Fender Precision Fretless Model Solid Body Electric Bass Guitar, c. 1970, made in Fullerton, California, sunburst finish, alder body, maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, black tolex hard shell case.
Here's one of those built-in contradictions that make vintage instruments so much fun...the defining characteristic of the Fender Precision Bass was the guitar-like frets that allow precise intonation; yet in 1970, CBS/Fender started offering the bass in a fretless version. Undoubtedly inspired by Ampeg's AUB-1, the Fretless Precision was popular among more ambitious players in the 1970's but never really caught on in a big way.
It has the sound and feel of a standard Precision Bass, but of course the fretless fingerboard allows for a more glissando-ridden expressive playing style, and comes closer to the sonic possibilities of the upright bass. This is a very early example of this fairly rare bass variant, played but not abused, with a fine "totally vintage" sound.
Overall length is 46 in. (116.8 cm.), 13 in. (33 cm.) wide at lower bout, and 1 1/2 in. (3.8 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.).
Completely original, including the Fender flatwound strings that look to have been on the bass since new. This one has such a vibe that we havn't cleaned or re-set it up at all...as far as we can tell it's never been monkeyed with at all, just played! Great-sounding and playing; a fine funky piece of the 1970's! Excellent Condition.
