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Fender Fretless Precision Bass

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Fender Fretless Precision Bass

^# 5

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$2,195.00

5.0 (2)

1 Review

Find out who is using Fender Fretless Precision Bass

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Page last updated Jul 03, 2026

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5.0 (5)

$2,195.00 39 available Used

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Description

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Experience the smooth sensation of playing the Fender Fretless Precision Bass, a legendary instrument that brings a unique voice to your bass collection. This fretless wonder is crafted to deliver a seamless tonal transition, allowing you to explore a wide range of expressive sounds. Perfect for jazz, blues, and experimental genres, this bass offers precision and clarity without the buzz of traditional frets. Its fingerboard is engineered for fluid movement, giving you the freedom to slide effortlessly from note to note.

The Fender Fretless Precision Bass features a classic alder body paired with a smooth maple neck, ensuring durability and a comfortable playing experience. The bass comes equipped with a split single-coil pickup, providing that iconic Precision Bass sound with a warm, rounded low end and a clear, punchy high. Whether you're on stage or in the studio, this bass is designed to complement any musical style with its versatile tonal range.

With its timeless design and impeccable craftsmanship, the Fender Fretless Precision Bass is not just an instrument; it's an extension of your musical expression. Its minimalist aesthetic is a nod to the original Precision Bass, while its fretless fingerboard invites endless creativity and exploration.

Key Features:

Fretless rosewood fingerboard for smooth gliding between notes
Classic alder body for balanced tone and sustain
Maple neck with a comfortable "C" shape profile
Split single-coil pickup for iconic, versatile sound
20-fret equivalent lines for precise intonation
Vintage-style bridge for stable tuning and rich resonance

Product specs

Brand	Fender
Model	Precision Bass Fretless
Finish	Arctic White, Aztec Gold, Black, Black Stratoburst, Blonde, Blue Stratoburst, Bronze Stratoburst, Candy Apple Green, Cherry Sunburst, Emerald Green, Lake Placid Blue, Mocha Brown, Natural, Pewter, Ruby Red, Sapphire Blue, Sienna Sunburst, Sunburst, Wine Red
Year	1970 - 1983
Made In	United States
Categories	4-String Basses, Fretless Bass Guitars
Active / Passive Pickups	Passive Pickups
Active Preamp	No Preamp
Body Material	Alder, Ash
Body Shape	P-Style
Color Family	Black, Blue, Brown, Gold, Green, Red, Silver, Tan, White, Yellow
Finish Pattern	Fade, Sunburst
Fretboard Material	Maple, Rosewood
Frets	Fretless
Model Family	Fender Precision Bass
Neck Material	Maple
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 are the tonal characteristics of the Fender Fretless Precision Bass?: The Fender Fretless Precision Bass offers a warm, smooth tone with a distinctive mwah sound, ideal for jazz, rock, and fusion. Its passive split-coil pickups provide a classic, deep sound with a rich low-end and clear mids.
Is the Fender Fretless Precision Bass suitable for beginners?: While the Fender Fretless Precision Bass is renowned for its expressive capabilities, it may pose a challenge for beginners due to the lack of frets. However, it is an excellent choice for players seeking to develop their ear and fingerboard skills.
What kind of wood is used in the body of the Fender Fretless Precision Bass?: The body of the Fender Fretless Precision Bass is made from alder or ash, which contributes to its balanced tone and sustain. These woods are known for their resonance and are commonly used in high-quality bass guitars.
Does the Fender Fretless Precision Bass have active electronics?: No, the Fender Fretless Precision Bass features passive electronics, which provide a more traditional and organic bass tone without the need for a battery-powered preamp.
How does the fretless design of this bass affect playability and sound?: The fretless design allows for smoother slides and more expressive playing, producing a unique, singing tone. It requires precise finger placement but offers enhanced control over intonation and dynamics.

Reviews

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PROS

Vintage pickups offer clarity and presence, ideal for pre-80s sound enthusiasts
Well-loved and played, contributing to its unique, authentic character
Clean condition despite age, showcasing durability and careful handling
Versatile tone suitable for both polished and lo-fi production styles
Can replicate iconic bass tones from artists like Fleetwood Mac and Sting
Flat wound strings enhance playability, especially for guitarists transitioning to bass

CONS

Lack of high-end sizzle may not suit all modern production preferences
Requires careful handling to maintain vintage condition over time

Owner Insights

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

Features and functionality

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The bass's G string might require neck tilt adjustment to prevent it from sitting closer to the edge than the E string.
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Black nylon tape wound strings like Rotosound 88s are used for their distinct feel, with black silk running the entire length.
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A fretless P bass can achieve a "standuppy" tone, making it suitable for acoustic settings while still capable of rocking out.
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Value and pricing

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Vintage fretless P basses are often seen as appreciating assets, though resell can be slower compared to their fretted counterparts.
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Mods and upgrades

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Adding a J bridge pickup to a fretless P bass can provide additional tonal flexibility, though some consider it a crime to modify vintage models.
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A user modified a 76 P-bass with a Boogie Body custom Birdseye Maple neck with an ebony fretboard, adding a Badass bridge and Schecter dual coil J-bass pickup.
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Some users suggest having the fingerboard epoxied for enhanced durability and mid-range growl; this is typically done by a skilled luthier.
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User experience

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Owners describe the 70s Fretless P bass as having a mellow-sounding pickup compared to its fretted counterparts, offering a softer tone suitable for less aggressive styles.
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The smoothness of one-piece maple necks is highly appreciated, enhancing playability and providing a unique tactile experience.
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Use cases and applications

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The fretless P bass is ideal for genres requiring mellow tones, like soul and folk, but can also handle prog rock sessions effectively.
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Playing with two guitarists requires the bass's intonation to be near perfect, as this allows micro-adjustments to match the guitarists' tuning.
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Build quality

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70s Fretless P basses can vary significantly in weight, with some lighter models around 8-9 lbs, compared to heavier 10-12 lbs counterparts.
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The unlined maple fretboard is rare and visually distinctive, often mistaken for a fretted board due to its appearance.
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Setup and maintenance

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Owners recommend keeping flats on the fingerboard for longevity; the setup allows very low action without fret buzz, enhancing playability.
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Side markers are placed on fret lines, requiring reliance on muscle memory and ear for positions without markers.
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Other

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The Squier VM Fretless P had neck dive issues due to a lightweight body, but its playability was highly regarded, comparable to the VM Jazz model.
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Comparisons

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One user found the fretless Warwick Corvette preferable over the Tony Franklin fretless Precision, highlighting personal tonal preferences.
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5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 2 Ratings

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robin_buckingham

325

almost 9 years ago

Excellent

This is for ME, my own songs. When I was younger I tried to extend the frequencies of each instrument. Pushing frequencies beyond what they were really made for. Th is might have worked in the late 1980's. But not I focus on the primary fundamentals of the frequencies captured.

Guitar should not play bass, and Bass should not rattle like a hi hat.

I use flat wounds (I am a guitarist so I go easy on my fingers - though the Music Man Sting Ray is the best bass for tone. I have flat wounds, and even roll of the high right on the bass tone knob about half way. Then I can run it into a simple Ampeg, add a little "Sheehan Grit".

Now I am a product of "glorious production" and love the sizzle of over produced things...but I also like garage & low fi (ala QOTSA). I can get both Fleetwood Mac & QOTSA with this... and yes, even mimic the bass tones on Sting.

So lets stick to the frequencies each instrument is designed for, play to their strengths and thus make much cleaner recordings.

I have a philosophy. If you have lousy sounding drums, you have a demo. Good sounding drums, you have an album.

With bass, this is the most overlooked part. Bands bum rush through bass parts, use a simple direct box. Cut corners, always on bass. Your entire band will elevate if you put a little focus on bass tone, like Sting, and have you ever heard a bad Queensryche bass tone? If Queensryche uses a sterile tone, you would not have "Jet City Woman" or literally ANY song of theirs. So cool bass tones are not reserved for Rush or Yes or the Who.

Please don't neglect the bass. 1/3 of your melodic register is counting on it.

Artist usage

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John Paul Jones

Bassist, Keyboardist

Led Zeppelin

Verified via YouTube

In a photo from the 2007 reunion show at O2 Arena, John Paul Jones is seen using a Fender Fretless Precision Bass, likely for the performance of "In My Time of Dying," which was originally recorded with a fretless bass guitar. Jones can also be seen using this model of bass in a recorded concert performance of "In My Time of Dying" at Earl's Court in 1975, recognizable from the lack of frets and the two metal, knurled knobs.

Mike Inez

Bassist

Alice in Chains

Verified via Photo

A photo from a website listing Mike Inez's gear confirms that he uses the Fender Fretless Precision Bass, as this instrument is included on the list.

Steve DiGiorgio

Bassist

Death (Metal Band)

Verified via YouTube

Steve DiGiorgio is confirmed to use a Fender Fretless Precision Bass, commonly referred to as the "ITP parts / Bitsa Bass." He originally obtained a regular fretted Precision Bass in high school and later converted it by purchasing a fretless bass neck. This modified instrument was utilized during his time with Sadus, Autopsy, and Death for both live performances and recordings. This information is substantiated by a discussion in the Cali Death Podcast, Episode 60 (Clip), titled "Fretless Bass (Steve Di Giorgio)."

Chi Cheng

Bassist

Deftones

Verified via YouTube

While not a Sunburst Fretless Precision, Chi Cheng used a Fretless Precision in Natural finish for the songs Mascara and Dai The Flu. While there has been talk online of Chi using a fretless around this time for studio work on White Pony ( the album released the year of this performance ), this is one of the only instances of Cheng using a fretless live.

Greg Edwards

Guitarist, Bassist

Failure

Verified via Photo

In a photo taken during a Failure performance in 2022, Greg can be seen playing a black P Bass with presumably an Ebony fretboard

Rudy Sarzo

Bassist

Ozzy Osbourne

Verified via YouTube

During the 1982 Diary of a Madman tour, Rudy Sarzo can be seen playing a 1979 Fender Fretless Precision Bass. This instrument was primarily used in performances of songs from the Diary of a Madman album, such as "Believer" and "Over the Mountain." This is evidenced by the video "Ozzy Osbourne - Over the Mountain (Live - Albuquerque, NM Jan 7, 1982)" available on YouTube, provided by OzzyOsbourneVEVO.

Felipe Ilabaca

Singer, Bassist

Chancho en Piedra

Verified via Photo

Felipe Ilabaca has used the Fender Fretless Precision Bass in recent years with Hermanos Ilabaca, modifying it with a DiMarzio Model P pickup, as evidenced by the image provided.

Matt Mahaffey

Keyboardist, Music Producer

Self

Verified via YouTube

In the YouTube video "EPIC HOME STUDIO Setup 2022 | Matt Mahaffey (studio tour)" by Andrew Masters, at the timestamp 18:44, Matt Mahaffey is shown with a Fender Fretless P-Bass.