Back to the main page Back to category Fender Precision
musical instrument details
1979 or 1980 Fender Precision Bass Guitar (Elite II, Dimension) Active
Estimated price for orientation: 1 375 $
Category: Fender Precision
Class:
Description Condition: Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition Brand: Fender Dexterity: Right-Handed MPN: Does Not Apply String Configuration: 4 String Style: Precision Bass Country/Region of Manufacture: United States UPC: Does not apply
This is a 1979 or 1980 Fender Precision Bass Guitar. The serial number on the neck aligns with a 1979 production date, but Fender mixed parts up around this time. My opinion is that this bass is more likely a 1980 Olympic White dimension active model with a holdover 1979 neck.There are several modifications made that are of good quality and were done very early in the life of this bass. First is that it has a second Precision pickup added, as well as an active preamp. The mods mimic the circuitry and function of the Precision Elite II basses that were made around 1983-84. The second pickup cavity is not painted, so the body was not originally constructed to hold the second set of pickups. The cavities are very well cut. Clean and symmetrical - perfect fit for the pickups.The pick guard most closely matches with the 1980 Precision dimension active bass that Fender made, but with the addition of an additional switch.The active pcb (preamp) is handmade point-to-point on perfboard. Seems very high quality to me and in excellent condition. There are six contacts that match with the Fender board of the time. As far as I know, all Fender pcb's from around this time are on green or blue board and are marked Fender.Also added later is the Fender/Schaller hi-mass bridge that was first installed on the 1983 Precision Elite II's. Here's how the knobs/switches work on this bass (matches the Elite II's, with one exception):1. Knob: neck pickup volume2. Switch: pickup selector3. Knob: Bridge pickup volume4. Knob: master tone control5. Switch: inactive (on the original Elite II's, this was a 3-way tone selector. It is currently bypassed because many say that Fender added a rather strange tone option to the bass. It doesn't really do anything that the pickup selector and tone knobs don't already do. I agree and have bypassed it. I will include an Elite II wiring diagram so that you can easily put it back to original. All the wires are present and it can be done in a few minutes. You could also wire it as a kill switch to save battery life.)6. JackFrets: there is some wear and you might want a fret job at some point, but the action is low with no buzzing. perfectly playableNeck: This might be the best thing about this bass. As straight as new and feels great. Classic Precision. Finish: see photos. It was clearly someone's favorite bass. Nicely aged finish with some missing chunks, but nothing really noticeable from the front while playing. Tuners: function well and hold pitchTone: a very wide range of usable options - one of the widest of any I have played.Overall, this is a strange bass, but a great player and very interesting. Someone worked VERY hard to turn this into a Precision Elite II, Fender's top bass of the time, but with the differences that it has the handmade pcb and that it has original 1970's Precision pickups, not the ones that were used on the 1983 Elite II's.I ship very well packed, with insurance and signature required. I will ship it in a case for protection, but it is not a great case, nor original. I have 100% positive feedback, so bid with confidence!The one thing about Fender is that there is always someone who knows more...so please contact me if you have knowledge of the maker of this pcb. I'd love to know.
Description
| Condition: | Used: An item that has been used previously. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended. This item may be a floor model or store return that has been used. See the seller’s listing for full details and description of any imperfections. See all condition definitions- opens in a new window or tab ... Read moreabout the condition | Brand: | Fender |
| Dexterity: | Right-Handed | MPN: | Does Not Apply |
| String Configuration: | 4 String | Style: | Precision Bass |
| Country/Region of Manufacture: | United States | UPC: | Does not apply |
This is a 1979 or 1980 Fender Precision Bass Guitar. The serial number on the neck aligns with a 1979 production date, but Fender mixed parts up around this time. My opinion is that this bass is more likely a 1980 Olympic White dimension active model with a holdover 1979 neck.There are several modifications made that are of good quality and were done very early in the life of this bass. First is that it has a second Precision pickup added, as well as an active preamp. The mods mimic the circuitry and function of the Precision Elite II basses that were made around 1983-84. The second pickup cavity is not painted, so the body was not originally constructed to hold the second set of pickups. The cavities are very well cut. Clean and symmetrical - perfect fit for the pickups.The pick guard most closely matches with the 1980 Precision dimension active bass that Fender made, but with the addition of an additional switch.The active pcb (preamp) is handmade point-to-point on perfboard. Seems very high quality to me and in excellent condition. There are six contacts that match with the Fender board of the time. As far as I know, all Fender pcb's from around this time are on green or blue board and are marked Fender.Also added later is the Fender/Schaller hi-mass bridge that was first installed on the 1983 Precision Elite II's. Here's how the knobs/switches work on this bass (matches the Elite II's, with one exception):1. Knob: neck pickup volume2. Switch: pickup selector3. Knob: Bridge pickup volume4. Knob: master tone control5. Switch: inactive (on the original Elite II's, this was a 3-way tone selector. It is currently bypassed because many say that Fender added a rather strange tone option to the bass. It doesn't really do anything that the pickup selector and tone knobs don't already do. I agree and have bypassed it. I will include an Elite II wiring diagram so that you can easily put it back to original. All the wires are present and it can be done in a few minutes. You could also wire it as a kill switch to save battery life.)6. JackFrets: there is some wear and you might want a fret job at some point, but the action is low with no buzzing. perfectly playableNeck: This might be the best thing about this bass. As straight as new and feels great. Classic Precision. Finish: see photos. It was clearly someone's favorite bass. Nicely aged finish with some missing chunks, but nothing really noticeable from the front while playing. Tuners: function well and hold pitchTone: a very wide range of usable options - one of the widest of any I have played.Overall, this is a strange bass, but a great player and very interesting. Someone worked VERY hard to turn this into a Precision Elite II, Fender's top bass of the time, but with the differences that it has the handmade pcb and that it has original 1970's Precision pickups, not the ones that were used on the 1983 Elite II's.I ship very well packed, with insurance and signature required. I will ship it in a case for protection, but it is not a great case, nor original. I have 100% positive feedback, so bid with confidence!The one thing about Fender is that there is always someone who knows more...so please contact me if you have knowledge of the maker of this pcb. I'd love to know.