The 2017 Fender Made in Japan Traditional ’50s Precision Bass in US Blonde combines classic Fender P Bass styling with the highly regarded consistency and craftsmanship associated with Japanese Fender production.

Its vintage-inspired presentation centres around the familiar Precision Bass format: a full 34" scale, passive electronics, straightforward volume and tone controls and the powerful fundamental response that has made the P Bass one of the most widely used electric bass designs in music.

Serial number JD17035376 identifies this as a 2017 Made in Japan example, placing it right at the beginning of Fender’s Made in Japan Traditional era.

This Pre-Owned bass is offered in Very Good condition and includes a hardcase.

At A Glance

Pre-Owned Condition Report

Very Good Condition

This 2017 Fender Made in Japan Traditional ’50s Precision Bass is offered in Very Good condition.

Very Good condition reflects normal evidence of previous ownership while remaining well presented and suitable for regular live, studio, rehearsal and home use.

No faults, repairs or modifications have been supplied for this listing.

What’s Included?

✔ 2017 Fender MIJ Traditional ’50s Precision Bass US Blonde
✔ Hardcase

✘ No Additional Accessories Included

Condition Notes

This bass has been graded Very Good, offering the opportunity to own an early Made in Japan Traditional Precision Bass without requiring collector-grade cosmetic perfection.

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

This Pre-Owned Fender Precision Bass has been inspected and assessed by the Fair Deal Music team before sale.

Our checks include:

• Pickup output tested
• Master volume control checked
• Master tone control checked
• Output socket tested
• Frets inspected
• Neck condition assessed
• Fingerboard checked
• Tuning machines inspected
• Bridge and saddles checked
• Hardware assessed
• Tuning stability checked
• Overall playability assessed
• Hardcase checked for basic usability

Service / Setup Work

All Pre-Owned bass guitars at Fair Deal Music are set up and checked before leaving the shop.

Our assessment includes:

• Action checked
• Neck relief checked
• Frets inspected
• Intonation checked
• Tuning stability checked
• Electronics tested
• Pickup output checked
• Bridge setup assessed
• Hardware checked
• Overall playability assessed

Please note that setup can shift slightly during delivery because changes in temperature and humidity can naturally affect wooden instruments in transit.

Why Choose The Fender MIJ Traditional ’50s Precision Bass?

Made In Japan Fender Quality

Japanese-made Fender instruments have developed a strong following among players who value clean construction, consistency and traditional Fender design.

Classic Precision Bass Simplicity

The P Bass format keeps things intentionally uncomplicated. A passive pickup system with master volume and tone lets you concentrate on playing rather than managing complex onboard electronics.

US Blonde Finish

US Blonde gives the bass a particularly traditional Fender appearance and was one of the colours offered when the Made in Japan Traditional range launched in 2017.

34" Full-Scale Bass Platform

The traditional Fender scale length provides the familiar string tension and response expected from a full-size Precision Bass, making the instrument immediately comfortable for players accustomed to standard Fender basses.

Early Made In Japan Traditional Example

With its JD17 serial, this bass comes from the launch year of Fender’s Made in Japan Traditional series, giving it additional interest compared with later revised versions of the range.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

MIJ Traditional ’50s Precision Bass vs Fender Player Precision Bass

The Player Precision Bass offers a more contemporary mainstream Fender specification, while this Japanese Traditional model is better suited to players attracted to vintage-inspired styling and early MIJ Traditional production.

MIJ Traditional ’50s Precision Bass vs American Professional Precision Bass

An American Professional model offers a more modern USA-made approach and contemporary neck specification, while this bass focuses on a simpler vintage-influenced presentation at a different point in the Fender range.

Precision Bass vs Jazz Bass

A Jazz Bass provides two pickups, a narrower neck at the nut and greater onboard tonal blending. The Precision Bass is the stronger choice for players who value a direct, authoritative fundamental tone and very simple controls.

MIJ Traditional ’50s P Bass vs Modern Active Bass

An active bass offers onboard EQ and additional tone shaping, whereas this passive Fender is better suited to players who want a straightforward signal that responds naturally to amplifier settings, pedals and playing dynamics.

Who Is It For?

Rock Bassists

The Precision Bass format has the weight and simplicity needed for supportive bass lines that sit naturally beneath electric guitars.

Soul And R&B Players

Its strong fundamental response works especially well for warm, controlled bass parts where consistency and groove matter more than complex onboard tone shaping.

Indie And Alternative Musicians

A passive P Bass pairs extremely well with pedals, driven amplifiers and more experimental rigs while remaining simple at the instrument itself.

Studio Musicians

Precision-style basses remain extremely useful in recording environments because their focused passive tone is easy to place within a mix.

Players Interested In Japanese Fender Instruments

This 2017 example is particularly relevant for buyers who specifically seek Made in Japan Fender basses rather than current Mexican or American production.

Suitable Genres And Uses

• Rock
• Classic rock
• Blues
• Soul
• R&B
• Pop
• Indie
• Alternative
• Punk
• Country
• Americana
• Motown-inspired bass
• Pick playing
• Fingerstyle
• Studio recording
• Live performance

Why Is The Precision Bass Such A Popular Recording Bass?

The appeal of a Precision Bass is largely its simplicity. Its passive electronics and focused fundamental response can provide enough weight to support a track without taking up unnecessary space across the entire frequency spectrum.

That makes the P Bass particularly easy to work with in a studio. Whether played clean, compressed, driven or through an amp modeller, it provides a dependable starting point that suits a huge range of musical arrangements.

Looking for advice on choosing the right Fender Precision Bass, Made in Japan bass or Pre-Owned P Bass? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in-store.

Story & Context: Fender Made In Japan Traditional ’50s Precision Bass

Fender’s relationship with Japanese manufacturing stretches back to 1982, and Japanese Fender instruments have since become an important part of the company’s history.

In September 2017, Fender Music launched the Made in Japan Traditional series as a major new Japanese-built range. The project coincided with the 35th anniversary of Fender production in Japan and involved input from Fender’s US operation as part of an effort to refine manufacturing processes, component selection and overall quality.

The initial range was unusually extensive, with more than 100 variations spanning different eras, body styles and finishes. The Traditional ’50s Precision Bass was part of that launch collection, with US Blonde among its available colours.

Fender refreshed the Made in Japan Traditional range again in 2020, introducing revised specifications intended to push the series further towards vintage-inspired design. That makes this JD17 example particularly interesting as an original launch-era Traditional bass rather than one of the later revised models.

Technical Specifications

Specification Note

Serial JD17035376 identifies the instrument as a 2017 Made in Japan Fender.

Fender revised the Made in Japan Traditional series in 2020, and no original factory specification sheet or build documentation has been supplied with this individual bass. To avoid incorrectly applying later-generation specifications to this launch-era example, version-specific details such as exact body timber, neck profile, fingerboard radius, fret specification and pickup designation have not been guessed.

Power Requirements

No battery or external power supply is required for the bass’s passive electronics.

Connect it to a suitable bass amplifier, DI, pedalboard, modeller or recording interface using a standard 1/4" instrument cable.

Why Buy Pre-Owned From Fair Deal Music?

Pre-Owned Japanese Fender instruments are particularly appealing to players looking for specifications and production periods that are no longer available new.

This 2017 Traditional ’50s Precision Bass is a good example, coming from the original launch period of a series that Fender subsequently revised.

At Fair Deal Music, our Pre-Owned basses are individually checked and assessed before sale, helping customers buy discontinued and older instruments with greater confidence.

Fair Deal Music Verdict

★★★★★ 5/5

The 2017 Fender Made in Japan Traditional ’50s Precision Bass US Blonde is an excellent proposition for players who want the simplicity of a traditional P Bass combined with Japanese Fender build quality and an attractive vintage-inspired finish.

Its launch-year JD17 production also makes it an interesting choice for players who specifically seek earlier Made in Japan Traditional instruments rather than the later revised generation.

Best suited for: Rock, blues, soul, pop and studio players looking for a straightforward vintage-inspired Precision Bass.

Customers usually upgrade from: Entry-level Precision-style basses, Squier models and more affordable passive basses.

Most commonly paired with: Bass amplifiers, compressors, overdrive pedals, DI boxes and recording interfaces.

Our tip: Don’t underestimate the tone control. Rolling it back slightly can move a Precision Bass from a bright pick sound into a warmer vintage-style bass tone without changing anything else in your rig.

Showroom feedback: The appeal here is straightforward: classic P Bass simplicity, Japanese Fender construction and a very attractive US Blonde finish without unnecessary complication.

Why Buy From Fair Deal Music?

When you buy from Fair Deal Music, you're choosing one of the UK's most established, independent family run music retailers since 1987.

From our Birmingham showroom, our knowledgeable musician-led team helps players find the right equipment whether they're purchasing their first serious instrument, upgrading an existing setup or searching for something distinctive within the Pre-Owned market.

When you shop with Fair Deal Music, you can buy with confidence thanks to:

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians
• Carefully checked new and Pre-Owned musical equipment
• Competitive prices on leading music brands
• Secure UK-wide delivery
• Friendly support before and after your purchase
• A trusted independent UK music retailer with decades of experience

Trade In. Trade Up. Save More.

Thinking about upgrading? Your next piece of gear could cost less than you think.

We're always happy to consider part exchanges and trade-ins on a wide range of musical instruments and equipment. Whether you're looking to upgrade your bass, guitar, amplifier, keyboard, drum kit or studio gear, your existing equipment could help reduce the cost of your next purchase.

Simply get in touch with our team for a no-obligation valuation, and we'll be happy to discuss the options available.

It's an easy way to unlock the value of the gear you no longer use while making your next instrument even more affordable.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this genuinely a 2017 Fender?

Yes. Fender’s Japanese serial-number guidance states that with JD plus eight digits, the first two digits identify the year. The JD17 prefix therefore corresponds to 2017.

Is a passive Precision Bass suitable for modern music?

Absolutely. A passive P Bass works equally well with traditional amplifiers, pedalboards, modern digital modellers, DI systems and recording equipment.

Is a Precision Bass good for playing with a pick?

Yes. Pick playing can emphasise attack and upper-mid definition, making a P Bass particularly effective for rock, punk and more aggressive pop styles.

Can I use flatwound strings?

Yes. Flatwounds are a popular choice for warmer vintage-style Precision Bass sounds, while roundwounds provide more brightness and upper-frequency detail.

Is the US Blonde finish associated with the original Traditional range?

Yes. US Blonde was one of the colour options offered for the Traditional ’50s Precision Bass when Fender launched the Made in Japan Traditional series in 2017.

Can I use this bass directly into a recording interface?

Yes. Its passive output can connect to a suitable instrument input, DI box or bass preamp for recording.

Can I request a closer look before purchasing?

Yes. Our Request a Video Demo option is useful if you'd like to see and hear this individual Pre-Owned Fender in more detail before purchasing.