Squier Classic Vibe '51 vs. Fender '51 Reissue

[Antisyzygy]

thanks for the offer of help! what do you recommend?

it seems the fralins are the top choice.

i'd just like to combat the "hum" i hear about but like the split coil sound

Ah ok. Yeah, those also beef up your low-end a bit.

The Fralin Split '51 is a bit spendy but it sounds great, I can vouch for that. It still retains the single coil character but beefs up the low-end and adds hum cancelling.

Jess L. also makes one : Jess Loureiro Hand Wound Pickups P-bass® 51 coil-split Tele-bass 2015 | Reverb that's not as expensive.

Sentell makes some pretty interesting 51' style pickups that are stacked humbuckers : Sentell Pickups bass guitar pickups

In general I'd recommend split coil pickups over the stacked variety (Seymour Duncan makes a stacked 51' coil as well) because the split coils will have higher output. YMMV of course. Both varieties cancel hum.

The nice thing about the stacked humbucking 51 pickups is you could wire them to a coil splitting switch to get a real single coil sound. You can't do that with a split humbucker like the Fralin split '51 or the Jess L. pickup I linked you to above.

Long story short stacked humbucking pickups add some more wiring options but does come at the price of lower output when in humbucking mode.

 

[static0verdrive]

People will say Fender over Squier based on name alone, but I can't stress enough: If you can try them both, do so. You might end up surprised by which you like more, maybe not - but you won't know until you try.

 

[Antisyzygy]

thanks for the offer of help! what do you recommend?

it seems the fralins are the top choice.

i'd just like to combat the "hum" i hear about but like the split coil sound

Sorry for the multiple replies.

If you want a harness for your bass you can get custom made ones really cheap from Kellingsound. He uses high quality parts, many vintage style.

Here's one for a 51' P bass with a stacked humbucking pickup :

51 P Bass Harness For STK Pickup 3 Way Tone Pot Solderless KellingSound

He can make custom ones to your specs as well. You can even add solderless installation as an option. He charges typically between 30 and 70 depending on the cost of parts/labor.

I have no affiliation.

 

[4001]

To my ears...in every case the American Fenders sounded a bit warmer and more solid.

 

[Antisyzygy]

To my ears...in every case the American Fenders sounded a bit warmer and more solid.

I'd wager that has more to do with the pickup than anything else. That's fixed easily enough. I didn't like my 50s RW P bass pickup because it sounded a little too scooped and bright, so I threw a EMG Geezer in it. Problem solved.

 

[lpdeluxe]

I took a look at the Classic Vibe Squier and I note that its neck is a bit narrower at the nut. Personally I can't play skinny necks -- my hand cramps up. I'd certainly try one before I bought.

 

[TDR1138]

I think both basses have a lot of subtle differences, but the same overall aesthetic.

Tuners:
Fender has vintage reverse winds; Squier has modern style.

Neck:
Fender has vintage 7-1/4" radius; Squier has modern 9-1/2" radius. Fender has small vintage frets. I don't know about the Squier size.

Truss rod:
Fender at the heel; Squier at the headstock.

Body:
Fender is slab ash, or contoured ash with the Sting; Squier is contoured pine. I've read that the Squier actually has a little more room in the cavities than the Fender models, but can't verify. It's been reported that some aftermarket pickups fit easier in the Squier than in the Fender.

Bridge:
Fender is vintage 2-saddle string thru body; Squier is modern 4-saddle string thru bridge.

Electronics:
Probably a wash here. Fender uses dime-sized pots in my Sting. I'm assuming the '51 RI is the same. Not sure what the Squier has, but I doubt it's any better.

Both probably sound as similar as they look, so I think a lot of it comes down to the details. Fender if you want more the vintage feel or Squier if you want more modern feel.

 

[neddyrow]

Fender has small vintage frets. I don't know about the Squier size.

they have medium jumbo frets...i looked. you are correct that the squier has more modern characteristics.

I took a look at the Classic Vibe Squier and I note that its neck is a bit narrower at the nut. Personally I can't play skinny necks -- my hand cramps up. I'd certainly try one before I bought.

it's not as skinny as a jazz bass right? i can't do jazz necks.

 

[TDR1138]

FWIW, I played a Squier a few years ago with the typical horrible Guitar Center setup and dead strings. Kind of underwhelmed but I attribute a lot of that to the strings/setup.

I have a Sting sig and I love it. Have only had to replace the output jack as the stock one wasn't the best, but otherwise a solid bass. In a well-grounded environment, the single coil hum is not an issue.

 

[lpdeluxe]

The Squier neck appears to be about 1.65" versus 1.75" for the Classic '50s. The MF listing says it has "vintage" (small) frets and a basswood body, which may not be accurate. I much prefer the small frets and 7.25" radius on the Fender. "Medium jumbo" items may feel more like speed bumps to an upright player.

Another issue is that resale value is greater for a Fender-brand instrument. By the way, my '51 RI has a Seymour Duncan "Quarter Pound" (still single-coil) that I think is an improvement over the original.

 

[veebass]

Ah ok. Yeah, those also beef up your low-end a bit.

The Fralin Split '51 is a bit spendy but it sounds great, I can vouch for that. It still retains the single coil character but beefs up the low-end and adds hum cancelling.

Jess L. also makes one : Jess Loureiro Hand Wound Pickups P-bass® 51 coil-split Tele-bass 2015 | Reverb that's not as expensive.

Sentell makes some pretty interesting 51' style pickups that are stacked humbuckers : Sentell Pickups bass guitar pickups

In general I'd recommend split coil pickups over the stacked variety (Seymour Duncan makes a stacked 51' coil as well) because the split coils will have higher output. YMMV of course. Both varieties cancel hum.

The nice thing about the stacked humbucking 51 pickups is you could wire them to a coil splitting switch to get a real single coil sound. You can't do that with a split humbucker like the Fralin split '51 or the Jess L. pickup I linked you to above.

Long story short stacked humbucking pickups add some more wiring options but does come at the price of lower output when in humbucking mode.

I am in the process of installing a Jess Loureiro split 51 in my 69 Telecaster Bass- looking for some more versatility from that particular bass. Original pickup long gone- like many of them. Been running the 69 with a Duncan SCPB Quarter Pounder for some years now, which I like a lot. Before that it had a Duncan SCPB Antiguity II, which I did not care for at all. I have a Sting Bass (essentially a 54 RI) as well and have left the stock Fender pickup in that one- I think it sounds really good. I also have an original 56 P with it's pickup untouched- it sounds the wonderful. Surprisingly articulate.
The Loureiro split 51 pickup can be used with a push / pull pot to switch between series and parallel and that is how I will set the 69 Tele up- just waiting on some parts (long story).
The Sting Bass is well worth a look, if you can get past the insert at the 12th fret. Really solid, well built, good sounding basses. Body contours if that is a concern, solid good quality hardware, lovely chunky neck, but not as big as the 69 Tele- does have the 2 saddle bridge but that could be changed if it worries.

 

[TDR1138]

Oh, another thing to note - the Fenders have a route under the pickguard, so you really need to keep the guard on. The Squiers do not, so you can go naked if you want.

 

[aaronious]

I was looking for just this video. It should clear up all your questions. If it was me, I'd get the Squier. You don't need to spend the $$ on a bedroom bass. If you ever wanna sell it, part it out and you'll make just about all you money back.

 

[ColdEye]

Try Benson Custom for pickups too. I had mine slightly overwound and I use a .1 cap and its so nice with flats (sunbeam E and la bella flats ADG). I also put a bridge cover for so I can put a foam mute. Such s fun and simple bass really. Mine is a squier CV 50 in butterscotch. Btw on mine the route for the wire from the pickup to control area was tight. It was fine for regular wires but a pain with cloth covered.

 

[Pocket4]

About Strings! Chances are that the flatwounds you are thinking about to get the tone you want would be shredded in the reissue string-through bridge. The TI Jazz Flats do seem to survive that break angle though.

 

[TDR1138]

About Strings! Chances are that the flatwounds you are thinking about to get the tone you want would be shredded in the reissue string-through bridge. The TI Jazz Flats do seem to survive that break angle though.

Chromes on my Sting (string thru) and they're just fine.

 

[Yahboy]

To my ears...in every case the American Fenders sounded a bit warmer and more solid.

Base on this video , i also found maybe the old string on those fender bass is Tone Magic .

I own CV 60P and just bought an used CV jazz last week. Broke-in flat string could make those stock pup sound warm and sweet.

 

[Yahboy]

they have medium jumbo frets...i looked. you are correct that the squier has more modern characteristics.

Squier CV series all come with Vintage style fret ~~~

I put a Fender Vintage Thread Bridge on CV 60 P, this vintage bridge make it sound more organic and balance tone over the Hi-mass bridge.
But i leave the hi-mass bridge with CV 60 Jazz, just because the stock pup sound really nice with it , and , Yes, the Sadowsky Flat is the backstage.

Jazz bass is the Modern era to P bass for me. So, Jazz bass is Modern tone , P bass is Vintage tone . Tele P is RAW tone.
Just my 2cents

 

[jmattbassplaya]

I had the Fender Reissue and the lack of body contours turned out to be a much bigger deal than I expected. I just hated playing it. I haven't bought a Squier CV yet but it's on my list.

Same here.

 

[lbbc]

I have the squier 51 w/Seymore Duncan replacement pickup. The lightweight and contoured body is a pleasure to play and the replacement pickup is awesome. I have it for sale here at TB