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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

What type of pickups does the Fender Precision Bass Plus use?

The Fender Precision Bass Plus features active pickups, providing a powerful and versatile tone suitable for various music genres.

Is the Fender Precision Bass Plus suitable for beginners?

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.

How does the active preamp in the Fender Precision Bass Plus affect its sound?

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.

What is the neck profile of the Fender Precision Bass Plus like?

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.

What body materials are used in the Fender Precision Bass Plus?

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.

Mateus Pizzi

Mateus Pizzi

Fender Precision Bass Plus 1991

Video thumbnail for Fender Precision Bass Plus 1991 by Mateus Pizzi

Fender Precision Bass Plus 1991

Mateus Pizzi

Mateus Pizzi

Video thumbnail for FENDER PRECISION PLUS BASS AÑO 1992 / Estudio Marcos Alvarez by Estudio Marcos Alvarez

FENDER PRECISION PLUS BASS AÑO 1992 / Estudio Marcos Alvarez

Estudio Marcos Alvarez

Estudio Marcos Alvarez

Video thumbnail for 1992 Fender Precision Bass Plus, Natural by Andy Baxter Bass & Guitars

1992 Fender Precision Bass Plus, Natural

Andy Baxter Bass & Guitars

Andy Baxter Bass & Guitars

Reviews

PROS

  • Versatile PJ pickup configuration offers a wide range of tones

  • Sophisticated tone control with phase inversion for sound customization

  • 22 frets, allowing access to higher notes

  • Lightweight at 4.2 KG, comfortable for long sessions

  • Balanced body design prevents neck dive

  • High-quality tuners provide smooth adjustments and firm string hold

  • Preserved classic Precision sound with modern enhancements

  • Dynamic shape and flat C-neck profile for comfortable playability

  • Rich in overtones and transparent sound quality

  • Considered a unique, potentially rare, and sought-after model

CONS

  • Truss rod may be maxed out, requiring setup adjustments

  • Original pickups often replaced, affecting output level preferences

  • 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

  • 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.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The TBX switch is present, but owners report no noticeable tonal difference, leaving its functionality a mystery.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some owners replaced the original lace sensor pickups with Seymour Duncan pickups for a growlier sound.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners prefer the MusicMan Sterling for live shows due to its active humbucker, offering more presence and tone than the Precision Bass Plus.

    Source
  • 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.

    Source
  • Fender basses are often favored for their reliable performance in a band setting, despite Yamaha's notable build quality and innovative designs.

    Source

User experience

  • Despite its weight and size, the bass remains durable and reliable, often staying in tune even after incidents.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Ibanez SR300, while lightweight and suitable for smaller hands, may not deliver the desired tone for pick-heavy genres like MCR and Fall Out Boy.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Rex and the Bass: 1992 Fender Precision Plus Bass Review

rexbass.com

The 1992 Fender Precision Bass Plus, despite its unfortunate "boner bass" nickname due to extended cutaways, is a hidden gem. Its P and J Fender Lace Sensors pickups deliver classic tones with zero noise, enhanced by a versatile TBX tone circuit. While the upper horn may be divisive, the bass's solid build, comfortable neck, and impressive tonal range make it a standout. Weighing just over 9 pounds, it offers incredible playability and cuts through mixes with ease. Don't be deterred by its aesthetics; this bass is a fantastic instrument worth considering.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 5 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Krist Novoselic uses Fender Precision Bass Plus

Krist Novoselic

Bassist, Keyboardist

Nirvana

...
Verified via Livenirvana

This bass played at Lee's Palace in Toronto.

See how Mike Dirnt uses Fender Precision Bass Plus

Mike Dirnt

Singer, Guitarist

Green Day

...
Verified via Bassplayer

"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.

See how Eminem uses Fender Precision Bass Plus

Eminem

Singer, Rapper

D12

...
Verified via YouTube
Color/Finish: Light Blue Metallic

It is unclear what exact bass model this is, but it is the signature model of a Fender bass guitar.

See how Nicole Row uses Fender Precision Bass Plus

Nicole Row

Singer, Bassist

Incubus

...
Verified via Photo

Nicole posted this picture of her p basses. It's bass on the right.

N

Norman Cook

Music Producer

Beats International

...
Verified via Photo

Norman cook playing fender bass p onstage

See how Manuel Ragoonanan Carrero uses Fender Precision Bass Plus

Manuel Ragoonanan Carrero

Bassist

Glassjaw

...
Verified via Photo

During the majority of his time with Glassjaw, Carrero used a Fender P-Bass Plus

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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