The Fender Precision Special 1980 - 1982

All the information you need about the Fender Precision Special 1980-1982!

History Walnut Brochure Ad Artists Colors Manual Block diagram Schematic Wiring My Special Contact

History

In 1980 Fender added the Precision Special to the Precision Bass line. It was available in both Lake Placid Blue and Candy Apple Red with matching headstock and a maple or rosewood fingerboard (round laminated).

The bass featured white pickup covers, white pickguard, a brass bridge and gold hardware (tuners, thumbrest, knobs).

It was the first active bass of Fender with a specially developed active circuit (preamp, bass and treble). But it could also be used in passive mode, with a passive tone control. The preamp is probably designed by Bill Hodges and Paul Gagon, who now is Vice President Technology BBE Sound inc.

In 1982 Fender added Arctic White as color option (see pictures of the Japanese brochure of 1982).

Also a walnut version of the Special was introduced; walnut body and neck, walnut fingerboard and black pickguard. Only 200 walnut specials were made. Click to see some pictures.

There are 2 versions of these walnut Precision Special. The first batch of 50 were finished completely in clear nitro cellulose lacquer. For the following three production runs of 50 per run, a tinted spray was applied except for the center of the front of the body in a sunburst-like treatment and then the entire body was finished in clear nitro. This tinting is very subtle.

In 1983 the Precision Special was succeeded by the Precision Elite .

Brochure

Serial numbers

The serial number of a Precision Bass Special 1980: E0(XXXXX).

The serial number of a Precision Bass Special from 1981: CE(XXXXX).

The serial number of a Precision Bass Special 1982 (walnut): CD(XXXXX), CO(XXXXX) or GO(XXXXX).