Fender Announces “Select” Series, Including New Precision and Jazz Bass Models

Fender is kicking off 2012 with the introduction of the Fender Select Series, which they describe as it’s “new top-of-the-production-line best” instruments. The series, which includes new Precision and Jazz Bass models, presents the company’s classic designs with marked upgrades like choice tone woods, quartersawn maple necks with compound-radius fretboards, and specially voiced Select pickups.

Fender Select Precision Bass

The Fender Select Precision Bass features an alder body and flame maple top with a two-color sunburst gloss-lacquer finish. The modern “C” shaped neck is reinforced with Posiflex graphite support rods and has a satin lacquer backfinish. The back of the headstock is fitted with a “Fender Select” medallion.

Fender Select Jazz Bass

Fender says the new Select Jazz Bass is their “most sonically versatile bass,” thanks to its two brand-new dual single coil pickups. Similar to the P-bass, the alder body sports a flame maple top but is finished with an Amber Burst gloss-lacquer.

Both bass have a three-ply pickguard, a High-Mass Vintage Bridge that supports top-loading or strings-through-body, Fender/Hipshot vintage-style tuners, knurled chrome knobs, and nickel-chrome hardware. All instruments from the series come with a custom G&G Fender Select case, strap, cable and polishing cloth, as well.

The Fender Select Precision and Jazz Basses will be made in the U.S. The series is expected to debut at NAMM with availability soon after. Both basses will have a MAP of $2,299.

Fender Select Precision Specs:

  • Series: Fender Select
  • Color: 2-Color Sunburst
  • Body: Alder with Flame Maple Top
  • Body Finish: Gloss Lacquer
  • Neck: Quartersawn Maple
  • Neck Shape: Modern “C” Shape
  • Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo
  • Position Inlays: Black Pearloid
  • Fingerboard Radius: 9.5”-14” Compound Radius (24.1 cm-35.56 cm)
  • Fretboard: Flame Maple
  • Neck Finish: Satin Lacquer on back, Gloss Lacquer on front
  • Nut Width: 1.625” (41.3 mm)
  • Scale Length: 34” (86.36 cm)
  • Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Neck Plate
  • Truss Rods: Posiflex Graphite Neck Support Rods
  • Pickup Configuration: Single Split-Coil Pickup
  • Middle Pickup: Fender Select Precision Bass Pickup (Middle)
  • Controls: Master Volume, Master Tone
  • Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
  • Bridge: HMV, High Mass Vintage, (Strings-Thru-Body or Topload)
  • String Nut: Synthetic Bone
  • Unique Features: Fender Select Medallion, Stealth String Retainer
  • Case Gig Bags: Custom G&G Case
  • Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment/Black/Parchment
  • Included Accessories: Cloth, Strap, Custom Shop Cable
  • Control Knobs: Knurled Chrome

Fender Select Jazz Specs:

  • Color: Amber Burst
  • Body Material: Alder with Flame Maple Top
  • Body Finish: Gloss Lacquer
  • Neck Shape: Modern “C” Shape
  • Frets: 20 Medium Jumbo
  • Position Inlays: White Pearloid Block Position Inlays
  • Fingerboard Radius: 9.5”-14” Compound Radius (24.1 cm-35.56 cm)
  • Fretboard: Rosewood
  • Neck Material: Quartersawn Maple
  • Neck Finish: Satin Lacquer on Back, Gloss Lacquer on Headstock Front with Buffed Fingerboard
  • Nut Width: 1.5” (38.1 mm)
  • Scale Length: 34” (86.36 cm)
  • Neck Plate: 4-Bolt Neck Plate
  • Truss Rods: Posiflex Graphite Neck Support Rods
  • Truss Rod Nut: 3/16” Hex Adjustment
  • Pickup Configuration: S/S
  • Bridge Pickup: Fender Select Jazz Bass Pickup (Bridge)
  • Middle Pickup: Fender Select Jazz Bass Pickup (Middle)
  • Controls: Volume 1, Volume 2, Master Tone
  • Hardware Finish: Nickel/Chrome
  • Bridge: HMV, High Mass Vintage, (Strings-Thru-Body or Topload)
  • String Nut: Synthetic Bone
  • Unique Features: Fender Select Medallion, Stealth String Retainer
  • Case Gig Bags: Custom G&G Case
  • Pickguard: 3-Ply Parchment/Black/Parchment
  • Included Accessories: Cloth, Strap, Custom Shop Cable
  • Control Knobs: Jazz Bass Knobs

Get Bass Gear News in your inbox.

Stay up to date on the latest bass gear news (every Thursday).

Leave a Reply to Ray Woolley Cancel reply

  1. Lyle 'Lylodile' Holloway

    Since it’s a deluxe, they could have added more frets lol.

  2. I assume there will be 5 string versions of these basses?

  3. So what Fender are now saying is that although they look like Fender basses, they don’t sound like them anymore? Isn’t that what defines a Fender bass; it’s tone?

  4. They are beautiful creatures though and I especially love the look of the J-Bass.

  5. Any chance of lefties fender?

  6. Why didn’t they put a matching headstock on the Jazz?

  7. Although this is far out of my price range, and I already have a fantastic P-bass, I would like more color variation. That P-bass would be my dream instrument if it had a red tint. I think that would look sick.

  8. Have you any idea if they will make left handed versions?

  9. not fussed tbh, prefer the vintage look.

  10. ah come on fender, why do you have to make 15+ series guitars. american standard, deluxe, special, vintage, select, artist, time machine, blacktop, pawnshop, mexican standard, deluxe, classic… come ON! what’s with all this shit? MAKE 3 SERIES BUT MAKE THEM GOOD.