Fender Precision Bass Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar (1973), made in Fullerton, California, serial # 372433, black finish, alder body, maple neck, original black hard shell case.
This Fender Precision Bass dates to the early 1970s, but still maintains more of a '60s vibe than those from even a couple of years later. It has a fairly unusual combination of the black-and-white livery on the body and a one-piece maple neck with an "A" width 1 1/2" nut. This was a new feature at the time, and now is sought after by players who love the Precision sound but prefer the narrower more tapered Jazz Bass neck. While the Precision was typically issued in the '70s with a "B" neck (1 5/8" at the nut) some were made up to the 1 1/2" Jazz Bass specs but clearly intender for Precisions, evidenced by the dot inlay and correct decal.
The black finish on the body is still fairly thin, not the heavy "Thick Skin' poly that soon replaced it. Old-school P-Bass features like the chrome bridge and pickup covers, white plastic pickguard and the fingerrest below the strings still lend it a classic period look darting back to the 60s. The larger decal, bridge with solid, non-serrated saddles and the long "G" string screw and the narrower "B" nut width on the neck are the notable newer features incorporated by this time, as the '70s rolled on.
The serial number on the neckplate is typical for the turn of 1972-2. The neck is stamped MAR 72A on the heel, but may have sat in stock as a non-standard item for a bit before being mounted on a bass. The grey fiber pickup bobbins are coded on the underside to 1973; they have been recently rewound to the correct original spec. The pots (visible date on one: 10th week of 1973) and jack are original but some wiring work is evident. This bass looks great but is also a fine player, much lighter at under 9 Lbs. than many from this decade with the strong midrangey honk typical of period Precisions. This one of the cooler '70s Fender basses we have had of late, a hot-rod of sorts with its skinny neck, handy body and always sharp black-and-white look. We typically string older Fender basses with flat would strings these days but this one loves roundwounds, it just wants to be cranked up and growl!
Overall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) in depth, measured at side of rim. Scale length is 34 in. (864 mm.). Width of nut is 1 5/8 in. (41 mm.).
This bass has some general wear but overall remains nicely original, in better condition than many from this era The finish has dings, dents and scrapes but no large areas of loss. The top has only a few small dings through the finish, the edges and back are more worn with a spot of curly-cord wear on the lower edge south of the strap button. The neck has some dings and dents but is not heavily worn
The hardware appears original except original pickup has been perfectly re-wound to the correct specs by Tom Brantley, one of the true masters of this art. (Lately we have been encountering a lot of Fender pickups from this period with output issues). A couple of solder joints in the controls were re-done as a result, but the rest of the wiring appears stock. The nut is a bone replacement; the frets are original but have been crowned down fairly flat.
This is a fairly light bass by 70's standards at under 9 Lbs. and handier than many; it is an excellent player even with roundwound strings and a very low action. The combination of the maple neck with the Jazz Bass nut width and a lightweight solid-color body is far from common and makes this a bit of a connoisseur's bass, even from 1973. It resides happily in the original Fender black Tolex HSC. Excellent - Condition.
