Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $999
Standard/Professional
$400
$1001+
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Description
The Precision Bass Plus is an electric bass made by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation and designed by George Blanda in 1989. It was one of the first American-made Fender basses to feature a 22-fret neck, requiring the company to slightly oversize the body shape and lengthen the cutaways, which distinctly changed the overall look of the instrument. Other features included a solid alder or ash body, a 1-piece maple neck with rosewood or maple fingerboard, adjustable Lace Sensor Precision and Jazz pickups, Schaller deluxe die-cast tuning machines, 3-ply black, parchment or 4-ply brown tortoise shell pickguard, Schaller Elite fine-tuning bridge, 3-way toggle pickup switch, master volume, series/parallel push-push button for the neck pickup and master TBX tone. It was discontinued in 1993. These Blanda PLUS designs are sometimes called BONER BASSES because of the longer horns required to get good balance due to the 22 fret necks.
Product specs
| Brand | Fender |
| Model | Precision Bass Plus |
| Finish | Arctic White, Black, Black Pearl Burst, Blue Pearl Burst, Brown Sunburst, Caribbean Mist, Frost Red, Gun Metal Blue, Lipstick Red, Midnight Blue, Midnight Wine, Natural, Pewter, Root Beer Metallic |
| Year | 1990 - 1993 |
| Made In | United States |
| Categories | 4-String Basses |
| Active / Passive Pickups | Active Pickups |
| Active Preamp | Active Preamp |
| Body Material | Alder, Ash |
| Body Shape | P-Style |
| Color Family | Black, Blue, Brown, Red, Silver, Tan, Teal, White |
| Finish Pattern | Sunburst |
| Finish Style | Gloss |
| 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 Plus |
FAQs
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What type of pickups does the Fender Precision Bass Plus use?
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The Fender Precision Bass Plus features active pickups, providing a powerful and versatile tone suitable for various music genres.
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Is the Fender Precision Bass Plus suitable for beginners?
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While the Fender Precision Bass Plus is a high-quality instrument with professional features, its comfortable neck and versatile tone make it accessible for beginners who are serious about learning bass.
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How does the active preamp in the Fender Precision Bass Plus affect its sound?
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The active preamp in the Fender Precision Bass Plus enhances the bass's tonal flexibility, allowing for a wider range of sounds and more precise control over the bass and treble frequencies.
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What is the neck profile of the Fender Precision Bass Plus like?
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The Fender Precision Bass Plus features a comfortable neck profile that is designed for smooth playability, making it suitable for both fast playing and more intricate finger work.
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What body materials are used in the Fender Precision Bass Plus?
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The body of the Fender Precision Bass Plus is made from either alder or ash, both known for their resonant qualities and balanced tone, contributing to the bass's overall sound character.
Videos
Mateus Pizzi
Fender Precision Bass Plus 1991
Reviews
PROS
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Versatile PJ pickup configuration offers a wide range of tones
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Sophisticated tone control with phase inversion for sound customization
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22 frets, allowing access to higher notes
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Lightweight at 4.2 KG, comfortable for long sessions
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Balanced body design prevents neck dive
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High-quality tuners provide smooth adjustments and firm string hold
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Preserved classic Precision sound with modern enhancements
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Dynamic shape and flat C-neck profile for comfortable playability
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Rich in overtones and transparent sound quality
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Considered a unique, potentially rare, and sought-after model
CONS
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Truss rod may be maxed out, requiring setup adjustments
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Original pickups often replaced, affecting output level preferences
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Heavy fine-tune bridge might be overkill for some users
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Precision Bass Plus.
Build quality
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The neck of the 1989 Precision Bass Plus is notably large and heavy, contributing to its nickname and making it less comfortable for extended wear.
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Features and functionality
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The TBX switch is present, but owners report no noticeable tonal difference, leaving its functionality a mystery.
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The Yamaha BB734a's passive tone circuit offers a distinct tonal shift, appreciated by users looking for both classic and modern sounds in one instrument.
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Active basses like the Precision Bass Plus may not add significant value with high-end amps, as the preamp differences become less noticeable in premium setups.
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Mods and upgrades
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Some owners replaced the original lace sensor pickups with Seymour Duncan pickups for a growlier sound.
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Comparisons
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Owners prefer the MusicMan Sterling for live shows due to its active humbucker, offering more presence and tone than the Precision Bass Plus.
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Some users prefer the Yamaha BB734a over the Precision Bass Plus for its advanced features like the miter neck joint and 45-degree string through, which enhance playability and tone.
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Fender basses are often favored for their reliable performance in a band setting, despite Yamaha's notable build quality and innovative designs.
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User experience
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Despite its weight and size, the bass remains durable and reliable, often staying in tune even after incidents.
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Critic Reviews
4.5 out of 5
Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings
Artist usage
Add artist
"Some guys have gotten great active sounds, but that’s just never been my world. Actually, on Dookie, I played an active P-Bass that I rented from SIR, because my basses were broken and thrashed from touring. That bass had P/J pickups, but the way I had it set, it might as well have just been a P-Bass." At that time, Fender's only active P/J bass was the Precision Plus, so that must be the bass on Dookie.
It is unclear what exact bass model this is, but it is the signature model of a Fender bass guitar.
Album Usage
The Fender Precision Bass Plus has been featured on the following albums:
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 Precision Bass Plus, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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