51 P bass

[orangepeelneil]

[size=3]
Hi Everyone,

I've been really gassing recently for a 51/54 style P bass.

There doesn't seem to be many manufactures doing copies of these only the Fender ones?

I really like the MIJ reissues but they are pretty expensive (when you can find them) ~£699 and the Sting signature model isn't very appealing with his moniker on the fret board.

I had the Squire Vintage modified (essentially telecaster) P bass with the slab body and hum-bucker which I liked, but are there any alternatives people are aware of with the single coil PUP??

I've take some nice pictures for Talk bass of the '51, 54 and '57 bass showing the body contours which just make you dribble.....

Any info would be great.

Cheers Neil [/size]

[hillbilly deluxe]

[url="http://www.squierguitars.com/products/search.php?partno=0303080502"]http://www.squierguitars.com/products/sear...rtno=0303080502[/url]

[Cat Burrito]

Depending on what your budget is, they often have 70s Jap tele basses on EBay. The CIJ 51RI is especially nice and it may be worth holding out for a second hand one. The Squiers are good fun too

[Delberthot]

I've built 2 Warmoth ones. Both extremely well made

[KiOgon]

Maybe this will increase your GAS pressure? [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html"]Status Vintage HC[/url] Haven't been able to see or try one yet, but

Cheerz, John

[Ou7shined]

I've got 2. One made by me and the other by Jon Shuker.

[spinynorman]

Bach do a range of slab single coil tele copies. Don't have one myself, but I've heard lots of good things about them, and they're cheap, so a good base for upgrades if you want to.

[url="http://www.bachmusik.com/en/music-instruments/bass-guitars/model-bach-bpb-60"]http://www.bachmusik.com/en/music-instrume...del-bach-bpb-60[/url]

They also do F*nderbirds

[url="http://www.bachmusik.com/en/music-instruments/bass-guitars/model-bach-ft"]http://www.bachmusik.com/en/music-instrume...s/model-bach-ft[/url]

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='KiOgon' post='976939' date='Oct 4 2010, 12:10 PM']Maybe this will increase your GAS pressure? [url="http://www.status-graphite.com/status/frames/index_home.html"]Status Vintage HC[/url] Haven't been able to see or try one yet, but

Cheerz, John[/quote]

This one is mine: [url="http://tinypic.com/a/24h91/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/24h91/3[/url]

It's the P/J configuration, and the three knobs are Pan / Volume / Tone.

I rate this bass very highly indeed. The graphite neck has genuine punch, the range of useable tones is impressive, it has high output for a passive bass, and it's light on the shoulders.

It also looks cool as anything.

Not cheap, mind.

[Alfie]

I am desperately hoping that Fender release a 60th Anniversary '51 next year

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Alfie' post='977235' date='Oct 4 2010, 03:30 PM']I am desperately hoping that Fender release a 60th Anniversary '51 next year[/quote]

I'm hoping they release a 70th Anniversary model instead.

[KiOgon]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='977185' date='Oct 4 2010, 02:57 PM']This one is mine: [url="http://tinypic.com/a/24h91/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/24h91/3[/url]

It's the P/J configuration, and the three knobs are Pan / Volume / Tone.

I rate this bass very highly indeed. The graphite neck has genuine punch, the range of useable tones is impressive, it has high output for a passive bass, and it's light on the shoulders.

It also looks cool as anything.

Not cheap, mind.[/quote]
Hey Jack,
That is one sexy Status very tasty
Cheerz, John

[orangepeelneil]

[size=3]Hi,

Thanks for all the responses

I guess I'm attracted to simple no-nonsence design. A contoured body (54 model) and the single coil pickup, maybe strung with flats? would be my choice.

I'm a bit cautious of the simple dual string bridge on the models -anyone have experience of these? Personally I'd like something more like a Gotoh 201 with individual string adjustment,but I guess its a classic design from 50 years ago and if it works and all that....

The Warmouth site is amazing, so much choice-just trying to work out how much it would all cost in parts-

I'm guessing around £500, I like the simple natural ash bodies, but I guess they need some kind of finish? unless oiling would be sufficient.

It's a minefield...
[/size]

[Grand Wazoo]

orangepeelneil, let me put my 5p worth here.

I have probably bought one of the last 51's reissue "Crafted in Japan" series, before Fender decided to discontinue them earlier this year, leaving only the Gordon Sumner model to continue to be sold. Just as you I would feel well embarassed if my bass said Sting on the fretboard, I'd sooner chisell it out and plug the hole with a nice maple veneer bit to match.

Yes it is a slab body, but if you look at the inside of my arm after playing it for a night you won't see a painful indentation, nor am I developing warped nerves. You might not like the look of a slab body but in those basses the secret in the sound has a lot to do with the body mass. It's an heavy fugger, but it pays you back with an accurate rendition of the period correct Precision sound in a way that only those who play it and hear it can "get".

I say if you find one for sale on ebay, as often they do pop up, prance on it as it wil be a choice you will not regret

Here is mine, and this is a keeper.

[Mr. Foxen]

[quote name='orangepeelneil' post='977637' date='Oct 4 2010, 08:50 PM']I'm guessing around £500, I like the simple natural ash bodies, but I guess they need some kind of finish? unless oiling would be sufficient.[/quote]

I have an oiled ash body on one of my franken Ps, it is fine.

[Alfie]

[quote name='orangepeelneil' post='977637' date='Oct 4 2010, 08:50 PM']I'm a bit cautious of the simple dual string bridge on the models -anyone have experience of these? Personally I'd like something more like a Gotoh 201 with individual string adjustment,but I guess its a classic design from 50 years ago and if it works and all that....[/quote]

I really like the bridge on my '51, mostly because it prevents me from becoming anal about intonation. I guess if you are going down the Warmoth route then it would make sense to go for a Gotoh 201 (I think Wilkinson make a '51 bridge), if you are buying off eBay then you can judge for yourself. IMO it adds to the appeal of Fender's most charming bass.

[bassix]

Schecter do some nice one's but good luck with finding one in the UK!

[Happy Jack]

I should probably mention that I briefly owned this:

[url="http://tinypic.com/a/r1xk/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/r1xk/3[/url]

I say "briefly" because I couldn't get on with it at all. I always rest my thumb on the pickup and the single-coil unit fitted to these basses is (i) uncomfortable, (ii) unstable, and (iii) fragile.

If you don't rest on the pickup, or if you plan to fit a thumb-rest, then obviously this won't be an issue.

Also worth noting that it's theoretically possible to hit the E so hard that it catches on the exposed edge of the pickup and slips [i][b]under [/b][/i]it. Life could get pretty interesting at that point.

Just saying ...

[Low End Bee]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='977185' date='Oct 4 2010, 02:57 PM']This one is mine: [url="http://tinypic.com/a/24h91/3"]http://tinypic.com/a/24h91/3[/url]

It's the P/J configuration, and the three knobs are Pan / Volume / Tone.

I rate this bass very highly indeed. The graphite neck has genuine punch, the range of useable tones is impressive, it has high output for a passive bass, and it's light on the shoulders.

It also looks cool as anything.

Not cheap, mind.[/quote]

This bass will be mine one day

[Happy Jack]

[quote name='Low End Bee' post='978001' date='Oct 5 2010, 09:21 AM']This bass will be mine one day [/quote]

Come and hear me play it at the King's Head in Acton on Friday then ...

[Low End Bee]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='978019' date='Oct 5 2010, 09:50 AM']Come and hear me play it at the King's Head in Acton on Friday then ...[/quote]

If I'm allowed out after Saturdays "Just off for a quick pint"

[machinehead]

I highly recommend finding a MIJ 51 reissue. I'm really surprised at how much I'm enjoying mine. The neck is smooth and fast and I find it as easy to play as a jazz.

I have a pair of SD. SCPB-3 pick ups fitted. Yes, a pair. I'm currently messing with fitting a 3 way switch to give the options of neck only pup, plus series and parallel connections.

The sound is massive. Really aggresive mids and softer but deep lows. But using only the neck pick up, as it was intended, the sound is rich and thick. And I can vary the sound by playing at the bridge or neck, using left hand damping and plucking using different parts of the finger tips. The sustain is the most of any bass I own judging by how long the tuner holds the note.

I have a badass III fitted as well. Whether it makes a lot of difference is debatable, but to me, the looks alone are worth it. At £99 for the bridge, it's a bit steep though.

I have been finding he slab body strangely comfortable. It's possible to rest your arm flat on the top of the body and move your hand and fingers only.

I'll get around to drilling the control plate and fitting and wiring the switch in the next few weeks. I'm looking forward to gigging it in this set up.

Frank.

[Delberthot]

[quote name='Happy Jack' post='977262' date='Oct 4 2010, 03:55 PM']I'm hoping they release a 70th Anniversary model instead. [/quote]


But it will be 60 years - 2011 - 1951 = 60

If you want it to look original you can fit period correct chrome covers over a gotoh 201, that's what I had on my second one.

Now that's a bass and a half with a Lollar pickup. someone on here from Ireland has it but I can;t remember who.