4" nut width. It's slightly more than 1 5/8". I agree the second is the best.
 
#11
Bassist4 said:
cool thread...i have second bass (sparkle Blue) which i am still absolutely in love with..tho i cannot find what the body is finished with..IE lacquer ...polyester etc..it is beautiful and i have loved this bass since i first saw it 8 years ago...and altho i am probably going to get alot of poopie for this next comment but oh well..i honestly think this bass is more of a 50s style bass because of the thick thick neck... also the new (olympic white) signature is as close to steves bass then they have gotten ...

anyway heres a pic of my bass and playing it..errr

View attachment 3024919 View attachment 3024921
Click to expand...
When I contacted Fender customer service they told me the body finish was gloss polyurethane finish.
 
#12
ScottyMoe said:
Im sure these spec numbers they put out there are nominal, as everything varies within accepted tolerances, but the nut on my blue sparkle is definitely wider than the other two, and feels thicker despite the new white having a more U shape profile..
Click to expand...
My conversations with Fender revealed the second generation also have the big U shaped neck profile. So it should feel pretty similar to the white ones.
 
#15
So i have a stupid question i guess. do you guys prefer the blue ones sound over the white one? because i think the white one has a bit of a brighter sound and his strings tend to last longer on the white one with the brightness...

also anyone know if steve ever actually used SBP-1? the pickup in the blue one
 
#16
Early days should be SPB-1 yes. Later, not sure when, he got custom Duncans, called SPB-4 now. Not a huge difference; slightly more bass. I guess if Fender makes another run, they'd put these in.
It's all about fresh / super-cleaned roto flats and SPBs. All of them would work with slight EQ tweaks. I modded a cheap body with those and can get the damned tone, for about two weeks tops, then the strings need to be treated again. :/
 
#17
Bassist4 said:
So i have a stupid question i guess. do you guys prefer the blue ones sound over the white one? because i think the white one has a bit of a brighter sound and his strings tend to last longer on the white one with the brightness...

also anyone know if steve ever actually used SBP-1? the pickup in the blue one
Click to expand...

Yes, I prefer the sound of the blue sparkle over the new white ones. I feel that the white ones do an amazing job of nailing Steve's current tone, but I feel it's not as versatile a sound. Whereas the blue ones have a nice vintage voiced pickup that with a little EQ or tone adjustment can suit a number of different styles.

According to the research I've done over the years, yes, Steve did originally use an SPB-1 pickup. I've seen it in a number of different articles reviewing his gear, and before he had his own signature SPB-4 pickup he was listed on Seymour Duncan's website as using an SPB-1. Although I have read numerous times that it was either an "over wound" or "custom shop" SPB-1.
 
#18
clickclack said:
Early days should be SPB-1 yes. Later, not sure when, he got custom Duncans, called SPB-4 now. Not a huge difference; slightly more bass. I guess if Fender makes another run, they'd put these in.
It's all about fresh / super-cleaned roto flats and SPBs. All of them would work with slight EQ tweaks. I modded a cheap body with those and can get the damned tone, for about two weeks tops, then the strings need to be treated again. :/
Click to expand...

Agreed fresh strings are a big part of it, and pretty much any of the Duncan pickups will work if you tweak the EQ. I put a fresh set of Rotosound flats on my bass last week, and was shocked at the difference. My old strings have been used for a little over a year, and had really mellowed out. When I put the fresh strings on I thought "Wow I sound exactly like Steve!"
 
#19
led4thehed2 said:
My old strings have been used for a little over a year, and had really mellowed out. When I put the fresh strings on I thought "Wow I sound exactly like Steve!"
Click to expand...
Do not throw them out yet! They're high quality steel alloy and can stand more than a few rounds of ultrasonic cleaner. I was surprised they sounded even brighter than new when I first done that. Gets rid of some machine oil and stuff even when fresh, I think.
Title goes "What string companies don't want you to know!" I guess. haha
 
#20
clickclack said:
Early days should be SPB-1 yes. Later, not sure when, he got custom Duncans, called SPB-4 now. Not a huge difference; slightly more bass. I guess if Fender makes another run, they'd put these in.
It's all about fresh / super-cleaned roto flats and SPBs. All of them would work with slight EQ tweaks. I modded a cheap body with those and can get the damned tone, for about two weeks tops, then the strings need to be treated again. :/
Click to expand...

Shoot, too late. I usually cut the strings off when I change 'em. They had a really nice mellow tone. In the future I may jusy save 'em and try cleaning them.
Agreed fresh strings are a big part of it, and pretty much any of the Duncan pickups will work if you tweak the EQ. I put a fresh set of Rotosound flats on my bass last week, and was shocked at the difference. My old strings have been used for a little over a year, and had really mellowed out. When I put the fresh strings on I thought "Wow I sound exactly like Steve.
clickclack said:
Do not throw them out yet! They're high quality steel alloy and can stand more than a few rounds of ultrasonic cleaner. I was surprised they sounded even brighter than new when I first done that. Gets rid of some machine oil and stuff even when fresh, I think.
Title goes "What string companies don't want you to know!" I guess. haha
Click to expand...
 

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