Introduced in 1951, the Fender Precision Bass was the world’s first mass produced solid body electric bass and remains one of the most influential instrument designs in music history. Renowned for its straightforward layout, simple controls and split-coil pickup, the Precision Bass has long been a studio and stage standard, prized for its adaptability across a wide range of musical styles.
This 1974 Precision Bass is a classic example of a mid-’70s Fender, purchased by the previous owner in 1992 from Matt Umanov guitars in New York. It features an alder body paired with a maple neck and fingerboard, with a slightly slimmer nut width compared to earlier ’50s and ’60s models, measuring 41.1mm. The body is finished in a vibrant three-tone Sunburst that has retained its colour well, showing only minor play wear throughout, predominantly to the lower edges and rear of the body. A four-bolt neck joint, tortoise style plastic pickguard and traditional P Bass split-coil pickup complete the familiar specification.
Overall, this bass is in very good condition, and has benefitted from a refret at some point in its life, and has also had a fresh lacquer over the fingerboard, presumably as part of the refret process. There has been some shielding paint applied in the control cavity, and although the pots and cap appear original, there are unfortunately no readable pot codes. There is evidence of grounding having been redone to the rear of one of the pots. The grey bottom pickup ink stamp dates to 1974. This bass also includes a period blue lined, black tolex hard case in the Fender style.
This bass has been given a full service and appraisal by our luthiers at the Vintage Instrument Workshop, and includes a 2 year warranty. This guitar also includes its original moulded hard case.
