Fender Limited Edition Player II Sparkle Precision Bass | Fender Music Australia | RRP $1449
The Fender Player II Precision Bass is a contemporary classic with upgrades that matter. It’s a refined take on a legacy design, blending bold style with punchy tone and elegant simplicity. A gig-ready workhorse, it’s ideal for both blossoming bass players and seasoned P-Bass aficionados ready to step into the modern world of ergonomic comfort, without going active. Now available in swaggalicious ‘Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst’ finish, the Player II P-Bass is one of those instruments that feels immediately familiar and welcoming the minute you pick it up, like it’s been waiting for you. Who knows; it might just be your next favourite instrument.
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Believe it or not, the prototype for the Fender Precision Bass—affectionately known as the P-Bass—even predates the ubiquitous Stratocaster. Designed by Leo Fender in 1950, the P-Bass hit the market in 1951 and went on to become one of the most iconic instruments in contemporary music. Over the 20th century, it has appeared in countless iterations, from the American Standard and American Deluxe to the Road Worn, Blacktop, and American Professional Series. A staple in Motown, metal, indie rock, you name it, chances are there’s a Fender P-Bass somewhere in the mix.
In 2018, the Player Series superseded the long-running Made in Mexico Standard line. The upshot was, the P-Bass got a modern refresh: a Modern “C” neck, 9.5” fingerboard radius, Alnico pickups, synthetic bone nut, and open-gear tuners, in Pau Ferro and Maple fretboard options.
Fast forward to 2024, and the Player II Series lands boasting even more thoughtful upgrades Rosewood is back, offering a little more warmth in your tone, and a little more vintage appeal. The edges of the fretboard are rolled for comfort, taking all the friction out of those long sessions and those fast transitions. The Player Series Alnico V Split-Coil Precision pickup arms you with that iconic tight P-bass thump in the low-end, some nice aggressive bark in the mids, and a shiny, responsive top-end. If you’re a fan of elegant simplicity, look no further, because the electronics in this bad boy are as simple as it gets: there’s one set of split-coil pickups, one dial for volume, one dial for tone, and that’s all she wrote. But honestly, when the pickups sound this good—rich, defined, and cutting in all the right ways—what more do you need? It’s giving aesthetic minimalism with maximum impact.
The bridge—fitted with four Single-Groove Steel “Barrel” Saddles—is rock-solid, and will guarantee you stay in tune even if you’re moshing all over the stage like it’s the last show on earth. The vintage style open-gear tuners give an aesthetic touch while keeping the pegheads light and squeezing a little more resonance and vibration out of the modern “C” shaped neck. The contoured alder body offers a stunning amount of resonance—so much that my girlfriend heard me plucking away from the opposite end of the house before I’d even plugged in—and I’m imaging the glint and sparkle from that Sparkle 3-Colour Sunburst paint job would be glorious to behold under some hot, bright, strobing stage lights. The finish is a stunning addition to the P-Bass colourway arsenal, lending some flair to an instrument that has traditionally been a little more reserved in its dress.
Despite its stripped-back controls and vintage sensibility, the Player II P-Bass is no one-trick pony. It adapts effortlessly to a wide range of styles and playing approaches. I like to dig in hard with my pick, and the Player II P-Bass thinks nothing of it. If you’re more of a fingerstyle groover, or you have the guts to slap out the occasional funk riff, this bass won’t bat an eyelid. It’s the kind of instrument that disappears beneath your hands, enabling you to focus on playing. Because no one likes that feeling that you’re fighting with your gear.
If you’re a newer player looking to invest in a bass that’ll grow with you, the Player II Precision Bass will reward you with not only the confidence of owning a Fender, but with just enough sparkle—tonally and visually—to keep things exciting. If you’re a long-time P-Bass player, the subtle upgrades might not feel revolutionary, but they do feel buttery and sleek under the hands, especially the rolled edges and vintage-leaning aesthetic. This is the perfect “grab and go” bass: simple controls, reliable tuning stability, and a sound that can hold down any mix from punk and rock to funk and soul. It’s also a solid choice for working musicians who need a reliable backup, or even a new number one, that’s stage-ready, tour-tough, and dressed to impress.
The Player II Precision Bass proves that you don’t mess with perfection, you just polish it. Fender has taken everything players love about the P-Bass formula and made it smoother, sleeker, and just a little bit sexier. It’s got vintage soul, modern sensibility, and tone for days. Who says workhorses can’t sparkle?
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