An exceptional and highly collectible early 1971 Fender Precision Bass finished in its original Sunburst lacquer, offered here in remarkably complete and authentic condition.
This is a true one-owner instrument, purchased new in June 1971 from the legendary Parys Flore, one of Belgium’s most respected vintage music shops of the era. The original sales invoice is included, together with a shop brochure and an original business card from the store — an extraordinary level of provenance rarely encountered today.
Introduced in 1951 by Fender Musical Instruments Corporation, the Precision Bass was the world’s first commercially successful electric bass guitar and fundamentally changed modern music. By the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Precision Bass had become the definitive electric bass for rock, soul, pop, and studio recording worldwide, used by countless influential players for its powerful tone, simplicity, and unmatched reliability.
Early 1971 examples are particularly sought after because they still retain many late-1960s construction characteristics before later CBS-era production changes became more pronounced. Typical features from this transitional period include the classic slim headstock logo, grey-bottom pickup, and the highly regarded one-piece maple neck or rosewood fingerboard configuration associated with Fender’s golden recording era. Instruments from this period are celebrated for their warm, woody low end, articulate midrange punch, and dynamic response that made the Precision Bass a studio standard throughout the 1970s.
This particular bass has clearly lived a genuine musical life while remaining exceptionally preserved. It was used for both live performances and professional recording sessions, including appearances at the iconic Golf-Drouot in Paris in 1971 — widely regarded as one of the birthplaces of European rock culture — and recording work at the famous ICP Recording Studios in Brussels.
The instrument also featured on several EP and LP recordings during its active years. Original live photographs of the owner performing with the bass are included, adding another remarkable layer of historical documentation.
Importantly for collectors, the bass remains entirely original down to the solder joints, preserving all factory electronics and untouched internal components. The instrument retains its original export hardcase, along with an unusually complete set of case accessories including the original strap, cable, hangtag, and Fender polish cloth — details that elevate this example far above the average surviving early-1970s Precision Bass.
Beyond its outstanding originality and provenance, this bass perfectly captures why the Precision Bass became the benchmark against which all electric basses are measured. The sound remains unmistakable: deep, focused lows, rich low mids, and a direct percussive attack that sits effortlessly in a mix while retaining enormous character on stage.
A beautifully preserved and extensively documented European-owned Fender Precision Bass with impeccable provenance, authentic performance history, and a level of originality that will appeal equally to serious collectors, recording musicians, and vintage Fender enthusiasts.
Owner music history with this Precision bass
1971 : Burning Light band
1971 : Burning Light plays at Golf Drouot Paris
1971 : release of the first LP Burning Light
1976 : band name changed to Dragon
1976 : recording of the LP “Dragon” in Acorn Studios In Stonesfield England
1977 : end of the band Dragon
1980 : Creation of the band Alcohol which became Graffiti
1981 : Entschuldigung / Silent Talking EP
1982 : Summer feelings / Night in Berlin EP recorded at ICP studios Brussels
1995 : split of the band Graffiti
Specifications
Serial : 299823
Tuners : original Fender Tuners (with no copyright marking)
Neck stamp : 5 02 71B (5 for Precision, 02 for batch, 71 for year).
Pot codes : 304 7107 (Stackpole, week 7 of 1971)
Pickups : grey bottom with stamp 2041 and 6081
Case candies : Original invoice, sales contract, original hangtag, shop brochure, leather strap, pictures from the 70s, Cable, pack of strings, Fender polish cloth, EPs.