51 P-style basses on a budget

[Funky Dunky]

I only know of the Squier Mike Dirnt (I think we should abbreviate this to the Squint bass )

I've fallen in love with the looks of the 51 P but the big boys such as Fender and Lakland - that 44-51 is so sexy btw - are way out of reach for me at the mo.

There are multitudes of budget P and J copies all over the market, but the 51 shape seems to have next to no affordable clones, much to my dismay. Anyone know of any other than the Squint (I'll make this stick if it's the last thing I do ) ?

Edited August 14, 2016 by Funky Dunky

[discreet]

I bought one of these...

https://www.thomann.de/gb/harley_benton_pb_50_sb_vintage_series.htm

...and made it into this:

http://basschat.co.uk/topic/281077-harley-benton-pb-50-modded-audio/

[mr zed]

Harley Benton PB50 budget enough for you? There have been some great reviews on here.

Edit - typing whilst discreet was posting lol

Edited August 14, 2016 by mr zed

[Highfox]

Retrovibe do a T-Rod if you're after a split P type.
http://www.retrovibe.co.uk/t-rod/butterscotch-bass.html#
Think there are a few basschatters with them?

[discreet]

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1471199430' post='3111216']
Retrovibe do a T-Rod if you're after a split P type. [url="http://www.retrovibe.co.uk/t-rod/butterscotch-bass.html#"]http://www.retrovibe...otch-bass.html#[/url]
[/quote]

I like the look of that... just sent a mail asking what the board radius is.
Though 9.3lbs may be just a little [i]too [/i]much mass...

[Highfox]

[quote name='discreet' timestamp='1471199831' post='3111223']
I like the look of that... just sent a mail asking what the board radius is.
Though 9.3lbs may be just a little [i]too [/i]much mass...
[/quote]

Sorry a bit OT.
He does a few nice basses, my Renegade from him is very light
I really like this also http://www.retrovibe.co.uk/vantage/wineredmet.html

[mcnach]

Affordable?
I got my Mike Dirnt for £115 including a small practice amp... they tend to sell for around £100 or so, but there aren't lots of them, I admit.
It's a nice bass. Very light. I did replace the pickup 'though as it was a bit naff. The most un-precision-like neck of all the Precisions I've tried: very shallow and slim, without being a Jazz.

[dannybuoy]

No mention of the Squier Classic Vibe 50s Precision? I would try and find a used example of the now discontinued butterscotch version:



These are no longer on the Squier site but there are some white blonde ones knocking about still:

https://www.hwaudio.co.uk/Product/Fender-Squier-Classic-Vibe-50s-Precision-Bass-White-Blonde-Pine-p428316

[mcnach]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1471216017' post='3111370']
No mention of the Squier Classic Vibe 50s Precision? I would try and find a used example of the now discontinued butterscotch version:



These are no longer on the Squier site but there are some white blonde ones knocking about still:

[url="https://www.hwaudio.co.uk/Product/Fender-Squier-Classic-Vibe-50s-Precision-Bass-White-Blonde-Pine-p428316"]https://www.hwaudio....de-Pine-p428316[/url]
[/quote]


I sold mine a few months ago... it was lovely. The neck is big, but I like chunky necks. I think other colours came with slightly different necks, made in different factories, as I bought a maple neck off another and it was a lot thinner (I bought it for my Mike Dirnt, as I wanted a maple neck)... The butterscotch one was a great bass. The first time I used it was with the RHCP tribute band I was playing with at the time. It actually sounded great for that! "Can't stop" was really nice on that bass, I remember. And Aeroplane!

[mcnach]

Well, you said you liked the Squier Mike Dirnt? Guess what?

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-squier-precision-Bass-Guitar-P-Bass-Mike-Dirnt-Edition-/282129225669?hash=item41b03657c5:g:IkEAAOSwaB5XpzO4"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-squier-precision-Bass-Guitar-P-Bass-Mike-Dirnt-Edition-/282129225669?hash=item41b03657c5:g:IkEAAOSwaB5XpzO4[/url]

not mine, by the way!

[Funky Dunky]

[quote name='dannybuoy' timestamp='1471216017' post='3111370']
No mention of the Squier Classic Vibe 50s Precision? I would try and find a used example of the now discontinued butterscotch version:



These are no longer on the Squier site but there are some white blonde ones knocking about still:

https://www.hwaudio.co.uk/Product/Fender-Squier-Classic-Vibe-50s-Precision-Bass-White-Blonde-Pine-p428316
[/quote]

Stunning! Love that colour. That would be ideal.

[Funky Dunky]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1471220346' post='3111384']
Well, you said you liked the Squier Mike Dirnt? Guess what?

[url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-squier-precision-Bass-Guitar-P-Bass-Mike-Dirnt-Edition-/282129225669?hash=item41b03657c5:g:IkEAAOSwaB5XpzO4"]http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fender-squier-precision-Bass-Guitar-P-Bass-Mike-Dirnt-Edition-/282129225669?hash=item41b03657c5:g:IkEAAOSwaB5XpzO4[/url]

not mine, by the way!
[/quote]

God that is a bargain! Shame it's collection only from Milton Keynes. And a month too early!

[Funky Dunky]

[quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1471216700' post='3111373']



I sold mine a few months ago... it was lovely. The neck is big, but I like chunky necks. I think other colours came with slightly different necks, made in different factories, as I bought a maple neck off another and it was a lot thinner (I bought it for my Mike Dirnt, as I wanted a maple neck)... The butterscotch one was a great bass. The first time I used it was with the RHCP tribute band I was playing with at the time. It actually sounded great for that! "Can't stop" was really nice on that bass, I remember. And Aeroplane!
[/quote]

Chunky neck? Hmmm that is slightly offputting. I don't cope well with chunky neckage

[mcnach]

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1471221445' post='3111387']
Chunky neck? Hmmm that is slightly offputting. I don't cope well with chunky neckage
[/quote]

Yeah that CV50 Precision (Butterscotch) had one of the chunkiest necks I've seen recently. But mine was one of the first ones. I noticed there were slimmer necks out there so either newer versions and/or other colours may be ok for you then. Worth checking before buying 'though. The Mike Dirnt's neck was very slim by comparison, and the neck I bought for it (which was from a CV50s, in USA, but did not specify which one) was only marginally thicker.

[dannybuoy]

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1471221361' post='3111386']


God that is a bargain! Shame it's collection only from Milton Keynes. And a month too early!
[/quote]

Ad says you can send your own courier!

[BassApprentice]

[quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1471199430' post='3111216']
Retrovibe do a T-Rod if you're after a split P type.
[url="http://www.retrovibe.co.uk/t-rod/butterscotch-bass.html#"]http://www.retrovibe...otch-bass.html#[/url]
Think there are a few basschatters with them?
[/quote]

I've contacted David at Retrovibe a few times and I know he is very active on a Rickenfakers FB group and is always willing to help and customise options on basses so maybe he can sort you out with your 51 P bass itch

[discreet]

[quote name='Funky Dunky' timestamp='1471221361' post='3111386']
God that is a bargain!
[/quote]

Not yet it isn't - it's an auction with one day to go. I bet most of the bidding will happen in the last few minutes.

[Funky Dunky]

Yeah true. I'm out until NEXT payday anyway though

[JonesTheCat]

I was contemplating throwing a bid in on that Dirnt - the cracks were the only thing putting me off, what do we think?

[mcnach]

[quote name='JonesTheCat' timestamp='1471291716' post='3111943']
I was contemplating throwing a bid in on that Dirnt - the cracks were the only thing putting me off, what do we think?
[/quote]

I would not be worried. They're not uncommon on tight neck pockets and they're just the finish cracking. You see quite a few Fender/Squier instruments like that. It's just cosmetic, mildly.