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Fender American Elite Precision Bass

Fender American Elite Precision Bass

^# 54

Equipboard's ranking is determined by analyzing factors such as professional artist usage, popularity, user ratings, reviews, and more.

$1,549.00 Price Tier: High-end

5.0 (4)

2 Critic Reviews

This product is Vintage or Discontinued

Find out who is using Fender American Elite Precision

9 wishlisted

17 saved

Page last updated Jul 02, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated July 2, 2026.

Store

Reviews

Price

5.0 (36)

$1,549.00 7 available Used

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Average Price: $1,549

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Fender American Elite Precision Bass is priced in the High-end/Boutique range. This premium gear is built to very high standards and offers premium features.

Budget

Standard

High-end

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Description

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Introducing an evolution of a classic, the Fender American Elite Precision Bass, where legendary design meets modern innovation. This bass guitar doesn't just carry the legacy of its predecessors; it enhances it, blending traditional aesthetics with cutting-edge features for the modern musician. With the Fourth Generation Noiseless Precision/Jazz pickup combination and a sleek, versatile compound neck profile, this instrument is engineered for precision performance. Whether you're laying down the groove on stage or crafting your next masterpiece in the studio, the American Elite Precision Bass is your companion in creativity, offering unparalleled clarity and versatility.

Key Features:

Fourth Generation Noiseless Precision/Jazz pickups for a crisp, clear sound without the hum
Compound neck profile for comfortable, fast playing across all frets
Onboard active 18v preamp and three-band EQ for detailed tone shaping
Classic Fender aesthetics with modern enhancements for superior playability

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	American Elite Precision Bass
Finish	3-Color Sunburst, Black, Champagne, Natural, Ocean Turquoise Metallic, Olympic White, Satin Ice Blue Metallic, Satin Jade Pearl Metallic, Tobacco Sunburst
Year	2016 - 2019
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	Active Preamp
Body Material	Alder, Ash
Body Shape	P-Style
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Tan, White
Finish Pattern	Sunburst
Finish Style	Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood
Model Family	Fender Precision Bass
Neck Material	Maple
Number of Frets	20
Number of Strings	4-String
Offset Body	Non-Offset Body
Pickup Configuration	Split-Coil / S
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Series	Fender American Elite

FAQs

What is the neck profile of the Fender American Elite Precision Bass?: The Fender American Elite Precision Bass features a compound-radius neck that transitions from 9.5” to 14”, providing comfortable playability for both chording and soloing.
What kind of pickups does the Fender American Elite Precision Bass have?: This bass comes with a split-coil P Bass pickup and a Jazz Bass Noiseless bridge pickup, offering a versatile range of tones suitable for various music genres.
Is the Fender American Elite Precision Bass suitable for live performances?: Yes, with its active 18V preamp and 3-band EQ, the Fender American Elite Precision Bass delivers powerful and clear sound, making it highly suitable for live performances.
What materials are used for the body and neck of the Fender American Elite Precision Bass?: The body is made from alder or ash with a gloss polyurethane finish, while the neck is crafted from maple with a satin finish, ensuring durability and smooth playability.
How does the HiMass vintage bridge on the Fender American Elite Precision Bass affect its sound?: The HiMass vintage bridge enhances sustain and resonance, contributing to a fuller and more dynamic sound across all strings.

Videos

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Premier Guitar

Review Demo - Fender American Elite Precision Bass

Premier Guitar

Fender Precision Bass Shootout - Elite vs Pro vs Mex Standard

Andertons Music Co

Fender American Elite Precision Bass Demo

The Bass Channel

Fender American Elite Precision Bass - The Best Bass Of All Time?

PMTVUK

FENDER AMERICAN ELITE PRECISION BASS COMPLETE REVIEW

Junior Cap

Reviews

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PROS

Hefty neck enhances playability and control
PJ tone delivers versatile sound options
Active and passive modes offer tonal flexibility
Superior build quality with attention to detail
High gloss finish with striking wood grain
Impressive tonal range with 3-band EQ
Noiseless pickups provide clear sound without hum
Comfortable hybrid neck and smooth fretboard
Lightweight design reduces strain during long sessions
Suitable for various genres and performance settings

CONS

Gig-bag included instead of a hard case
Tone control pots require careful adjustment

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender American Elite Precision Bass.

Mods and upgrades

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Fender bass owners suggest using CTS or Alpha pots with tone caps to enhance electronics for a significant tone improvement.
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Nobel pots are recommended for P and Jazz basses as a reliable upgrade for improved sound quality.
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Use cases and applications

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For a Motown sound, a passive P bass with flatwounds and a sponge strip near the bridge is recommended to achieve a classic tone.
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The Elite's active mode is highlighted for maintaining tone quality over long cables or wireless setups, which is advantageous for live performances.
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The passive mode, bypassing the preamp, is favored by those who prefer vintage rock and punk tones, aligning with styles of artists like Duff McKagan and Matt Freeman.
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Comparisons

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A Fender MIA Original 60s P or MIA Professional II are suggested alternatives within the same price range, offering similar sound characteristics.
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The American Elite uses N4 Noiseless pickups, while the American Professional model uses V-Mod split-coil pickups, which some users feel offer a purer P-Bass sound.
Source

Value and pricing

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The used Fender American Ultra Precision Bass can be found for less than the American Elite, offering a similar experience with potential savings.
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Features and functionality

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The Fender American Elite Precision Bass features an active/passive switch, allowing for a versatile sound that can closely mimic the traditional P-Bass sound when in passive mode.
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The "satin jade" finish is praised for its unique aesthetic appeal, offering a visually striking alternative to traditional bass finishes.
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User experience

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Owners note that the Elite's medium jumbo frets are preferred over tall narrow frets for comfort and playability, making it worth the higher price for some.
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Owners emphasize the benefit of quick tone adjustments using the onboard preamp, especially useful for live performances with varied song requirements.
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Setup and maintenance

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Some users have mentioned issues with hum and dead spots on older Precision models, which can be improved by shielding cavities and converting to string-through body setups.
Source

Critic Reviews

Fender American Elite Precision Bass Review - Premier Guitar

premierguitar.com

The Fender American Elite Precision Bass is a modern take on a classic, offering a blend of traditional Precision tones with contemporary enhancements. Its robust construction, including a compound neck profile and noiseless pickups, makes it versatile for various music genres. The active mode's EQ offers wide tonal possibilities, though the controls might be daunting for traditionalists. While its price may seem high, its ability to replace multiple basses justifies the investment. This bass delivers on its promise of versatility, making it a worthy addition to any bassist's arsenal.

positive

Full Review

Fender American Elite Precision 4-String Bass Review - Bass Musician Magazine, The Face of Bass

bassmusicianmagazine.com

The Fender American Elite Precision Bass impresses with its classic American craftsmanship and modern enhancements. Its standout features include an ultra-smooth neck finish and comfortable weight, complemented by a powerful PJ pickup configuration that offers both thundering bass tones and versatile controls. The innovative spoke wheel truss rod adjustment is a welcome upgrade, preventing common user errors. While the active/passive toggle and stacked controls add complexity, they also enhance tonal flexibility. Overall, this bass is a workhorse with a premium feel, suitable for both stage and studio. A few may find the price steep, but it delivers undeniable quality.

positive

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5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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Artist usage

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Calum Hood

Singer, Guitarist

5 Seconds Of Summer

Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post by Calum Hood, he is seen using the Fender American Elite Precision Bass during a sound check at the O2, as captured in a photo by @hoeg.

Sean Hurley

Bassist

John Mayer Trio

Verified via YouTube

In this video, we can see Sean playing the new American Elite Fender Precision Bass series

Philip Blake

Bassist

Nothing But Thieves

Verified via Photo

Philip Blake is pictured using a Fender American Elite Precision Bass in a user-uploaded photo on Twimg, which aligns with his performances in concert videos.

Joel Houston

Singer, Guitarist

Hillsong United

Verified via Fannewscast

In this link (image), you can see Joel playing an American Fender Elite P-Bass at a live performance.

Jihea Oh

Bassist, Keyboardist

Hillsong United

Verified via Photo

In this image, you can see Jihea playing an American Elite Precision bass at a live concert.

Ricky Trech (Ricardo Treviño)

Singer, Bassist

Verified via YouTube

Ricky lleva usando este bajo desde la grabación del disco 'Poetics' de Pxndx, lanzada al público en 2009

Kelsey González

Bassist

The Free Nationals

Verified via Photo

Featured in this July 1, 2016 Instagram post.

wow thank you @fender

Kevin Judd

Bassist

Ultra Q

Verified via Photo

Kevin Judd has been using the Fender American Elite Precision Bass since early 2017, notably during all of Mt. Eddy's shows and tours that year. His Instagram post reflecting on the end of a tour in 2017 provides visual evidence of his use of this instrument.