Fender American Series Precision Electric Bass (Maple, with Case)

No longer available at zZounds
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
S-1 switching. Posiflex graphite neck support rods. Rounded body shape. Rolled fingerboard edges.

The American Series Precision Bass guitar that everyone knows and loves is better than ever! The new S-1 switching system makes this an extremely versatile bass that gives players an array of cool new sounds, and it comes in some fantastic new colors and finishes!

Features include a solid alder or ash body (depending on color) and graphite-reinforced, modern C-shaped maple neck with satin polyurethane finish (available with maple or rosewood fingerboard). With the S-1 system, you can switch the split single-coil pickup from series to parallel, giving the bass a brighter, snappier tone similar to that of a Jazz Bass guitar.

Model Name: American Precision Bass

Series: American Series

Finish: polyurethane

Body:
-- Alder on: (700)* 3-Color Sunburst, (706) Black, (725) Chrome Red, (750) Butterscotch Blonde, and (791) Chrome Silver,

-- Ash on: (722)** Sunset Orange Transparent

Neck: graphite reinforced maple, modern "C" Shape, satin polyurethane finish

Fingerboard: maple p/n (019-3262), (9.5 in. Radius/241 mm)

No. of frets: 20 medium jumbo frets

Pickups: 1 American Precision Bass split single-coil pickup

Controls: volume (with S-1 switch), tone

Pickup switching: 2-position push/push S-1 switch:
-- S-1 switch up: pickups in series

-- S-1 switch down: pickups in parallel

Bridge: American (strings-thru-body)

Machine heads: cast / open back

Hardware: chrome

Pickguard:
-- 3-ply parchment on: (700)* 3-Color Sunburst, (722) Sunset Orange Transparent,

-- 1-ply black on: (750) Butterscotch Blonde

-- 3-ply black/white/black on: (706) Black, (725) Chrome Red, (791) Chrome Silver

Scale length: 34 in. (864 mm)

Width at nut: 1.625 in. (41.3 mm)

Unique features: S-1 switching, Posiflex graphite neck support rods, rounded body shape, rolled fingerboard edges

Strings: Super Bass 8250M NPS, p/n 073-8250-006,

Gauges: .045, .065, .085, .110TW (Taperwound E)

Accessories: standard molded case

Case: standard molded case

Introduced: 7/2003

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 800-488-1818

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars. (13 ratings)
Submitted July 22, 2006 by a customer from sbcglobal.net

"The sum is better than the parts."

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.
I have other instruments but the Precision is still my "go to" bass.
Sound
very organic, good punch. Not at all "electric" sounding. Suitable for most types of music from jazz to rock. My #1 go to bass without question.
Features
S-1 switch is really a waste of time. I just don't use it. Good improvements over the original P basses; better bridge, graphite reinforced neck, neck contour and width at the nut that accomodate more modern styles. I would have liked nickel plated hardware.
Ease of Use
plug and play. Tone control allows for good variation of the p bass sound.
Quality
frets are rough at the edges. rosewood board has a flaw at the butt of the neck, pickguard was not well cut and was scratched, strap screw pulled out of body. That said, I still trust it to be road worthy.
Value
worth it because of tone, playability and resale. Just feels correct in my hands. I am old school.
Manufacturer Support
never could get the correct replacement pickguard. Fender is just too big and one hand does not know what the other is doing.
The Wow Factor
It's a Fender. I still think it's one of the best sounding basses, even compared to much more expensive instruments.

Musical Background:

active musician

Musical Style:

most styles
4 of 4 people (100%) people found this review helpful. Did you?
Thanks for your opinion!

No longer available at zZounds

In most cases, a product is unavailable because it has been discontinued by the manufacturer