Fender Classic 50's P-Bass

iamflea · #1 09-26-2011, 06:47 AM

Yesterday I went into a local music shop and the had one of these in Fiesta Red with the gold pick guard...

Just wondering if anyone has any experience of living with one? I really enjoyed the sound of it through an SVT-7 Pro which I am purchasing.

Any known issues?

sqadan · #2 09-26-2011, 06:56 AM

I just purchased one of these as a back up for my 62 reissue P and I love it... great neck, great classic tone, excellent fit and finish, great setup straight from the factory.

Great bang for the buck on these - probably the best of the mexican stuff.

rob69 · #3 09-26-2011, 07:02 AM

It has been my bass of choice for over a year now. For gigging (pop/rock covers) I choose it over my New American Standard and a Highway One. Mine has somewhat of a punchier tone which I like. And although I don't have big hands, I like the wider neck.
No known issues. After a good set up it turned out to be a well balanced (tonewise) and very reliable instrument.
And as stated here before, great value for money.
All subjective of course. Just try one.

rob69 · #4 09-26-2011, 07:36 AM

Oh and in addition to my previous post, the one I've got is the third one I tried in a couple of stores. The first two left me a little underwhelmed in comparison to a 57 re-issue. Third one could match up to the 57 and certainly beat a rather dull sounding Road Worn P. (Other variables such as set up and amp left out of the equation)

**Chef** · #5 09-26-2011, 07:41 AM

I've had one for three years or so now.
Exemplary quality, playability and tone.
I got it used for $500...still can't believe that....

Ken Olmstead · #6 09-26-2011, 08:04 AM

I just got one in the same color you describe on Saturday, I am loving it. I tried to like the American stuff more and I also tried to convince myself that the MIM Standard was just as good, but this one nailed everything else to the wall! I got them to knock $50 off which allowed me to get out the door for $699, which I was pleased about until the Chef had to chime in with his $500 score!!

I generally prefer a slimmer neck but something about the 50's P is comfortable to play even though it has the wider neck and I do like the extra room at the right hand to get my finger in there for popping. Oh, thats the other thing, while it has a very traditional, vintage P-Bass sound, the maple neck seems to give it some snap making slapping and popping very satisfying! Pretty veristal configuration!

lpdeluxe · #7 09-26-2011, 09:05 AM

I gigged with one for a couple of years. My band thought it was the greatest sounding bass ever. I picked mine up before the price increase (I paid $630 new) and I got a tweed vintage case for it. In my opinion it's the best bargain you can get in a Precision. You can pay less, but you won't get the feel.

Here's a poor photo of it next to my AV '57 (a better bass, but at more than twice the price):

christle · #8 09-26-2011, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chef

I've had one for three years or so now.
Exemplary quality, playability and tone.
I got it used for $500...still can't believe that....

What Chef said....I customized mine a bit by adding a HipShot Xtender so I can do drop tunings and cut a notch in the body so I don't have to remove the neck for truss rod adjustments. This thing just sounds good!

**Chef** · #9 09-26-2011, 10:41 AM

trunkshope6 · #10 09-26-2011, 10:44 AM

One day I will own a honey blonde one

Floridabwoy · #11 09-26-2011, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trunkshope6

One day I will own a honey blonde one

Me too...

Here is mine. The Squier VM P and MTD are gone. Something to be said for that.

Jeff K · #12 09-26-2011, 03:42 PM

Excellent basses. Unless you don't like the 1.75" width at the nut, I'd recommend you snag one.

I was very fortunate. I was in G.C. one day. Just as I was about to walk out of the bass room, I spotted a used Honey Blonde. Threw me for a second because it had a tort guard on it instead of the gold anodized, so I wasn't sure it was a '50s Classic. Pulled it down and started playing it and it was excellent. I don't think they realized it was a Classic. (I think they thought it was a MIM Standard.) I jotted down the S/N and went outside and called Fender. They verified that it was a '50s Classic. I went back inside and bought it for $315.00. One of the best deals I've ever gotten. Here she is after I put a gold anodized guard on it. (My apologies to any of you who are sick of seeing this pic posted!):

**Chef** · #13 09-26-2011, 03:51 PM

Snag!

BassDudeSA · #14 09-26-2011, 05:34 PM

I've got one too! Actually I have two if you include the Road Worn which is pretty much the same thing but with nitro instead of the poly finish on the Classic. My black Classic 50s is strung up BEAD and it sounds great that way. Only very slight alteration was widening the nut groove slightly on the E string. Sounds great BEAD! Love these things, and love the Road Worn even better!