All user reviews for the Fender Classic '50s Precision Bass

I had always liked the look of 50 s basses and acquired used over two years ago a mint Fender Mexico Classic 50s Precision Bass in Fiesta Red, ‘gold’ anodised pick guard and maple neck and ‘tweed’ hard case for a very good price. It’s previous owner had included bridge and pickup chrome covers.
Before lockdown I was using it regularly on gigs and playing it through a SansAmp bass driver into a GK MB-210 combo.

I have played several varieties of P-Basses and own a 2001 AVRI ‘62 Precision.

1. The bass looks stunning with its very distinctive livery, is just over 4kg weight.
2.The neck has serious heft but I like the playing feel and the guitar begs you to ‘dig in’ and play hard! There are no dead spots. The gloss finish on neck may not be to everyone’s taste but I like it. I quite like the ‘reverse’ style machine heads.
3. The FR paintwork feels thick but it’s durable and I am not prepared to interfere with it as it looks so good on the bass. Yes, it may strangle the bass’ sound a little but this is nothing that cannot be adjusted on the amplifier.....that’s what all those interesting knobs and buttons are for!
4. The bass sounds like, well, a good Precision should. Deep, well- grained notes that drive a band. The volume and tone controls have a progressive ‘sweep’ and the bass is surprisingly versatile. The pickup, pots and capacitor are,I believe, the same ones that used to be fitted to the American Standard basses.
To conclude, this bass is of largely similar quality to US models. I cannot fault it on quality and it succeeds in delivering a 60s vibe and sound at a very good price.
I believe the new Vintera 50s Precision is largely the same instrument with a couple of tiny tweaks.

http://www.fender.com/fr-FR/products/search.php?partno=0131702303

here for the features, while a precision that is more basic, large handle, micro precision, two knobs (volume + tone), ect ...
Beware though the mechanical inverted

UTILIZATION

This bass will not suit everyone because of its handle very large (more than 4cm at nut, hard for small hands), that said, the neck is very well done, the frets are fine but no hooks requiere a little precision in the game right hand, slide the handle painted well (key maple and the back of the neck), the junction body / neck gene in some acute because of the heel pretty huge, but it can be ave manage the habit.

The ergonomics are very good, the contours of the body are perfect (as on all such detail, the body is like the stratocaster). Whether sat, bass near the armpits or knees, she calle well have provided a good strap.
The weight is fairly standard in light of other fender precisions (heavier than a ibanez, unless a music man).

The acostillage could not be more basic, the easel holds the road well, the mechanics take the lashing admirably (be careful though to reverse mechanical, a bit confusing at first).

For sound, nothing more basic, volume up, tone background for clarity, to zero for a deeper sound.

SOUNDS

Sound level, even my mother who does not know anything found this beautiful low compared to my Ibanez GSR200 (at the same time we go straight into the range above).
A bass that sends pretty well in the midrange (I often talk about mediums I think, for me, a lot of bass players neglect to profit mediums bass and treble), it is also very effective in all registers of the sound spectrum provided one knows settle his amps, but is still typical old school because of mediums that look good.

Level amplification, repeats in live I use an ampeg head pro svt3 us coupled to a cabinet with a Hartke 410vx big muff electro harmonix still active, while at noon, enclanché bright, mid-bottom, I get the sound that I must, and dance very effective (it is 3 and when the scratch is launching a solo metalheads, you'd better have a sound that sends to overcome the lack of second guitar and it does not lose power in the overall sound), if I test other amps, a Hartke combo with aluminum cone, Berhinger (also aluminum cone), two bodies bugera, Genz Benz, live on the sound, the sound is always correct (ok, it depends on the amp, it lacks dynamics and low on Berhinger is cold on the Hartke, but the sound is more or less safe), the bass gives off a rather warm with its EQ flat, either with a pick or finger, she also defends slap, although I think it's not his area of ​​prédiletion because of its thin frets.


Playing with the EQ, we can approach every style of music, big sound to play from metal to blues to dub and reaggae, this bass is very versatile, if mêm cce on a point many will prefer electronic active, but it is still a good bass in many musical fields, this is a point which is also the reputation in the precisions of fender.

OVERALL OPINION

I use regular (very regular, minimum 1 hour per day) since August 2010, it has never dropped, no glitch, a strength test at all, and I say this knowing, mine is more like Now a series of fender road worn as classic.

The color is beautiful in its sunburst and anodised aluminum plate (near gold), and it ages very well, watch the road worn, which is at the same low characteristics, just change the finish.

I tried countless low before I stop on this one (I do not remember any) but I can quote the bulk of the Ibanez ATK series, SR (with bartolini), the music man stingray, fender standard jazz bass and sharpness us, the active jazz, precision special (the one with a micro JB), Warwick corvette, Gibson Grabber, Cort Action and craftsman, Rickenbacker 4001, Epiphone thunderbird (acive that too), and my choice is stopped on the Fender Precision 50's, already because of its price (obtained for 800 € new), its sounds, the look "pass" but slamming, good violin worth of us in the series fender, and his personality.

Apart from the handle which is a sacred buche (which suits me very great), I have no complaints. Others probably find flaws, but I love this bass.

To conclude a very good bass without any problems worth the standard sets us at the violin and sounds at a much lower price, this little Mexican (which is rumored, will American violin making) is compared to its big sisters.

A choice to do again, except perhaps with a jazz bass with a handle seems easier to play as much end (well, by changing the pickups), or with a larger budget conscéquent, the dream of Rickenbacker or music man stingray, but here we go again in the range above.

Features:

Made in Mexico.
Alder body, anodized aluminum cover.
Bolt, 20 Frets, Scale 34 "(864mm), width at nut 44.5 mm.
1 piece maple fingerboard
Micro Fender Standard P - Bass / Single Coil, 1 Volume and 1 tone knob.

Details can be found easily on the Fender site.

This instrument is for my taste very well finished, has a resonance for my taste rare, even non-connected and playable without further adjustment.

UTILIZATION

Having played on the handle fairly low end (Thunderbird, Jazz Bass) adaptation to a thicker handle takes some time. This adaptation aside, the handle of accuracy is very nice.

The overall balance / ergonomics are good: no "diving header" and the weight of the instrument in the average.

SOUNDS

My record is rather Rock'n'Roll / Heavy, the Precision is perfect. I use it more and more I think that depending on the game and in a certain amount of amp settings, effects used, this instrument can be used all styles.

The only exception for highly crystalline tones ...

I mainly play with headphones on a Bass PODxt.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it intermittently since 2009 by.

I have long wanted a Fender precision, and loving the models 'old' (vintage) I turned naturally to the model without trying it before ... GAS?

I am very pleased with this instrument, its look, build quality to its tone.

I do it again (s) that choice without any hesitation.

- It is made entirely in Mexico over Emonts of hand because it is a HAND-MADE
- It has 21 frets and the pickups type precision

UTILIZATION

- The stick is more enjoyable, treated in a very special way by the men of fender that have applied a kind of varnish (I do not know precisely what it is)
- Access to acute, however, is not really difficult being in the habit of playing a MusicMan SUB we must recognize that the handle of the MusicMan access to acute turns out to be easier.
- Ergonomics is quite good if not much lighter than excelelnte MusicMan sorry for the comparison but the bass are really smusicMan exceptional, in short 'I play this the way the bassist of rage against the machine, Now Audioslave, C'a to set very high on the torso, it's nice that way Player Characters
- About the sound it turns out to be plsu is efficient and easy to find.
I also think that there is no low that the sound is easier to find two buttons and you turn there is lol

SOUNDS

- I wanted to change the type of sound, the Fender Precision bass was I was looking for
However, the discovery of the model 50's reissue is a great surprise.
- I now play on an amp Gallien - Krueger (sound flea, for example) then it proves complètemetn to try.
- Just plug it to understand it's his accuracy that is simply beautiful. Effective punchy sound that we recognize even playing in a group.

OVERALL OPINION

- I use it for some months and what I like more - beyond the sound itself - and even the fact that it is finished by hand I think it is the "mouth", the varnish on the handle The handle rounder on another fender, faster and more enjoyable, all formed by the handle and the body is a palace of the eyes and overall ergonomics is extremely satisfactory.
- I had the choice to change to a low of U.S. highway and luckily but I preferred to keep this model, a model that is limited in the world. . .
- The value is "good" while it is true that the price of the store from thomann example is somewhat supported, but if you can buy either used or on the internet to run less than 1000 euros , bursting,
bass handmade (hand assembled and finished by hand), a limited model and a fun, cozy, comfortable playing quite exceptional.

This is a low-assembled in Mexico, but whose manufacture is makes us much. The finish is just amazing! I possde version Honey Blonde, she is beautiful with its gold plate. Precision microphones with two knobs (volume & Tone

UTILIZATION

The handle "maple" trs is comfortable. The instrument is not too heavy and is easily accde acute. The sound is powerful, easy to find, low rock par excellence!

SOUNDS

Ideal for rock but also pop and blues. I use two bodies with a 350W Hartke. This is standard. But plug this bass a good head lamps or Ampeg Orange and it's killing!

OVERALL OPINION

I use this bass for 5 months. For anything I do not want to change it. The retro look is really nice and it sounds good trs. In my opinion, it is much better than the precision highway us, the finish is terrible. I bought new 644 euros at Thomann. Given the price diffrence, I do not see the intrt to buy a low precision us (s1 switch for example), the Classic SERIES is largely the case. Trs good report quality price.
DEFINITIONS In A MODEL upscale Mexico is made in a range between us!

Classic series, the best made in mexico.
for all the specs is available at Fender ( http://www.fender.fr/products//view_specs.php?full_partno=0131702&name=%9150s%2BPrecision%2BBass&reg%3B )
most are:
Beautifully-.
-The hardware Vintage: trestle bridge spiral reversed mechanical (riveted), thin frets.
C-type handle one piece dark stained gloss varnish Mapple, the rendering is beautiful.
The gold-anodized pickguard, with a beautiful 2 tone sunburst.
-It is a precision: the Plug & Play bass .... one volume, one tone and go!

Are the least like all the time in Mexico Fender:
-Electronics is very cheap .... but it is a false problem because with € 15 and a few strokes of the soldering iron, can be installed on top of passive knobs CTS and capacity sprague orange drop.
-The use of a polyurethane varnish (same series on the US) cellular damage as they reserve the american vintage series and artist.

UTILIZATION

The handle is not the end but at the same pleasant, radius 7.25 "gives a touch more rounded and thin frets require more precision, but ultimately it is a treat.
The sound is there, and even more "growly" with an upgrade of the electro and micro (Lindy Fralin antiquity or SD II)
and settings-simple, in short it is a PB, bass ...

SOUNDS

From punk to metal, from reggae to rock, the PB is at ease in all situations, except for the tapping of fireworks, step, and others ....
Fingers or plectrum, she is job and does it very well.
Personally, I set up nets flat top, it is now my perfect shuffle machine.

OVERALL OPINION

I've had one month and I made some upgrades on it (elections and micro), even as the price remains well below a series american (not talking about an american vintage) for a benefit is more than sufficient for most bass players.

I recommend it to everyone.

Edit of 28/05/2010:
That's nearly a year and a half that I use this bass, so with hindsight I have some observations:
-The handle has a tendency to hang a lot when sweating of the hands ... If this is your case you just need to sand the back of the neck with a paper in 1000 to water, the report is that it becomes a satin true "highway".
I recommend ropes rounwound 45/100 to fully exploit the possibilities of beautiful, flat yarn not deprive it of personality, for a more matte, you have to work the technique handmute or slip foam under the strings near the bridge.
In-registry mods, I refinished the body surf green with a PU thinner, I changed the 3 ply pickguard for a simple white and the bridge for a Gotoh 201.

In short, it was not perfect but after a few changes and alterations of parts is a real bomb!

Made in Mexico.
Vintage bridge saddles adjustable ribbed. Rustic but effective.
Channel width (45mm at nut almost) gloss classy, ​​correct thickness.
20 frets thin.
Settings "plug and play" is known: one volume, one tone, a microphone, a sound!

UTILIZATION

I love the handle off the P-Bass, more space is better I feel, for walking, chromatic descents. The varnish is a treat, this bass really has the "mojo"!

Nothing to say, the body shape is well worked and fairly light weight! It's perfect!
Access to acute correct, this technicality is laughable, it is not there to do hands tapping at 9!

The sound is achieved very simply: it does everything thoroughly! You can cut the tone for the most serious way felted Beatles.
The frank and direct this instrument is its major asset (a problem for others).

SOUNDS

I tested a lot of low mid-range in recent years in view of its 60/70 very marked by the use of sets of strings spun dishes. After a Warwick Corvette, a G & L L-2000, two U.S. and Mex Jazz Bass, a Yamaha BB, I have assembled a first Precision history test the timbre of the instrument: black solid alder body, Mighty Mite neck, Seymour SPB-1, chrome cover on the mic and go! It was a revelation, the whole rhythm was taken by the insolence of micro fat split! So naturally I set my heart on a Fender bass that incorporated the characteristics of low I meeting, namely: a large maple neck and radius almost flat, a single microphone "splitted coil" that "thump" (severe pounding, what!) a body in the tradition of early Fender and color that dazzles the single "Fiesta Red".

For sounds, you should know that I try to stick to sound as blues-rock-soul funk oldschool: Led Zep, Pink Floyd, Hendrix & Noel Redding, James Jamerson, Wilton Felder, Chic, Kool and the first Bar- Kays, all that is Stax Volta, as well as newer groups like CAKE or even the group behind Amy Winehouse! All these groups have in common bass combo + vintage typed Flatwound (set of string-net flat).

I play consistently enough on a 100w Ashdown at home, repeating on Hartke (beurk!), Ampeg, Peavey ... Suffice to say that whether an amp in the same vein rather an Ampeg with three buttons: bass, mids, treble, send it weighed!

Finally, the game is excellent on the finger but it also shines with a pick. The original microphone is quite honest, in fact as much as my SPB-1.

OVERALL OPINION

I met her yesterday on the side of Pigalle, she had a little pink thigh (red, whatever)! I tried, I was chilled ... I imagined the consequences of such a carnal madness: my banker who wants my skin, the package of pasta with salt. Gerard advised me to "think about it, sleep on it". In fact, I had already acquired three quarters!
I returned the next day, decided (with its disadvantages, to achieve reselling stuff for pay) and I cracked.

There is nothing I hate about this bass: it was the branch and direct sound, no frills. I use no effects, I hate complex equalizers. That's why I think a combo Ampeg marry beautifully to turn in bars (my target cover band). No frills, it is not in his Jazz Bass "dug" and medium: the research for her in the side is in serious serious accuracy. It's heavy and "woody."

I would do this choice: the neck is wonderful, the beautiful colors and varnishes. I must say it is a surprise, a huge surprise for the Jazz Bass 60 'disappointed me a lot. I also tried the new P-Bass "New Mexico standard" maple fingerboard: nothing to finish level, even if both are successful. I prefer the classic gloss lacquer 50.

The price / quality ratio is excellent (as it is between 680 and 800 €), many of us proclaim it over a lot of her fellow yankee made 80km across the border!

It is said that the violin is American and assembled in Mexico. TBC!

Made in Mexico (it has nothing to envy its U.S. counterparts). Bridge: American Vintage Precision Machine Heads: Vintage Style Reverse Tuning Machines Neck: Maple maple fingerboard, 20 frets vintage style. Alder body in 2 parts paint: gloss urethane, bronze anodized aluminum pickguard. Microphone: Standard Precision Bass Split-coil pickup acronym. Controls: 1 Volume, 1 Tone. Note that the strings Fender 7250ML 40-100 are very good.

UTILIZATION

The ergonomic side handle is not strictly speaking it to be thinner (small hand refrain ...) and I knew it easier to play, the body will easily hold on the leg injury that the handle a bit of pique nez.L access to treble is fairly easy and you get it easily sound that is sought to be noted that is a bit "dry" with a maple fingerboard with a touch rosewood.

SOUNDS

This clarification is particularly suitable for rock, pop rock, blues and reggae ... I would describe the sound of "severe burns" and somewhat rocky. I play on Ampeg B100R and the result is perfect.

OVERALL OPINION

I own this beauty for 1 month and what I like about this instrument is the sound, the neat (for a Mexican) the value for money is excellent especially when compared to a standard U.S. whose price is almost the double! I REFERRED 2 times this choice rather than one ... <img class="smiley" src="/images/audiofanzine/interface/smileys/icon_wink.gif" alt="wink" />

Faced with an avalanche of praise, I feel I'm going to tear the mouth, m'enfin good, let's go.

I will not dwell on the spec that everyone knows. Just as mine has, under the pickguard, a circular trapping (why?) It is cheap for this price. No paint or graphite copper cavities is more than average. You can find it on the Ibanez (yuck) or Cort.

Two of the pickguard screws were installed wrong. Say what you want, but on a babasse at this price, it sucks. You will not see it that Fender. Despite my attachment to the brand (all bass players I like play there on it), Fender abusing her fame to sell beats sloppy.

Good point: Vintage high quality fittings.

UTILIZATION

The sleeve measures 44.5 mm at the nut and it's a piece of maple. In other words, no shred bassist. But do not buy it for Preci.

We obtain easily the Preci, for sure, but with an output level worthy of a ukulele Stagg filled with glass wool. I have a JB equipped with Seymour and an old-made Matsumoku 30 who come over potatoes.

The violin, this says is impeccable. Paints & varnishes are impeccable.

However, beware of the monster race (although flat and playable anyway) and the heavy weight (4200 grams anyway)

SOUNDS

Sounds, there are 2. Knob closed to bottom: low muffled bass worthy but difficult to get out of the mix. Need to push the amp.

Knob tone open: slappable (even if it is not his favorite), it does better in the mix group but at the expense of serious running out of steam when we play at the top of the handle.

I say okay, but nothing more, always under the price.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a few months and I am fairly disappointed with the investment. Like many old rockers, my ambition to finally have a babasse hit the "F" from Fender. For this, I am relieved of 2 Vintage Modified Squiers (JB while the maple and the Ramones kind PB) equipped with Duncan Designed a small combo and a very nice multi Boss.

What a mistake! My Squier was well worth the PB, in terms of price. She was behind that for the violin (well put less paint, varnish shy) but not in terms of sound.

With experience, I will not repeat THIS Fender Mex but a less expensive upgrade with a microphone, or even a Squier ...
Frankly, for 700 euros or almost, if you are not addicted to "F", there are G & L (Leo), the St. Blues, or even ESP-Vintage (400 roros) that are built more seriously, even Ibanez of the eighties.

I'm a little disgusted. Behind the label "Classic" was mainly an instrument rather poorly done, especially the body ... Sic. To draw a parallel with an opinion on the PB Sting in the pickguard which there is also a router useless. Ugh!

Fender should make his body PB and practice all possible routers come with the mask then the pickguard ...

The + + +
- The quality of paint, varnish flawless round.
- Gold plate anodized, solid, which is more resistant to the plectrum and nails than plastic.
- The look, the original spirit Fender PB.
- Mike, very accurate.
- The bridge & the Mecas Vintage, beautiful and effective.

The - - -
- The body with multiple routers and live poorly posed.
- The pick handle
- The microphone is missing potato.
- The setting of the handle that can be done by unscrewing the handle.

Counsel, if I may: acquire around 450 and then placing a microphone worthy of the name to suit your tastes (I'm addicted Duncan) and shielding cavities. Biftons 3 or 4, whatever. Passage in the luthier for setup and roll my chicken.

I think other people have summed it up well,
Mexican low (mine is black) including the Precision 57 with a handle and a touch of maple C-shape, 20 frets, gold aluminum plate with holes for thumbrest and micro cache (WARNING, holes are on the plate!), mechanics vintage turn upside down (a little unsettling at first but we made it), a bridge also vintage microphone vintage Precision Bass split, short of any ... vintage!

Question set is the ultimate in plug and play: a volume, tone, an output jack. It could hardly be simpler. At the same time, it is a Precision ...

I ordered the bass in Germany (not in Thoto, though) and it came perfectly set and ready to use in its cover, good point on that side.
Of course I would have liked to have screw holes for a thumbrest and micro cache directly and tailpiece, but hey .... a shot drill, 5 minutes, and voila! The handle is

UTILIZATION

Precision style, broad and solid that Jazz Bass at the head.
However, it is very ergonomic, we made it very quickly. Access to the treble is fairly good, but not exceptional.

The weight of the bass is, how to say ... Fenderien?! The bass is a tad heavier than my Fender Jazz Bass but she did not rolled back or shoulders when I wear it or play with on stage for 1-2 hours.

His question, as I said above, it is a bass plug & play: one branch, it grows only 2 knobs on the bass pro and it is played alone. It's not a very versatile bass, the sound does not suit me slap (plonk big slobbering on the low E string) moreover, if you have fun slapper on this model, scratching (fingernails, I presume) will appear on the plate ... Do not worry, there's just magic to rub and more stripes!

SOUNDS

I play everything, be it jazz, funk, disco and soul, and rock. It really has everything for her finger into play, you feel the warmth of the instrument and all the chattering when using a pick. I had the opportunity to test different sets of strings, spun round and flat. The sound is just magic with the two (as we take good strings ...).

In addition to my Jazz Bass, it is wonderful and the two complement each other. If there's something I can not do with it I have it with the other and vice versa.

I got it plugged into a Hartke 30W, a Hughes & Kettner 300W, a stack Markbass an Ampeg combo (transistor) and each time, these amps did honor to the instrument.
When recording, I use AmpegSVX which combines perfectly with the Precision and is a delight to play on it with the stack SVT-CL SVT 8x10 and a slight compressor.

OVERALL OPINION

I have this instrument for almost 4 years. This is my third bass after Stagg (Roooooooh) and a Squier Jazz Bass (okay, a bit light at its unfortunately).
I have not really tried a lot of Precision before, just a Highway One time he y '.
I am proud of my purchase, it is the sound I was looking to complement the Jazz Bass, it has even become my primary tool in composition and the different groups that I belonged.

+ The hardware and the violin are very well made
+ A very low ergonomic
+ The vintage look at possible
+ The sound is perfect no need to turn knobs 6, just 2.
- Protection plate that does not support much (nails, sweat, shocks ,...)
- ^ I just wanted to put it, how to put a negative ...

So very very good bass, available in several colors (black, white, cream, red / pink sunburst) which has a very good sound - Aspect and his roots. Need we say more!

This 50's P-Bass is an American classic. Its features include, typically, a maple neck, an alder body and a split single-coil Precision Bass pickup. It has a vintage golden pickguard and vintage hardware. It also features a volume knob, a tone knob, and a 1/4" input.

UTILIZATION

This bass is somewhat heavier than a Jazz Bass, and can be somewhat large and long, but it was never too awkward for me to handle, and I'm less used to playing bass than most. A well-maintained P-bass will play and feel great, and the top notes won't be too far out of reach for anyone. If anything, the lowest notes will be more strenuous for someone with shorter arms. Everything on this bass is smooth and stable.

SOUNDS

I like using this with a Peavey tube bass amp, but I've heard many good combos with it. I like a nice, smooth, fat tone, one that isn't gonna pop too hard, but fat enough to hold down a heavy groove. This bass is definitely more low end thud than the J-basses smoothness, but it has plenty of both. It's pretty versatile and can really hold down a fat groove. Distorted, it is particularly nice because it doesn't get too fuzzy, and it doesn't lose the pop of the low end. I really like using this for rock music, as well as some of the heavier funk and R&amp;B. Most of the rock I play isn't too heavy, more in the vain of Dire Straits and Wilco in terms of heaviness and dynamics, and I think that the bass is just deep and round enough for those genres.

OVERALL OPINION

The old P-basses, in my opinion, are some of the best instruments made in the 20th century. These will certainly cost you a pretty penny nowadays, too. Getting a good used one is a good lifetime investment for the true bassist. I think it's worth it in the long run, before they get even more expensive. They sound absolutely phenomenal, and if they are well-maintained, they play great too. The P-bass is certainly in a league of its own, and going classic is definitely the best choice.