A Timeline of the Fender Precision Bass

The Precision Bass of 1951 was the first commercially successful electric bass guitar, and it followed Fender's equally groundbreaking Telecaster guitar launched just a year or so earlier.

Fender has continued to produce the Precision in a variety of forms through eight decades, and today you can buy brand new or classic used P-Basses in many different styles and formats and prices.

They range from relatively affordable basses such as the Standard and Player models through to elite versions like the American Deluxe or Ultra instruments, with many options and experiments along the way. In this timeline we’ve detailed many of the most important, interesting, and unusual models and variations. (And as usual in these Timelines, we’ve omitted Custom Shop and signature models.)

First main version of the regular Precision Bass: Double-cutaway slab (square-sided) ash body with blond finish; fretted maple neck with Telecaster-style headstock, 20 frets, 34-inch scale; truss-rod adjuster at body end; two knobs (volume, tone) on metal plate next to black pickguard; side-mounted jack; single one-piece pickup; two-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with through-body stringing.

Changes include: Some rare color finishes; from about 1954: contoured ash or alder body; sunburst finish; pickguard also white.

Second main version of the regular P-Bass: Larger Stratocaster-style headstock; two knobs and jack on pickguard; two-piece split pickup; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece.

Changes include: Fretted maple neck (1957–59, 1969–81) or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard (from 1959; maple fingerboard option ’67–’69; fretless rosewood or maple option from ’70); at first, gold anodized pickguard, then white or tortoiseshell from 1959, black from ’75. Examples from 1965 and later known as post-CBS models.

Also: "Slab" (square-sided) body version (1966–67); Antigua Precision Bass (1977–79) with shaded white-to-brown finish, matching pickguard.

Fender's first active bass: Three knobs (volume, active bass, active treble), active/passive mini-switch, jack, all on pickguard; gold-plated metalwork, including heavy-duty brass bridge.

Also: Walnut Precision Special (1981–83) with walnut body and neck.

From Fender's new Fender Japan joint venture, a pair of period-vibe models: PB-57 recalls 1957-period P-Bass, with maple neck; PB-62 recalls ’62 style with rosewood board. Also sold in US as 50s Precision Bass and 60s Precision Bass (1989–94). Some Japan models only available domestically; others sold elsewhere, usually marked Made In Japan (1982–97, 2007–15) or Crafted In Japan (1997–2008). Early examples later known as JV series (their serial-number prefix).

Also: OPB-51 (sold by Fender US as ’51 Precision Bass 1992–97, 2003–08); PB-70 (sold by Fender US as ’75 Precision Bass 1992–93).

First US-made period-vibe reissues: ’57-style with maple neck; ’62-style with rosewood board. Replaced by American Vintage models in 1998.

Long-running continuation of the regular model: US-made (1983–85); Japan-made (1986–91); and the first bass model from Fender's new Mexico factory (1991–2018). Two knobs and jack on pickguard; two-piece split pickup; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece. Replaced by Player model in 2018.

Also: Standard Precision Bass Short-Scale (1988–91) with 32-inch scale; P-Bass JR (2004–06) reduced-size model with 28 1/2-inch scale and Jazz-style neck narrower at nut.

High-end US-made model: Alder or ash body; strap-locks; two knobs (volume, tone) on pickguard; active circuit; side-mounted jack; two-piece split pickup with plain covers; heavy-duty four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with fine-tuners. Not to be confused with later American Elite model (2016–19).

Also: Gold Elite Precision Bass (1983–84) with gold-plated metalwork; Elite II Precision Bass (1983–85) with two two-piece split pickups, three knobs (volume per pickup, tone), two mini-switches (pickups, tone); Gold Elite II Precision Bass (1983–85) with gold-plated metalwork; Walnut Elite II Precision Bass (1983–85) similar to Elite II but walnut body and neck, ebony fingerboard, gold-plated metalwork.

Japan-made revised-style model, one of the first Fender basses with P&J pickups and modified body shape: "Downsized" basswood body with contoured cutaways; maple neck, rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets; four knobs (volume, bass, treble, pickup pan) on body; active circuit; side-mounted jack; no pickguard; P&J pickups—Jazz-style at bridge plus two-piece split; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece; gold-plated metalwork.

Also: Precision Bass Lyte Standard (1995–2001) similar to Lyte but chrome-plated hardware; Precision Bass Lyte Deluxe (1995–2001) similar to Lyte Standard but five knobs (volume, bass, treble, mid, pickups pan); humbucking pickup at bridge plus two-piece split pickup; through-body stringing at bridge; gold-plated metalwork.

US-made revised-style bass, one of the first Fenders with P&J pickups and modified body shape: Alder body with elongated upper horn; fretted maple neck, or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets; three-way selector, two knobs (volume, tone), series/parallel pushbutton-switch, jack, all on pickguard; P&J—Jazz-style pickup at bridge plus two-piece split pickup; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with fine-tuners.

US-made revised-style model: "Downsized" alder or poplar body; fretted maple neck, or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets; smaller headstock; two stacked knobs (volume/balance, treble/bass) on body; active circuit; side-mounted jack; no pickguard; P&J pickups; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with fine-tuners.

Also: P-Bass Special (1994–96) Mexico-made model, as US-made Plus Deluxe but downsized poplar body with ash veneered top; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard; small pickguard; bridge without fine-tuners.

Long-running US-made regular model. Also known as American (Series) Precision Bass (2000–07). Replaced by American Professional model in 2017.

US-made higher-end model: Downsized alder body with ash veneered top; fretted maple neck, or maple neck with rosewood fingerboard, 22 frets; four knobs (volume, middle, pickup balance, stacked treble/bass) on pickguard; active circuit; side-mounted jack; humbucking pickup at bridge plus two-piece split pickup; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with optional through-body stringing. Also known as Precision Bass Deluxe (1995–98).

Also: American Deluxe Precision Bass Ash (2004–06) with ash body.

US-made P-Bass with some Jazz Bass features: Alder body; Jazz-style narrows-at-nut maple neck, fretted or with rosewood board; Jazz-style three-knob layout (two volume, one tone) on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J pickups.

Also: Deluxe P-Bass Special (1999–2004) Mexico-made replacement for California model with similar specs; Deluxe Active P-Bass Special (2005–21) Active version of Deluxe P-Bass Special with four knobs (volume, middle, pickup balance, stacked treble/bass) on body, side-mounted jack.

Period-vibe reissues, in ’98 among the first basses made at Fender's new US Corona factory: ’50s-style with maple neck (American Vintage ’57 Precision Bass 1998–2012; American Vintage ’58 Precision Bass, 2013–17) or ’60s-style with rosewood board (American Vintage ’62 Precision Bass 1998–2012; American Vintage ’63 Precision Bass 2013–17; American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass 2023–current). Replaced by American Original models in 2018.

Also: American Vintage II 1954 Precision Bass (2023–current) in early-50s style with contoured ash body; smaller headstock; single one-piece pickup; two knobs on metal plate; two-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with through-body stringing.

US-made higher-end model: Ash body; maple or rosewood board; three knobs (two volume, one tone) on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J pickups; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with optional through-body stringing.

Fender's first five-string P-Bass was the American Deluxe Precision Bass V (1999–2007), with alder or ash body and generally the four-string model's features, along with suitable pickups and hardware. Next came the American Standard Precision Bass V (2008–16) followed by its replacement, the American Professional Precision Bass V (2017–current), renamed the Professional II in 2020. All US-made.

US-made relatively affordable model with vintage-style looks and modernized touches including satin finish; C-shape neck; heavy-duty bridge (from 2006). Replaced by American Special model in 2011.

Mexico-made late-‘50s-style reissue with maple neck and gold anodized pickguard. Replaced by Vintera model in 2019.

Also: Road Worn 50s Precision Bass (2009–18) as Classic 50s but relic’d with aged body, neck, metalwork; Classic 70s Precision Bass (2012–13) ’70s-style reissue with bass-side thumb-rest, bound maple neck with black block markers, ’70s-style headstock logo.

Mexico-made revised-style model: Alder body; rosewood board with block markers; two knobs (volume, tone) and active/passive switch on metal plate; side-mounted jack; no pickguard; single humbucking pickup; four-saddle combined bridge/tailpiece with optional through-body stringing.

Japan-made revised-body model: Basswood body with carved and figured top; maple neck with rosewood fingerboard; three knobs (two volume, one tone) on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J—Jazz-style pickup at bridge plus two-piece split pickup.

Also: Aerodyne Special Precision Bass (2023–current) Simpler version with bound body, no pickguard, two-piece split pickup, two knobs.

Relatively affordable bass replacing Highway One model, with vintage-style looks and modernized touches including alder gloss-finish body; slim neck; Greasebucket tone circuit. US-made.

Mexico-made revised-style model: Alder body; rosewood board; three knobs (two volume, one tone) on pickguard; side-mounted jack; two humbucking pickups; heavy-duty bridge.

Higher-end model: Alder or ash body; compound profile neck; maple, rosewood, or ebony compound radius board; four knobs (volume, pan, stacked active treble/bass, stacked passive tone/active middle) and active/passive switch on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J pickups; heavy duty combined bridge/tailpiece with optional through-body stringing. Not to be confused with earlier Elite model (1983–84). US-made. Replaced by American Ultra model in 2020.

Regular model upgrading venerable American Standard. Renamed American Professional II (2022) with further refinements including sculpted neck heel. US-made.

Mexico-made regular P-Bass replacing Standard model, with alder body and maple or pau ferro board.

Period-vibe reissues upgrading American Vintage models: ’50s-style with maple neck (American Original 50s Precision Bass) or ’60s-style with rosewood board (American Original 60s Precision Bass). US-made.

Relatively affordable model: Alder body; maple neck with rosewood or maple board; three knobs (two volume, one Greasebucket tone) on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J—Jazz-style pickup at bridge plus two-piece split pickup. US-made.

Mexico-made late-‘50s-style reissue replacing Classic model: Alder or ash body; maple neck and board; gold anodized pickguard.

Higher-end bass replacing American Elite model: Alder or ash body; "Modern D" maple neck profile; tapered neck heel; maple or rosewood compound radius board; 21 frets; four knobs (volume, pan, stacked treble/middle, stacked bass/passive tone) and active/passive switch on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J pickups; heavy duty combined bridge/tailpiece. US-made.

Mexico-made revised-style model: Alder body; maple neck with maple or pau ferro board; four knobs (volume, pan, stacked treble/middle, bass) and active/passive switch on pickguard; side-mounted jack; P&J pickups; heavy duty combined bridge/tailpiece.

About the author: Tony Bacon writes about musical instruments, musicians, and music. His books include The Bass Book and Electric Guitars: Design & Invention. Tony lives in Bristol, England. More info at tonybacon.co.uk.