Fender 51 reissue Precision MIJ, current used price / general advice

[chadds]

The bass is livelier with the new bridge. I once made a mistake having a Badass installed on a ‘70 Telebass. That and the SD pickup caused it to lose all of it’s character. It became just another ‘80s bass.

The new OEM is an improvement in the way the strings break over the witness points hence the free ringing. This bass will rattle the strap locks when they are slack when I’m sitting.

It was barely used when I got it. It’s only improved with age. The neck has that dark tone. One thing it’s always been capable of is sounding like a doghouse. That’s what they designed to do. I’m sure I’m making up for the lack of phenolic bridge pieces. With the OEM pickup it was capable of extreme treble guitar like behavior through effects. Yet a string player walked in and heard a track I’d just done and asked was it an upright. Nope I’d just flipped this ‘51 ri up and played the part as it needed to sound. Years ago there were two more of us who could do this. Perhaps there are now more.

Having had that ‘70 Telebass single coil I’m a fan of Beck Ola and what one can do with aggressive touch, rounds and responsive tube pre and a compliant amp and cab.

 

[J-Bass RMR]

I was watching these on Reverb.
Prices on these jumped up shortly after Dusty Hill's passing.
Up to $2k and backed off from there.
They were $1,000 -$1,200 prior to that.
It never hurts to negotiate, but if you can play it, and it's a "keeper" I wouldn't pass at that price.
Everything is costing more these days.

 

[El Güero]

Didn't GC have a blow out sale on these for $300-$350 years ago?

 

[J-Bass RMR]

Didn't GC have a blow out sale on these for $300-$350 years ago?

Possibly. Right about the time I bought my Roscoe Beck V new for $800

 

[Dluxe]

My 1990 has the large ferrules and the neckplate with FENDER written out. I love these basses.

 

[DirkP]

As another poster has mentioned above: none of these came with a pick-up cover or a thumb rest.
I bought one slightly used in 2016 for 800,- Euros but with lightweight quality hipshot tuners that are expensive and a Fender pro bridge both fitting exactly into the screwholes, including the original bridge.
These are high quality instruments. Don't know if I would pay 1.000,- for one.
I love the 1990 one above my post, esp. the schoolbus-yellow. IIRC the early ones didn't have that - although - small hole under the pickguard.
Mine is a period-incorrect sunburst one

 

[shadven]

$1000 is about what they go for in the US. It’s as nice Bass… I’ve had one. That led me to many Tele / single-coil basses after that first one. Pay the $1000 and be happy!

 

[Alexis Duntov]

$1000 is cheap by US standards. I love these basses. I have two Sting basses with different strings and pickups. I don’t really have any use for a standard split pickup P bass these days. I like the pronounced growl and top end of the single coil, especially with flats.

 

[Craig Williams]

The 51 arrived today. As expected perfect neck, plays like a dream and sounds awesome. Little bit more miles on it that I hoped for (a few chips, bit of discoloration on the chrome) but still in nice used condition. Where do you guys set your PU in relation to the strings? Have them closer to the strings or further away? I know it made a world of difference to my USA Standard P bass moving the PU closer to the strings. Not interested in Fender recommended heights, more interested in real life. After the nice P thump, thud thud