Custom 5-string '51 P Bass build

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Here's what I've figured-out for the bridge, Fender American Series Jazz Bass bridge:

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

That looks like a winner.

 

[smeet]

I've never played a 51 P. I understand they are bright. Do they have the midrange punch of the split P design? How would you describe the overall character of a 35" 5 string 51 P?

 

[Chef]

Here's what I've figured-out for the bridge, Fender American Series Jazz Bass bridge:
View attachment 1432040

I really like those.
Plenty of mass, looks right, string thru option, and adjustable width. Nice.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

I've never played a 51 P. I understand they are bright. Do they have the midrange punch of the split P design? How would you describe the overall character of a 35" 5 string 51 P?

I have absolutely no idea about a '51 P bass. Doubt I've been in the same zip code as one. I played an '81 Precision for a run of gigs a decade + ago, other than that I have zero P bass experience. My Reverend BH5 bass(es) are all 35" scale with dual custom jazz pups in bridge and neck positions in chambered phenolic laminate body. I reckon a wooden body and single coil pup right against the neck is going to be about as different as it can get from what I'm used to tone-wise.

I just like the look of the '51 P so we're building a bass that looks like that with the neck I'm accustomed to.

My daily player I got from @Chef. Thank you, been rockin' the lava swirl at every gig since. Love that thing.

 

[Chef]

51 and early P basses do not have the pickup right against the neck. It's different than the later 57 and on P, but not by much.
The 1972 Telecaster had a big himbucker against the neck.

I'm glad the BH5 is getting played.
I just could come to terms with the 35" scale and short upper horn making first position a long reach for me.
Sonically it's really groovy.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

51 and early P basses do not have the pickup right against the neck. It's different than the later 57 and on P, but not by much.
The 1972 Telecaster had a big himbucker against the neck.

I'm glad the BH5 is getting played.
I just could come to terms with the 35" scale and short upper horn making first position a long reach for me.
Sonically it's really groovy.

Of course you're right about the pick-up placement....I guess I had that in my head because of how the pick guard ties the pup to the neck visually. Is that the same location as the split coil?

 

[Chef]

I think it's some small amount of different

I could be wrong

 

[Drucifer]

Hey @Chris 'Wighat' Jordan, I had a similar idea for a 5-string '51 Fender Precision, previously I did a similar thing for a 5-string 1960 Jazz bass here: 1960 Fender Jazz 5-String. Did your project get done?

 

[SCT1422]

This is one I recently received from MBasses.. Love it and would love to get a maple board version sometime..

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Hey @Chris 'Wighat' Jordan, I had a similar idea for a 5-string '51 Fender Precision, previously I did a similar thing for a 5-string 1960 Jazz bass here: 1960 Fender Jazz 5-String. Did your project get done?

Yours came out great! Nope on my project. Harvey, you know. My builder buddy still has the donor neck, though, so maybe someday.

This is one I recently received from MBasses.. Love it and would love to get a maple board version sometime..

That's very cool.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

Thing's are happening:

 

[Drucifer]

Thing's are happening:

So not a '51 body? A '57?

 

[SCT1422]

I put a set of LaBalla flats on this bad boy and it kills now !!

 

[Chef]

My Mom says SCPB5 are cool.

 

[Chris 'Wighat' Jordan]

So not a '51 body? A '57?

No, sir, still '51. If you look closely at the router template, you'll see that there are lines present for both a '51 slab body with a single coil pickup, amoebae pickguard, and tele-style control plate.... as well as lines for a later P bass with the split coil pickups and the regular-style pickguard.