Fender Precision Bass (1970-1983)

About the Fender Precision Bass (1970-1983)

Basses from this production window carry the split single-coil humbucking pickup that had defined the Precision Bass since 1957, mounted on a body built from either alder or ash - both woods were used during the 1970s without a strict cutoff date between them. The neck was maple throughout, either as a one-piece maple neck or as maple with a separate, glued-on rosewood fingerboard; a fretless version with an unlined maple, rosewood or ebony fingerboard was also offered. Frets sit at 20 on fretted versions, over the same 34-inch scale the Precision Bass has always used.

Two changes from this period are commonly used to narrow down a more exact date. In 1971, Fender switched to a three-bolt neck plate and moved the truss rod adjustment to a bullet-shaped nut at the headstock, replacing the four-bolt joint and body-end adjustment used before. Collectors and players are divided on the three-bolt neck's reputation - some consider it a low point in Fender's manufacturing consistency during the CBS ownership years, others report no practical issues once the neck is properly shimmed. In 1977, the "Precision Bass" headstock logo was changed to a smaller, sans-serif style, which is one of the more reliable ways to distinguish an earlier-1970s example from a later one at a glance.

Because this listing covers a production span rather than a single model year, exact specifications - body wood, neck construction, logo style - vary within the range, and buyers comparing instruments from this era usually want to know the specific year and features of each individual guitar rather than assume they are identical.

Where to buy

• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard • Black • 1983 • 10.4 lb 1.801 EUR Best price View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard 1978 Sunburst 1.945 EUR View details
• Reverb 1975 Fender Precision Bass Black refin 2.027 EUR View details
• Reverb 1983 American Fender Precision Bass (Fullerton Factory) in Excellent Condition 2.079 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 – Restauración Completa / Player's Grade (Fiesta Red Nitro / 3.8 kg) 2.137 EUR View details
• Reverb 1978 Fender Precision Bass - Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard - Natural - HSC 2.150 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1981 - Cherry Sunburst 2.224 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Maple Fingerboard 1970 - 1983 - Mocha Brown 2.231 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Modified PJ 1978 - Three Tone Sunburst 2.236 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless 1981 - Natural 2.236 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 - Sunburst 2.288 EUR View details
• Reverb 1979 Fender Precision Bass 2.323 EUR View details
• Reverb 1978 Fender Fretless Precision Bass - Sunburst 2.352 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1974 2.400 EUR View details
• Reverb Circa 1978 Fender Precision Bass Natural #S867385 2.416 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard 1970 - 1983 - Natural 2.500 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 Sunburst Vintage USA w/ OHSC 2.556 EUR View details
• Reverb 1979 Fender Precision Bass (5.38kg) 2.597 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1977-78 black 2.602 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1979 - Three Tone Sunburst 2.610 EUR View details
• Reverb 1975 Vintage Fender Precision Bass Guitar Fretless w/ Natural Finish & HSC 2.696 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard 1978 - Sunburst 2.720 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1977 - 1978 - Mocha Brown 2.720 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 Sunburst - Original, con Estuche Vintage y Factura 2.784 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Left-Handed with Maple Fretboard 1978 - Sunburst 2.788 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1975 2.789 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1981 - Sunburst 2.796 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard 1978 Sunburst 2.799 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard 1976 2.800 EUR View details
• Reverb 1979 Fender Precision Bass (5.2kg) 2.808 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless 1973 - Natural 2.857 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1977 - Black 2.883 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender 1975 Precision Bass 2.911 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass guitar 1978 Natural original vintage USA p 2.928 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender 1976 Precision Bass LH Refinish [4.69kg] 2.929 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard 1978 - Sunburst 2.974 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard 1976 - Sunburst 2.995 EUR View details
• Reverb 1978 Fender Precision Bass Sunburst Vintage Bass, 100% Original w/ Case 3.003 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 - NT 3.003 EUR View details
• Reverb 1977 Fender - Precision Bass - fretless mit J-Bass-PU - ID 4585 3.087 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1976 - Natural 3.099 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard 1973 - Natural 3.230 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1973 - Black 3.230 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 - Sunburst original vintage USA P Bartolini 3.240 EUR View details
• Reverb 1976 Fender Precision Bass Black 3.249 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1978 - Natural 3.299 EUR View details
• Reverb 1978 Fender Precision Bass olympic white A neck 3.300 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1974 Olympic White 3.402 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Left-Handed with Maple Fretboard 1970 - 1983 - Natural 3.418 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard 1978 - Mocha Brown 3.418 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1979 - Natural 3.450 EUR View details
• Reverb 1977 Fender Precision Bass – Natural – Original Condition – Irish Music Provenance 3.495 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass, Maple Fretboard 1975 Olympic White 3.500 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1974 - Natural 3.500 EUR View details
• Reverb 1975 Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Maple Board - Natural - OHSC 3.500 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender 1976 Precision Bass Fretless - Olympic White - [4.80kg] 3.517 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass PBass 1975 - Sunburst 3.533 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1977 - Stripped Finish 3.536 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1970 - 1983 - Natural 3.542 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1975 - Sunburst 3.599 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless 1978 3.600 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1979 Black 3.600 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1981 - Sienna Sunburst 3.665 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1976 - Black 3.672 EUR View details
• Reverb 1975 Fender - Precision Bass - ID 5982 3.757 EUR View details
• Reverb 1973 Fender Precision Bass Sunburst Vintage Bass, Lightweight w/ "A" 1 1/2" Nut & Case 3.798 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1973 - Sunburst 3.900 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender 1974 Precision Bass, Natural 3.900 EUR View details
• Reverb Stellar 1976 Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard Sunburst, OHSC Amazing Vintage Bass ! 3.900 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Left-Handed with Maple Fretboard 1970 - 1983 - Ruby Red 3.946 EUR View details
• Reverb 1970 Fender Fretless Precision Bass Sunburst 3.951 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard - B Neck 1975 - Sunburst 4.150 EUR View details
• Reverb 1976 Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard - Sunburst - ORIGINAL CASE 4.160 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard Lake Placid Blue 1973/1974 4.286 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1977 - Sunburst Rosewood fingerboard 4.300 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Three Tone Sunburst 4.318 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Rosewood Fretboard 1970 - 1983 - Sunburst 4.474 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass with Maple Fretboard Sunburst 1979-81 4.597 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass LEFTY 1976 - Sunburst 4.600 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender P-Bass Sunburst / 1975 4.750 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision bass 1976 - Natural 4.890 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1974 - Sunburst 4.900 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1973 - Sunburst 4.957 EUR View details
• Reverb Pre Owned Fender 1973 Precision Bass - Sunburst, Rosewood Inc. Case 4.965 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1972 - Olympic White 4.970 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender 1975 Precision Bass 3TS 5.433 EUR View details
• Reverb 1970 Fender Precision Bass Fretless Sunburst w/OHSC 5.481 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Fretless with Rosewood Fingerboard 1970 Sunburst 5.717 EUR View details
• Reverb 1971 Fender Precision Bass – 100% Original – 3-Color Sunburst – Excellent Condition 5.790 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1972 - 3-Tone Sunburst 5.840 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision bass 1972 - 3 tone sunburst 5.990 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass Rosewood Fretboard 1977 | Sunburst 6.168 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1973 - Factory Black Maple Neck a Museum Quality example. 6.503 EUR View details
• Reverb Fender Precision Bass 1970 - 1983 Customized Into Flame Shooting Torch 12.085 EUR View details

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Source: https://reverb.com/item/85023018-fender-precision-bass-left-handed-with-maple-fretboard-1970-1983-ruby-red

Sound character of the Fender Precision Bass (1970-1983)

The split single-coil pickup - two offset halves wired out of phase to cancel hum while reinforcing the fundamental - is the source of the P-Bass's deep, punchy low end. The alder body and maple neck of this era keep the overall voicing warm and full-bodied rather than bright.

Technical data for the Fender Precision Bass (1970-1983)

Price history for the Fender Precision Bass (1970-1983)

Cheapest seen: 1.801 EUR  ·  Most expensive seen: 12.085 EUR

The history of the Fender Precision Bass (1970-1983)

The Precision Bass was designed by Leo Fender and reached the market in 1951, and it was the first electric bass guitar to be manufactured successfully at scale - a solid-body instrument built to be played and amplified like an electric guitar rather than an upright bass, with frets that let players hit a note "precisely", which gave the model its name. The original had a single-cutaway body closely related to the Telecaster and a single pickup.

Fender restyled the body in 1954 with the contoured curves that would later define the Stratocaster, and in 1957 replaced the original pickup with the split single-coil humbucking design that has remained the model's signature ever since. CBS acquired Fender in January 1965, and the years that followed - including this 1970-1983 production window - are generally referred to as the CBS era, a period during which manufacturing changes (including the three-bolt neck and bullet truss rod introduced in 1971) are widely discussed among collectors when assessing instruments from this time. The Precision Bass itself, meanwhile, is credited with having shaped the sound and role of the bass guitar in popular music more broadly than almost any other single instrument design.