'54 Precision vs '60 Precision

[Alan Ace Cooper]

27399915[/URL], member: 57613"]They are not the same format?

The Japanese versions pickup cavities were smaller and the pickup leads go through a little canal under the pickguard. Oddly, the Squier 50s P versions are more like the US and vintage models.

 

[2saddleslab]

The pickup cavity is smaller and the pickup leads got through a little canal under the pickguard. Oddly, the Squier 50s P versions are more like the US and vintage models.

FWIW, the Stinger fits perfectly in my original '51.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I've been very intrigued by the new Fender American Vintage II line of basses. Everything I'm reading and watching seems like Fender did those right.

I've been wanting a Precision bass in the 2k range and I think these might fit the bill. I've owned standard split-coil P basses before and always liked them. I've never owned the old 54-style bass. I like the look and the tone that I hear online. I like that Fender built these with a C-shaped neck. And I like the 2-tone and the blonde.

Before I make the trek to put my hands on them, I'm curious to hear what the p-bass experts at TalkBass have to say about the 1954 vs the 1960 style precision basses.

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‘The only sort of “ 54” bass was a couple of the reissues Fender put out in the 70’s and I was not impressed. I much prefer the 60’s version. I agree the is a certain panache with the 50’s version I get.

But if you really want my opinion, my 90’s N series PBj is the best PB Fender ever made.

 

[Turnaround]

Yes, you can. You can move them until you run out of room for the string to ride on. You can even cut grooves in them to keep the strings from sliding side to side.
It is no different than with the original saddles.

I misunderstood. What you are suggesting is skewing the saddle and its intonation screw to one side, thus angling the saddle. Yes you can do that up to a point. And when the intonation points are like this, you run out of room on a 2-string saddle:

 

[FunkHead]

I misunderstood. What you are suggesting is skewing the saddle and its intonation screw to one side, thus angling the saddle. Yes you can do that up to a point. And when the intonation points are like this, you run out of room on a 2-string saddle:

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Exactly. There's actually a ton of adjustment available. If you get that goofy E string that requires a lot more speaking length, then just get a different string. Sure it's more of a pain but doable.

 

[74hc]

To my ears, the 54 definitely sounds like a single coil, while the 60 sounds like a humbucker in a half-way house ran by single coils.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

27400189[/URL], member: 32624"]FWIW, the Stinger fits perfectly in my original '51.

Japanese version? I would be curious to know if Duncan altered the size over the years. On my Sting (2000 Japan), I would need to sand the V portion of the pickup and deepen the cavity on the bass. I did sand down a SCPB-1 to try in there, but I snagged that for $50 versus the $130 cost for the Stinger at the time.

 

[Grinderman]

Your saddles are tilted the wrong way

The best way to intonate strings properly is listening with ones ears and use a tuner, preferably a strobe tuner, not looking with eyes and a camera.

 

[Grinderman]

I ordered a 1954 last October and it just shipped to Mass a few days ago, I won't see it for another month though but have already ordered an Am Pro bridge for it which is an exact fit including holes for string through, I'll be using Rotos on it, want that Beck-Ola tone. The paint on these is nitro which is another thing I like.

You're like me. I don't prefer those pre-'57 bridges without independent saddles.

I'm also still baffled about why FMIC chose to use phenolic resin bridge saddles for the AVII '54. Metal saddles would be true to 1954 Fender specs.

 

[marchone]

I ordered a 1954 last October and it just shipped to Mass a few days ago, I won't see it for another month though but have already ordered an Am Pro bridge for it which is an exact fit including holes for string through, I'll be using Rotos on it, want that Beck-Ola tone. The paint on these is nitro which is another thing I like.

This is my 1969 Telecaster Bass. The first '51 reissue. I bought it after seeing Ron Wood play his live at The Fillmore East.

A couple years ago I had Michael Dolan install a Fender HiMass bridge, new bone nut and Duncan pup. Refret, new wiring, pots, Switchcraft jack and shielding. I also asked him to contour it and leave the wood raw to look like Jeff Beck's Esquire. I still string it with Rotosound 66s.

Getting on in years the hard corner was starting to hurt my ribs.

 

[BrentSimons]

I've been very intrigued by the new Fender American Vintage II line of basses. Everything I'm reading and watching seems like Fender did those right.

I've been wanting a Precision bass in the 2k range and I think these might fit the bill. I've owned standard split-coil P basses before and always liked them. I've never owned the old 54-style bass. I like the look and the tone that I hear online. I like that Fender built these with a C-shaped neck. And I like the 2-tone and the blonde.

Before I make the trek to put my hands on them, I'm curious to hear what the p-bass experts at TalkBass have to say about the 1954 vs the 1960 style precision basses.

View attachment 5029547 View attachment 5029548

Too funny! Add in a Ric 4003s and you and I are having the same G.A.S. pains!

 

[Turnaround]

Exactly. There's actually a ton of adjustment available. If you get that goofy E string that requires a lot more speaking length, then just get a different string. Sure it's more of a pain but doable.

Why not just go for a different bridge or at least saddles like these:

They are designed to swivel.

 

[Coughdrops]

Why not just go for a different bridge or at least saddles like these:
View attachment 5030963
They are designed to swivel.

I put one of these on my 54. Keeps the original aesthetic and bridge weight down. And intonates perfectly. Biggest issue I had with the original saddles was not being able to get the action as low as I wanted cause they were so big.

 

[marchone]

Why not just go for a different bridge or at least saddles like these:
View attachment 5030963
They are designed to swivel.

Who makes those?

 

[Turnaround]

Who makes those?

Hmm... maybe nobody. Wilkinson used to make them, then they were made by Gotoh but branded Wilkinson. Now I don't see them at all.

 

[2saddleslab]

Japanese version? I would be curious to know if Duncan altered the size over the years. On my Sting (2000 Japan), I would need to sand the V portion of the pickup and deepen the cavity on the bass. I did sand down a SCPB-1 to try in there, but I snagged that for $50 versus the $130 cost for the Stinger at the time.

No, mine was made at Fender in Ca in 1951 [Nov 7th to be specific]. Not sure if the measurements of the Stinger has changed over the years. This is the 2nd Stinger on this bass and both were the same size.

 

[E Buzz]

My AV2 '54 has been on full time duty since purchase. Compared to my 1.75 nut FCS '57P, the '54 neck feels like a Jazz bass with it's 1.62 nut. Hi-mass bridge and Fralin split coil '51 pickup.

 

[Alan Ace Cooper]

No, mine was made at Fender in Ca in 1951 [Nov 7th to be specific]. Not sure if the measurements of the Stinger has changed over the years. This is the 2nd Stinger on this bass and both were the same size.
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Ahhh…. I see. The one I was talking about not fitting the Stinger is the Japanese 51 Reissue Precision Bass.

Action Music, in Falls Church, Virginia, had this early 1956 Precision for a while…. Thankfully, it finally sold, so I couldn’t think about selling half my stuff to buy it. Holding it felt like Inwas holding a piece of American History in my hands. The tones were so beautiful and open, acoustically and through an amp.

Speaking of American History…. Everyone should check out this 51-54 Fender Precision book by Detlef Schmidt.

 

[andare]

The best way to intonate strings properly is listening with ones ears and use a tuner, preferably a strobe tuner, not looking with eyes and a camera.

That's what I did on my 2-saddle Bronco and the E/A saddle is tilted the other way so the E string is longer, just like all my other guitars. I'm surprised that bass intonates with a longer A string.

 

[2saddleslab]

Ahhh…. I see. The one I was talking about not fitting the Stinger is the Japanese 51 Reissue Precision Bass.

Action Music, in Falls Church, Virginia, had this early 1956 Precision for a while…. Thankfully, it finally sold, so I couldn’t think about selling half my stuff to buy it. Holding it felt like Inwas holding a piece of American History in my hands. The tones were so beautiful and open, acoustically and through an amp.

Speaking of American History…. Everyone should check out this 51-54 Fender Precision book by Detlef Schmidt.
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That '56 is a stunner. I had a '56 refin w/ a V contoured neck which I loved.

The Fender book by Detlef Schmidt is THE definitive study on the early slabs. TB'er @Bflat was a major contributor to the book as well as generously helping me learn more about mine. Just wish I'd have done my research early enough to be included in the book. But I did send all the info I had to Detlef in hopes he does an updated version.