1983 Fender Precision Bass '57 Vintage Reissue Fullerton Black Over Fiesta Red 100% Original w/ohc

Up for sale, a 1983 Fender '57 American Vintage Precision Bass in 100% original condition and in perfect working order, complete with the original tweed case and chrome pickup and bridge covers. One of the famed "Fullerton" reissues produced from 1982-84, this bass was one of the very first vintage reissues offered by Fender, made on the same machines that carved the Pre-CBS originals. When the Fender company changed ownership and production moved to the new Corona factory, new templates were made, as the originals were not procured when the company changed hands. This instrument is a faithful reissue of one of Fender's most enduringly popular bass models, with a flawless anodized gold aluminum pickguard and a rare double custom color nitro lacquer finish with Black over Fiesta Red.

There's plenty of thump and rich, detailed low end on tap via the original split coil pickup, and it delivers a range of classic golden era P Bass tones that are both thick and articulate. The bass speaks clearly in every register and is currently strung with flatwound 45-100 strings that provide plenty of rich thump. Weighing in at 8lbs 13oz "fully clothed" with the chrome ashtray covers, the bass is extremely well balanced on a strap and has been dialed in here at Mike & Mike's Guitar Bar with optimal intonation and action.

The maple neck has a notably slender C shaped profile with fretboard edges that are lightly rolled for a very comfortable playing experience. This bass simply has seen sparingly little use in the past 35+ years, and the gloss finish is flawless with zero palm wear. The original slender frets retain their full factory height with perfectly rounded crowns and no wear to speak of, while the fretboard also still has its lightly ambered gloss nitro lacquer which shows no wear, The nut measures 1 3/4" in width, and the original reverse gear clover button tuners are intact and turn smoothly. The original "Precision Bass" waterslide decal is present too and perfect.

The electronics are untouched, with one gray bobbin (with an '83 date stamp) and one black bobbin, a common occurrence with Fender basses in this era as they transitioned from gray to black bobbins. The pots date to the 45th week of 1982 and the harness retains original cloth covered wire and the Orange Drop tone cap. The gold anodized pickguard is in fantastic shape, and provides the dual functions of keeping any extra hum from the electronics dampened and also increasing the treble response of the bass in a small, yet appreciable way. The expected Fender factory stamps are present in the neck pocket and on the neck heel, with the pencil date from 1/17/83.

Cosmetically, this bass is a lovely example with light horizontal lacquer checking on the original gloss black nitro lacquer finish. There are a few light scuffs and shallow nicks on the bass, with a couple tiny finish chips revealing the Fiesta Red base coat. The neck profile shows only one tiny shallow nick on the walnut skunk stripe behind fret 8.

The original tweed hardshell case is included and just as clean as the bass with well-kept leather ends, original latches, and stock handle. The case retains the original "duck foot" pocket tab on the orange plush interior too.