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Post subject: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 6:16 am
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I saw the '51 P-Bass listed on the site.

I think it's a re-entry, because I'm sure enough it wasn't on until a short while ago. I'm happy about this though, I'd like to get one if I have the chance.


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 8:55 am
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The 51 re-issue[b]PRODUCTION MODEL[/b] has always been made in Japan,Its model number starts with a 027 prefix which is only used for cataloging Japanese models.(not serial numbers,but the numbers used in catalogs for ordering or availability purposes)I dont ever recall seeing it offered as a US>made in production<,BUT you can order a 51 P-bass(or any year you want)from the custom shop,in any condition you want(N.O.S.,closet classic,relic'ed).
The Japan model goes back and forth in its availability depending on the sales,and really does'nt differ much from the STING bass other than the HORIFFIC :shock: signature thats RIGHT SMACK ,BANG ,BOOM!! :( right on the 12th frett for ALL to see,I was almost considering buying one I found locally for 425.00$,and had I been more "seasoned" in my maple neck "re-working/re-pair/re-moving Stings name experience I would have bought it,hell even missing the chunk of toilet-seat looking stuff w/name on it out of the neck is better than his sig there to captivate the crowd,What a buzz kill it is that maple neck would be perfect for up-grading the Mike Dirnt sig bass. AHHH I CAN SEE IT NOW. :D
Me on a stage w/ MY jet black slab bodied p-bass body with a BAD-A$$ bridge,59 C/S p-bass pickup,one piece maple neck/fretboard Tele style headstock and we cant forget the strings which we can use a set of GHS compression wounds standing with my old buddy Jimmy Page...? HUH Oh Sorry.... :oops: I got lost in my own little never ever moment,but ah Yeah,Japanese made only I think.....Yeah sounds about right.
Now where were we,Sorry Mr JP.Jones this is my dream BEAT IT... :evil:

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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:55 am
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In my opinion the first reissue of the 51 PB was the Telecaster Bass in 1968. Other than saying "Telecaster" on the headstock it was about as close to a USA 51 Reissue as there has ever been or is ever likely to be outside the Custom Shop stuff.


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 11:57 am
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And the 51 RI P-Bass was discontinued June 30th, 2011. But you are right, it is now showing again. It was first introduced in 1994. Got dropped for a few months, but now it appears to be back!


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Fri Sep 02, 2011 12:42 pm
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Nice to see it back. Its a good instrument. I wonder if that's the only finish that will be available? Ah well, it was one of the hard to find finishes on that bass.

Next up, a 60s ReIssue? MiJ/MiM?

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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Sat Sep 03, 2011 5:50 am
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The finishes choices are minimal,as they were at the time the original bass was offered,I have seen only the Butterscotch,2 tone Tobacco-burst(sunburst? it has no red so is it labled ?)and White(see-thru..?).
Perhaps some of the longer time players can elaborate better on the color possibilities,but I am pretty sure the Custom-Shop offers pretty much any color or finish desired,then again I never ordered from them, but if they are like any other guitar company(or any co.for that matter)for a price anything is possible :idea: .
:mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 10:01 am
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The Products entry lists only sunburst/white pickguard.

I have one in "Butterscotch" with the black pickguard. I'm not crazy about the color, but I don't like the sunburst at all, so I'll live with it. I bought mine new in 2006. I changed the pickup to a Quarter Pound, replaced the pickguard screws with black ones, put an American Deluxe 4-saddle bridge in place of the two-saddle original, and took out the stamped steel output jack surround and put in an Electrosocket, all in response to deficiencies in the standard parts. I string it with Thomastik-Infeld Jazz Flats. As a result I have a great sounding, reliable and good looking bass.

I'll keep mine for a long time. It's one of the three basses I use regularly, along with an AV '57 Precision and a Godin A5 fretless. I also have a Fender tweed case for it.

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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Sun Sep 04, 2011 11:46 am
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Dang if that isn't correct. The Butterscotch color has been dropped.

Over the run of the Butterscotch it saw some moderation in the yellow content. The early ones were just about the color of a school bus.

The Blonde so far as I know was never available on a 51 inspired P-Bass since CBS closed EXCEPT on the Custom Shop versions. It was available on the Telecaster Bass.

In fact, the entire gamut of Custom Colors was available on the Telecaster Bass, which came stock in see-through Fender Blonde. Sometimes you'll run across a Candy Apple Red, Black or Foam Green one but that is rare.

The 51 RI was not available in North America for a while, now it is back but only in Sunburst.

Another difference between it and the Sting is the body contouring. The Sting is a little lighter and more comfortable to play due contouring but has a tad less resonance because of the smaller mass. So now the 12th fret inlay and contouring on the Sting will be about the only difference between it and the '51. That sort of makes my Sunburst 51 way less valuable in the long run as Sunburst 51's were much more scarce than the Butterscotch ones. This should even out the color balance a bit.

As soon as Fender took the 51 RI P-Bass off the North American product list, the value on them started rising. I expect it will come down now that they have returned.

Here's mine modified with a Sprague Vitamin-Q P.I.O. capacitor, Linday Fralin Split Coil pickup, Jeanie custom tortoise pickguard, Fender 51 pickup/bridge covers and a Leo Quan BAIII bridge:

Image
Image


Yeah, I know it is ugly but you would not believe the tone on this thing.


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Mon Sep 05, 2011 9:37 am
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UGLY??? What makes you say that? why mod the bass to only UGLY-ize it ? It looks better than ALOT of the stuff being cookie cutter mass produced as of late,this is paying HOMAGE to what a Fender should look like !
Regaurdless of who owns it,when it was made,ETC...its a text-book looking Fender bass !

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BOOMSHANKA: "May the seed of your loin be fruitfull in the belly of your woman"
Neil quoted from the "Young Ones" MTV Sketch series.


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 3:12 am
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finally, there is a Japanese bass that is worth to buy it and not need to change anything on it ? Do I get the impression that anyone who buys Japanese bass changes the pickup ?


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:27 pm
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lawsuitbass wrote:
UGLY??? What makes you say that? why mod the bass to only UGLY-ize it ? It looks better than ALOT of the stuff being cookie cutter mass produced as of late,this is paying HOMAGE to what a Fender should look like !
Regaurdless of who owns it,when it was made,ETC...its a text-book looking Fender bass !


Cause I sorta turned it into a Harlot. LOL.


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Wed Sep 07, 2011 6:39 pm
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fate wrote:
finally, there is a Japanese bass that is worth to buy it and not need to change anything on it ? Do I get the impression that anyone who buys Japanese bass changes the pickup ?


Well, I changed a lot. But only changed the bridge cause mine would not intonate about the 12th fret. I'm picky about intonation.

I upgraded the pickup to eliminate single coil buzz, hum, RFI, interference or whatever you want to call it. The split coil pickup innovation will do that, but also made mine sound more like a second generation bass. So while it is usable in a wider variety of settings due immunity to RFI, and quite LOUD to boot, to me it lacks the punch Telecaster Bass tone.

The pots on the 51 RI and Sting are mini-pots. Not a problem really, but a difference from the original USA models and the Fender Telecaster Bass on which they were based. In general it sounds pretty good out of the box! But some people are never satisfied are they? I'm done with mine and plan no further mods.

It really is the only Fender bass I ever modded beyond pickup covers and the first and last time I'll buy a Leo Quan bridge if I can help it.


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Post subject: Re: Wasn't the '51 P-Bass only available in Japan?
Posted: Sat Sep 10, 2011 5:24 am
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The butterscotch blonde one with the black pickguard, to me was one of the coolest color combinations on a P-bass.


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