1978 Fender Precision Bass – Natural Refinish – Seymour Duncan Pickup – Badass II Bridge – Includes Hardshell Case – Used Very Good
The 1970s Precision Bass occupies a complicated but important place in Fender history. These were not the most carefully assembled instruments Fender ever made — the CBS era brought higher production volumes and variable quality control — but the core of what makes a P-Bass great was always present: that massive, authoritative thump, the thick maple neck, the fundamentally simple and reliable design that has driven more recorded music than perhaps any other electric bass in history. This particular 1978 example has been modified thoughtfully over its lifetime in ways that have genuinely improved it as a playing instrument. The body has been stripped and refinished in natural, showing the ash grain cleanly — you can see some sanding marks on close inspection, shown in the photos, which is part of the honest story of this instrument's life. The original pickup has been replaced with a Seymour Duncan unit, a meaningful upgrade in output, clarity, and tonal character over the stock late-70s pickup. The Badass II bridge is a well-regarded aftermarket replacement that has improved sustain and intonation on countless Fender basses since its introduction, and we have just installed a fresh set of properly spaced saddles — the older ones in the photos have been replaced and the bridge is now set up correctly. The rosewood fingerboard is in nice shape and the neck finish is clean and comfortable throughout.
This bass plays really well. Some of the higher notes have a slightly unclear character that is typical of basses from this era and this neck radius — not unusual. A great option for a player who wants the genuine feel and vibe of a late-70s P-Bass with some practical improvements already in place.
- Make: Fender
- Model: Precision Bass
- Year: 1978
- Country of origin: USA (Fullerton, CA)
- Body: Ash
- Finish: Natural (refinished — sanding marks visible on close inspection, shown in photos)
- Neck: Maple, bolt-on
- Fingerboard: Rosewood
- Fingerboard radius: 7.25"
- Scale length: 34"
- Nut width: 1-5/8"
- Frets: 20
- Pickup: Seymour Duncan (replacement)
- Controls: Master volume, master tone
- Bridge: Badass II with new saddles (recently installed, properly spaced)
- Pickguard: 3-ply, extra hole present (shown in photos)
- Hardware: Chrome
- Modifications: Body refinished in natural, Seymour Duncan pickup installed, Badass II bridge installed with new saddles, extra hole in pickguard
- Condition: Used Very Good – natural refinish with visible sanding marks, extra pickguard hole, some higher note clarity typical of era, neck finish clean and nice
- Includes: Hardshell case
Ships carefully packed and insured for full value. International buyers are welcome — please contact us for a shipping quote before purchasing.
About Mill River Music
Mill River Music is an independent, human-powered music shop located in downtown Northampton, MA, run by a team of players, enthusiasts, and certified repair technicians. Every piece of used gear we sell is personally inspected, tested, and set up before it ships — we don't list it until we'd be happy to play it ourselves.
As Martin and Taylor certified techs, we hold our guitar work to a high standard, and we're committed to full transparency about the condition of everything we sell. No surprises.
When you buy from Mill River, you're supporting an independent local business that genuinely cares — about gear, about players, and about doing things right. We're here every step of the way. Reach out anytime.
