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Average Price: $650

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$400

$1001+

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Description

The Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special is a versatile and powerful instrument designed to elevate your performance, whether you're on stage or in the studio. This bass combines the rich, full-bodied tone of a Precision Bass with the sleek and fast playability of a Jazz Bass neck, making it a favorite among bassists who value both sound and comfort. Equipped with an active 3-band EQ, this bass allows for precise tonal shaping, giving you control over your sound across any genre.

Powered by a split-coil Precision Bass pickup and a single-coil Jazz Bass bridge pickup, this instrument delivers a wide range of tones, from punchy and aggressive to smooth and mellow. The addition of a high-mass bridge enhances sustain and resonance, ensuring that every note rings clear and true. The inclusion of Fender's HiMass bridge adds not only to the tone but also to the stability and tuning reliability of the bass.

The sleek body is crafted from premium alder, known for its balanced tonal characteristics, while the maple neck and fingerboard offer a smooth playing experience. The modern C-shaped neck profile and medium jumbo frets make for comfortable and efficient finger positioning, perfect for long sessions or live performances.

Key Features:

  • Active 3-band EQ for versatile tonal control
  • Split-coil Precision Bass pickup and single-coil Jazz Bass bridge pickup
  • Alder body with maple neck and fingerboard
  • Modern C-shaped neck profile
  • High-mass bridge for enhanced sustain and stability
  • 20 medium jumbo frets
  • Deluxe gig bag included

Product specs

Brand Fender
Model Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special
Finish Black, Blizzard Pearl, Buttercream, Chrome Red, Navy Blue Metallic, Olympic White, Sapphire Blue Transparent, Sunburst, Surf Pearl
Year 2005 - 2025
Made In Mexico
Categories 4-String Basses, Active Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups Active Pickups
Active Preamp Active Preamp
Body Material Alder
Body Shape P-Style
Color Family Black, Blue, Brown, Green, Red, White, Yellow
Finish Pattern Sunburst
Finish Style Gloss, Metallic
Fretboard Material Maple, Pau Ferro, Rosewood
Fretboard Radius 12"
Frets Medium Jumbo
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 Deluxe
Wood Top Style Plain

FAQs

What type of pickups does the Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special have?

The Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special is equipped with active pickups, providing a powerful and versatile sound suitable for various music genres.

Is the Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special suitable for beginners?

Yes, this bass is suitable for beginners due to its comfortable playability and versatile sound, which can adapt to different musical styles as the player progresses.

What is the neck profile of the Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special?

The neck of this bass features a modern "C" shape, offering a comfortable feel for most players, whether you're playing complex bass lines or simple grooves.

How does the active preamp in the Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special enhance its sound?

The active preamp allows for greater tonal shaping, providing a boost to the bass, mid, and treble frequencies, which can help the bass cut through mixes in live performances or recordings.

What is the fretboard material of the Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special?

The fretboard is available in maple, pau ferro, or rosewood, each offering a slightly different feel and tonal characteristic to suit player preferences.

Mariusz Boruta

Mariusz Boruta

Mariusz Boruta- Fender Deluxe Active P-Bass Special Black - Sound Test

Video thumbnail for Mariusz Boruta- Fender Deluxe Active P-Bass Special Black - Sound Test by Mariusz Boruta

Mariusz Boruta- Fender Deluxe Active P-Bass Special Black - Sound Test

Mariusz Boruta

Mariusz Boruta

Video thumbnail for Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special@gagiktoroyan1288 by Gagik Toroyan

Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special@gagiktoroyan1288

Gagik Toroyan

Gagik Toroyan

Video thumbnail for Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special PF, Olympic White | Gear4music demo by Gear4music Guitars

Fender Deluxe Active P Bass Special PF, Olympic White | Gear4music demo

Gear4music Guitars

Gear4music Guitars

Video thumbnail for Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special Quickview - Cosmo Music by Cosmo Music - The Musical Instrument Superstore!

Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special Quickview - Cosmo Music

Cosmo Music - The Musical Instrument Superstore!

Cosmo Music - The Musical Instrument Superstore!

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile PJ pickup configuration offers a wide range of tonal options

  • Smooth, slim Jazz neck enhances playability for various hand sizes

  • Active and passive modes provide flexibility for different playing styles

  • Highly responsive 3-band EQ for precise tone shaping

  • Well-balanced weight distribution makes it comfortable for long sessions

  • High-quality fit and finish, especially for a Mexican-made model

  • Punchy P bass pickup and clean J pickup deliver distinct sound profiles

  • Symmetrical P body with lean J neck offers the best of both worlds

  • Excellent alternative to more expensive American-made Fenders

CONS

  • Sharp fret edges may require additional adjustment

  • Quality control issues with unlevel pickups and incorrect tools

  • Learning curve for mastering the active EQ settings

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special.

Features and functionality

  • The bass combines a thin Jazz Bass neck with a Precision Bass body, appealing to those who prefer the comfort of a Precision body without an offset waist.

    Source
  • The Deluxe Active Precision Bass sometimes comes with a maple fingerboard, offering a brighter aesthetic option compared to the Pau Ferro.

    Source
  • The Deluxe model can switch between active and passive modes, which may justify its higher price.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners recommend replacing the gold pickguard with a black one or other colors for aesthetic improvement.

    Source
  • Some users have upgraded with a Gotoh bridge and Seymour Duncan P pickup, enhancing the stock setup.

    Source
  • Some owners have stained Pau Ferro fingerboards to achieve a darker, more consistent appearance similar to rosewood.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The PJ configuration provides a blend of deep P Bass tones and high mids from a Jazz Bass, suitable for varied musical styles.

    Source

User experience

  • One owner compared its playability favorably to a MIJ Geddy Jazz Bass, emphasizing its versatility and comfort.

    Source
  • Sweetwater allows customers to choose specific serial numbers, helping buyers select instruments with their preferred wood aesthetics.

    Source

Build quality

  • Pau Ferro wood can vary significantly in appearance, with some pieces appearing lighter or slightly reddish, impacting the bass's visual consistency.

    Source
  • One owner finds harmonics easier to pull on the P bass compared to their MIJ Jaguar, suggesting superior craftsmanship.

    Source

Comparisons

  • The sunburst finish model typically features a maple fingerboard, while solid color models often use Pau Ferro, offering different aesthetic choices depending on the finish.

    Source
  • A user compared the playability of their Special P to a Roscoe, noting both were among the best they've played.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • A user had their Jazz bass set up professionally, but the intonation was poorly adjusted, requiring self-correction.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 4 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Champignon uses Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special

Champignon

Singer, Bassist

Charlie Brown Jr.

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Black Year: 1999

In the YouTube video titled "Charlie Brown Jr. - Zóio de Lula (LIVE '99)" by Gustavo, at the 0:10 mark, Champignon is seen playing a Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special. This performance took place during their recording of the song "Zóio de Lula" in 1999 on the Brazilian TV show Programa Livre.

See how Sabo Romo uses Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special

Sabo Romo

Singer, Bassist

Caifanes

...
Verified via YouTube

During the "Rock en tu idioma sinfónico" concert, Sabo Romo prominently uses the Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special, as evidenced in the video provided by RockEnTuIdiomaSVEVO on YouTube.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Fender Mexican Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Community setups

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thiagodix

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