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fender precision '51 discontinued ?!

#3
They discontinued it for the same reason they discontinued it in 1960. They're simply not popular because the later model P is much better. That's why it's lasted for 50 years.

Look into the Squier CV 50's P. It's every bit as good as an original for 300 bucks.
 
#5
The '51 is a great bass. Mine gets used all the time.

Leo didn't discontinue them because they were bad basses. He made the change because his bass amps of the day weren't up to reproducing the high-fidelity, sharp attack players were getting out of them. To reduce blown speakers, he devised the split-coil pickup with its pole pieces straddling the strings, and, while he was at it, he had Freddie draw up a more graceful pickguard and added a Strat-style headstock in an attempt to change the mass and eliminate dead spots on the neck. Strat-style body contours had already happened, so he left those on. Personally, I love both kinds: I have the '51, an AV '57, and a fretless split-coil.

Now that the speaker technology has caught up with the pickups, the
'51 is fine. It has a voice different from the '57 but still attractive. Mine is the Thump King with its steep attack and short decay, and it sounds great through my Mesa/Boogie Walkabout or my Fender Bassman 400 210. This week I'll plug it into my new Genz-Benz 3.0 Shuttle-10t, but I sure don't expect it to sound bad.:D
 
#8
richardzbaraski said:
i was browsing the fender site and noticedthere was no longer a '51 precision bass on the site. maybe they're re-vamping it ?
well i hope its not discontiued cause im gassing for one !
Click to expand...

Richard,

If you have a bit of DIY inclination, you can buy the parts for a '51 (slab body) or '54 (contoured body) single-coil P-bass from Warmoth.

There are two companies that make pickups for it (that I know of)-- SD and Rio Grande.

All of their bodies and necks are American-made, as are some of their hardware and electronics (they seem very gung-ho on Gotoh, though).
 
#15
GrapeApe said:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...ic-Vibe-Precision-50s-Bass-Guitar-?sku=519743
Click to expand...

I have one of those bad boys that I got used offa TalkBass for $200/shipped last year that is just killer. I put a Lindy Fralin '51 Precision pickup on it and it is as good as any of my US made Fenders. I much prefer the contoured body on the Squire to the slab body on the CIJ '51 reissue and the lightweight basswood body seems to have a little more bottom end than the ash bodied '51 reissues I've played which helps balance out the inherent brightness of that single coil pickup.
 
#17
pbassnut said:
I have one of those bad boys that I got used offa TalkBass for $200/shipped last year that is just killer. I put a Lindy Fralin '51 Precision pickup on it and it is as good as any of my US made Fenders. I much prefer the contoured body on the Squire to the slab body on the CIJ '51 reissue and the lightweight basswood body seems to have a little more bottom end than the ash bodied '51 reissues I've played which helps balance out the inherent brightness of that single coil pickup.
Click to expand...

The neck isn't exactly the same though...
 
#18
Mastermold said:
http://bass-guitars.musiciansfriend...om-Shop-Vintage-Pro-1955-PBass-NOS?sku=423454
Click to expand...

Seen that and love it! It's on my "short list!" Not under $350.00 though! :D

Also like the '66 P bass slab with the split pick-up, best of both worlds! But way out of my budget range!

Also, Lakland is suppose to be announcing a '51 slab model which looks very nice! You can see pics of the prototype here!

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=695719&page=4

I'm also curious to see what Fender offers next year for the 60th anniversary of the P bass! :hyper:
 
#19
calypsocoral302 said:
Richard,

If you have a bit of DIY inclination, you can buy the parts for a '51 (slab body) or '54 (contoured body) single-coil P-bass from Warmoth.

There are two companies that make pickups for it (that I know of)-- SD and Rio Grande.

All of their bodies and necks are American-made, as are some of their hardware and electronics (they seem very gung-ho on Gotoh, though).
Click to expand...

i was thinking about doing that .. i've seen ones taken apart on stratoshepre on the 'bay ... it'd turn out cheaper to get all the fender parts from there i think :)
 

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