Don't you just love Olympic White on a Precision Bass? Me too. From The Beach Boys to The Sex Pistols, The Clash, The Ramones and even Green Day-the look just goes hand in hand with Rock & Roll, Surf and Punk.
Yes! This is a really solid and clean 1979 Fender Precision Bass in the best finish: Olympic White. It is clean, professionally set up and ready to play-it needs nothing.
This Precision Bass was produced at the original Fender factory in Fullerton California, U.S.A. The body is the classic P-bass shape that has been around sine 1957. The front and rear contours are clean and the finish has that vintage mojo look. The finish has slightly toned in some spots near the edges to the soft creme hue. Looks unmistakably vintage and cool. There is light handling evidence here and there and overall the body is rather clean and presents great. The neck joint is solid and a good fitment.
The neck itself is super straight with no issues. The profile is best described as the classic P-bass: a comfortable C-shape. The neck measures the standard size 1.63" wide at the nut (1 5/8") and the neck depth measures .867" deep at the 1st fret and .983" at the 12th fret. There has been some sort of work done to the nut, it appears that a couple of grooves were added for a narrower string spacing, but the strings are back in the proper spot now-see photos. The original tuning keys turn smoothly and the bass stays in tune. The tuners are in excellent condition. The headstock and logo both display excellent. The serial number suggests a 1978 model year, but Fender overproduced the 1978 serial decals (some say they are duplicates) and used them on guitars through 1980. At any rate, it is definitely original and original to the body as well. The maple fingerboard is clean and the frets have been cleaned up and appear very nice-close to new condition as the original owner used flat wounds (thanks, original owner). The action is nice and low and the bass plays great with a light touch. The string height currently measures .010" at the 1st fret and .095" at the 12th fret. You can adjust the bridge up or down if you wish.
The tone is classic P-bass: full booming cannon-commanding low-end and nice clarity without any honk. It can really rumble as you would expect. The pickups are clean and original grey bottom units. The pickups measure 10.97 Ohms. The covers are in really clean condition-as the original owner retained the pickup cover on the bass its whole life. I have removed it for improved playing positions but it is included. The thumb rest is there also. The bridge cover is not. The potentiometers date to 1979 and there is a Fender employee hand-written number 4 in the pickup cavity. The black pickguard is in excellent shape with no cracks or issues and it is nice and flat. It has the correct original serial number sticker (which differs from the neck as it should). The controls work smoothly and quietly. The bridge is fully adjustable and solid.
The bass is a lot of fun to play and has a great balance with no neck-dive. It is perfect for live shows, studio or just hanging on the couch watching TV or whatevs. Original Fender hardcase is included-one of the hasp locks is missing or the spring is sprung maybe. It functions well and looks good. Be the hero...
