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Fender '51 re-issue Precision

D

Dave Martin

Jun 16, 2006
638
17
Nashville, Tennessee
www.javajivestudio.com
#1
I picked one up yesterday;I've been kinda looking for another of the old P bass styles to put roundwound strings on (my '54 re-issue has flats). i've waited since a whole lot of the ones I've tried in music stores seem to have issues with the E string not sounding like it's on the same bass as the other three strings. This one, which I wasn't looking for (that is, I went into GC to buy something that wasn't bass related), plays great and more important, sounds great. I used it without changing strings or setting it up on a session today - it behaved quite well. Whenever I get a minute, I'll put heavier strings on it and (probably) raise the action a bit...

Just wanted to share the purchase with someone who might care....
 
#2
Cool purchase Dave. Glad you like the bass.
Did you get the yellow-cream colour or the 2 tone sunburst?
I have the 2 tone that I purchased off ebay years ago (CIJ). I tried both round wound and Fender flats, but ended up keeping the round wound. Good P bass sound. I find that I am sticking more with my American Jazz deluxe due to the pre-amp.

Al
 
#3
I've had one since April. It was pretty good with the roundwounds. I put a set of LaBella DTB tapewounds and it was REALLY percussive. Now I have a set of Brite Flats on it and love it. I take it and my Tribute L2K to gigs.
 
#4
spliffnriff said:
Cool purchase Dave. Glad you like the bass.
Did you get the yellow-cream colour or the 2 tone sunburst?
I have the 2 tone that I purchased off ebay years ago (CIJ). I tried both round wound and Fender flats, but ended up keeping the round wound. Good P bass sound. I find that I am sticking more with my American Jazz deluxe due to the pre-amp.

Al
Click to expand...

The '51 is the butterscotch color, while the'54 is a sunburst. I bought the '54 used (and untested) from an acquainance in upstate New York. When it arrived, the neck was, to say the least, dicey. Neither me or my regular tech could get the action to a point that I could play it without fret rattle, so I replaced it with a rosewood Warmoth Tele bass neck. That's kinda fun, since I don't see many of that body style with a rosewood neck. The down side was that my 'good deal' Sting bass cost a heck of a lot more than buying a new one would have cost me... Nevertheless, the '54 sounds great with the flats; you can hear it at Link Removed . I want the '54 to have roundwounds on it, but I already know that I want heavier strings than what comes stock on that bass....
 
#6
Dave Martin said:
The '51 is the butterscotch color, while the'54 is a sunburst. I bought the '54 used (and untested) from an acquainance in upstate New York. When it arrived, the neck was, to say the least, dicey. Neither me or my regular tech could get the action to a point that I could play it without fret rattle, so I replaced it with a rosewood Warmoth Tele bass neck. That's kinda fun, since I don't see many of that body style with a rosewood neck. The down side was that my 'good deal' Sting bass cost a heck of a lot more than buying a new one would have cost me... Nevertheless, the '54 sounds great with the flats; you can hear it at Link Removed . I want the '54 to have roundwounds on it, but I already know that I want heavier strings than what comes stock on that bass....
Click to expand...

The '51 precision reissue is offered in both butterscotch blonde and 2-tone sunburst, even though the original was only available in butterscotch. Mine's sunburst, from the MIJ period, and I really like it. I keep flats on it and get a decidedly traditional p-bass tone from it.
 
#7
tplyons said:
Sounds nice, I've wanted to pick up a '51 reissue but really can't justify it right now.
Click to expand...

Justify it??? We don't need no justification! We jus buy 'em because we're bass players!! :hyper: :hyper:

I understand, though - I'm afraid my wife will hear that I've bought this bass this afternoon, when she goes to sing a demo at the studio I worked at yesterday with it...
 
#9
spliffnriff said:
Cool purchase Dave. Glad you like the bass.
Did you get the yellow-cream colour or the 2 tone sunburst?
I have the 2 tone that I purchased off ebay years ago (CIJ). I tried both round wound and Fender flats, but ended up keeping the round wound. Good P bass sound. I find that I am sticking more with my American Jazz deluxe due to the pre-amp.

Al
Click to expand...

A great instrument for a number of styles. I remember deciding I had to have one when I played it in the shop and felt how fast and comfortable the neck was. Other things that appealed were the looks and the idea of getting back to basics. All of which it has in spades.

I found I just couldn't get the bottom end I wanted out of it without a LOT of EQ and compression. I tried a hot Seymour Duncan which did a bit of what I wanted but still not enough. A deal for a MIM Jazz Deluxe came up which I couldn't ignore. The 51 P wasn't at fault, just at odds with what I wanted. I did get some good recordings out of it, though.

Keep us posted on how you get along with it if you can. If you and that bass see eye to eye I bet there's a lot you can do for each other.

PJ
 
#12
i luv mine in tobacco sunburst. i added the pickup and bridge covers. i haven't tried the flatwounds yet, but that will be my next purchase.

I have not had problems with intonation yet. but, at the same time i play pretty standard stuff with it not a lot of Wooten or Sheehan. Stickin to the Bassics, pardon the pun.

the feel of the neck and the tone keep me coming back to the bass.

...gene
 

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#14
I have had mine for two and half years now, its my main Bass. Changed out the stock p/u for a Seymour Duncan 1/4 lb
and have had TI Flats on it since I brought it home new. I - that is myself and a buddy machined a bridge for it from stainlees steel that goes thru the body or the bridge. In short this bass gets more compliments on sound and looks than any other bass I own, or have owned.
 
#18
Bassman32724, that's my next step. The stock pup has uneven string response...plus, I have a split coil QP in a Squier II P that kicks @$$. Just got the Fender vintage tweed case (I waited a month for the bass, 3 months for the case) and with the Seymour Duncan I'll be ready for the big time.:hyper:
 
#20
I bought it from Music123, which is where I got the P. Both were on backorder, but now I got 'em. Here is a link to the photos: click on "back" to see the 51 in all its yella glory, and "next" for several shots of the case.
Link Removed
Edited to add information: this is the Fender case. I have a Tribute L2K with an MF tweed case which cost less than half this one, but it's nowhere near as nice.
 

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