Fender Reveals American Original Series Including Four New Basses

Fender will be unveiling the American Original series at the 2018 Winter NAMM Show, including four new basses. The line focuses on recreating instruments from the company’s past while updating them with enhancements.

“For more than six decades, Fender’s core models of guitars and basses have developed their own distinct personalities and legions of devoted disciples. Whether it was the Telecaster, Jaguar or Jazz Bass (just to name a few), many of those defining characteristics were formed through the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s,” the company explains. “Now, today’s players have the opportunity to re-live those classics through the new American Original Series, a collection of American-made basses and guitars that replaces the American Vintage Series, which was first launched in 1982.”

The basses in the line include a Precision from the ’50s, both a Precision and Jazz from the ’60s and a Jazz from the ’70s. Starting chronologically, the American Original ’50s Precision Bass is built with an alder body that comes in either a two-color burst or White Blond in a lacquer finish. Its neck features a thick “C”-shape profile with a 9.5-inch radius. Fender fits it with vintage-style hardware and a Pure Vintage ’58 split-coil P Bass pickup.

The ’60s version of the Precision carries many of the same features with some tweaks. It has a Pure Vintage ’63 split-coil P Bass pickup, a “1963 C”-shaped neck, and a rosewood fingerboard. It comes in three colors: Olympic White, Lake Placid Blue, and 3-Color Sunburst. The Fender American Original ’60s Jazz Bass also comes with an alder body, maple neck, and rosewood fingerboard, although the neck shape is a slim “’60s C”-shape. Instead of Lake Placid Blue, the Jazz comes in a fetching Candy Apple Red. Of course, it also sports a pair of Pure Vintage ’64 single-coil Jazz Bass pickups.

The ’70s Jazz Bass changes things up even more. “Over the course of the ’70s, the Jazz Bass entered its ‘teenage years,’ changing its visual style and inspiring new playing techniques—such as slapping—which led directly to new, creative forms of expression,” Fender explains. “Its smooth feel and growly midrange, tempered with a bit of treble bite, made it a hero in recording sessions around the globe. The American Original ’70s Jazz Bass updates the smooth playing feel with a modern-radius fingerboard while retaining the classic Fender tone and style that made the Jazz Bass the tool of choice for creative bassists.” Fender pays homage on the new bass with an Ash body, a thick “’70s U”-shaped maple neck and a pair of Pure Vintage ’75 single-coil pickups. Finishes include a 3-Color Sunburst, Black, and Natural.

The Fender American Original ’50s Precision Bass has a price of $1,899.99, while the Fender American Original ’60s Precision Bass has a price of $1,949.99. The ’60s Jazz Bass goes for $1,999.99 and the ’70s Jazz Bass goes for $2,099.99.

Fender American Original ’50s Precision Bass Specs:

Fender American Original ’60s Precision Bass Specs:

Fender American Original ’60s Jazz Bass Specs:

Fender American Original ’70s Jazz Bass Specs: