Over the last couple of years I have acquired three Fender Precision Elite basses. This is combined review of all three basses.

The Fender Elite range (Precision, Strat and Tele models) was made in 1983 and sold between 1983 and the start of 1985. They were "premium" models, similar in concept to the current "Deluxe" models and followed on from the "Special" models of the early 1980s. The concept was to revise some of the existing Fender designs with new technology, while retaining as much of the "classic" appeal as possible. Unfortunately, an abysmally poor tremolo implementation on the Stratocaster model gave the whole Elite range a poor reputation in the market place, though in fact the Precision bass model is an excellent instrument. The reputation wasn't enhanced by the remaining stocks of all Elite models being sold out at "fire sale" prices at the start of 1985, as part of the preparation for the sale of Fender by CBS.

The Precision Elite came in two basic models, a single pickup type and a dual pickup type. On top of this basic model type, there were choices of a maple plus rosewood or all maple neck, plus choices of chrome or gold finish on the metal hardware.

Additionally, the very first Precision Elites were made with Walnut bodies and Walnut plus Ebony necks. Since the very last of the Precision Special models were also made from Walnut, though with rosewood fretboards, its seems likely that the first Elites were made using the remaining stock of Precision Special body and neck blanks.

Lastly, there is supposedly a fretless Precision Elite model, but I have never seen one or made contact with anyone who has ever seen one (if you have PLEASE email me)!

My three Precision Elites are:

1) Precision Elite 1 Gold 2) Precision Elite 2 3) Precision Walnut Elite 2 Gold

All three basses have bi-flex truss rods, high mass micro-tuner Fender bridges (made by Schaller), Fender M type Tuners (made by Schaller), Fender Precision pickups with white covers and no exposed pole pieces, output jack mounted on the side of the body, an active pre-amplifier mounted under the pickguard, special metal knobs with a “F” on the top and a rubber “grip” around the circumference, four bolt neck mount with micro-tilt adjustment, a neck plate with “Fender Elite” embossed in it and lastly they come fitted with Schaller strap locks as standard..

The single pickup model has a Precision pickup in the conventional position with a single volume control and a TBX type tone control. The pre-amp goes between the pickup and the controls, which are otherwise a conventional passive set. The TBX control doesn’t actually do anything much on a bass as far as mid-range boost goes, especially since it is after the low impedance output of the pre-amp. It is really on effective as a top cut tone control for the second half of its travel from the centre detent.

The dual pickup model has a second Precision Pickup mounted more or less where

the bridge pickup goes on a Jazz bass. It has both separate volume controls for each pickup AND a pickup selector switch. With the switch in the centre position, the volume set up is like a Jazz bass, while when it is at either extreme position, only one pickup and its associated volume control is active.

The tone control is a top cut type but is associated with a pickup selector switch. In the centre position, the tone control works equally on both pickups, while in either extreme position it works on one pickup only, as appropriate the switch position. The tone control is actually implemented as dual pot (i.e. two separate pots controlled by the one shaft) and is wired across the output of the pickups PRIOR to the pre-amp, which means that there is no cross loading of th

e tone control between pickups, as occurs on the early 'stack knob' Jazz basses.

This means you can set up some interesting tonal combinations, such as the nec

k pickup running full range plus the bridge pickup with some degree of top cut. It's a pity Fender didn't make the tone control a dual concentric type. That would have allowed even greater flexibility, given the overall circuit arrangements.

Its was interesting to see that the electronics set up on the Elite Precisions

is, in fact, less ambitious than that on the earlier Precision Specials.

The fit and finish on all three basses is excellent, with no finish defects or construction problems. The 'Chrome' bass came with a Fender/SKB black moulded ABS case (the standard Fender bass case of that period), while the two 'Gold' basses came with a unique Fender/SKB brown polycarbonate IATA rated flight case.

So, how do these basses play and sound? Each has it own distinct sound and personality, though they all share a generic 'feel'. The maple + rosewood neck Elite 1 handles both classic Precision bass sounds and more modern percussive playing with ease. Using just the neck pickup, the all Maple Elite 2 is very 'bright' sounding; much more so than any earlier all maple neck Precision I have played, with solid lows and very clear upper mids.. a great slapper! Also using just the neck pickup the Walnut Elite 2 has great low end warmth which extends right through to the low mids, somewhat scooped out high mids and wonderfully clear highs. A great funk bass.

The two dual pickup Elites move off into completely unique territory for Precision basses when the second pickup comes into play. The sound is quite different to P/J pickup combinations and IMO much more useful. The tonal rang

e of these basses is just amazing, covering most of the ground of both Precision

and Jazz basses with more besides. Being humbuckers, there area few Jazz bass

things that the dual P pickup combination won't do, but it does a good job on many of the Jazz bass sounds and it does it without any noise!

All three basses are great players and I've found myself using them a lot. These are not the best basses for classic blues, rock and roll or reggae (etc), though they will do a quite credible job on those genres, but are prefect for more contemporary genres. While considered failures in the early '80s, many of the basic design features pioneered by Fender in the Elite Precision are now standard in Fender's contemporary bass line, which puts the long term significance of the Elite Precisions into a clearer perspective. They have stood up very well to the test of time and compare very well to the contemporary Fender basses.

Construction	100%
Playability	100%
Appearance	100%
Sound	100%
Value	90%
Overall	100%