The Precision bass is one of those instruments that can truly be called a classic - after all, it has been in continuous production and remained virtually unchanged since 1957. Why? Because THAT's how good it is. The Precision dispenses with superfluous features in favour of a simple and reliable combination of a split-coil pickup and passive electronics, delivering a tone that is full of character and has plenty of punch and low end, so it is at home in all manner of styles, from Motown to Metal. The original was of course created by Fender, whose Squier brand also offers musicians on a budget an affordable way to get their hands on one of these classic instruments. The Classic Vibe 60s Precision is no exception and re-creates the look and sound of Fender's 1960s Precision basses.
The basic building blocks of any instrument are the woods used in its construction. The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision features a poplar body and a maple neck complete with a 20-fret Indian laurel fingerboard. The punchy sound with which Precision basses are synonymous is delivered by the split-coil pickup, which sits centrally between the bridge and fingerboard and is governed by a single control each for volume and tone, making both Rock sounds and smoother, more old-school tones possible. The nickel-plated hardware includes a set of vintage-style machine heads and a bridge with four individually adjustable saddles. The neck, which has a comfortably rounded "C" profile, is finished in an appealing vintage tint, which together with the dark colour of the fingerboard and the classic Three-Tone Sunburst body finish, perfectly replicates that 60s vibe.
While many modern basses feature a wealth of knobs and switches, many players want just the opposite: A simple and straightforward bass that does its job without getting confusing - a workhorse that sounds great in any situation, in other words. And that is exactly what the Precision Bass is and does: Simply plug in and you're ready to go. The Squier Classic Vibe 60s Precision is the obvious choice for those who want the look and sound of a classic instrument, but musicians who only occasionally perform bass duties will also find it an interesting option, since the Precision Bass has proven capable of handling virtually any style of music.
Fender is without doubt one of the most legendary guitar and amplifier manufacturers of all time. The company was founded in 1946 by its namesake Leo Fender († 1991), whose innovative ideas brought a breath of fresh air into the musical world. His Telecaster, Stratocaster, Precision Bass, and Jazz Bass are not only classics – they also continue to shape the styles of musicians in countless genres to this day. Incidentally, Squier has existed as a company since the 19th century. It supplied Fender with strings right from the start, before being acquired by the company in 1965. Fender has been producing its iconic guitar and bass models at beginner-friendly prices under the Squier brand since 1982.
Compared to those with maple fingerboards, Precision Basses with fingerboards made from darker wood have a softer sound with a less pronounced high-end response, and although they fit stylistically into virtually any type of music, will be particularly at home in 60s Soul and Motown (all the more so with the tone control rolled back and perhaps even a foam mute placed under the strings). And bassists looking for absolute authenticity can also opt for a set of flatwound strings, which complement the Precision bass perfectly and make it easy to achieve a sound reminiscent of James Jamerson and Co.