Fender Precision Bass
Michael Steele
U N D E R C O N S T R U C T I O N
Clarence Leo Fender designed and patented the "Precision Bass" in 1951. The "Precision" name was chosen because in contrast to the traditional upright basses of the day, it had frets which allowed for the notes to be played with "precision". US Patent USD169062.
In 1957 the design was changed to incorporate a spilt pickup with a new pickguard and headstock. US Patent USD187001.
The Precision Bass is a solid body, constructed from alder or ash. It is available with either a maple or maple/rosewood fingerboard - all of Michael's Fenders have the clear maple fingerboard.
Two of Michael's Fenders have been had their pickups replaced with EMG models, and the bridge replaced with "BadAss Bridges".
Clarence Leo Fender designed and patented the "Precision Bass" in 1951. The "Precision" name was chosen because in contrast to the traditional upright basses of the day, it had frets which allowed for the notes to be played with "precision". US Patent USD169062.
In 1957 the design was changed to incorporate a spilt pickup with a new pickguard and headstock. US Patent USD187001.
The Precision Bass is a solid body, constructed from alder or ash. It is available with either a maple or maple/rosewood fingerboard - all of Michael's Fenders have the clear maple fingerboard.
Two of Michael's Fenders have been had their pickups replaced with EMG models, and the bridge replaced with "BadAss Bridges".
"The BASS II is a precision, harmonically-tunable direct replacement bridge designed to enhance Fender Jazz and Precision Basses. The special music metal material was engineered to provide synergistic resonance mass and the most efficient sound transfer for tremendous increase in attack, sustain and clarity of notes, without changing the tone of the wood. The BASS II replaces the original bridge, and eliminates the inaccurate harmonic tuning caused by "round" shaped, and "roller" saddles of other bridges, interference of string ends contacting the bridge saddles, and unwanted side movement of strings and bridge saddles for the purest tone/sound transfer possible."
"One of EMG’s original designs and our most popular bass pickup model since its introduction in 1979, the P covers a wide sonic palette of classic and modern bass sounds. Because the P utilizes ceramic magnets coupled with short, squat coils, the tone is endowed with high-end articulation, warmth, and incredible low end punch, all with less noise and more signal. Countless pros use it because they find it has a natural presence, powerful lows, punchy midrange, and superior definition."
Fender Precision with EMG and BadAss Bridge
Close up.
Michael with stock Fender Precision
Fender Precision with EMG and BadAss Bridge
EMG started in 1974 and located in Santa Rosa, California. EMG is an acronym for Electro Magnetic Generator. The pickup is likely an "active pickup".
