Squier Classic Vibe Precision Bass vs Fender '51 Precision Bass

themarqueeyears · #1 03-30-2012, 09:36 AM

Hi there,

I registered on the forum, in hope of getting some advice.

I'm a 48 year old professional pianist/drummer/vocalist/ guitarist.

Guitar is my 4th instrument, so I'm proficient but not great on fretboard instruments.

Went pro wen I was 16 and 32 years later I'm still at it!

Before I retire, or the industry retires me, I thought I'd like to finish of my rock'n'roll multi-intrumental skills and start playing bass, which ironically is probably my favourite instrument!

I only have average size hands, so I was wondering which would be best between these two basses for me.

I know the Squire costs £300 and the 51 re-issue is about £850, it would be nice not to have to spend £850 but I'm not put off as a great instrument can be a life long friend.

I wouldn't bother asking on a forum, but the problem is I can't get to try out the Fender 51 re-issue as they are not currently in stock and I would probably have to find on on eBay.

So .... which will be the easiest instrument to play for a bass beginner like me, easiest on the hands and fingers so to speak.

I love Sting and his bass sound, so I thought I'd go for a bass like he uses, it seems a good starting point. I like the look of the Squier Classic Vibe Precision Bass, but I don't want to spend £300 and end up with a plank of wood with strings on it!! (so to speak)

Is the Fender '51 Precision Bass really a bass for a player of some years. I'm worried about the profile of the neck being to chunky for my relatively small hands? In that respect the Squire looks easier to play for a newbie like me, maybe I'm wrong?

Anyway any advice would be warmly appreciated, sorry if I rambled on.

Best
themarqueeyears

dvh · #2 03-30-2012, 09:47 AM

Nut width on both is 1.65". I have the 51 re-issue and don't find it that chuncky. The Fender 50s Classic P Bass is thicker.

The Squier's are excellent. Save yourself the £550....

themarqueeyears · #3 03-30-2012, 11:02 AM

dvh

thank you for taking the time to reply.

That sounds very positive about the Squire bass, saving £550 in this economic climate would be very handy - plus I do really like the look of the Squire Classic Vibe Bass - it looks really good.

I think I'll go for the Squire :-)

Best wishes
tmy

spiritbass · #4 03-30-2012, 11:39 AM

The CV 50's Precision is solid and sounds fine. Are you looking at the natural amber or lake placid blue? The neck is a little 'meatier' than a jazz neck, but shouldn't be a problem for you. I also have medium-size hands and find it quite comfortable.

themarqueeyears · #5 03-30-2012, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiritbass

The CV 50's Precision is solid and sounds fine. Are you looking at the natural amber or lake placid blue? The neck is a little 'meatier' than a jazz neck, but shouldn't be a problem for you. I also have medium-size hands and find it quite comfortable.

Hi spiritbass

I have decided on natural amber - it looks really good.

Is there a definitive book on bass to buy?

I'm a studied jazz pianist/drummer so I don't need any knowledge on scales. modes harmony etc or rhythm either - what I want is a definitive book on the technique of playing the bass.

Actually on watching a few videos of Sting playing I noticed he plays a lot with his thumb and first finger as opposed to just fingers so to speak.

That's the sort of thing I'd like to learn, without the hassle of a regular lesson with a tutor, which I really don't have time for these days.

What is the "go to" A-Z on bass playing? Is there one?

Thanks
tmy

InLeoWeTrust · #6 03-31-2012, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by themarqueeyears

What is the "go to" A-Z on bass playing? Is there one?

Ed Friedland's 3-volume book published by Hal Leonard is very good.

Personally I found that it seemed that I was missing "something" not having a teacher. Family responsibilities and finances precluded bass lessons for me, so I searched for an alternative and found Roy Vogt's course. I am working my way through it at the moment, and it is working for me:

Teach Me Bass Guitar - The best self-paced bass guitar lessons ever created. Guaranteed!

themarqueeyears · #7 04-04-2012, 12:15 AM

Thanks for your reply, I will check this course out and take a look at the book too.

Best
tmy

pudgychef · #8 04-04-2012, 05:05 AM

+ 1 on option for the Squier Classic Vibe - The Fender is great (imho) but if cash is in the consideration, the Squier is (again imho) a great little piece. I played a summer of gigs on one of the original blue CV 50s Ps and it worked great. Also played/gigged the CV 60s P quite a bit and it performed great as well.

Can't go wrong with Ed Friendland -

I really like Carol Kaye's educational stuff - and since you read and are a musician, I would guess you would be able to cherry pick the 'bass specific' stuff
The Official Carol Kaye Web Site

That Roy Vogt stuff looks tempting and the Norm Stockton series seems to get a lot of love too....

themarqueeyears · #9 04-13-2012, 02:55 AM

OK I bought my first bass!

I'm really chuffed - I ended up buying the CV 60's P Bass (Fiesta Red) WOW what amazing value for money, it's a really beautifully made instrument, hard to believe it only cost £318!

I thought the P Bass would be more versatile for my music than the 50's CV - however to be honest I'll probably save up and buy the 50's CV too as they're such a bargain and will probably increase in value over the years like the JV stuff has (I have a 1983 JV strat I bought for £100)

Now I just got to learn the technique of playing, I have no problem with which notes to play - just how to play them!

Nice friendly forum, thanks for the replies.

best
tmy

pudgychef · #10 04-13-2012, 05:35 AM

Congrats! Very nice basses imho!

BassKraz · #11 01-26-2013, 12:10 PM

I have the red CV precision and can't say enough good about the quality of this bass for the money. The feel of the neck and the tone is excellent. For the price you should highly consider it. Mine came with a slightly higher action than I prefer but after some tweaking it set up beautifully with nice low action with zero fret buzz. Sounds and plays beautifully through my Ampeg micro stack amp. Go sit and play the more expensive Fenders then sit with this guy. For your purposes I don't think you will justify hundreds more. Also check out the Classic Vibe Jazz. One other Squire you shouldn't overlook is the Squire Vintage Modified (natural) jazz bass. 299.00 for a solid well constructed bass with Duncan designed pickups and solid maple body. Maple fretboard. If you go to YouTube videos as well as guitar store websites you will quickly see how highly rated those guitars are for the $.