Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass®, Maple Fingerboard, Butterscotch Blonde

Quick Product Summary

The Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass® in Butterscotch Blonde celebrates the instrument that fundamentally changed the role of the electric bass. Built as a limited-edition tribute to the original 1951 Precision Bass, it combines period-focused construction with premium American Vintage II craftsmanship.

An ash body with gloss nitrocellulose lacquer is paired with a substantial one-piece maple neck shaped to Fender's 1951 “U” profile. A 7.25" fingerboard radius, 20 vintage-tall frets and bone nut reinforce the intentionally traditional playing experience, while the Butterscotch Blonde finish and single-ply black phenolic pickguard capture the unmistakable visual character of Fender's earliest electric basses.

At its heart is a specially voiced 75th Anniversary '51 Single-Coil Precision Bass® pickup, complemented by a serialized Pure Vintage two-saddle bridge with fibre saddles and reverse open-gear tuners. This is a very different P Bass from the familiar split-pickup design that followed later in the 1950s – and that authenticity is precisely the appeal.

At A Glance

Feature	Details
Brand	Fender
Collection	Limited Edition 75th Anniversary Precision Bass
Model	American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass®
Model Number	0177042850
Finish	Butterscotch Blonde
Body	Ash
Neck	One-Piece Maple, 1951 “U”
Fingerboard	Maple
Radius	7.25"
Pickup	75th Anniversary '51 Single-Coil Precision Bass®
Scale Length	34"
Condition	New
Main Appeal	Limited-edition recreation of the original 1951 Precision Bass concept
Best For	Vintage Fender enthusiasts, collectors, recording and traditional passive bass tones

What’s Included?

• Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass®

• Vintage-style tweed hard case with crushed-red interior

• Chrome bridge cover

Fair Deal Quality Control Assessment

As with the new bass guitars we sell, this Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass is checked by the Fair Deal Music team before leaving the shop.

We assess the instrument's general playing condition, tuning hardware, pickup, controls and output so that obvious issues can be identified before dispatch. Particular care is appropriate with a premium, limited-edition bass of this type, where both playing performance and presentation matter.

Bass setups can naturally shift slightly during delivery as instruments respond to changes in temperature and humidity. Players also have individual preferences for neck relief, string height and overall feel, so minor adjustment after the bass has acclimatised can occasionally be beneficial.

Why Choose The 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass?

A Genuine Early Precision Bass Experience

This is not simply a modern P Bass dressed in 1950s colours. The single pickup, slab-style ash body, one-piece maple neck, substantial 1951 “U” profile, two-saddle bridge and early Precision Bass headstock place the instrument firmly within Fender's original design language.

Special 75th Anniversary '51 Pickup

The anniversary single-coil pickup is built around early-Fender-style materials including fibre bobbins, cloth-covered wire and alnico magnets. Its character is fundamentally different from the split-coil P Bass sound that became standard later in the decade, giving this instrument a particularly direct and historically distinctive voice.

Nitrocellulose-Lacquered Ash Body

The ash body is finished in gloss nitrocellulose lacquer, helping this model replicate the construction approach and appearance expected from a premium American Vintage II instrument. The visible ash grain beneath the Butterscotch Blonde finish is a major part of the classic early-Fender aesthetic.

Serious Vintage Neck Specification

The 1951 “U” neck profile is deliberately substantial. Combined with the 7.25" radius, 1.70" bone nut and vintage-tall frets, it provides a traditional playing experience rather than attempting to disguise its vintage inspiration beneath modern dimensions.

Serialized Two-Saddle Bridge

The Pure Vintage bridge uses just two fibre saddles, with each saddle shared between a pair of strings. It is an intentionally period-focused design and one of the clearest visual differences between this bass and later Precision models.

Comparison Against Popular Alternatives

75th Anniversary 1951 Precision Bass vs American Vintage II 1954 Precision Bass

The American Vintage II 1954 Precision Bass is the closest regular-production relative. It retains an ash body, single-coil pickup, two-saddle fibre bridge and 7.25" maple fingerboard, but represents the evolved 1954 design with body contouring and a different “C”-shaped neck. Choose the 1951 Anniversary model when the earliest slab-body-style Precision aesthetic and limited-edition significance are central to the purchase.

75th Anniversary 1951 Precision Bass vs American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass

By 1960, the Precision Bass had evolved much closer to the design most players recognise today. The American Vintage II 1960 model uses an alder body, slab rosewood fingerboard, split-coil pickup and four-saddle bridge. Choose the 1960 if you want the classic later P Bass sound and feel; choose the Anniversary '51 for the more primitive, historically distinctive single-coil Precision experience.

75th Anniversary American Vintage II vs 75th Anniversary Player II Precision Bass

The 75th Anniversary Player II Precision Bass takes the opposite approach. Its Modern “C” neck, 9.5" radius, rolled fingerboard edges, four-saddle bridge and split-coil Alnico V pickup prioritise contemporary usability. The American Vintage II '51 is better suited to collectors and vintage-focused players who actively want early-1950s construction and feel.

75th Anniversary American Vintage II vs 75th Anniversary American Professional PJ Bass

The 75th Anniversary American Professional PJ Bass celebrates the Precision Bass from a modern performance perspective, combining P and J pickups, a 9.5" radius, '63-style neck, HiMass bridge and contemporary ergonomics. Choose the PJ for maximum tonal flexibility and modern stage use; choose the American Vintage II 1951 when authenticity, simplicity and historical significance matter more.

Who Is The Fender 75th Anniversary 1951 Precision Bass For?

This bass is particularly well suited to experienced Fender enthusiasts, collectors and players who genuinely appreciate vintage specifications.

The substantial “U” neck, curved 7.25" fingerboard and two-saddle bridge intentionally avoid modernising the original concept. A bassist accustomed to slim contemporary necks and individually adjustable saddles should therefore view those characteristics as part of the experience rather than features to be overcome.

It is also an appealing studio instrument for players wanting a different flavour of passive Fender bass. The early single-coil arrangement has its own personality and gives the instrument a place alongside, rather than merely duplicating, a conventional split-coil Precision Bass.

Looking for advice on choosing between an American Vintage II, American Professional, Player II or other Fender Precision Bass? Our experienced team of musicians can help by phone, online or in our Birmingham showroom.

Suitable Genres & Playing Styles

The 75th Anniversary 1951 Precision Bass is well suited to:

• Blues

• Rock and roll

• Americana

• Country

• Roots music

• Soul

• Vintage-style pop

• Studio recording

• Singer-songwriter arrangements

• Traditional flatwound bass sounds

• Pick playing

• Fingerstyle

• Players building a historically inspired Fender collection

The factory flatwound strings are particularly appropriate to the instrument's vintage direction, providing a smoother surface and more restrained top-end character than a typical roundwound set.

What Makes A 1951 Precision Bass Different From The P Bass Most Players Know?

The original Precision Bass concept is significantly different from the later split-coil P Bass that became one of the most widely recognised bass designs in music.

This 1951-inspired version uses one conventional single-coil pickup and a two-saddle bridge, while its body and headstock retain strong visual links to Fender's earliest solid-body guitar designs. Later Precision Basses gained revised body contours, a different headstock, split-coil pickup and ultimately a four-saddle bridge.

That makes the 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass particularly interesting for someone who already owns a conventional P Bass. Rather than simply offering another variation of the familiar split-coil formula, it explores the instrument at the very beginning of its development.

Story & Context

The Fender Precision Bass debuted in 1951, providing musicians with a fretted, solid-body electric alternative to the upright bass. Its fretted neck made accurate pitch considerably easier to reproduce consistently, while its compact electric format suited increasingly amplified bands and travelling musicians.

The first Precision Bass looked noticeably different from the P Bass that would become familiar later in the decade. Early examples carried clear visual connections to Fender's first solid-body guitars, including the slab-style body, large Telecaster-inspired headstock, black pickguard and single-coil pickup.

Fender progressively refined the design. By 1954 the body had received more flowing contours, and in 1957 the Precision Bass underwent a more substantial transformation that introduced the split-coil pickup and styling much closer to the instrument recognised today.

The 75th Anniversary model celebrates 1951–2026, returning deliberately to that first chapter rather than combining appointments from different periods. The single-coil pickup, “U” neck, fibre-saddle bridge, reverse tuners and early visual styling are therefore integral to what makes this limited-edition instrument significant.

Technical Specifications

Specification	Details
Brand	Fender
Model	75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass®
Model Number	0177042850
Series	Limited Edition 75th Anniversary Precision Bass Collection
Colour	Butterscotch Blonde
Orientation	Right-Handed
Body Shape	Precision Bass®
Body Material	Ash
Body Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Body Style	Solid Body
Neck Material	One-Piece Maple
Neck Shape	1951 “U”
Neck Construction	4-Bolt
Neck Finish	Gloss Nitrocellulose Lacquer
Fingerboard Material	Maple
Fingerboard Radius	7.25" / 184.1 mm
Scale Length	34" / 864 mm
Number of Frets	20
Fret Size	Vintage Tall
Nut Material	Bone
Nut Width	1.70" / 43.2 mm
Position Inlays	Black Dot
Headstock	Original Precision Bass® Shape
Truss Rod	Vintage-Style Butt Adjust
Pickup	75th Anniversary '51 Single-Coil Precision Bass®
Pickup Configuration	S
Controls	Master Volume, Master Tone
Bridge	Pure Vintage 2-Saddle Precision Bass® with Fibre Saddles, Serialized
Bridge Mounting	3-Screw Vintage-Style Hard-Tail
Tuning Machines	Pure Vintage Reverse Open-Gear
Hardware Finish	Nickel/Chrome
Pickguard	1-Ply Black Phenolic
Control Knobs	Knurled Dome
String Tree	Vintage-Style Disc
Strings	Fender USA 9050L Stainless Steel Flatwound, .045–.100

Power Requirements

The Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass uses passive electronics and requires no battery or external power supply.

Connect it to a suitable bass amplifier, DI box, audio interface, preamp or effects setup using a standard ¼" instrument cable.

Fair Deal Music Verdict 🎵

★★★★★ 5/5

The 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass is far more interesting than a conventional anniversary colourway. Fender has focused on the characteristics that made the earliest Precision Bass genuinely different, resulting in a premium instrument that has real historical relevance as well as a distinctive playing and tonal personality.

The one-piece “U” neck, single-coil pickup, two-saddle fibre bridge and Butterscotch Blonde nitro finish will appeal strongly to vintage Fender enthusiasts. Players seeking the easiest modern P Bass should look elsewhere; players specifically wanting the earliest chapter of Precision Bass design recreated in an American Vintage II instrumentshould put this much higher on the list.

Best suited for: Vintage Fender enthusiasts, collectors, recording bassists and players who appreciate substantial early-1950s neck specifications.

Customers usually upgrade from: Fender Player, Vintera and American Professional basses, or add this alongside an existing conventional Precision Bass.

Most commonly paired with: Quality valve or vintage-voiced bass amplification, premium instrument cable, DI/preamp and recording equipment.

Our tip: Don't compare this purely on specifications with a modern Precision Bass. The unusual single-coil pickup, two-saddle bridge and 1951 “U” neck are the reasons to buy it. If those details appeal to you, this offers something a standard modern P Bass simply doesn't.

Showroom feedback: This is the type of bass where the neck deserves as much attention as the electronics. The substantial early-'50s profile gives the instrument a very deliberate vintage identity and is a major part of deciding whether this is the right Precision Bass for you.

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 has spent decades helping beginners, enthusiasts, collectors and professional players choose instruments that genuinely suit their needs.

With a premium limited-edition Fender such as this, being able to speak to experienced musicians before purchasing can make a real difference. We're happy to discuss the instrument, compare it with other Precision Bass models and help you decide whether its deliberately vintage specification suits your playing style.

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

• Expert advice from knowledgeable musicians

• Carefully checked new, used, pre-owned and ex-display equipment

• Competitive prices on leading music brands

• Secure UK-wide delivery

• Friendly support before and after your purchase

• Secure online ordering

• A large Birmingham music showroom

• Decades of experience with both new and pre-owned musical instruments and equipment

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, keyboard, amplifier, 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

Why does the 1951 Precision Bass have a single-coil pickup?

The earliest Precision Bass predates the familiar split-coil pickup design. This anniversary model deliberately recreates that original approach with a specially voiced '51-style single-coil rather than using the later split pickup simply because it is more familiar.

Is the 1951 “U” neck thicker than a modern Precision Bass neck?

Yes. The “U”-shaped profile is deliberately substantial and more vintage-focused than a typical Modern “C” neck. Players who enjoy bigger early-Fender necks are likely to consider this an important part of the instrument's appeal.

How does a two-saddle bass bridge work?

Each saddle supports a pair of strings rather than giving every string its own separate saddle. It is less individually adjustable than a modern four-saddle bridge but is historically appropriate to this design and central to the early Precision Bass aesthetic.

Are flatwound strings fitted as standard?

Yes. Fender specifies USA 9050L stainless-steel flatwound strings in .045–.100 gauges, complementing the bass's vintage character.

Is the single-coil pickup hum-cancelling?

No. Unlike the later split-coil Precision Bass pickup, the traditional single-coil design is not inherently hum-cancelling. Some electrical noise can therefore be more noticeable in certain environments or with higher-gain amplification.

Is this bass suitable for modern music?

Yes. Vintage construction does not restrict the genres you can play. The more important consideration is whether you want its distinctive single-coil response, flatwound-equipped feel and early-1950s ergonomics rather than a contemporary P Bass specification.

Is the 7.25" fingerboard radius difficult to play?

Not inherently. It feels noticeably rounder than the 9.5" radius used on many modern Fender basses, but players accustomed to vintage Fender instruments often actively prefer this type of fingerboard.

Should I choose this or the American Vintage II 1954 Precision Bass?

Choose the 1951 Anniversary if the earliest Precision design, limited-edition status, slab-style appearance and substantial “U” neck are central to what you want. The 1954 is better suited to someone who likes the same basic single-coil era but prefers the evolved body contours and '54 “C” neck profile.

Should I choose this or an American Vintage II 1960 Precision Bass?

The 1960 model is closer to the conventional P Bass most players know, with a split-coil pickup, contoured alder body, rosewood fingerboard and four-saddle bridge. The 1951 is the more historically unusual instrument and gives you a genuinely different interpretation of the Precision Bass concept.

Is this mainly a collector's bass?

Its limited-edition anniversary status and period-focused details certainly give it collector appeal, but it remains a fully functional premium American-made bass intended to be played. Its unusual early-P Bass specification can be especially valuable to recording musicians who already own more conventional basses.

The Fender 75th Anniversary American Vintage II 1951 Precision Bass in Butterscotch Blonde is a focused celebration of where the Precision Bass story began. For the player or collector who values early Fender design, American Vintage II construction and a bass that offers something genuinely different from the familiar split-coil P Bass formula, this is a particularly compelling anniversary instrument.

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