• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fender 51 RI P-bass thoughts...

Muddslide

Muddslide

Feb 23, 2007
5,284
5,082
Mobile, Alabama
#1
I've been GASsing really bad for this model here:

Link Removed

I don't believe the SB model is available anymore, but I dig the butterscotch anyway.

I'd really like to hear from owners/players of this model. I've read reviews elsewhere, but I'd like to hear the consensus from this forum if possible.

Specifically, I am interested in knowing the following:

1) Is it good right out of the box? Did anyone feel it required any mods? (Nut, bridge, pots, etc.)

2) How's the pickup? Full, rich, deep, boomy? Or anemic and better off being replaced?

3) What's the neck profile like?

4) Has anyone compared it with this model:

Link Removed ?

Thanks!
 
#2
1) Is it good right out of the box? Did anyone feel it required any mods? (Nut, bridge, pots, etc.)
Yes, the only thing I needed to do was adjust the truss rod for the high tension Fender flatwounds I put on and spend a few days playing with the action to set it just how I wanted. But that's the case with any new bass. FYI -- like a true vintage reissue, you need to unbolt the neck to adjust the truss, which isn't a big deal, but takes a little longer than the modern truss access designs.

2) How's the pickup? Full, rich, deep, boomy? Or anemic and better off being replaced?I've read the MF review claiming the p/u lacked punch, but mine sure doesn't. In fact I just finished playing it and put it away before logging on here (coincidence?) and was really appreciating its punch and growl. I really like the tone.

3) What's the neck profile like?The neck is narrower at the nut (1.65") than your standard P-bass (1.75"), and wider than your standard Jazz (1.50"). It's got a nice comfortable C shape, and while finished in poly it's very easy to move around on. The frets are the vintage (thin) variety, so changing to flats will probably extend their life. But this bass sounds best with flats I think.

4) Has anyone compared it with this model:
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ass?sku=511318 ?
Not directly, but I have the '57 AV reissue P-bass which is like that one but with upgrades (and MIA). That 50's bass is MIM (the '51 is CIJ) but I've not heard many complaints about the quality control. There's a guy over at the Fender forum who loves that '50's reissue, says the tone is just as good as any MIA reissue he's played. I can't speak personally about it but I'd bet it's fine.

In my experience, I've got a '59 CS Precision and the '57 AV and the '51 holds its own with them no problem, both in terms of tone and playability. And that butterscotch looks great! Add the chrome bridge and pickup covers and you'll have a great looking reissue! Oh -- and I noticed ThePerfectBass has one so with your TB discount you can grab it for another 10% off that MF price.:D
 
#4
Muddslide said:
I've been GASsing really bad for...(51 P-bass RI)...

1) ...Did anyone feel it required any mods? (Nut, bridge, pots, etc.)
2) How's the pickup? Full, rich, deep, boomy? Or anemic and better off being replaced?
3) What's the neck profile like?
4) Has anyone compared it with this model: ...(50's classic P-bass RI)...
Click to expand...

IMHO, it is a good instrument. However, you have to like the single-coil type pick-up, for all it's glories and shortcomings. It has a nice wide frequency response and decent output, IMHO. It also can hum an awful lot in the wrong RF/AC environment. Tones are limited, but hey, its a '51 P-bass!

There are a number of nice replacement pickups, should you want to try something a little different, even including a drop in split-coil that looks the same and has gotten some good reaction over in the pickups & electronics forum.

This bass sounds good with flats or rounds, and responds well to a gentle touch. I don't think a bridge or pickup mod is needed. The neck is slimmer than a real '51 (IMHO), but captures the basic feel of the early P-bass necks. The poly finish on the neck seems very thick to me. I am not a big fan of the color, but it is OK, and is totally saved, IMHO, by that great black pickguard.

One mild caution on the '51 RI: Some players who frequently play with a very heavy finger-style touch in humid/sweaty conditions have reported deterioration of the pickup bobbin when using it as a thumb rest. IMHO, it was never designed to be used in this way, and a floating thumb is going to work much better for finger-style playing on this instrument. Also, the pickup cover, should you install one, tends to cover a very "sweet spot" for finger-style tone. These are not deal killers, IMHO, just things to be aware of. :p


The 50's classic P-bass RI is a very different animal, as it embodies the early version of the type III p-bass. The main deal here is split-coils, a different bridge, and of course the contoured body. I think Fender has also provided a more "period correct" neck profile for this reissue (1.750” at the nut). The neck FEELS wide, but thin front to back. I love that. Again, heavy on the poly finish on the neck, but the tone is killer, if you want old school P-bass tone.

Both of these basses are good deals, IMHO. Play one of each through the same rig and you will get the idea. :D
 
#5
1) I loved mine right from the start. Pretty good setup (considering it came from Japan in a box), great feel, classic looks. I changed to a Fender American Deluxe bridge (four saddle) mostly because it drops right in, and retains the string through option. Intonation was iffy with the original two saddle piece. A lot of owners think it's sacrilegious to change from the two saddle but I'm not one of them. If you agree with those who do, there are other bridges that retain the look but intonate better.

2) The pickup is very "round" sounding. I ended up changing to a Basslines Quarter Pound, but not because of any actual deficiencies in the original. The QP is very similar, just more of it. It's a sound I really like, and a friend who owns several nice basses has taken it over on permanent "loan" (no loss to me, since I go to his place to play about once a week).

I tried several sets of strings on it, and settled on Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. They sound and play very well.

3) It's a chunky "C" shape, but not nearly as fat as a real 1951 Fender, which had its neck profiled on a table shaper. I find it very comfortable since I have long fingers -- they cramp up on skinny necks.

4) I own both. The Classic '50s P is a terrific bass, and a stone bargain, and has that unmistakable split-coil P sound. It's a different beast from the '51. First, it has the split-coil pickup. If you love the P tone, this is the one to get.

I find the necks to be similar, but the Classic '50s feels a bit slimmer. I haven't measured them. The body of the '51 is a slab of ash, while the Classic '50s is contoured alder, which makes it lighter and more comfortable to play.

Unmentioned quirks:

The tuners on both reissues turn "backwards" which makes my Planet Waves peg turner come apart when I string up fresh strings. Not a big deal unless you trade off between one of them and a bass with conventional tuners.

The neck must be removed to adjust the truss rod, reinstalled to check your work, removed again to correct, and so on. I've only had to adjust the Classic '50s once, when it first arrived in humid E TX; the '51 has required no tweaking.

The slab sided '51 can be uncomfortable to play -- there's a reason the players all clamored to Leo to contour the body! Not a deal killer, in my opinion.

My band went nuts over my Classic '50s, to the extent of not allowing me to play anything else.

I also put a QP and TIs on this one.

BUT I am currently in the process of downsizing my herd and my collection of big honkin' tube amps, and now it's time to trade off one of the Fenders (I also have a fretless P). After giving it a lot of thought, and weighing the fact that I'm having a lot of fun with the fretless, I decided to keep it and the '51, and peddle the Classic '50s.

The '51 has an appeal to me that the Classic '50s just doesn't. Maybe I'd feel differently if I didn't have the fretless, but of the three, right now, the Classic '50s is the expendable one, especially since my band broke up. Honestly, if the choice were only between the two fretted basses, I think I would still keep the '51, if only for the window it provides into the thinking of Leo Fender.

My conclusion was that the '51 has a personality my minimalist temperament can identify with, while the Classic '50s feels like something I bought off the shelf -- and can buy another example of, if need be.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mcboomport
#6
I'm very pleased with mine. I did switch over to Fender flat-wound strings and had to make some adjustments to the truss rod to accomodate them. I also added Wilkinson compensating brass bridge saddles to tweak the intonation. Other than those, it's dead stock.

51P-bass002.jpg
 
  • Like
Reactions: Mcboomport and Alan Ace Cooper
#7
I couldn't afford one, so I bought this cheap Turser HO for a new honkabilly project.

Best bass for the money I've ever bought.

tursercover4.jpg


fwiw: I suggest you play a '51 RI and make sure you like the tone. It's a world away from a modern P or J tone. Not saying it's a bad tone, just very different from what I've been used to for decades. I'm an old Jbas phart. And that's "old" as in my and and the bass.
 
#8
doc540 said:
fwiw: I suggest you play a '51 RI and make sure you like the tone. It's a world away from a modern P or J tone. Not saying it's a bad tone, just very different from what I've been used to for decades. I'm an old Jbas phart. And that's "old" as in my and and the bass.
Click to expand...

I found the tone (especially with the nickle rounds it comes with) to have a growl similar to my Rickenbacker basses. It is different than the usual split coil we're all so used to, but very cool.
 
#12
Brilliant bass, love mine.
It has a really strong sound, not quite Rickenbacker as Mastermold suggested but near. Its kept my Ricky Cravings down a bit though.:rolleyes:

I've also got a 50's Style P-bass and they are two different beasties.... i'd get both! haha

My '51 with the asthetic changes that IMHO as a must:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
 
#13
deathbyhappy said:
My '51 with the asthetic changes that IMHO as a must:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Looks beautiful with the chrome bridge and pickup covers!

But one odd thing with this bass is that the pickguard isn't centered on the pickup where it meets. So when installing the pickup cover, if you center it on the pickup it's off-center on the pickguard, and if you center it on the pickguard it's off-center on the pickup. The difference is only about 1/4 inch either way, but it's a little frustrating when trying to figure out where you want it. I ultimately centered mine on the pickguard since (once covered) you can't see the pickup.
 
#14
deathbyhappy said:
Brilliant bass, love mine.
It has a really strong sound, not quite Rickenbacker as Mastermold suggested but near. Its kept my Ricky Cravings down a bit though.:rolleyes:

I've also got a 50's Style P-bass and they are two different beasties.... i'd get both! haha

My '51 with the asthetic changes that IMHO as a must:
[Invalid or Expired Link Removed]
Click to expand...

Holy Moly... I've been GASSING for THAT bass since I was a nipper... congrats.
 
#20
I have one with the single coil quarter pounder pu. I left the stock bridge which I believe adds to the sound.

I love the sound it produces. I have made some recordings with it and it tracks very well. It has a unique sound and attack.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back