Best '51-'52 fender bass re-issue

[mikeswals]

The early '90s MIJ '51P RI's were the most authentic. On some I've seen, the finish was closer to an original (pale whitewash, similar to a Mary Kaye finish), it had the large barrel string-thru ferrules and thin "banjo frets" like the original. The '06 CIJ version had an overly yellow (amber'd?) trans finish and small string-thru ferrules. But it did have the thin, more authentic frets. The ones from the early '90s are probably not cheap if you find one, but less than a FCS I would have to believe.

This one (w/Fender HSC) is currently on eBay but it also has an overly yellow finish and is $1500. (no affiliation) Seems like a fair price at today's rates.

Used Early 90's Fender MIJ 51 Precision Electric Bass Guitar | eBay

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For comparison sake - this is a FCS '51P replica - amber'd translucent finish, but not YELLOW! Same with the neck - not YELLOW - more natural maple. Also, slotted screws as a vintage '51P would have and original finger-test was natural, as this example. This FCS '51P hopefully has a Bakelite pg (which were available on eBay at one time...) which originals had. Can't determine it from the ad or pics, but a real/vintage '51P had phenolic saddles which I'd expect from the FCS. If one is going to pay that kind of money - I'd want it as close to a real '51P as possible, as in "replica".

https://reverb.com/item/83849590-fender-custom-shop-51-precision-bass-nos

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I thoroughly dig the pale coloring of this one!
I really dislike the school bus look of some.