Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass - Butterscotch Blonde

In 1951, Leo Fender introduced the first successful solidbody electric bass—and changed the course of modern music forever. The original Precision Bass replaced the upright with a portable, fretted instrument that delivered greater volume, sharper articulation and unprecedented clarity on stage. The Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass faithfully recreates that groundbreaking design, from its slab swamp ash body and Butterscotch Blonde nitrocellulose finish to its Telecaster-style headstock and vintage single-coil pickup. A one-piece maple neck with a 7.25" radius and ’51 "U" profile preserves the substantial feel of the original, while a serialized two-saddle fiber bridge and Pure Vintage reverse tuners complete the period-correct construction. It all equates to an anniversary model captures the raw authority and directness that launched the modern electric bass.

Slab Swamp Ash Body With Nitrocellulose Finish for Raw Resonance

The original Precision Bass was built around a non-contoured slab swamp ash body—an unapologetically functional design that prioritized balance, sustain and tonal clarity. This American Vintage II model retains that exact silhouette, delivering immediate attack and open, resonant lows that defined early electric bass recordings. Finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, the Butterscotch Blonde surface allows the swamp ash body to breathe and age naturally over time, developing character while preserving dynamic response. The result is a voice that feels direct, woody and foundational—true to the instrument that redefined the rhythm section.

’51 Precision Bass Single-Coil Pickup for Direct, Foundational Thump

Capturing the unmistakable voice of the first electric bass, the 75th Anniversary ’51 Precision Bass single-coil pickup delivers the raw authority heard on countless early recordings—years before the split-coil design would redefine the model’s sound. With four exposed pole pieces and straightforward master volume and tone controls, it produces punchy low-end weight, focused midrange presence and articulate note separation. The response is raw and immediate, locking tightly with drums while retaining clarity across the fretboard. This is the original Precision Bass tone: open, assertive and unapologetically direct.

One-Piece Maple Neck With ’51 "U" Profile for Period-Correct Feel

Echoing the earliest Precision Bass designs, the one-piece maple neck features a substantial ’51 "U" profile with the thick, rounded carve that defined the instrument’s first generation. Its 7.25" radius fingerboard and 20 vintage tall frets provide the traditional feel and articulation players expect from a true reissue. The 34" scale length maintains taut string tension and focused projection, while the vintage-style butt-adjust truss rod reinforces period-correct construction. Finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, the neck offers a smooth, broken-in feel that mirrors the experience of a well-preserved original.

Pure Vintage 2-Saddle Bridge and Reverse Open-Gear Tuners

Completing the period-correct hardware, the serialized Pure Vintage two-saddle bridge with fiber saddles mirrors the earliest Precision Bass design, delivering solid sustain and classic feel through a string-thru-body construction. Reverse open-gear tuning machines provide stable, historically accurate performance while reinforcing the instrument’s distinctive headstock silhouette. A one-ply black phenolic pickguard and Telecaster-style headstock finalize the unmistakable ’51 aesthetic, preserving the industrial elegance of the original design.

An Ode to the Instrument That Launched the Modern Electric Bass

As part of Fender’s limited-edition 75th Anniversary Precision Bass collection, this American Vintage II 1951 P Bass stands as a faithful tribute to the instrument that transformed the rhythm section forever. From its slab swamp ash body and single-coil pickup to its ’51 "U"-profile maple neck and vintage hardware, every detail honors the design that made the electric bass portable, precise and powerful. For players and collectors alike, the 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass offers a direct connection to the moment the modern electric bass was born.