Bass Gear Review

Reviewer	Enrique Ramirez
Experience	16
Email	riqueramirez@hotmail.com
Review date	March 05 2002
Manufacturer	Fender
Model	1977 Fretless Fender Precision Bass
Price	$700
Item owned for	Less than 1 month

Bass type	4 string fretless
Neck join	Bolt-On
Neck construction	1 piece
Fingerboard	Rosewood
Body	Alder, One-Piece
Finish	Black w/ Black Pickguard
Pickups	Stock
Hardware	Stock (contains pick-up and bridge covers)
Electronics	Stock P-Bass Pickups

I've been playing fretless bass for a while now, and I always shied away from the Fender precision bass. I guess I preferred the smooth tones of a J-Bass or the growling mids of a Stingray (I've had both) to a P-Bass. And it wasn't until a year ago, when I heard a fretless Fender P-Bass on stage, that I became enamored with the fretless P-Bass sound. The bass gods were smiling on me when I saw a used 1977 fretless P-Bass for sale. This thing is a beauty -- black on black, with the original chrome covers on the pickup and bridge. It is a very simple and elegant bass, and in near-mint condition. The previous owner had the good sense to use flatwounds on this baby -- the fingerboard is immaculate. The sound? Unmistakable P-Bass punch. The P-Bass is a fairly straightforward instrument. But I was shocked when I plugged this instrument in -- it had a beautiful, tight, focused tone -- totally contrary to what I thought the bass was going to sound like. The action is high, but with the heavy woods, the slick flatwound strings, etc, this thing growls almost as well as my Stingray fretless. Although it is a little heavy and the neck joint is a little sloppy, this is one of the nicest instruments I've ever owned. I've been playing it everyday, and I still surprise myself at the range of colors and sounds one can get from a P-bass. I've played 1977 Fender fretless P-basses with maple fingerboards, and although they may be more valuable, I don't think they sound as good as a rosewood fingerboard. Just make sure you have a comfortable strap when you play this dreadnought of a bass.

Construction	95%
(the neck joint is a little sloppy)
Appearance	100%
(Black on Black with Chrome Covers -- beautiful!!!)
Playability	100%
(the fastest P-Bass neck i've ever encountered)
Sound	95%
(as with all P-basses, you have to work with the tone)
Customer Service	100%
Value	100%
(I certainly lucked out with this instrument)
Overall	98%
(I'm falling in love with this instrument!!!!!)