Fender James Jamerson 1962 Precision Bass

The closest you can get to the Funk Machine. Alder body in three-tone sunburst nitro, slab rosewood board, tortoiseshell guard: the bass in the photos. It ships with foam under the bridge cover and La Bella 0760M strings. The one difference: it’s new. Jamerson only changed a string when it broke. The last piece of the puzzle is the wear from your own hands.

Fender Precision Bass, 1962

The real thing from that era. But apart from the year, every listing is different: refinished bodies, swapped necks, swapped pickups. Don’t buy from photos alone. For that money, I’d buy the signature and spend the rest on recording.

La Bella 0760M Deep Talkin’ Bass Originals

The gauge Jamerson used: .052–.110 stainless flats. The first time you put them on, it feels like the strings are winning. That’s how it should be. That tension is what cuts the notes short and hard. They don’t fit string-through-body bridges, so check before you buy.

Ampeg Heritage B-15N

He recorded mostly straight into the console; the B-15 was for club stages. Bass all the way up, treble at half. This Heritage model was a 250-unit run in 2013, so it’s used-only now. Push a 15-inch speaker at home and the room booms before your hands do.

A-Designs REDDI

If you want that sound on a recording, this is closer than any amp, because most of Jamerson’s tracks went straight into the Motown console. The REDDI is a tube DI inspired by the B-15’s front end. It’s not a copy of the console, but the moment I plugged in, the sound stepped forward.

Mogami Gold Instrument

There’s no record of what cable Jamerson used, so this one is my taste. Gold-plated Neutrik straight plugs, low capacitance at 130 pF per meter, so less of the top end gets shaved off. The point isn’t to change the sound with a cable. It’s to lose less of what your hands make.

Fender Custom Shop 1963 Precision Bass Journeyman Relic

On paper, it’s the signature’s twin: two-piece alder in nitro, a hand-wound ’62 pickup, a 7.25-inch board. The differences: the worn-in relic finish, and no foam mute or flats in the box. Change the strings first thing.

Fender American Professional Precision Bass (2026)

The new American Professional. Alder body, but a polyurethane finish instead of nitro, and a flatter 9.5-inch board. The V-Mod III is a modern-voiced pickup, so it sounds too clear at first. Put flats on and tame it with the tone knob. Of the three American models, it’s the easiest to play.

Fender American Professional Classic Precision Bass

A Coastline ’60 pickup, alder and a rosewood board. Maybe it’s the ’60 in the name, but of the three American models it sounded closest to that era’s voice to me. The Modern C neck is comfortable. The finish is polyurethane here too.

Fender Vintera II ’60s Precision Bass

A Fender made in Mexico. Alder body, slab rosewood, a 7.25-inch board and an early-’60s C neck follow the era’s specs. The finish is polyester, not nitro. At about half the price of the American model, it’s the closest in look and feel.

Sire Marcus Miller P5 Alder 4

The Sire Marcus Miller P5. Same alder body, but a roasted maple board, so it’s lighter in color, and there’s one more pickup. Lean on the neck pickup. The build is good for the price, and plenty of my students bring one to lessons.

La Bella 760FS Deep Talkin’ Bass Flats

One step lighter than the 760M: .045–.105, the same stainless flats. If the 760M feels too stiff, go here. When a student tries flats for the first time, this is the set I hand them first.

Ampeg Rocket Bass RB-110

50 watts, one 10-inch speaker, styled after Ampeg’s ’60s Rocket line. It doesn’t look like a B-15, but for home this is just right. Start with every knob at center and nudge the bass up a little.

MXR M87 Bass Compressor

Jamerson’s tracks were squeezed a little and driven a little dirty at the console. This pedal imitates that squeeze. Keep the ratio low, with only two or three gain-reduction lights on. Squeeze more and the sound goes flat.

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ Pack

Poplar body, ceramic PJ pickups, a Rumble 15 amp, a 10-foot cable, a strap and a gig bag, all in one box. Only the shape matches the original. But turn the Jazz pickup off and roll the tone down, and you get that flavor. A lot of people walk into my lessons having started with this pack.

Squier Affinity Series Precision Bass PJ

The same bass without the amp and bag. If you already have an amp, take this one.

Squier Classic Vibe ’60s Precision Bass

One step up from the starter models. Alnico pickup, a vintage-tinted neck, and the look of a ’60s P. The body is poplar, but put flats on and it’s the closest you’ll get at this price.