What is the body material of the 75th Anniversary 1951 Precision Bass?

The body is constructed from resonant swamp ash, a wood choice synonymous with the early production years of Fender electric guitars and basses.

What type of finish is used on this model?

It features a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish in Butterscotch Blonde, which is historically accurate and designed to wear naturally over years of play.

What neck profile does this bass have?

The bass features a substantial 1951 'U' profile, which is thicker and more rounded than most contemporary Fender neck shapes.

What is the fingerboard radius?

The fingerboard has a traditional 7.25" radius, providing an authentic vintage playing feel consistent with early 1950s instruments.

Which pickup is installed in this bass?

It is equipped with a 75th Anniversary Pure Vintage '51 single-coil Precision pickup, specifically voiced to recreate the original thump and clarity.

Is the neck a multi-piece or one-piece construction?

The neck is a one-piece maple construction, including the fingerboard, which is a key feature of the original 1951 design.

What type of frets are used on this instrument?

The bass is fitted with vintage tall frets, which are narrower than modern jumbo frets but provide enough height for comfortable playing.

How many strings does this model have?

This is a standard 4-string bass guitar, following the original specifications of the first Precision Bass models.

What is the typical price for this limited-edition bass?

The instrument typically retails for approximately £2,699, reflecting its status as a premium, limited-edition American-made instrument.

How does this differ from a modern Player II Precision Bass?

Unlike the Player II which features a split-coil pickup and modern C-neck, this model uses a single-coil pickup, a 'U' neck, and nitrocellulose lacquer.

Is this a regular production model or a limited edition?

It is a limited-edition model produced specifically to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Fender's founding.

What is the significance of the 1951 designation?

1951 was the debut year of the Fender Precision Bass; this model accurately recreates the specs of those first-year production units.

Gear article

Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass

The Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass is a limited-edition four-string electric bass commemorating the birth of the instrument. It features a swamp ash body, a one-piece maple neck, and a Pure Vintage '51 single-coil pickup, accurately recreating the specifications of the original 1951 model.

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Historical Context

This instrument was released to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Fender and pays homage to the 1951 Precision Bass, the first commercially successful electric bass guitar. The original 1951 design transitioned the bass from an upright, acoustic format to a fretted, horizontal electric format, fundamentally changing the landscape of popular music. This American Vintage II series model is designed to capture the exact spirit and construction methods of that era.

Construction and Materials

The guitar is built around a resonant swamp ash body, a hallmark of early Fender solid-body instruments. It is finished in a traditional Butterscotch Blonde gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, which allows the wood to breathe and age naturally over time. The neck is a one-piece maple construction featuring a substantial 1951 'U' profile, which provides a thicker, more traditional feel compared to modern slim-neck designs.

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Hardware and Electronics

Authenticity is maintained through the use of vintage-correct hardware. The fingerboard has a traditional 7.25" radius and is equipped with vintage tall frets. The electronics consist of a single 75th Anniversary Pure Vintage '51 single-coil Precision pickup. This specific pickup configuration is known for providing the foundational thump and clarity that defined the original electric bass sound.

Sound Profile

The combination of the swamp ash body and the single-coil pickup results in a tone characterised by a strong low-end presence and a clear, percussive attack. Unlike later split-coil Precision Basses, the '51 style pickup offers a more direct, raw tonal quality. It provides the essential 'thump' required for rhythm sections while maintaining enough top-end definition to remain articulate.

Target Audience and Comparison

This model is intended for professional musicians and collectors seeking a high-end, historically accurate recreation of Fender's earliest bass design. While entry-level alternatives like the Gear4Music Chicago Bass or Squier Classic Vibe series offer bass functionality at lower costs, the American Vintage II focuses on premium materials like nitrocellulose and swamp ash. Compared to modern variants like the Fender Player II series or the American Professional II, this model offers a thicker neck and a more vintage-specific 7.25" fingerboard radius.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the body material of the 75th Anniversary 1951 Precision Bass?: The body is constructed from resonant swamp ash, a wood choice synonymous with the early production years of Fender electric guitars and basses.
What type of finish is used on this model?: It features a gloss nitrocellulose lacquer finish in Butterscotch Blonde, which is historically accurate and designed to wear naturally over years of play.
What neck profile does this bass have?: The bass features a substantial 1951 'U' profile, which is thicker and more rounded than most contemporary Fender neck shapes.
What is the fingerboard radius?: The fingerboard has a traditional 7.25" radius, providing an authentic vintage playing feel consistent with early 1950s instruments.
Which pickup is installed in this bass?: It is equipped with a 75th Anniversary Pure Vintage '51 single-coil Precision pickup, specifically voiced to recreate the original thump and clarity.
Is the neck a multi-piece or one-piece construction?: The neck is a one-piece maple construction, including the fingerboard, which is a key feature of the original 1951 design.
What type of frets are used on this instrument?: The bass is fitted with vintage tall frets, which are narrower than modern jumbo frets but provide enough height for comfortable playing.
How many strings does this model have?: This is a standard 4-string bass guitar, following the original specifications of the first Precision Bass models.
What is the typical price for this limited-edition bass?: The instrument typically retails for approximately £2,699, reflecting its status as a premium, limited-edition American-made instrument.
How does this differ from a modern Player II Precision Bass?: Unlike the Player II which features a split-coil pickup and modern C-neck, this model uses a single-coil pickup, a 'U' neck, and nitrocellulose lacquer.
Is this a regular production model or a limited edition?: It is a limited-edition model produced specifically to celebrate the 75th anniversary of Fender's founding.
What is the significance of the 1951 designation?: 1951 was the debut year of the Fender Precision Bass; this model accurately recreates the specs of those first-year production units.