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Fender PBass '51 Reissue

#21
ShazzamDood said:
Well i asked him this before:
Thanks for the response. Just to make sure, the fingerboard had no polyurethane finish either, it the pure maple?

To which responded said:
Yes, the neck is completely bare pure maple. Very nice satin like feel. Not sticky like polyurethane. Thanks...
---
...He says it has a satin like feel but apparently it is "bare pure maple." idk :confused:
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I'm sure it feels nice, but completely unfinished maple will get dirty quickly and will be subject to more fluctuations (and maybe warpage) due to climate changes. Even a wipe-on oil or poly finish will be sufficient to protect the wood and leave you very close to the feeling and appearance of raw wood.
 
#23
I've never seen an unfinished maple board, no doubt for the reasons cited by EricF. I acquired a Warmoth all-maple neck that I put on a Squier II Precision with a warped neck a few years ago, and it was covered with tire tracks from finger oil; but I've never had a bass that didn't have some sort of finish on it. Some finishes, like the satin finish on G&L Tribute maple fingerboards, look unfinished, but they are not.

In fact, even most finishes eventually wear through. Look at an older Fender, and you'll see black marks where the finish has worn through and dirt from the fingers has penetrated.
 
#25
FranF said:
Far as I know, there were no '51 reissues until 1991. I'd be a bit leery of him not providing the serial number, even a partial.
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I have a '91. I believe you are correct.

Obligatory pic:

bodyshape51.jpg
 
#27
Hey gang...

I'm in a similar boat as the OP and really love the look of the 51 RI (the Tele headstock especially). But, love the BA2 bridge of the Dirnt version (at least on my Geddy Jazz and my vintage G-3), and then there's the Sting version.

At the risk of being redundant, but figuring it fit within this thread, what are the general differences/contrasts between these 3 models of essentially the same bass?

To me the major changes (affecting tone) seem to be: PUPs, bridge, fingerboard.

Did I miss anything? Anything else worth noting (body contour?) other than just color, price, and available rockstar signature thingy.

And for old school classic rock, which is most likely to be the best?


I could just get a regular ole P bass, but love the look of these old ones...

thanks
 
#36
i think jasper hit it on the nose i have a '51 sting bass and its just like jasper described its sound i really dig it good mids..... i kinda want the yellowish one now....small upgrades can make a difference like replacing the volume knob and input jack but it pretty fine as is if its working fine imho!
 
#38
thejrace said:
Just to add some more detail, the slab is one of the major differences between this and the other two, as this is the only non contoured model. IMO the slab helps it resonate a bit more, but who am i to speak:p.
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Nice idea but IME, it doesn't really work that way.

I've owned and gigged over a dozen 51 RI Ps, Stings, original '55, '69 Telecaster Bass, DIYs and other SCPB style basses both slab and contoured, and I've had very resonant slabs and very resonant contoured bodies.

What it depends on is the individual piece of wood.
 
#39
mongo2 said:
Nice idea but IME, it doesn't really work that way.

I've owned and gigged over a dozen 51 RI Ps, Stings, original '55, '69 Telecaster Bass, DIYs and other SCPB style basses both slab and contoured, and I've had very resonant slabs and very resonant contoured bodies.

What it depends on is the individual piece of wood.
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I can def agree with that in that it must be in the wood, as im sure we have all tried pretty resonate contoured and non contoured basses, but i was simply saying that i thought that was what made the difference to me:D. Ive never touched a dirnt or sting, so i cannot tell you how those sound or play, btu i truly enjoy my 51. Good luck with your decision mate.
 

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