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Fender 51 Precision Bass Reissue MIJ Question

Fletz

Fletz

Jan 16, 2009
4,658
3,007
New Jersey
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Hartke artist
#1
Hi all -

I normally don't post this kind of thing, but wanted your opinions. I have a chance to buy a used, excellent condition MIJ Fender 51 Reissue P-Bass. It's burst with the white P/G and maple neck. I am not sure of the year, but am finding out soon.

I played it and really liked it. A few questions:

1. Is it worth $550 in excellent condition with no gig bag or case?
2. If you have one, what can you tell me about it?

Thanks all!

(PS - I know the old addage "is it worth $XX to you?" I am more wondering if I am overpaying based on traditional resale, etc.)
 
#2
It's worth $550 if it's in good shape. I have a Sting model (like the 51 but with contours), and it is very well made -- no problems with any of the hardware or electronics. If you are looking for an old school Fender P vibe, at a great value, the 51 should fit the bill very nicely.
 
#3
Thanks! One vote for yes!

I have four basses now: an 08 Am Std P-bass, 2010 Rick 4003, a tony Franklin fretless P and a Geddy Jazz. I play and prefer them in that order. They all have roundwounds. I think if I grab this bass I will put flats (chromes) on it to get that full on vibe.

My band does covers from the 70s, 80s and 90s (www.rockboxband.com) so this may make the starting lineup.

Still open to further comments.

Also, it appears to be a 2004/5 and there is a tug bar screwed into it (in the right place below the g string).
 
#4
Yeah $550 is I believe on the low/average side of what I've seen these go for used on eBay. New they got pushed up to about $900 I believe before the MF blow out sale where some guys saw them going for well under $400. It's a great bass for what you're looking for. I love mine.

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#6
Mastermold said:
Yeah $550 is I believe on the low/average side of what I've seen these go for used on eBay. New they got pushed up to about $900 I believe before the MF blow out sale where some guys saw them going for well under $400. It's a great bass for what you're looking for. I love mine.

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Click to expand...

AND you are using them through a GENZ head! Awesome. (I just swapped out my all Ampeg rig for 2 Markbass cabs and a GB ShuttleMAX 12.0).
 
#9
The only issue with mine (Sting) is the input jack came loose. Hardly an issue. I had flats on it & had more difficulty playing (laziness + smaller frets) than with rounds. It really came alive with nickel rounds, namely Dean Markley Blue Steels.
The only other thing I can think of is that mine has a wire-canal routed so if I remove the pickguard, the routing shows, unlike the Squier version of the 51.
Bottom line: it's a keeper.
 
#12
I recently bought one of these and can highly recommend them...

My 51 (also burst with white PG) has immediately become my number 1 and has put an US-P and another P as well as three Jazzes to rest more and more unused.

Decent tone, superb playability, great sound and even if you wouldn't imagine it's really versatile...The slab body really isn't a problem at all, at least for me...

550$ is not much I'd say, if you like it: go for it!

Cheers
Hozzy
 
#16
Very good price in good condition.

Expect the sound to be a little more "full-range" Than a regular, split p-bass pickup. It'll have less mid-range push and more highs. It's also a little more sensitive to how you attack the strings than a standard P becuase of the design of the pole pieces. Build quality on these is typically excellent.

Mine's a little on the heavy side. Neck is really nice - big but not huge. I string it with TI flats and use some memory foam under the srings. I went hog-wild with mine and put all the ashtrays on it for that '51 bling. Very sharp looking (if you like that sort of thing).

If you string it with flats, do not use La Bella strings. They are not designed to work with string-through bodies and they will break.
 

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