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Fender Classic Series 50's precision bass
- Thread starter JasperBass
- Start date
a couple friends of mine have em. one friend put an EMG pickup in it and he really likes it. i got to borrow my other friend's and i thought it was a pretty decent bass and i really liked the sound i got with it on a recording
I think they are one of the best values out there and among Fenders best, IMO. With a few minor tweaks, they are legitimately on par with basses sharing the same features at a higher price point. I've owned three and wouldn't hesitate to get another if the chance presented itself.
I like mine a lot. Excellent P-Bass tone. Better than several American Fenders I've owned. My only word of warning would be to try one, if possible, unless you're certain that you like the 1.75" nut width. It doesn't bother me, as I switch from Jazz to 1.625" P to 1.75" P and even to upright. But some people just don't like the wider neck. My '75 P also has a 1.75" nut width, but seems a wee bit more comfortable to me than the '50s Classic. Probably because it's deeper and rounder whereas the back of the neck on the '50's Classic is flatter (not quite as deep).
As for the tone, I think you'll like it. I have the Honey Blonde, which is my favorite of the '50s Classic colors. Looks good with the stock gold anodized guard, or with a brown tort.
As for the tone, I think you'll like it. I have the Honey Blonde, which is my favorite of the '50s Classic colors. Looks good with the stock gold anodized guard, or with a brown tort.
They are great basses.
I have had mine for 4 yrs and it sees more playing time then my 08 Am Std Jazz...and my Jazz is no slouch.
I have had mine for 4 yrs and it sees more playing time then my 08 Am Std Jazz...and my Jazz is no slouch.
Get it
and do it fast
A standard bridge (instead of threaded saddles US Vintage one) and a Hipshot Bt3 (reverse windin') bass extender and I'd be good to go (I already been: had two of'em in fiesta red)
Cheers,
Wallace
Ps consider a Roger Waters too:
- same neck;
- brass nut;
- vintage open gear stamped tuners (regular windin');
- no skunkstripe;
- standard four saddle bridge;
- Seymour Duncan quarter pound;
- vinyl pickguard;
- less expensive.
and do it fast
A standard bridge (instead of threaded saddles US Vintage one) and a Hipshot Bt3 (reverse windin') bass extender and I'd be good to go (I already been: had two of'em in fiesta red)
Cheers,
Wallace
Ps consider a Roger Waters too:
- same neck;
- brass nut;
- vintage open gear stamped tuners (regular windin');
- no skunkstripe;
- standard four saddle bridge;
- Seymour Duncan quarter pound;
- vinyl pickguard;
- less expensive.
Last edited:
Hmm...I always thought of the "vintage" bridge as a huge plus on any P bass over a standard because of the ability to set spacing.
+1 on the Waters bass, but I think it actually uses a 9.5 fingerboard radius as opposed to the 7.25 on the 50's.
These have always gotten a lot of love, both here and over on the Fender Forum ... about the only thing that I have ever heard 'negative' was some guys commenting on the full 1 3/4" wide neck, but that is all a matter of preference, just like the small fretboard radius, vintage frets, etc ... these do use the 56003/4 AmStand pups, and they are a great value when found used (just like the Classic Series 60's J) in the $500 range ...
Here's another endorsement for this bass. I've got MIJ and MIA Fenders, and this bass is at least on par, and in some ways better than both of those basses. There are some nice lightweight ones out there...mine is just a hair over 8lb.
I don't think you'll find any haters here for this bass. My fiesta red one is in my avatar. I've had it since '07 -- and this from a guy who HATES fiesta red! I love those blonde ones, but alas....
I own a jazz bass ,but i tried a P-Bass once, it was a shiny blue body with a maple neck I suppose, but it felt so weird. It was so light and compared to my jazz bass neck, that neck was like plastic (lightweight)
Is the classic 50s model also light?
I think i need to test it
Is the classic 50s model also light?
I think i need to test it
A bassist I know has one of these that he's looking to get rid of. The back of the neck is glossy, right? Is it sticky? Is the gloss easily removable with scotch brite pads?
I know the neck is wide, but is it also chunky front to back? How does the tone of these generally compare to a MIM standard?
I know the neck is wide, but is it also chunky front to back? How does the tone of these generally compare to a MIM standard?
These are probably the best P basses Fender offers at this price point, IMO. The specs on this bass aren't really offered any where else in their line, aside from the higher priced AV models. I have owned three and am considering getting another as a backup to my American Standard. The feel is pretty different from the MIM Standards, with a 1.75 nut and 7.25 radius with "vintage" size frets. If you want the vintage specs at a lower price, this is the way to go. Either way, it's a solid, quality Precision bass. The only changes I made to mine were the pickups. Awesome value new or used, IMO.
Another question, it looks like the pickguard has holes for a pickup cover and a tugbar. Is the body drilled too? Or just the pg?
