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Post subject: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Wed Oct 07, 2015 6:02 pm
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Hi,
I've become very interested in the vintage '51 Precision Bass. I wish I could find an affordable American made reissue of it, but so far I only find Made in Japan reissues (and Squier) or Custom Shop. Opposite ends of the spectrum. What is the general concensus of the MIJ?


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 7:31 am
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I can give you my opinion that the MIJ and the Squire Classic Vibe series P-basses are very good facsimiles of the original single coil Precision bass.

I own two Sting basses( MIJ) and I own two CV 55 p-basses and I have used all 4 on various gigs with my band.
Everyone loves these basses and they sound great, They are all a very good build quality and I cannot justify the expense of a Custom shop 55 Precision when these are available at such reasonable prices.

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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 4:41 pm
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Thanks for your reply.


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Thu Oct 08, 2015 8:29 pm
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BCbassman wrote:
I can give you my opinion that the MIJ and the Squire Classic Vibe series P-basses are very good facsimiles of the original single coil Precision bass.

I own two Sting basses( MIJ) and I own two CV 55 p-basses and I have used all 4 on various gigs with my band.
Everyone loves these basses and they sound great, They are all a very good build quality and I cannot justify the expense of a Custom shop 55 Precision when these are available at such reasonable prices.


Just out of curiosity, are all these slab-style bodies?

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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 09, 2015 5:18 pm
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Yes they are.


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Fri Oct 23, 2015 12:40 pm
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Slab bodies? The 51 p-bass reissue is a slab body.
The Sting bass and Classic Vibe 55 basses are contoured bodies.

I just want to be clear.

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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 11:24 am
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MIA '51 reissues are rare and can be pricey. I have a Classic '51 P, CIJ, and it's a gem. It has been my #1 for the past couple of years due to its articulation and note definition, and I love the vintage-style frets.

The Classic Series have, as far as I know, always been either MIM or CIJ. Given the consistent high quality (I also own a heavily gigged Classic '50s) there is no stigma attached to the source country of either one.


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Tue Nov 03, 2015 7:50 pm
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I gotta get one of these. I see them occasionally on ebay. Usually not too expensive.


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Thu Dec 03, 2015 6:33 am
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Sorry but haven't been on here due projects. The first generation P-Bass design is my all time favorite for several reasons and has, for more years than not, always been number one. Mainly because the sound is more up front than a post 56 model with more boom than any Jazz. They build playing strength too, so if you can play something on a first generation P-Bass you can play it easier on another instrument. The radius is usually vintage also. If ebaying, don't overlook the 68-71 Telecaster Bass which was the first reissue of the 51 P-Bass done in the CBS era. They frequently sell in good shape for less than a new Custom Shop incarnation and in the long run are a far better investment. I never liked the post 71 models with the Seth Lover humbucker. They tried to get as close as possible to the 51 P-Bass with the first incarnation Fender Telecaster Bass and came pretty dang close. The downside to this design in general is single coil hum and the baseball bat neck. There are ways to mitigate the hum, but based on my experience split coil custom shop pickups are not the best way to do that. The split coil custom shop wound pickups sound more like a second generation split pickup P-Bass than a first generation one. They do kill the hum but also kill the upper mids which is where the single coil pickups on these first generation Precisions shine. The beauty in the tone on first generation P-Basses comes from that single coil pickup placed in the ideal spot. I believe the early Squier ones were the best sounding Squier basses ever made, and had some stock improvements like the 4 saddle bridge, medium jumbo frets and the Lake Placid Blue looked spectacular. It was maybe the biggest bargain in the Squier line at the time sounding amazingly complex right off the rack. I have owned several first generation designs and currently still have two of these first generation instruments. There is a reason Fender has reissued this design over and over and why the Custom Shop consistently offers them. The reason is they sound totally amazing. The Japanese models even have the vintage frets which is nice but the electronics are inferior as is the case on most Japanese Fenders. Vintage frets are very cool because with flatwounds you can get slides that sound practically fretless. The Squire used medium jumbo frets, but it is still a tone monster you can play off the rack or upgrade easily with a USA pickup if you want, but it really is not necessary. I've had Jazzes, second generation Precisions and actives too. Nothing beats a first generation P-Bass design for a full range natural tone, not even an active. Frequently people talk about being a P-Bass player or a Jazz player but I'm really in neither camp at heart. I want that first generation P-Bass tone. Second generation P-Bass would be second choice, but even then I have to brighten up the post Leo era ones with a vintage wind pickup. The fact is that I compare tone from all electric basses to a first generation P-Bass. It is my personal standard of tonal perfection. You can't get that tone from a second generation P-Bass or from a Jazz or from any active bass. I really think they got the tone right the first time. But in environments with lots of RFI they can get a lot noisier than a modern P-Bass. So have a split coil backup.


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Fri Dec 04, 2015 6:14 pm
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Brother Dave, welcome back and thank you for your comments here. I appreciate your insight and observations. I have never played a first gen. P-bass but would love to. I know there's one in my future. 8)


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 10:33 am
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Well stated, Brother Dave: I'm playing in a drummerless combo (my '51 RI, a 335 and percussion backing up singers) and the single-coil has the meat I'm looking for and, as noted above, articulation to give form to the beat and bottom end.

Here it is with a four-saddle bridge, Electrosocket, TI Jazz Flats, SD Quarter Pound and, of course, black pickguard screws!

Image


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Sat Dec 05, 2015 3:21 pm
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Nice! 8)


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Post subject: Re: Classic '51 MIJ Reissue Precision Bass?
Posted: Sun Jan 03, 2016 11:00 am
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Mmm… a handful of Japanese '51 reissues on ebay right now. I still have that itch. But if I land one of these I will very likely add a replica wooden tug bar, covers and replace the electronics. :shock:


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