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Fender Precision Special 1980

Fender Precision Special 1980

$2,283.27 Price Tier: High-end

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Page last updated Jun 10, 2026

Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated June 10, 2026.

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5.0 (5)

$2,283.27 17 available Used

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Average Price: $2,283

High-end/Boutique

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

In the Electric Basses category, Fender Precision Special 1980 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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Dive into the groove with the Fender Precision Special 1980 in lake placid blue, a bass that brings together the vintage charm and modern functionality. This iconic model, famed for its active electronics for bass and treble EQ, ensures that you get the precise tone control for any genre or playing style. With its striking lake placid blue finish and luxurious gold hardware, this bass is not just about exceptional sound but also about making a visual statement on stage. Whether you're laying down the foundation in a studio session or leading the rhythm live, the Fender Precision Special is your companion for reliability, versatility, and unparalleled style.

Key Features:

Active electronics for nuanced bass and treble EQ adjustments
Gold hardware for a touch of elegance
Matching headstocks contribute to its unique aesthetic
Lake Placid Blue finish offers a visually stunning appearance

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	Precision Special Bass
Finish	American Black Walnut, Arctic White, Aztec Gold, Black, Black Stratoburst, Blue Stratoburst, Bronze Stratoburst, Brown Sunburst, Candy Apple Green, Candy Apple Red, Cherry Sunburst, Emerald Green, Lake Placid Blue, Mocha Brown, Natural, Pewter, Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, Sienna Sunburst
Year	1980 - 1983
Made In	United States
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, Gold, Green, Red, Silver, Tan, White
Finish Pattern	Fade, Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood, Walnut
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
Right / Left Handed	Right Handed
Series	Fender Vintage CBS Era

FAQs

What kind of tone can I expect from the Fender Precision Special 1980 with active pickups?: The Fender Precision Special 1980 with active pickups delivers a powerful and punchy tone, ideal for genres like rock, funk, and jazz. The active preamp provides enhanced tonal control, offering a broad range of sounds from deep lows to bright highs.
Is the Fender Precision Special 1980 suitable for a beginner bass player?: While the Fender Precision Special 1980 offers professional-grade features and sound, its classic P-style body and comfortable neck make it accessible for beginners who are serious about learning and investing in quality gear.
What is the neck profile like on the Fender Precision Special 1980?: The Fender Precision Special 1980 features a comfortable C-shaped neck profile, crafted from maple, which provides a smooth playing experience suitable for various playing styles.
Does the Fender Precision Special 1980 come in different finishes?: Yes, the Fender Precision Special 1980 is available in several finishes, including Lake Placid Blue, Black, and Sunburst, allowing for both aesthetic and personal preference in choosing your instrument.
How does the active preamp in the Fender Precision Special 1980 enhance its performance?: The active preamp in the Fender Precision Special 1980 boosts the signal and provides greater tonal flexibility, allowing players to adjust their sound dynamically for different musical settings and genres.

Videos

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PinkbassmanMusic

1980 Fender Precision Special

PinkbassmanMusic

Reviews

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PROS

Versatile active/passive switch for dynamic playing styles
Unique vintage design with rare color options
Durable construction; components remain functional for decades
Powerful sound, ideal for funk and slap styles
Active treble and bass controls offer sound flexibility
High-quality brass hardware enhances durability
Smooth, playable neck with improved truss rod design
Signature sound on classic tracks from the ’80s

CONS

Heavy weight, can be uncomfortable for long sessions
Potential neck-body gap affecting sound conduction
Sensitive finish prone to damage from sunlight and poor-quality stands

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Fender Precision Special 1980.

Features and functionality

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The 1980 Fender Precision Special can switch between active and passive modes, with a 2-band EQ controlling bass and treble in active mode.
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This model includes a rare brass thumb rest and a high-mass bridge with a notable patina, adding both aesthetic and functional value.
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The bridge on the Precision Special model lacks fine tuner knobs, distinguishing it from the Elite models which had these features.
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Build quality

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The bass features a unique color change over time, from Lake Placid Blue to a blue/green gradient, attributed to its unstable paint.
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Some users highlight that these basses can be weighty, comparable to the Peavey T-40, influencing playability and resale time.
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The thick polyurethane finish from the early '80s may be prone to damage and cracking, influencing long-term durability and necessitating refinishing in some cases.
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Comparisons

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Some owners liken the aged finish to G&L’s emerald blue, highlighting its distinct visual appeal.
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Other

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The unusual string tree design is noted for its functionality, despite its limited use in Fender's production history.
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Value and pricing

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It's noted that prices for these basses average around $2,000 on Reverb, with a clean example potentially fetching up to $2,400.
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User experience

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Owners mention the finish can start to orange peel over time, indicating potential cosmetic maintenance issues.
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A refinished maple fingerboard can retain an aged appearance, possibly due to artificial ambering, maintaining vintage aesthetics despite modifications.
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Use cases and applications

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Despite the weight, users find this model to be one of the best sounding P basses, with a specific tonal quality admired by many.
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Mods and upgrades

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Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound pickups are recommended for addressing 60-cycle hum issues, with Aguilar Retro P and Emerson Pre-wired kits also suggested for improved tone and compatibility.
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CTS pots are a reliable replacement for older, unbranded ones that may fail over time, enhancing the instrument's reliability and performance.
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Setup and maintenance

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A shaved fingerboard gives the neck a feel similar to a Jazz Bass, but with a wider profile, affecting playability and comfort.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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martin_hofmann

241

over 5 years ago

Fender's answer to the Music Man Stingray

This 4.4kg Precision bass was Fender's answer to the Music Man Stingray bass.It features active treble and bass controls and a switch that turns the bass into a classic passive Precision Bass. The Music Man was quite heavy in those days, which may be the reason why Fender chose relatively heavy wood for this series.

The sound of the Special is very flexible, and the treble control is far less " aggressive " than the Stingray

Roles:

Singer Bassist

Genres:

Rock Progressive rock

Artist usage

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David Landreth

Bassist

Imaginary Cities

Verified via Photo

Excerpt from Instagram post caption:

"This bass belonged to my old man, he bought it brand new. A 1980 Fender Special Precision, candy apple red. My Dad is a recovered alcoholic, and so are both Joe and I. When he hopped on the wagon in 1987 (the year Joe was born), he took a bronze “V”, turned it upside down and stuck it to a black leather guitar strap. The “V” is for “vices” and his idea was that if you turned the letter upside down, it was like emptying a bucket, all of your vices would fall out. Somewhere in the early 90’s I started taking a shine to the bass. I wanted to be able to make noise with my brother and my old man and the bass guitar seemed like the most accessible instrument in the house. I loved the way it held such a supportive role, being the glue between rhythm and harmony. It was a humble instrument. It didn’t need to draw any attention to itself. My favourite bass playing has always been the kind that lifts up a song while going unnoticed.

He gave me that red bass and that strap when I was 10 or 11 years old. The strap faded and eventually broke. I set it aside in a pile of busted gear. In 2010, after a number of years of escalating and unchecked alcohol and drug abuse, I got sober. I took the bronze “V” off the old guitar strap and glued it to the bass as a reminder to myself."