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Built around Sklar’s heavily modified studio workhorse, the new Fender Lee Sklar Precision Bass pairs dual EMG pickups, mandolin frets, a shaved-down Jazz-style neck, and a Hipshot Xtender.
You may not know Lee Sklar’s name.
But you have heard him on bass with:
- James Taylor.
- Carole King.
- Phil Collins.
- Toto.
- Jackson Browne.
- Linda Ronstadt.
- Joe Cocker.
- Rod Stewart.
And, according to Sklar, one particular bass has been with him through roughly 2,000 albums.
Now Fender is putting that instrument into the hands of players with the new Lee Sklar Precision Bass.
Part of Fender’s Stories Collection, the bass is a faithful recreation of Sklar’s deeply modified P Bass—the stripped-down, personalized workhorse that has helped define his sound for decades.
A Precision Bass unlike any other
Lee Sklar did not leave his bass stock.
Over the years, he reshaped it to fit his hands, his ears, and his approach to the instrument.
The new signature model recreates those personal changes.
The alder body wears a worn-looking Satin Heirloom nitrocellulose finish, inspired by the naturally aged appearance of Sklar’s original bass.
The neck is based on a 1962 Jazz Bass profile, shaved down for a slim, fast feel.
And then there are the frets.
Mandolin frets. Small, narrow frets that help create the fluid playing response Sklar prefers.
It is not a standard Precision Bass.
That is the point.
Dual EMG pickups bring the clarity
The Lee Sklar Precision Bass features two active EMG Lee Sklar P pickups.
That setup is designed to offer powerful output, clear articulation, and a full-bodied voice that stays defined in a dense studio mix.
For a player whose career has been built around locking into songs without getting in the way of them, clarity is not a luxury.
It is the job.
“I’ve used this guitar on about 2,000 albums. It is my go-to instrument when I go in the studio.”
— Lee Sklar
“It’s the first thing I think about when I hear a song.”
— Lee Sklar
Hardware built for working musicians
The bass also includes a Hipshot BT3 Bass Xtender and a Badass II bridge.
The Hipshot gives players fast access to lower tunings without reaching for another instrument.
The Badass II bridge is there for sustain, stability, and reliable intonation.
In other words:
The bass is built for people who need to solve problems in the middle of a session. Not admire them from across the room.
A bass shaped by decades of recording
Sklar’s original Precision Bass appears on a huge percentage of his recorded work.
Its worn body and heavily modified neck are not cosmetic choices.
They are the result of years of playing, recording, touring, refining, and finding out what actually works.
“We put a lot of time, detail and care into every part of this bass, from the pickups and electronics to the feel and response of the instrument.”
— Lee Sklar
“The most exciting part is knowing that another player can pick up this bass, make it their own and use it to create some music of their own.”
— Lee Sklar
Fender Lee Sklar Precision Bass specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Series | Fender Stories Collection |
| Body wood | Alder |
| Finish | Satin Heirloom nitrocellulose lacquer |
| Neck profile | Modified 1962 Jazz Bass “C” shape |
| Frets | Mandolin frets |
| Pickups | Dual EMG Active Lee Sklar P pickups |
| Bridge | Badass II |
| Tuning hardware | Hipshot BT3 Bass Xtender |
| Intended sound | Clear, powerful, articulate active P Bass voice |
| U.S. MSRP | $3,499.99 |
| UK MSRP | £3,249 |
| EU MSRP | €3,799 |
| Australia MSRP | $5,599 AUD |
| Japan MSRP | ¥550,000 |
Where to buy:
The MikesGig takeaway
Lee Sklar’s bass has never been famous because it was perfect out of the box.
It became legendary because he made it perfect for him.
That is what makes this Fender signature model interesting.
It is not just another artist bass.
It is a working musician’s solution to decades of real studio problems.
Learn more at Fender.
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