Bass of Both Worlds
This unparalleled low-end machine combines elements of the Precision and Jazz bass guitars, fused through a distillation of history, class, and technique with which only the most qualified luthiers of Fender’s Custom Shop could do justice. The 2-piece alder body is routed for both hand-wound Precision and Jazz bass pickups, also sporting a rosewood fingerboard atop its maple neck, finished with a ’60 Bass “U” profile. Vintage hardware, an RSD deluxe bass bridge, and era-accurate design cues deliver a thundering rumble that doesn’t relinquish articulation. At Sweetwater, it’s not every day that we play an instrument that feels equally new and historically accurate, but Fender’s Limited-edition P Bass Special is the real deal.
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Balanced, bold bass
Fender’s Custom Shop always does their homework, and the 2-piece alder body gets an A+, carrying cutting mids and bold bass, thanks to its naturally luscious warmth and sustain. Additionally, opting for maple in the neck does wonders to the P Bass’s sonic profile. This latter tonewood’s tight bass boasts phenomenal, balanced projection with excellent note separation, remaining bright across all four strings without sounding tinny. Its natural light weight is welcomed, not to mention being very forgiving with changing climates. The rosewood fingerboard employs period-precise construction, coupling well with the maple wood’s qualities, delivering rich, glassy tones and distinct articulation, allowing you to focus on this well-rounded aural offering.
Time tested, re-presented
Fender’s Custom Shop expertly straddles the line between preservation and reinvention, blending cues from the vintage Precision and Jazz basses to become an ode to Fender’s timeless design ethos. The maple neck is quartersawn as one piece, ensuring stability and reliable tone, with a lacquer finish to reinforce the 1960 Jazz Bass “U” profile. The fingerboard’s 7.25-inch radius sprawls across all 20 of its medium-jumbo (6150) frets, ready to rock, roll, and anything in between. Classic “lollipop” oval-shaped tuning machines accompany a vintage bone nut and a disc string tree on the Strat-style headstock. An RSD deluxe bass bridge tethers the strings to their low end, successfully blending styles for a unique aesthetic take on its already-impressive output.
Multiple modes, one electric avenue
Fender’s dyadic fusion comes to life in its capacity to readily and easily oscillate between two tremendous tonal offerings. Both hand wound by the Custom Shop, the Jazz Bass bridge pickup brims with texture, offering a grittier take on the bass’s complex sonic profile. If you’re feeling something slicker, the Precision Bass neck pickup paints a smooth veneer on the rich lows and resilient note articulation. Individual volume controls are present for each pickup, along with a master tone control, providing a healthy amount of nuance in crafting the perfect historic blend. A brown shell pickguard complements the Journeyman Relic aesthetic, ensuring this bass can walk the walk, too.
Fender Custom Shop Limited-edition P Bass Special Journeyman Relic Features:
- Custom Shop hand-wound ’75 Jazz Bass bridge pickup and '65-'70 Precision Bass neck pickup yield versatile sonic articulation
- 2-piece solid alder body delivers robust bass and rich, warm resonance
- Maple neck provides great note separation with bright, balanced projection
- Maple neck means sturdy, lightweight construction with era-accurate oval "U" profile
- Round-laminated rosewood fingerboard employs period-precise assembly techniques, producing lively tones with excellent note distinction
- RSD deluxe bridge simplifies adjustments for string height and intonation
- Vintage "lollipop" tuners, bridge, bone nut, and disk string tree faithfully recreates stage-weathered aesthetics without compromising sonic quality
- Deluxe hardshell case, strap, and certificate of authenticity included
