Fender Musical Instruments Corporation
09/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/15/2026 07:08
FENDER HONORS LEGENDARY SESSION BASSIST LEE SKLAR WITH SIGNATURE PRECISION BASS®
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FENDER HONORS LEGENDARY SESSION BASSIST LEE SKLAR WITH SIGNATURE PRECISION BASS®
Built To Replicate The Uniquely Modified P Bass Lee Sklar Has Played For Decades, The Lee Sklar Precision Bass® Features A Shaved-Down Neck With Mandolin Frets, A Distressed Natural Finish, And A Hipshot® Bt3 Bass Xtender™
HOLLYWOOD, CALIF. (September 15, 2026) - Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC) today announces the Lee Sklar Precision Bass®, a faithful recreation of Sklar's highly customized P Bass® that has accompanied the legendary bassist throughout his decades-long career. From James Taylor and Carole King to Phil Collins, Toto, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt, Joe Cocker, and Rod Stewart, Sklar's unmistakable playing has helped shape some of popular music's most enduring recordings. Now, as part of the Fender Stories Collection, Fender has recreated the singular instrument behind that extraordinary body of work, capturing the distinctive modifications Sklar made to create a bass uniquely his own and honoring the artistic ingenuity and technical mastery that helped push the boundaries of what the bass guitar could do.
"I've used this guitar on about 2,000 albums. It is my go-to instrument when I go in the studio. It's the first thing I think about when I hear a song," said Lee Sklar. "That's what made this project with Fender and EMG so meaningful to me. 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, to make sure it captured what I love about this guitar. At the end of the day, though, 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."
Music became part of Sklar's life at age five when he was inspired by watching Liberace perform on television and quickly developed into an accomplished young pianist, earning recognition from the Hollywood Bowl Association by age 17. As a teenager, however, his passion shifted to bass; receiving his first electric bass and amplifier from his father set him on the path that would define his career. Immersing himself in Southern California's thriving rock and folk scene during the 1960s, Sklar played in multiple bands before a chance meeting with James Taylor in 1969 launched a legendary career. While his recording and touring history may have been an eclectic tapestry of genres and styles, nothing quite speaks to the sonic multitudes that Sklar displays quite like his P Bass. Having been featured on close to 85% of his recorded work, this heavily modified and entirely singular P-Bass is an integral part of Sklar's sound and Fender has worked endlessly to reproduce it, down to every last detail.
"Whether you know it or not, you've heard Sklar's playing," said Justin Norvell, Chief Product Officer, Guitars. "His ability to weave in and out of different genres, moods and energies is unparalleled and in order to honor such fearless playing, this instrument needed to be crafted with meticulous care. Sklar's P Bass has been alongside him for an extraordinary portion of that career, so recreating it meant getting the details that make the instrument uniquely his, exactly right. It's an incredible instrument and a fitting way for Fender to celebrate both Lee's legacy and 75 years of the Precision Bass."
The latest addition to the Fender Stories Collection, the Lee Sklar Precision Bass® recreates the instrument Sklar modified and refined over decades to suit his distinctive playing style. From its stripped finish and extensively modified neck to its custom electronics and hardware, each element reflects the personal choices that created Lee's perfect bass. The result preserves the character and feel of Sklar's original instrument while making its unique combination of modifications available to players for the first time.
Key Features Include:
- Dual EMG® Active Lee Sklar P Pickups: Signature pickups deliver exceptional clarity, powerful output and the articulate, full-bodied tone that defines Sklar's unmistakable sound.
- Modified '62 Jazz Bass® Neck with Mandolin Frets: A slim 1962 Jazz Bass "C"-shaped neck paired with mandolin frets recreates Sklar's uniquely fast, fluid playing experience.
- Hipshot® BT3 Bass Xtender™ & Badass™ II Bridge: Professional-grade hardware provides instant low-end tuning changes, outstanding sustain and rock-solid intonation for studio and stage.
- Satin Heirloom™ Nitrocellulose Lacquer Finish: An alder body finished in satin Heirloom nitro lacquer recreates the naturally worn aesthetic of Sklar's road-tested Precision Bass while allowing the wood to resonate freely.
Designed in collaboration with Lee Sklar. Full technical specifications are listed below.
The Fender Stories Collection pays tribute to legendary musicians, their beloved modified Fender electric guitars and basses, and the extraordinary music they created together. Watch as Fender sits down with Lee Sklar to introduce the Lee Sklar Precision Bass.
For additional information on new Fender products and to find a retail partner near you, visit www.fender.com. Join the conversation on social media by following @Fender on all social platforms.
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LEE SKLAR PRECISION BASS® (MSRP: $3,499.99 USD, £3,249 GBP, €3,799 EUR, $5,599 AUD, ¥550,000 JPY) Revered for his impeccable groove and melodic sensibility, Leland "Lee" Sklar is responsible for some of the most iconic bass lines in recorded history, anchoring sessions for James Taylor, Carole King, Jackson Browne, Phil Collins and hundreds more. For decades, his faithfully modified Precision Bass® has been the beating heart of his unmistakable, deeply soulful tone. Sklar transformed his Precision Bass into something entirely his own - stripping it down to bare wood and letting years of relentless touring and recording leave their mark on every inch of the body. Fitted with a Hipshot® BT3 Bass Xtender™ for flexible low-end range changes, dual EMG® Active Lee Sklar P pickups for stunning clarity and output, a Badass™ II Bridge for maximum sustain and intonation, and a modified Precision Bass neck shaved down to Jazz Bass dimensions dressed with mandolin frets for a uniquely fluid playing feel, the bass became as distinctive and unmistakable as the man himself. Utterly unique, the Fender Lee Sklar Precision Bass® pays tribute to one of the most recorded and revered bassists in history. A consummate musician whose feel, taste, and tone have shaped the sound of popular music for over five decades.
ABOUT FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION:
Since 1946, Fender has revolutionized music and culture as one of the world's leading musical instrument manufacturers, marketers and distributors. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation (FMIC)-whose portfolio of owned and licensed brands includes Fender®, Squier®, Gretsch® guitars, Jackson®, EVH®, Charvel®, Bigsby® and PreSonus® - follows a player-centric approach to crafting the highest-quality instruments and digital experiences across genres. Since 2015, Fender's digital arm has introduced a new ecosystem of products and interactive experiences to accompany players at every stage of their musical journey. This includes innovative apps and learning platforms designed to complement Fender guitars, amplifiers, effects pedals, accessories and pro-audio gear, and inspire players through an immersive musical experience. FMIC is dedicated to unlocking the power of musical expression for all players, from beginners to history-making legends. In 2026, Fender celebrates 80 years of giving artists "wings to fly," carrying on the vision of its founder, Leo Fender, and connecting players through a shared love of music.
FENDER MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS CORP. MEDIA CONTACT:
Alex Velasquez
PR and Communications Manager
Fender Musical Instruments Corp.
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Fender Musical Instruments Corporation published this content on September 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on September 15, 2026 at 13:08 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]