The 1968 Telecaster Bass holds a distinctive position in Fender’s history, largely because it marked the company’s inaugural foray into “reissue” instruments.
While the Fender of the 1980s and onwards became renowned for its extensive catalog of reissue guitars and basses, a concept then quite novel, the late 1960s CBS-era Fender took an unprecedented step. Instead of solely focusing on forward-thinking designs, they looked back, reimagining a classic for a “new” bass guitar.
This novel approach led to the birth of the aptly named Telecaster Bass. Essentially a revival of the original Precision Bass, its connection to the Telecaster guitar was primarily cosmetic. It borrowed the iconic Telecaster headstock shape, a feature incidentally also present on the earliest Precision Bass models.
The genesis of the Telecaster Bass can be attributed to the significant redesigns the revolutionary Precision Bass underwent shortly after its 1951 debut. Within a few years, the Precision was revamped, first in 1954 and then more drastically in 1957. These transformations were so profound that the post-1957 Precision Bass bore minimal resemblance to its 1951 predecessor.
It was this earlier, superseded design – the original 1951 Precision Bass – that Fender resurrected and reintroduced in May 1968 as their latest bass offering, the Telecaster Bass guitar.
Mirroring the initial Precision basses, the 1968 Telecaster Bass featured a slab body, a single-coil pickup, the recognizable Telecaster-style headstock, a string-through-body configuration with a two-saddle bridge, substantial chrome bridge and pickup covers, and a pickguard extending across the upper portion of the body. The controls were mounted on a Telecaster-esque chrome plate. Priced at $302.50 at the time, it positioned itself as a more affordable option than the Jazz Bass ($356.50) yet slightly pricier than the standard Precision Bass ($293.50).
The distinctions between the 1968 Fender Telecaster Bass and the 1951 Precision were subtle yet noticeable. The Telecaster Bass sported a white pickguard instead of black, and its string ferrules were smaller and slightly raised, unlike the flush-mounted ferrules of the ’51 Precision. The Telecaster Bass also incorporated a two-piece maple cap neck devoid of the “skunk stripe,” although some later 1968 models did adopt the one-piece maple neck characteristic of the early Precision basses. Notably, certain early iterations featured paddle-shaped Fender-made tuners, reminiscent of those found on the 1966 Jazz Bass.
This initial Telecaster Bass version was marked by three distinct headstock decals. The earliest, a rare find limited to prototypes, showcased a standard silver Telecaster guitar logo with “bass” appended beneath. The second iteration featured a larger black Telecaster Bass logo, with “Bass” rendered in the same script style as “Fender.” The most prevalent decal displayed the silver Fender script logo with “Telecaster Bass” in a sans-serif font underneath.
Adding to its unique history, the 1968 Telecaster Bass was briefly offered with Fender’s striking pink paisley and blue floral finishes. These eye-catching aesthetics were achieved by applying paisley and floral wallpaper to the instrument’s top and back. The sides were then shaded using a sunburst technique to complement the paper, and the entire instrument was encased in a thick clear coat.
The original Telecaster Bass model persisted until 1972, when significant alterations were introduced, essentially giving rise to a new version of this Fender bass guitar.
The 1972 Telecaster Bass model presented readily apparent differences. The most significant change was the replacement of the single-coil pickup with a larger, more powerful humbucking pickup.
Despite being traditionally associated with single-coil pickups, Fender began exploring humbucking pickups in the late 1960s. They recruited Seth Lover, the very inventor of the humbucker design, from Gibson in 1967. Lover proceeded to design new humbucking pickups for Fender, which debuted on guitars like the Telecaster Thinline (1971 version), Telecaster Custom (1972), and Telecaster Deluxe (1973).
The revamped 1972 Telecaster Bass also benefited from Lover’s expertise. The change to a humbucking pickup dramatically altered both the look and sound of the instrument. Further modifications included the removal of the chrome control plate in favor of a larger pickguard extending over the lower body bout, a three-bolt neck plate with tilt adjustment, a bullet truss rod adjustable at the headstock, and a revised headstock decal, now gold with black outlines instead of silver.
This second iteration of the Telecaster Bass remained in production throughout the 1970s until its discontinuation in 1979.
The original 1968 design remained dormant until 1994, when Fender Japan reintroduced the ’51 Precision Bass reissue. This model can also be interpreted as a reissue of the 1968-1971 Telecaster Bass. It incorporated larger, more period-correct string ferrules reminiscent of those used on early-’50s Precision basses. This model continues to be available today and has since been joined by slightly modified counterparts like the Mike Dirnt and Sting Precision Bass models.
The second-version Telecaster Bass design resurfaced in spring 2007, when Fender’s value-oriented brand Squier launched its Vintage Modified Precision Bass TB. This instrument features a large humbucking pickup, an expansive pickguard, and a Telecaster-style headstock, directly inspired by its 1972-1979 predecessor. It also remains part of Squier’s current lineup.
Despite modest commercial success during its initial production runs, the Telecaster Bass garnered a solid reputation as a powerful rock bass. Original instruments in good condition are now highly sought after in the vintage market, commanding significant prices. Notable bassists who have played the Telecaster Bass include Charlie Tumahai (Be-Bop Deluxe), Paul McGuigan (Oasis), Victor Damiani (Cake), Dusty Hill (ZZ Top), George Porter Jr. (Meters), Ron Wood (Jeff Beck Group), Lou Barlow (Dinosaur Jr.), and Mike Dirnt (Green Day).
In conclusion, the Fender Telecaster Bass, in both its single-coil and humbucker incarnations, stands as a testament to Fender’s innovative spirit and willingness to revisit its rich history. From its origins as the company’s first reissue to its adoption by prominent bass players across genres, the Telecaster Bass has carved out a unique and enduring legacy in the world of bass guitars.
