51 RI Precision vs originial: Questions.

[gfc55]

If I were wanting to modify a '51 RI to be more like a real '51, here is what I would do:

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Also, there are builders making very cool slabs you should consider. My favorite is RSguitarworks, who restored my '55. They might build a '51 variant of their "Old Friend" series for you.

http://www.rsguitarworks.net

There are others that you might consider, too. Good luck!

I own the RS Guitarworks "Old Friend" Slab Bass, and it's fantastic. The Darkstar pickup sounds great, but The could make it with the traditional Vintage-style pickup if you prefered that.

The workmanship on the bass is top-notch, and the prices are reasonable for a custom instrument. Here's one photo to whet you appetite.

 

[telepbrman]

Super info.....plenty to read up on, thanks, dy.

 

[tpolgrafix]

There's always Bill Nash !

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Check out the 55 P-bass......

The Nash '55 P-bass referenced above is mine! All mine I tell you!

I bought it last Tuesday, arrived Monday. I start a four-nighter tonight, I can't wait hear it through my big rig.

It has the lowest action I've ever seen on a bass. It sounds like it has fret rattle unplugged, but through an amp it's fine.

I know some people don't get the whole relicing thing but here's my take on it. I had a real 55 Precision burn up in a night club fire in Battle Creek Michigan, sometime around '73 or '74. If I had taken it home that night instead of leaving it on the bandstand, and played it the past 35 years, I think it may have looked something like the Nash. I'm hard on basses. I have a '76 Stingray that looks worse than this Nash. Anyway I love how it looks, tonight we'll see how it sounds.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I own the RS Guitarworks "Old Friend" Slab Bass, and it's fantastic. The Darkstar pickup sounds great, but The could make it with the traditional Vintage-style pickup if you prefered that.

The workmanship on the bass is top-notch, and the prices are reasonable for a custom instrument. Here's one photo to whet you appetite.

That's a lovely bass, but much of the appeal of the Fender RI to me is its pickup.