Looking for a single coil precision bass. Need info!

[ampegfuzz]

I'm am gassing for a older single coil 50's type p bass and wondering what years and changes. I know they started around 1951 and were made till ??? Before the went split coil like we see on most p basses around 1957. I know the added a arm contour around '54/55. How long did they make the type with the arm contour before they stopped making them and started rebadging them as a telecaster bass. I know the first 3 to 4 years of the telecaster bass was a single coil until they put a fender mudbucker in the early 70's but I think most of the telecaster basses were slab bodies. What other years can I search for? We're they constant from '51 to '70 with the single coil version?

 

[Chef]

First run Precision: 51-56
Telecaster "reissue" 68-71
Fender Japan reissues started 1990-ish?
Fender Sting about that same time.

 

[ampegfuzz]

So not really made between '57 and '67? All the searching I did points to that but no solid answer. Also any MIJ's with a arm contour?

 

[Chef]

Not that I know of.

 

[johng999]

I own both the 69 Telecaster and a 55 reissue CS. Both are great-Tele is the slab, 55 has the contours. 55 is lighter and a little more comfortable. The soft v neck on the 55 is nice.

 

[Din Of Win]

I really like the single coil Ps... but i also prefer a contour.

While an original 50-something is way too rich for my blood, the Squier CV 50's P has my eye...

 

[ampegfuzz]

I think I'm going to have to find a clone, copy, or RI. Such a rare bird it will likely be too expensive to own a '54-'57 SCP. Any of those 90's RI have a contour? I seen the paisley ones do. I know I could get a squier copy but I want something a little more collectible.

 

[Chef]

The Sting reissue has the contour.

 

[ampegfuzz]

They still have that horrible 12th fret logo?

 

[muzikman7]

They do still have the Sting fret marker, I didn't care for the inlay either so I bought a '51 and swapped necks.

 

[Chef]

yes, I believe they still have the logo.

 

[ampegfuzz]

Any other good MIJ clones or copys other then fender/squier I can look for?

 

[ampegfuzz]

So I found nash and bluesman vintage for vintage clones and the sting looks like the only other 54-56 era SCPB minus something from maybe mjt but I've heard some horror stories from buying full kits from him. So are their any more I can search for? Under $2000 price range. Also any "versus" treads on nash and bluesman? I looked and not much on TB but some guitar ones.

 

[Chef]

http://www.valentibasses.com/

I'm pretty sure Nino could do that for under $2,000
he built this one for me:

 

[thisSNsucks]

Not to hijack the thread, but does anyone know how true to vintage spec the early MIJ reissue necks come?

 

[ampegfuzz]

That's another thing I don't want a baseball bat neck. And i think all the nash p's have those.

 

[thisSNsucks]

That's another thing I don't want a baseball bat neck. And i think all the nash p's have those.

The original 50's SCPB's should have wide nut but slim V thickness necks.

The ones in the 70's have the more chunky necks.

Not sure myself about the reissues or the ones from other makers.

 

[Mastermold]

That's another thing I don't want a baseball bat neck. And i think all the nash p's have those.

Don't know if the CIJ '51 specs ever changed, but mine (left) is a 2009 and has a slightly narrower and thinner neck than the CS '55 (right). Both are very comfy however.

 

[ampegfuzz]

I've played what people call "pancake" necks (super slim and 1 3/4 at the nut). It was ok but too wide for 4 hours at a top 40 gig. It was more then fine when I used it for originals and only played one 45 min set. My buddy has a 57 nash and I'm going to give that neck another spin. It's been a long time since my hands were on it.

 

[ampegfuzz]

Is their a club for these type of basses, only SCPB types?