| Fender Player Precision Bass |
| The Specs |
Year: 2023Builder: Fender
Series: Player
Model: Precision Bass
Color: Candy Apple Red
Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
Serial Number: MX23033568
Body: Alder
Body Finish: Gloss
Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment
Bridge: 4-Saddle Standard
Fretboard: Pao Ferro
Fretboard Binding: none
Fretboard Inlay: White Dots
Neck: Maple
Neck Shape: Modern C
Neck Joint: 4-Bolt
Nut: Synthetic Bone
Headstock: Fender Bass
Headstock Binding: none
Headstock Logo: Gold "Spaghetti" Fender
Tuners: Open Gear
Pickup: Alnico 5 Split Single-Coil Precision
Active/Passive Pickup(s): Passive
Preamp: No
Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome
Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone
Case: Fender Deluxe Molded Case
Body Shape: Precision Bass
Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo
Fretboard Radius: 9.5"
Scale Length: 34"
Nut Width: 1.625"
Strings (Flatwound): D'Addario ECB81 (45-65-80-100)
Strings (Roundwound): D'Addario EXL170 (45-65-80-100)
The Story: My first bass guitar was a 1999 Fender Standard Precision Bass in midnight blue with a rosewood fretboard. It was a color that was affectionately referred to as "blurple," because it was probably closer to purple than blue. I knew when I decided to start playing bass that a P-Bass would be my first; it was the iconic bass for me—the first bass that came to mind, much like the Stratocaster was always the first electric guitar I thought of. I think the very first bass player I admired—long before I showed any interest in actually playing bass—was Steve Harris of Iron Maiden, who played a blue Precision with a black pickguard. Then, in the 90's when I was playing with Shiver, Chris' white Fender Precision was the constant stage partner to my sunburst Stratocaster. When I started playing bass, I learned about its renowned status as a studio bass due to the way it sits in the mix. I also appreciated its reputation as the bass of choice for players who wanted to support the song and didn't necessarily want to draw attention to themselves. As I started listening to other bass players and trying to learn from them, the first two I chose were the legendary James Jamerson and Chuck Rainey—both of whom used the P-Bass to get their signature sounds. I also revisited some of the classic rock players I admired who used Precisions—Roger Waters, Donald "Duck" Dunn, and Sting, just to name a few. For me, the Precision will always be the bass—just like the Strat will always be the electric guitar. I love my Telecaster and my Jazz Bass, but if I could only keep one guitar and one bass, it would be an easy decision. In the summer of 2023, I decided to sell off some of my other guitars and buy a quartet of classic Fender instruments—a Stratocaster, Telecaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass—all in Candy Apple Red.