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Post subject: GOODBYE Fender 51 Reissue Precision Bass
Posted: Thu Oct 07, 2010 6:20 pm
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After over a decade in the product line, the 51 Reissue Precision is gone.

I have a sunburst one which I've modified a bit and have no intention of ever parting with.

Thanks to Fender for keeping this Reissue Classic around so long.

They have kept the STING artist series version in the lineup, which is essentially the same instrument except for the block signature inlay at the 12th fret and the body contouring. I just never liked the Sting as much. Maybe it was the block inlay, maybe it was the body contouring but it just isn't the same as my 51 RI. Mine is more resonant than the 3 different Stings I've tried.

Anyway, it sure is a gateway to the past, much like the initial Telecaster Bass was in its day. If you've got a 51 Reissue P-Bass, it would be nice to know why you have kept it. I mean it is not the prettiest bass ever made. So what are your reasons?


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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 3:14 pm
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I like the '62's the best. But I like the fact that the '51's don't have the body sculpting in the back. I don't like the body sculpting there. It makes the bottom of the body of a guitar swing away from you, tilting the fingerboard and making you extend your left hand reach. A flat backed bass is probably easier to play than a sculpted one for that reason.

Too bad they are discontinuing your favorite bass. I know I would be disappointed if the '62 went.


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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 6:40 pm
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I never said the '51 RI was my favorite bass. I am partial to all of the first generation models and also the Telecaster Bass before they changed to the chrome humbucking pickup.

I think the '54 was a very good year. The '57 Reissues are pretty sweet as are the 62 RI's. But one can't have every bass they want!

I was looking for reactions from other 51 Reissue owners about why they like or have kept theirs instead of fragmenting the thread into a discussion on 62's, 57's, 54's or whatever else.

I figured the 51 RI's demise was coming, just didn't know when. I am sort of surprised since it is so similar to the Sting that they are keeping the Sting and killing off the '51. The 51 is less labor intensive for sure.

BTW, I saw Jim Mayer, Coral Reefer Band bassist for Jimmy Buffett, playing what I think was the Sting version because it was sunburst and had the 12th fret block inlay at a concert in Charlotte last time I saw them which was in 2009. It was the only bass he used throughout the entire show I think. He had either removed the pickguard or put on a clear one.

Everyone was direct except him. No amps on stage other than the bass amp.


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Posted: Fri Oct 08, 2010 7:41 pm
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The Squier Classic Vibe 50's and Vintage Modified TB Precision Basses still alive.

Image

Image


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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 6:04 pm
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The 50's CV I played was a very good playing instrument, but not sure about the body wood being as snappy as ash. The frets were well done and the bridge pretty nice. It also has contouring. In it's favor the pickup on it was at least twice as loud as the Squire Fretless Jazz I played. If I had to pick a Squier the CV would be ok for gigs. I've never looked at the Squire TB but I recall they have a laminated top which is a definite turn off and I never much liked the chrome humbucker which sounded darker than the single coil even when they were on a genuine Fender Telecaster bass. Not sure what the body wood is on either.


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Posted: Sat Oct 09, 2010 7:42 pm
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My local Guitar Center has both of those basses. Really a good bang for the buck!


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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 9:50 am
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I knew I could NEVER afford a original early '50s P-bass so I bought a '03 51RI. I love it ..... and I don't mind the "mango" color. I need to play it more.
Sorry to hear of it being discontinued.

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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 12:24 pm
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Very cool basses those were! I would assume they are being stopped to clear the way for a 60th anniversary version of the '51 in 2011 with production being moved to Mexico and a limited edition US version available as well....with a cool case to boot!

:)


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Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 3:47 pm
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pudgychef1 wrote:
Very cool basses those were! I would assume they are being stopped to clear the way for a 60th anniversary version of the '51 in 2011 with production being moved to Mexico and a limited edition US version available as well....with a cool case to boot!

:)


That is a most excellent prognostication! I hope if it comes to pass that this time they get the blonde over ash right!


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Post subject:
Posted: Sun Oct 10, 2010 6:14 pm
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Quote:
I hope if it comes to pass that this time they get the blonde over ash right!


That would be nice!

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Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:41 am
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I have a "butterscotch" '51 RI I bought in '06. It was the first Precision I bought, followed in fairly rapid order by a Squier II P that I bought to assess the split-coil sound. That was followed pretty quickly by a Classic '50s that became my main gigging bass for the next couple of years. Then I put together a natural ash/maple fingerboard fretless P, and finally got my current squeeze, a sunburst AV '57.

I have been zeroing in on the "perfect" sound, and I think I've found it with the '57 and a Mesa/Boogie Walkabout Scout.

So I traded off the Squier, sold my fretless Jazz, and got rid of everything except the four Precisions. Then, in a fit of simplification, I found a buyer for the Classic '50s (it'll be sold when he comes up with the money) and I put the '51 up on craigslist.

Then I went to a friend's house, where he had his early '70s Ampeg B15N set up, and I took along the '51. Oh, my! So THAT'S what they mean by "warm!" Not, I hasten to add, that I dislike my '57/MB rig, but this was something I never heard from a split-coil. Punch, and rapid attack, and THUMP. What fun!

A few months later I acquired a Fender Bassman 400 to leave at our rehearsal space so I wouldn't have to haul the Mesa/Boogie around any more than necessary, and I found myself leaving the '51 there instead of taking the '57. I long since deleted the craigslist ad, and there's no way I'll sell the '51 now. It's a killer, and a great alternative voice to the others.

Not quite stock: American Deluxe 4-saddle bridge (people tell me all the time that the 2-saddle bridges are fine, but, dammit, I can hear the out-of-tune notes), a Seymour Duncan Quarter Pound, black pickguard screws, and TI Jazz Flats. The beast required exactly one truss-rod tweak (after sailing to America in a cardboard box), has a wonderfully chunky neck, and its only flaw is the insane school-bus yellow color.

But, hey, you can't hear paint.

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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:25 pm
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The "American Deluxe" bass bridge you're talking about has been dropped. It was used on the older Deluxes and many Custom Shop basses from 1995 to 2009.

All American Deluxe basses came with the HMV bridge as of March 23.


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Post subject:
Posted: Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:09 pm
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Those Quarter Pounder single coils are a secret weapon for many around here. I've considered getting one of those '50s Classic Vibes just to put one in :)


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Posted: Tue Oct 12, 2010 7:24 am
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This ones always been on my "maybe someday" wishlist. It looks like it had a pretty good run.


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Post subject:
Posted: Wed Oct 13, 2010 3:21 pm
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LawDaddy wrote:
Those Quarter Pounder single coils are a secret weapon for many around here. I've considered getting one of those '50s Classic Vibes just to put one in :)


I put one in my Classic '50s and it was terrific. The AV '57 I've left stock, and I like it the way it is. But it really brought the '51 to life.

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