Fender Vintage Style Precision Bass, Owner'S Manual

Page 1: ...OWNER S MANUAL FOR FENDER BASSES ...

Page 2: ...m support Il manuale d uso dei bassi Fender in Italiano è disponibile nel nostro sito web http www fender com support Das Fender Bedienungshandbuch für Bässe in Deutsch finden Sie auf unserer Website http www fender com support Se desejar ler o manual do proprietário Fender para baixos em português por favor visite nosso website em http www fender com support 日本語のベースギター用 Fender オーナーズ マニュアルは 弊社のウェブ...

Page 3: ...n you need to take the mystery out of tuning changing strings setup adjustment intonation care and maintenance of your bass It s easy And once you ve learned how to care for your bass properly you ll find that it will take great care of you too by providing a wonderful vehicle for years of fun creativity and musical self expression With that in mind we hope you ll take a few moments to read throug...

Page 4: ...oughout the 1930s and 40s the upright bass which was the standard in popular music at the time could barely be heard beneath the rumble and volume of the pop and big bands of the era In 1951 Fender changed all of that with the creation of the Precision Bass an electric bass guitar with precise intonation that when amplified could be easily heard and felt on the bandstands and throughout the dance ...

Page 5: ... shape the very styles and genres of electric music we all love and listen to Fender continues to be on the cutting edge of bass guitar development and offers a phenomenal selection of world class basses and bass amplifiers for everyone from the beginning player to seasoned touring and recording professionals From James Jamerson to Geddy Lee to Jaco Pastorius to Marcus Miller the Fender bass has b...

Page 6: ...nder 1954 Stratocaster unveiled 1960 Jazz Bass created 1965 Fender sold to CBS 1951 Precision Bass and Bassman amp created 1952 The Twin Amp created 1950 Telecaster and Esquire created 1958 Jazzmaster quitar created mid 1980s modern era Fender launched 1962 Jaguar quitar created Timeline 5 History ...

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Page 8: ...ge saddle bridge output jack volume tone control knobs pickguard string strap button truss rod adjustment depending on model neck Whether you know the names of all the parts or not anatomical charts are always cool Here s the basic anatomy of a bass guitar Anatomy 101 7 Anatomy ...

Page 9: ...headstock tuning machine post shaft string tree retainer nut fret fingerboard dot position inlay 12th fret octave position inlay tuning machines keys truss rod adjustment depending on model 8 Anatomy ...

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Page 11: ...rams parts lists and wiring diagrams for your specific model visit the Support section of www fender com where the Wiring Diagrams Parts Lists link will take you to info several Fender instrument models You can always contact us directly to get this information as well either by mail telephone or e mail Attn Consumer Relations Fender Musical Instruments Corp 8860 East Chaparral Road Suite 100 Scot...

Page 12: ...ed from its case its woods cool and shrink fairly quickly This contraction decreases the string tension and causes the tuning to drop noticeably flat These same aspects may come into play after an instrument leaves our factory and before you receive it from your Dealer The playing action and setup of the instrument when you receive it will depend on several factors such as The amount of time betwe...

Page 13: ... be too high or too low for your taste or playing style please review this manual for details on the setup adjustment and maintenance that will return the instrument to an optimum playing condition for you If you have any doubts in your ability to make these adjustments correctly take your bass to an Authorized Fender Service Center for assistance Please Note Initial standard setup and adjustment ...

Page 14: ... best results in changing strings and performing setups and adjustments we recommend using the tools listed below TUNING If you don t own an electronic tuner you may want to purchase one It will simplify many of the following procedures If you already have one just plug in and turn the bass s volume control all the way up Pluck either an open string or the 12th fret harmonic to produce the cleares...

Page 15: ...string bass tune the open strings to E A D G E A D G If you re playing a 5 string bass tune the open strings to B E A D G B E A D G B E A D G C If you re playing a 6 string bass tune the open strings to B E A D G C 14 Set up ...

Page 16: ...start by pulling each string through the bridge over the nut and past the corresponding tuning machine post with enough extra length to allow a minimum of three winds around it Mark that point on the string With wire cutters crimp the string over at a 45 degree angle one inch before the mark then clip off the excess at the mark Figure A Next place the end of the string all the way down in the hole...

Page 17: ...ies and basses with active battery powered preamps Some active basses have an active passive switch to switch between modes Depending on the instrument your active bass may have either a 9 volt one battery system or an 18 volt two battery system Visit the Fender website for detailed specifications for your instrument Typical battery life for both systems is approximately 600 hours of playing time ...

Page 18: ...y with each other the result will be a poorly playing instrument Note A truss rod that is too loose will result in a concave neck bow and high action which will require more effort to play Figure D A truss rod that is too tight will result in a convex neck bow excessively low action and buzzing strings Figure E An ideally adjusted neck will have a moderate amount of relief curvature to accommodate...

Page 19: ... a large phillips or flathead screwdriver for most vintage style basses or the hex wrench supplied with your bass for modern basses Note For vintage style basses with the truss rod adjustment at the heel of the neck you must remove the strings and loosen the neck mounting screws and or remove the pickguard to gain access to the truss rod adjustment nut If the neck is too concave Figure D turn the ...

Page 20: ... the bottom of each string and the top of the 17th fret Figure I Adjust the bridge saddles to height according to the the factory recommendation then re tune Use a mini standard screwdriver for vintage saddles Figure J Use the supplied hex wrench for modern saddles Figure K Don t be afraid to experiment with the height a little bit until it feels right to you If you play with a light touch you can...

Page 21: ...e Micro Tilt adjustment is a feature on some Fender basses that performs the same function as shimming by tightening a hex screw in the neck pocket of the body against a pressure plate installed in the bottom of the neck The Micro Tilt eliminates the need to remove the neck from the body to perform the adjustment For those basses with the Micro Tilt adjustment and a 3 bolt neck plate first loosen ...

Page 22: ...t during set up or adjustment is the responsibility of the consumer and will not be covered under the Fender warranty Place a shim approximately 1 4 wide x 1 3 4 long x 010 thick the thickness of a standard business card at the end of the neck pocket Figure O and re attach the neck Placing the shim in the neck pocket will effectively lower the string action and allow approximately 1 32 of addition...

Page 23: ...ast fret Using your ruler measure the distances from the bottom of the strings to the top of the corresponding pole pieces on the pickups Figure P For pickups without pole pieces or those having flush mounted pole pieces measure to the pickup surface Use the Pickup Height Adjustment Chart as a starting point The actual height you adjust to may vary depending on the amount of magnetic pull of the p...

Page 24: ... 6 64 Vintage Style Jazz Bass 8 64 6 64 Standard Jazz Bass 7 64 5 64 Standard Precision Bass 7 64 5 64 American Standard Jazz Bass 7 64 5 64 American Standard Precision Bass 7 64 5 64 Vintage Noiseless Jazz Bass 8 64 6 64 N3 Noiseless Jazz Bass 8 64 6 64 Special Design Humbucking 7 64 5 64 23 Set up ...

Page 25: ...neck relief dirty worn strings and even the process of putting on brand new strings so it s a good idea to make checking and adjusting intonation a regular part of your maintenance routine To set the intonation for your bass you will need an electronic tuner and either a small Phillips or standard screwdriver or hex wrench depending on whether the saddle length adjustment screws on your bridge are...

Page 26: ...le length adjustment screw clockwise moving the saddle toward the back of the bridge until the harmonic and the fretted note register as the same pitch Figure R It s a good idea to stretch and re tune the string during the adjustment as the movement of the saddle will affect the pitch 5 If the fretted note is flatter lower in pitch relative to the harmonic you will need to shorten the active vibra...

Page 27: ...its integrity and natural beauty Note With the strings removed apply oil first to a clean lint free cloth rub into the wood let it soak in for a few minutes and then wipe to dry any excess oil Do not apply oil to the finished surfaces of the bass Examine Strap Buttons Periodically Over time the shifting weight of your bass on the strap may cause the strap button screws to loosen up Snug them up fr...

Page 28: ...o many seasoned players beautiful sounding instrument While lacquer allows the instrument to vibrate generously by its very nature it is much more subject to the effects of wear the aging of the underlying wood chemical interactions and climatic conditions than urethane or polyester finishes If your bass is finished with lacquer please make sure that you read the Lacquer Finishes Precautions and C...

Page 29: ...ions Department 480 596 7195 or using the Service Center Finder link on the Support section of www fender com For service outside the United States and Canada please contact your authorized dealer or the Fender distributor in your country or region there s a helpful global International Distributors link on the Resources section of www fender com 28 Service ...

Page 30: ...Y Fender has established a network of independent Authorized Fender Service Centers for warranty service The Fender Dealer from whom you purchased your instrument may also be authorized for warranty service and should be the first point of contact when service of any kind is required for your Fender instrument To receive warranty service return the complete instrument to an Authorized Fender Servi...

Page 31: ...ot covered by this warranty 1 Fret wear saddle wear nut wear strings and batteries 2 Checking shrinking sinking discoloration and wear of lacquer finishes 3 Setups adjustments or routine maintenance of any kind 4 Damage to finishes or cracks splitting or warpage of wood due to changes in temperature or humidity exposure to or contact with sun fire moisture body salts and acids of perspiration guit...

Page 32: ... anyone other than an Authorized Fender Dealer 11 Instruments that have been serviced by unauthorized persons any person other than a Fender Certified Technician at an Authorized Fender Service Center THE FOREGOING CONSTITUTES THE ONLY WARRANTY MADE BY FENDER WITH RESPECT TO THE PRODUCTS AND IS MADE EXPRESSLY IN LIEU OF ALL OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED Any implied warranties including witho...

Page 33: ...r country or region and may vary from the above in terms and or length Fender Musical Instruments Corp 8860 East Chaparral Road Suite 100 Scottsdale Ariz 85250 2610 U S A Phone 480 596 9690 www fender com Fender Stratocaster Strat Telecaster Tele Precision Bass P Bass Jazz Bass J Bass and the distinctive headstock designs commonly found on these guitars are registered trademarks of Fender Musical ...

Page 34: ...nal patents that have since expired Specific examples of such models include patent numbers on the tremolo plates and decals of the JAGUAR and JAZZMASTER guitars Pat Pending on some vintage TELECASTER guitar bridge plates and Design and Circuits Patented language on the control panels of certain model amplifiers in FENDER Vintage Modified Vintage Reissue and Custom lines Such markings are included...

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Page 36: ...P N 0079381000 Rev A 2011 FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP ...