I have been looking at the fender 57 and 62 P bass re-issue's what are the major differences as I can not tell myself........
thanks
thanks
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Fender 57' or 62' P bass?? Whats the difference??
- Thread starter richkidsonlsd
- Start date
A bit.
Different fretboard and neck shape, different pickups, different tone cap (at least on mine), different body wood, different finish options.
Thats about it.
Different fretboard and neck shape, different pickups, different tone cap (at least on mine), different body wood, different finish options.
Thats about it.
A bit.
Different fretboard and neck shape, different pickups, different tone cap (at least on mine), different body wood, different finish options.
Thats about it.
As if that isn't enough?
That's not exactly correct regarding neck/fingerboards.
The 57 has a maple neck, that does not have a separate fingerboard. Skunk stripe on the back of the neck.
The 62 is a slab rosewood board ( as opposed to the thinner veneer rosewood boards introduced late in 62) that has the the truss rod loaded from the front with no skunk stripe.
I think what he was trying to say is that it has a one peice maple neck when he says slab.
A bit.
Different fretboard and neck shape, different pickups, different tone cap (at least on mine), different body wood, different finish options.
Thats about it.
The fretboard is different. The neck shape feels pretty much the same to me but perhaps someone else can tell the difference. Body wood is the same (alder) unless you get the 57 blonde. Different finish colors but the same finish (nitro)
I stand by the fact that except for visuals the pickup and fretboard are really the only differences.
Regardless of what he meant, in the world of Vintage Fenders, a "slab" board is a thick flat bottomed rosewood board that was used on the rosewood boards until sometime in late 62 , when it was changed to a thinner curved bottomed veneer board.
This would be the equivilent of calling a 3 knob Jazz a "stack pot" Jazz.
Just wanted to be clear. The 57 RI ISN'T a slab board P, but the 62 RI is.
Jim Carr
Dr. Jim
- Jan 21, 2006
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I had a 57 2TB for a brief period. It was most assuredly Ash judging by the giant gouge going down the side. This was 2005, so I can't judge the newer models, but the 57 2TB I played was an ash body.
I own both the 62 RI and the 57 RI and I've owned the 57 for many years while the 62 is a recent acquisition. The necks are different and feel different if you spend enough time with one or the other. The neck on the 57 RI is thinner from front to back than the 62 RI.
If you pop open the pickguards of each bass they each have a different tone cap as well which makes a big difference.
I suppose it's possible but all that I have seen have been alder and I have seen various years.
It would be interesting to know if anyone else has had an ash one and if their were specific years they did that. It would be historically inaccurate.
I owned a '62 reissue for about 7 or 8 years. I owned a '57 reissue for about 6 months. The '57 was transparent white over ash, and was much brighter than the '62. I liked the looks of the '57 better, but preferred the tone of the '62. The '57 also has the raised pole pieces below the A string. I can't remember if it was JUST the A string, but I think so.
They're both nice, well-made basses.
They're both nice, well-made basses.
It was just the raised A pole pieces.
I'll email my friend who owns it, he should know what year it is.
I'll email my friend who owns it, he should know what year it is.
I have an American 57 reissue in blond and it's the best playing bass I own.
I didn't care for the raised "A" pick-ups so I replaced them with Nordstroms.
This bass is perfect in every way.
The neck ,although very wide at the nut(1.75), is VERY thin front to back and so plays extreamely well. I had played Danos and Jazz's before I got this and was very worried about the wide neck. I was so supprised by the ease once I got my hands on it.
I have played a 62 RI in the store before and it seems to be a great bass also. I just haven't lived with one before.
I didn't care for the raised "A" pick-ups so I replaced them with Nordstroms.
This bass is perfect in every way.
The neck ,although very wide at the nut(1.75), is VERY thin front to back and so plays extreamely well. I had played Danos and Jazz's before I got this and was very worried about the wide neck. I was so supprised by the ease once I got my hands on it.
I have played a 62 RI in the store before and it seems to be a great bass also. I just haven't lived with one before.
The CIJ reissues aren't particularly historicly accurate.
The MIA versions are closer to the real thing, although there are differences there as well, but not as drastic. A genuine 62 with a 1.625(B) neck would be unusual. Most had C necks.
Both necks should be 1.75" wide. Both are spec'd by Fender as being "C" shaped (this is actually the shape not the width). I remember awhile ago when they sold the replacement 57 and 62 necks that Fender had said that the necks were identical other than the fretboard. I still stand by the fact that they are the same.
