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Post subject: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 9:51 am
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Question, would a '51 style pickguard/cover plate fit on a modern P-Bass, or would more customization be required? Obviously new holes would need to be drilled, just wondering if the spacing for the knobs and the size of the horns should be the same.
Also would the bridge cover fit over a Leo Quan Badass?

Would love to try to get a more vintage look without replacing my beloved p-bass.


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Post subject: Re: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 10:30 am
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Nothing would line up. The pickup rout is different, the location of the knobs is different, and the neck pocket cutout is shaped differently. You might try a 60th Anniversary P pickguard, which is shaped like the '51 but modified to fit the later model.

Edit: here's a link:http://www.fender.com/products/60th-pbass/60th-anniversary-precision-bass

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Post subject: Re: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:01 am
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Ahh that's disappointing. I'm sure finding a replacement guard for the 60th anniversary model would be tough as well.

Thanks for the quick reply!


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Post subject: Re: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 11:34 am
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You're welcome. I forgot to mention that the shape and size of the '51 and later variations (excluding the P Plus, which had a longer bass-side horn) are the same, other than the forearm and belly cut-outs and the edge rounding. I have a '51 Reissue and two later Precisions, and they all fit into the same case (one at a time, of course!).

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Post subject: Re: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 1:35 am
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Both the 60th Anniversary and '51 P-Basses use a side-mounted jack.


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Post subject: Re: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 6:55 am
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Good point, but not something that can't be accommodated. I'd leave the jack on the face rather than potentially messing up the body with a tricky modification.

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Post subject: Re: Modern to '51 Conversion
Posted: Thu Sep 20, 2012 7:37 am
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I believe you could try to go to an aftermarket dealer like Warmoth for a 72' Telecaster style guard which "might" fit. it would give you a similar look, but keep the jack front mounted. However, you have to realize that should this appeal to you and work, if you have a standard pickguard on there you will be left with exposed holes.

Something like this....


Image


Though be warned Warmoth says it will only work with their body and routing cavity. So that means you'd likely need to route a little bit out of your current cavity to get your pots or jacks to line up. Someone here like brotherdave may have a much better handle on something like this.

A 51 guard will definitely not work as has been said due to both size and pick up. I don't even think a Dirnt would without trimming. (slab body guards are larger then countoured body guards), but atleast the pick up cut out should line up.

Your best bet would try to be to find a guard off a "60th Anniversary Bass" as it's got more in common with a modern Fender bass, then any vintage model.

Also, the 51's ashtray (bridge cover) will not fit over a BAII bridge. Wether it will fit over a BAIII I've no idea, but you'd need to have a string through body bass to use that. (American Standard, or 51RI or Sting)

Good luck!

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