Fender 51 Precision Bass Reissue MIJ Question

[Lo-E]

the last owner did add a tug bar.

When I put all the chrome on mine I went ahead and made a maple, black-painted, single-screw tugbar to complete the look (it was all about '51 aesthetics, y'know?), but since it's been on there I started messing with it and I have to admit it's kinda cool.

Planting on that tugbar and playing with the side of my thumb delivers a really woofy DB kind of sound that works well in some applications. I'm still getting the hang of it, but I liked it enough to put them on several other basses within the last year or so. Gradually, it'll work it's way into my vocabulary.

 

[lpdeluxe]

WHERE DID YOU GET THAT MAPLE FRETLESS NECK IT'S AWESOME!

Thanks. Warmoth made it: P neck width, 10" radius.

 

[Hozzy]

+1 on the rounds...

Have the old 9050ML on my 51 right now but liked the full, bright and growly sound also possible mellow, deep sound when rolled back the tone with rounds more. Will put rounds on again soon...

Also I have added a tugbar I made myself (not of maple but of beech which was available and after painting it would make no difference at all) and the covers of course. It looks naked without...

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Here's a shot of my P-Basses (Black P has it's black PG back meanwhile)

You made a great deal, enjoy it!

Cheers
Hozzy

 

[Scott549]

I've got one. It's my favorite bass. $550 is a good deal. They typically go for $650-$750.

 

[Lo-E]

not of maple but of beech which was available and after painting it would make no difference at all

C'mon, Hozzy! EVERYONE knows that a beech tugbar doesn't have anywhere near the tone of a maple tugbar!

Seriously, though... that's a beautiful bass.

Mine's butterscotch, but it's wearing the same jewelry.

 

[Hozzy]

Oh! So it's not the flats which are bothering me with the sound but the tugbar?

Seriously, the sound with the old 9050s is not too bad, very vintage and sharp but I miss the brilliance.

Anyway: I have to say congrats to all of you who own one and thanks for your compliments. It took me 12 years to find one. Over here in Germany they are not easy to find, especially not in 2TSB and not for a fair price But it was worth waiting.... I love it!

 

[chadds]

C'mon, Hozzy! EVERYONE knows that a beech tugbar doesn't have anywhere near the tone of a maple tugbar!

Seriously, though... that's a beautiful bass.

Mine's butterscotch, but it's wearing the same jewelry.

OH NO! Another "Wood Matters" lost soul !!!!!

To prove it doesn't matter I miked the two tug bars with an expensive Neumann. I double blind tested this at a senior citizens home. Not just any but a platoon of WWII artillery veterans were the control group.

Guess what? They preferred the oatmeal cookies on Tuesday.

 

[Hozzy]

We were just kidding, at least I understood his post as sarkasm on the never-ending-topics of "wood matters"... ;-)

 

[chadds]

I hope sarcasm is evident in my post without having to add emoticons.

 

[Hozzy]

Not as clear as in Lo-E's post

 

[gigslut]

It wasn't lost on me. The WWII artillery veterans pretty much clinched it.

 

[Lo-E]

Everyone knows that WWI artillery veterans make far superior oatmeal cookies than WWII veterans. WWI cookies have THE TONE.

 

[chadds]

Hahhahahahaa

 

[zwiss]

I have seen many different version of this 51:
- some have a thumb rest, other don't
- some have the old school caps on the bridge and an pick up.
Did they vary the details a lot in Japan, or are these variants all modifications?

 

[Pocket4]

I would guess that Japanese crafted '51 reissues have been entirely consistent with the specs. No chrome covers, G-string side tug bar, string-through body, see Cadfael's wiring diagram for the connections in the control cavity. Everything else is a modification by users.