50's Precision, Fender or Squier

[hdracer]

51 reissue. Guess that makes me a "label snob".

+1
Why is it is you have a different opinion and the one you like costs more you are a snob. How would it sound if someone said that if you like the less expensive one that you were "trailer trash" ? The OP MUST be a SNOB because he owns a USA P

 

[Stu L.]

I think the fret work on my CV 50s P is quite good, and as good as the 51s I've played. Also, have you heard Ed Friedland's video comparison? The CV 50s sounds so close to the Fender 51 that the difference could be chalked up to string difference/age.


Edit: Might as well post the link:

And, the answers is yes, I saw ED's vid, but most importantly I listened.

Given this argument, could a final decision be made by price?

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I think the fret work on my CV 50s P is quite good, and as good as the 51s I've played. Also, have you heard Ed Friedland's video comparison? The CV 50s sounds so close to the Fender 51 that the difference could be chalked up to string difference/age.


Edit: Might as well post the link:

I actually thought all the CVs sounded better than the real deal (especially the 60s P).

 

[Aspidites]

And, the answers is yes, I saw ED's vid, but most importantly I listened.

As did I which is why I prefer the tone of the Classic Vibe.

 

[Alfie]

The CV is a great instrument, but it is the little details that have made me fall in love with my 51. I love the chunky neck and the feel of it with a set of flats is so smooth and natural that I could groove for hours without realising.

I love the finish, it isn't 'school bus yellow', it is a warm buttery could and having the grain of the wood showing through is a big plus.

I love the relatively low output vintage single coil pickup, if I roll up the tone and switch on some spring reverb I feel like one of the bass pioneers, hearing amplified bass for the first time.

Most of all, I love the vintage two-saddle bridge with strings strung through the body. It is such a great look.



If you think you might want to change the pickup and/or change the bridge, then it will be a waste of time getting the Fender and you would be more than happy with the Squier. If you want a small feeling of bass heritage without spending $20k then get the 51.

IMHO everyone who is passionate about bass should have a 51RI.

 

[JimmyThunder]

I'm surprised nobody's yet mentioned the arm contour factor. The '51 doesn't have one (authentically) and the CV does. When I bought a '51 I liked it overall but just couldn't get past how it felt under my forearm and ended up selling it for that reason. Now I'm considering picking up a CV....actually I'm considering picking up a Douglas version as well just for the black body and putting all CV parts on it!

 

[Xavier Zed]

As did I which is why I prefer the tone of the Classic Vibe.

All life sooner or later boils down to preference and choices. And, rightfully so you should have one, but it still does not mean that CV had more warmth, fullness of tone than 51 RI. All any can say is, "it sounded close enough for me, great bass for the price, etc... Are all those statements true, yes they are.

 

[Xavier Zed]

I actually thought all the CVs sounded better than the real deal (especially the 60s P).

The 60's P is also a well made functional intermediate instrument. But, it does not sound or feel like a AV 62P or an original 60's P. And no percent of modding will make that so. It will always be close, but no quite.

Check the sound system you are using on your computer.

 

[Nel]

Hi all

Thanks for your comments. I do have a USA P but i'm not a label snob so the CV 50's is a definite option.

I intend to try out both, if i can find them in shops to try of course, and will get the one i believe feels the best.

My decision won't be made on cost as I'm selling a 70's reissue Jazz which is a nice bass but i just prefer Precisions and have been thinking about a 51/CV for a while now.

Thanks for pointing out details such as slightly sharp edges to the CV neck and lack of arm contour on the 51. Need a combination of the two eh?

Thanks again for your help

Nel

 

[bamba22]

Cv cv cv cv cv cv cv

 

[yesbassist]

my .02 worth +1 to the cv i owned the jazz since they came out i bought it becuase it had an surprisingly fast slim neck!!! awsome gig bass and player...

 

[dvh]

The edges on the 51 are not sharp. I've never found it uncomfortable.

As far as I know, the CV does not have the neck with 7.25" radius and thin vintage frets? Those are things about the 51 I really like. It's a great neck.

As far as tone: it's all subjective. "I thought the CV sounded better...." - meaningless really.

 

[king_biscuit]

The edges on the 51 are not sharp. I've never found it uncomfortable.

As far as I know, the CV does not have the neck with 7.25" radius and thin vintage frets? Those are things about the 51 I really like. It's a great neck.

As far as tone: it's all subjective. "I thought the CV sounded better...." - meaningless really.

The CV 50s does have vintage size frets.

 

[Lukejt]

No sharpnfrets on my CV 60's P. I prefer it over my MIM Fender.

 

[king_biscuit]

All life sooner or later boils down to preference and choices. And, rightfully so you should have one, but it still does not mean that CV had more warmth, fullness of tone than 51 RI. All any can say is, "it sounded close enough for me, great bass for the price, etc... Are all those statements true, yes they are.

I think any difference in warmth and fullness is probably the different strings. In Ed's video the CV had the stock (brand new) strings, and Ed's 51 had a nice aged set of his favorite rounds. Of course the aged rounds sound a bit fuller and warmer than the brand new zingy rounds.

 

[JimmyThunder]

Need a combination of the two eh?

If you don't mind sunburst, the Sting model is a lot like the 51RI with contours. If for some reason you wanted the CV neck (for example not wanting Sting's signature on the 12th fret), you could probably sell the Sting neck on eBay and it'll more than pay for the whole CV...and then you have a whole loaded CV body leftover to keep or sell...

 

[Xavier Zed]

I think any difference in warmth and fullness is probably the different strings. In Ed's video the CV had the stock (brand new) strings, and Ed's 51 had a nice aged set of his favorite rounds. Of course the aged rounds sound a bit fuller and warmer than the brand new zingy rounds.

Could be a contributing factor.

If you don't mind sunburst, the Sting model is a lot like the 51RI with contours. If for some reason you wanted the CV neck (for example not wanting Sting's signature on the 12th fret), you could probably sell the Sting neck on eBay and it'll more than pay for the whole CV...and then you have a whole loaded CV body leftover to keep or sell...

Also, an option that's very well made but the tone is not as warm as the 51 but the arm contour is boss.

 

[Nel]

If i got a 51 it would be sunburst. Don't like the other colour

 

[Aspidites]

All life sooner or later boils down to preference and choices. And, rightfully so you should have one, but it still does not mean that CV had more warmth, fullness of tone than 51 RI. All any can say is,

Nice of you to make assumptions. I can easily afford either bass so your insinuation is moot. TO ME the CV is more organic (yes warmer) and more importantly for me it is brighter which I prefer but feel free to make any and all further assumptions you so choose.

 

[Aspidites]

Also, an option that's very well made but the tone is not as warm as the 51 but the arm contour is boss.

I have heard both in person and I wholeheartedly disagree but then again you seem to relish in telling others what to think.