Fender Custom Shop Introduces 2012 Bass Models

Fender’s Custom Shop has announced two new bass models for 2012, including the 2012 Closet Classic Precision Bass Pro and the 1961 Closet Classic Jazz Bass. Both models are built in the U.S. by Fender’s master builders.

According to Fender, the Closet Classic Precision Bass Pro combines “the best of the Precision and Jazz Bass models,” which can be partly attributed to its inclusion of a P/J pickup system.

The J-bass bridge pickup is situated in the ’70s rear position. Sporting an Olympic White finish with their Closet Classic Wear treatment, the bass is built with a body of hand selected alder and a quartersawn maple neck featuring a 1960 “U” back shape. The fretboard is bound rosewood with block inlays. Hardware includes vintage reverse machine heads and a Badass bridge.

Fender Closet Classic Precision Bass Pro Specs:

• Body: Hand Selected Premium Alder
• Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple with a 1960 “U” Back Shape
• Fretboard: Bound Rosewood (10” Radius) with Block Inlays
• Frets: Medium Jumbo
• Hardware: Vintage Reverse Machine Heads
• Bridge: Badass
• Pickups: P/J with Jazz Bass Pickup in the ’70s Rear Position
• Wiring: Vintage Jazz Bass
• Controls: Volume/Volume/Tone
• Accessories: Case, Certificate
• Color: Olympic White

Though the Jazz Bass was first introduced in 1960, the new Custom Shop Jazz pays tribute to its second year in existence.

Similar to the Closet Classic Precision Pro, the 1961 Closet Classic Jazz features an alder body and a quartersawn maple neck with the 1960 “U” back shape, but the fretboard is Dark Indian rosewood with a radius of 7.25”.

The vintage-styled Jazz Bass pickups are coupled with a pair of stacked concentric control knobs, wired volume/volume/tone/tone.

Fender 1961 Closet Classic Jazz Specs:

• Body: Hand Selected Premium Alder
• Finish: Nitrocellulose Lacquer
• Neck: Quartersawn Maple with a 1960 “U” Back Shape
• Fretboard: Dark Indian Rosewood (7.25” Radius)
• Frets: Vintage
• Hardware: Vintage Reverse Machine Heads
• Bridge: Vintage Jazz Bass
• Pickups: Vintage ’60s Jazz Bass
• Wiring: Vintage Jazz Bass with Stacked Pots
• Controls: Volume/Volume/Tone/Tone
• Accessories: Case, Certificate
• Color: Black, Arctic White

The Fender Custom Shop 2012 Closet Classic Precision Bass Pro and the 1961 Closet Classic Jazz Bass are listed with MSRPs of $4,450 and $4,200, respectively. For more info, visit the Fender Custom Shop website.

More: custom bass, electric bass, Fender, Jazz Bass, NAMM 2012, Precision Bass

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