Where are the 51-56 single coil precision basses?

[SwitchGear]

My next purchase will be something similar. Might not be a Fender, but it will resemble one.

What bass or brand are you thinking about?

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I said added electronics. Swapping out a pickup is not adding parts. It is replacing one part for another.
Now what mods are you talking about?

Whatever....

 

[RBrownBass]

If Fender would do this they have to leave off the CNC holes in the body and neck pocket.

Why the neck pocket?

 

[Pocket4]

Thread title throws me off - well of course they are in collectors cabinets and not for sale waiting for the final bidding wave before the boomers die. Oh yeah, I like SCPB.

 

[SwitchGear]

Never thought of scpb reissues as an investment.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

Having owned a '71 Tele Bass for many years - which is in most respects a replica of the original "P" - these are my recollections:

1) Heavy? It all depends on what one compares them with. Against a Hofner Beatle Bass or my '69 Gibson EB-0, sure they are. When compared to most of the late 70s Fenders, they are featherweights.

2) Telephone pole...lol. Yes, these came with traditional "C" necks - at least all the ones that I've ever come across - so the necks are indeed on the chunky side.

3) Noisy...not in my experience, and I've done a good bit of recording - on the analog equipment no less - with mine back in the days.

I'd love to see an re-issue of a '51 P - or for that fact '68 Tele - in Fender's U.S. AVRI lineup, but somehow I don't believe that's going to happen.

Good post. Just a couple of mitigating factors. At the time I was playing an (yak) EB3 short scale and I could fly on it, and it had humbuckers on it. Going from that to playing a Fender was like switching from driving a Volkswagen Beetle to driving the Queen Mary. It may be the Fender bases I played were not in the greatest shape. Thanks for your post.

 

[Stifffingers]

"Never thought of scpb reissues as an investment."

Me neither. I bought my ‘51 mostly for the tonal variation the SC pup offered, and all the mods I described earlier were done to enhance its utility. It is a quality instrument and hopefully will retain its value, but I don’t consider it a collectible and no one will ever confuse it with an original ’51.

 

[Speterc]

A single coil P is my main bass .( a
Thinking of getting a fretless one too.
(like my fretted one; alder body, rosewood board though, rather than ash/maple).
A REALLY nice bass to play!!

A fretless one would be interesting. Maybe a coated fretboard.

 

[fretno]

the what now ???

 

[bassdude51]

Many of us totally agree with you! Bring on affordable single coil P Basses! The Fender MIJs of a few years back were excellent and affordable, a blonde '51 slab, a 2 tone '51 slab and the Sting Bass (12th fret marker YUCK!).

Other choice is to buy a single coil style Warmoth body and neck and build one for about $800.

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[Tadsworld]

I suppose these are kind of an acquired taste. i have an original '56 and it is amazing. Also Pre CBS P basses, Jazz Basses Old Kay and Silvertones... The Single coil is very loud and bright. Different than a P or J. Maybe they are not popular reissues because people aren't expecting this tone but I love it. Most of my basses are Rosewood, this is obviously maple and there for is noticeably more sustain. This may sound counter-intuitive but when you roll ALL the tone off it is as fat and punchy as any bass I have ever played. The one drawback is it's super clean and not the sort of thing I would take on the road or (god forbid) a club gig. I have an '82 57 reissue (referred to as fullerton reissues) that is a giant killer. Totally amazing and not so valuable that I can't take it with me to any gig.

 

[cnltb]

A fretless one would be interesting. Maybe a coated fretboard.

Coated with what and why?

 

[cnltb]

the what now ???
View attachment 2813782

Is the pot Volume or Tone or...?
...and what are the materials for body and neck?

 

[fretno]

Is the pot Volume or Tone or...?
...and what are the materials for body and neck?

That is a V control on a Warmoth SSB SC . The top is birds eye Maple . The back is Mahogany .The Burst was done by TB'er Paul Slagle aka: Mister Nobody / Pittman guitars . The neck is a 32" Warhead in Ziricote w / Ebony board . The pup is a Duncan custom Stinger . It's a bad little thing .

 

[BASSLIX]

I built a 1951 Pbass last year. Cost $500 in parts and wood. They make the exact pickup today. I did all relic and aging of the chrome.

 

[Speterc]

Coated with what and why?

Typically, fretless maple boards get coated, epoxy, or the like. From what I've read, an uncoated maple board wil get dirty. I have an old fretless J bass with a coated maple fingerboard, and the bass sings. YMMV.

 

[cnltb]

Typically, fretless maple boards get coated, epoxy, or the like. From what I've read, an uncoated maple board wil get dirty. I have an old fretless J bass with a coated maple fingerboard, and the bass sings. YMMV.

Ah ok.. your post did not specify maple. hence the question .

 

[Speterc]

Ah ok.. your post did not specify maple. hence the question .

Do you have a preference, coated or bare?
I've had both, and like different things about them. My current fretless jazz has a poly finish on the fretboard. I'm happy with it.

 

[cnltb]

Do you have a preference, coated or bare?
I've had both, and like different things about them. My current fretless jazz has a poly finish on the fretboard. I'm happy with it.

I'd go non coated.
But then...I'd also most likely have a Brazilian Rosewood board(again).
Even if I went with maple, I don't think I'd mind it changing it's appearance over time.

 

[D.M.N.]

How about a reissue of this version:
1968 Fender Telecaster Bass Pink Paisley Electric Bass Vintage Rare w/HC | eBay