bassingeorge Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 Hello, I'm planning on getting a new cool bass, for my ska-punkish-indie rock riffs. My budget is about $500. I just saw the new fender reissue 51 p-bass, and I loved it! I haven't played it yet. So here are my questions: -Is ti good for my style of playing, I use my fingers a lot and sometimes a pick (not to agressive)? -Is the pickup good? I can later upgrade it to a Seymour duncan quarter pound for telebass. -Is it really worth spending $500 on that bass? The list price is $600, but I plan on looking for it in Ebay. thanx Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 STOP TALKING ABOUT IT!! I want one of those basses! I think they sound like a great deal. They have a nice ash body that really resonates, & are strung through the body. The 1-piece maple neck fits me very nicely, & I'm really a Jazz Bass guy (if you like the big fat chunky necks, you might find this a little slim). The pickup sounds good to me, I wouldn't see a need to change it; it has a good P-bass tone, but pretty articulate (the ash+maple woods help that too, I suspect), surprisingly little hum, & big output. It is an utterly simple bass; I never touch the volume knob, so all that'd be left to twiddle is the single tone knob (treble cut). It sounds good & it feels good. I like it. It's made in Japan. I've been very impressed with the Fenders coming out of that factory. Would it work for the music you play? I don't know; but maybe I can describe the tone & you can decide. It has a deep, smooth, "traditional" sound with a natural brightness that can be easily dialed out for a darker tone. It has good growl, esp. with the factory roundwounds; but I imagine with a set of flats & a wedge of foam, you could also play Motown all night long. Your best bet is to buy a new one & send it to me to try for a few years, & I'll let you know. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted August 8, 2003 Author Share Posted August 8, 2003 Originally posted by dcr: Your best bet is to buy a new one & send it to me to try for a few years, & I'll let you know. Good one! but hey! thanx 4 the help, I'll probably look for one in ebay, maybe for the "sting" model, thats basically the same right? Thanx! Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rumpelstiltskin. Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 the sting model is actually a bit nicer, as it has a contoured body -- it's a bit more comforable to "wear". robb. because i like people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 Yeah, the Sting model is about the same. It's sunburst (most '51 reissues are butterscotch blond), which is pretty, & it has the nice contours. Personally, though, I find that the lack of contours is more than made up by the lack of someone's signature at the 12th fret... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike H. Posted August 8, 2003 Share Posted August 8, 2003 I've played a couple. Great vibe and tone, but I didn't much care for the body edge (not body contoured), the neck feel, or the bridge setup. The other thing is that the neck adjustment is in the heel of the neck. Thus requiring a nice route in the bass, or removing the neck to adjust it. I'm not trying to piss on anyone's Cheerios. If I could score one for dirt cheap and it's what I wanted, I'd go for it. http://www.identity5.net Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted August 9, 2003 Author Share Posted August 9, 2003 I actually prefer the square edges (it looks more vintage), but, I don't really care. And what do I think of the sting signiture? it's kind of cool...I can't find it in ebay ...The only one is at $750! a lil' too much Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 9, 2003 Share Posted August 9, 2003 On the '51s I've seen, it looked like removing the pickguard should give total access to the truss rod. (Unlike my J, which requires full neck removal.) I like the neck & don't mind the squared-off body (not unlike a Ric, really). One I played had a terrible set-up with very high action & tension. But that's an easy fix. If you dig the sig (did I just say that?), the Sting's the thing. (Criminy.) Nice bass. There always seems to be a handful on eBay; look for "sting" on the bass listings. (Auctions often include a case, which the new ones don't.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted August 9, 2003 Author Share Posted August 9, 2003 I think the square edges of the neck look very cool and retro. I've been looking around for 4 stringers in Ebay, and looked at those Epiphone basses, they look very cool and have this o so vintage look. -Are there better than the Fender 51'? -Does the sound compare to the P-bass? -For about $250-$400, are they good enough as a fender? Thanx to all...C'ya Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeremy c Posted August 9, 2003 Share Posted August 9, 2003 I'd vote for the Fender over any Epiphone. Wally hasn't popped in, but if he doesn't mind, I'll speak for him....on two occasions he has picked up one of these '51 P reissues in front of me and said, "this is a cool bass". I wouldn't go that far, but I thought it was ok. Last time I saw Sting, I was wondering if he actually was touring with his vintage '51 P bass or if the bass he was playing was a reissue. I couldn't tell, even with binoculars. Free download of my cd!. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted August 9, 2003 Author Share Posted August 9, 2003 Yeah, the fender is a better than teh epi's... The only ones I found in Ebay are Relics and The original stuff costing over a thou...I'll wait. hehe... Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wally Malone Posted August 9, 2003 Share Posted August 9, 2003 True, Jeremy was with me both times I picked one of these up and played it. They definitely passed the playing it dry without an amp test. They were very comfortable and easy to play. Someday I might actually get one, but there are other things well ahead of a new bass on my GAS list. Wally I have basses to play, places to be and good music to make! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted August 9, 2003 Author Share Posted August 9, 2003 GAS! uncurable... haha There are a lot of cool basses in the $450 range (budget was $500 but i'm now in skool ), like schecters or the cheap spectors, esp's or Ibanez, but I seem to like fenders and I would like a vintage look. Any sugestions? Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dcr Posted August 9, 2003 Share Posted August 9, 2003 You should definitely be able to swing an eBay Sting on that budget. I'm with Wally--the 51 sounds & feels great unplugged; resonant as all get out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bassingeorge Posted August 9, 2003 Author Share Posted August 9, 2003 I quick-played a sting bass at guitar center, but It had an herrible set up as many basses in that store, the store guy told he would setup the bass to try it out if I was going to buy the bass!! Whaaat! Crazy huh, anyway I didn't apreciate the bass in the 20 min. I tried to play it; but visually, it's very cool, I like my basses vintage, so it's what I was witing for.So, I'll wait and check Ebay daily. Thanx Got bass? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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