When most bass players think of Fender, one image usually comes to mind: the classic Precision Bass—the workhorse instrument that helped define the sound of modern music. Introduced in 1951, the Precision Bass revolutionised the role of the electric bass, giving players portability, presence, and a fundamentally new way to shape low‑end in popular music. Over decades it has remained virtually unchanged in form, and its influence can be heard in everything from rock and blues to funk and punk.
But tucked into Fender’s history is a fascinating oddball: the Fender Precision Bass Special, better known among players as the “Cowpoke.”
What is the Cowpoke?
The Cowpoke was a short‑lived Fender model produced briefly in the mid‑1990s (around 1994–1997) in Mexico. Unlike the standard Precision Bass, which traditionally features a single split‑coil pickup, the Cowpoke blends elements from Fender’s Precision and Jazz designs. It sports a P/J pickup configuration, meaning a split‑coil Precision pickup in the neck position coupled with a Jazz‑style pickup at the bridge—giving it both the punchy low end of a P Bass and the articulate top‑end of a Jazz Bass.
This hybrid setup already set it apart visually and sonically, but the real twist came with its active electronics. Fender incorporated a Kubicki‑designed active preamp—a legacy of Fender’s brief association with bass innovator Phil Kubicki—which gave players two‑band EQ control (bass and treble) right on the instrument. This was unusual for Fender at the time and gave the Cowpoke a wider tonal palette than its strictly passive siblings.
A Look and Feel That’s… Different
Part of the Cowpoke’s charm lies in its unexpected aesthetic. Its body shape and pickguard styling draw on early ‘50s Precision design cues but with subtle deviations—like a slightly slimmer profile and a headstock that doesn’t look quite like a standard P Bass. This has led to nicknames and cult fascination among players who love gear that breaks out of the expected.
Players who have owned Cowpokes often note that the bass feels lighter and more responsive than many Fender basses from the era, making it surprisingly comfortable for long practice sessions or gigs. Its ash or poplar body (often with an ash veneer) and maple/rosewood neck give a natural resonance that complements both vintage‑leaning tones and more modern styles.
Tone with Versatility
Thanks to the P/J pickup combo and active EQ, the Cowpoke can deliver a remarkable range of sounds. Blend the neck and bridge pickups for a tight, punchy tone perfect for rock and blues, lean on the Jazz pickup for slap and funk, or dial in more bass and treble boost for a more aggressive modern voice. That tonal flexibility was ahead of its time for Fender in the mid‑’90s—a period when active electronics were becoming more common but still relatively fresh in mainstream basses.
Why It Matters (and Why It’s a Cult Favourite)
Unlike long‑running Fender models, the Cowpoke wasn’t produced for decades. That limited production makes it somewhat rare today—especially in solid cosmetic condition. Bass players and collectors alike appreciate it not just as a playable instrument, but as a curiosity: a Fender experiment that tried something different outside the usual Precision/Jazz formula.
And while it never reached iconic status the way a classic ‘57 P or vintage Jazz Bass does, the Cowpoke represents a fascinating moment in Fender’s history—a time when the company was playing with ideas that blended tradition with modern tone shaping.
So, Should You Play One?
If you’re a Fender fan who likes something off the beaten path, the Cowpoke is worth checking out. It delivers the familiar comfort and build quality Fender is known for, but with a twist—active EQ and P/J versatility—that makes it feel more like a player’s bass than just another vintage reissue.
Whether you see it as a collectible, a conversation piece, or a genuinely useful instrument for recording and gigging, the Cowpoke holds a special place in the world of electric basses—a testament to what happens when tradition meets experimentation.
Click here to take a closer look at the Cowpoke we have in stock.