1951 FENDER PRECISION BASS

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In 1951 Leo Fender invented the revolutionary Precision solidbody electric fretted bass. The first models were manufactured by October and available late year or in early 1952.

1951 Precision characteristics: Telecaster shaped headstock, spaghetti logo with no patent numbers applied on top of the finish, Kluson no-name riveted clover reverse tuners with slot head screws, one piece maple neck with skunk stripe and slothead or Phillips head screw truss rod adjustment, black bakelite dot fret markers, neck butt pencil date, non contoured ash body in Blonde finish, letter D stamped into many neck pockets, body pencil date, body nail holes (for painting/drying), clear lacquered black Bakelite one ply pickguard, large string grommets on body back, single coil black bobbin pickup wrapped in string, on most basses a one screw wooden thumb rest under G string, chrome pickup cover and bridge cover with foam rubber string mute, slothead fastening screws for chrome covers, dome top shaped knobs, pots assembly control plate, Stackpole potentiometers, tone capacitor, cloth wiring, Bakelite fiber dual saddle bridge with serial number stamped into bridgeplate, input jack ferrule on side of body, clear lacquered brown tweed case with red "Koylon" interior.

Serial numbers ranged from roughly 001 to 0400, although there may be overlapping exceptions. For more precise dating cross reference the serial number with the instrument's neck butt date, body pencil date and potentiometer codes.