Fender 57 Reissue P-Bass

My P bass is a Left handed japanese model with the USA deluxe pickup
its a 2 color sunburst which for some reason glows as a greenburst under UV light which is quite funky
I personally play a Maple fretboard on all my basses

Stong Heavy sound with lots of low end
Sounds great with the tone rolled off a little at the top played with my fingers for ska and hip hop stuff, and just as good with some high added in and my enhancer pedal on with a pick for more punk and rock sounds.
I use mine with a Laney R4 head and 4x10 cab so the higher notes really come through

The bass came very well set up howerver has developed fret buzz since the (i have played a lot of gigs and used it quite heavily so more than likely an age issue rather than a manufaturing one

Finish is great, i replace the strap buttons with schaller locking ones as soon as i get any bass so i have had no isues there
i havent adjusted the truss rod as yet but will be doing so soon

Never spoken to them

I would recommend this bass to anyone looking for a P-Bass especially Leftys as the Fender Japan range has SO much more left handed choice than the USA and having played a US deluxe i honestly cannot tell the difference between them except 800 pounds on the price tag
My P is soon to be relegated to back up as im getting a Stingray but it will still be used and when i need that fender sound i know its there

This bass guitar is a re-issue of the legendary 1957 model, with its particular materials, electronics and hardware: maple neck & fingerboard, ash body (for the white blonde I am talking about), aluminum pickguard, reversed machine heads, vintage bridge with steel saddles. The pickup is the classic split-coil, but it seems it has specific characteristics: alnico (alnico 2 or 5, I'm not sure) strong magnets with relatively low n?? of coils are giving a transparent and bright tone, without much of the typical low-mids grunt but with more transparency and broader frequency range. Also, the bass frequency reaches deeper, which makes the tone smoother and with stunning dub tsunami-like sub-wooooooooof when the tone knob is rolled off.
The case comes with a vintage look, but the quality is way inferior compared to standard Fender cases: I wouldn't dare banging that thing around very much...

The tonal's bright nature makes this bass perfect for flatwounds that do really sound stunning even when slapped & popped. In addition, the nicely granulous & rough midrange comes out better with a little low-mids boost from the flatwounds. For me this baby sounds truly awesome with any style of playing, fingers, pick, thumb - you name it. The only thing I don't do is tapping. The tone is rageous yet elegant, somewhere between a 57 Corvette V8 borborygmical raw voice and a Jag E-Type V12's cat-like growl. Roll down the tone knob and get ready for some sub-woofer game: a goddamn tsunami that is !

I really think Fender should put stock flatwounds on this model, roundwounds don't make much sense here !
Action was slightly too high, but since the neck curvature was ok, a slight adjustment of the bridge saddles was good enough - easy fix !
Otherwise flawless and beautiful (but hey, that's subjective !)

So far so good. It looks well built, but I wouldn't trust the case too much for careless manipulation. Also, I think I'll add the straplocks.

Well, I didn't have to deal with that so far ...let's cross the fingers ;o)

I've been playing for almost 30 years now, and this is my 11th bass - certainly one of my 3 favourites. I used to dig the fancy electronic ones but I really got tired of them: in the end what matters is to have a good true voice for a bass guitar, you will never be able to fix a so-so voice with the smartest of eq's, no matter how sophisticated ! Well that's my humble opinion. The strength of this bass is the balance and the details all contributing to an awesome tone. But if your cup of tea is more of that low-mid woody grunt without as-little-as-possible brightness, then I guess the Jamerson-favourite 62 re-issue would perhaps be the right choice. And that's probably why Fender offers both alternatives.

i bought my '57 re. in 1982..the first year they came out..it is truly like the real deal. made by fender in the usa. mineis a tobacco
burst color..i mention this because that color is somewhat rare.
gold-colored pick-guard,maple neck,alder body just like the original.
hardware and finish are truly vintage.
BUT..THE SOUND IS 90% THAT OF THE REAL DEAL '57!!
that first year (1982) is the best of all the later issues
if you can find a 1982 model..GRAB IT!!

i use mainly an svt 4x10 cab w/the pro 4 head. '60-80's music. the sound is somewhat dark especially when compressed..just like a '57 should be. it is a great rocker bass.
stage or studio it performs!!
simple,straight-forward instument w/a dark warm tone..
finish does not wear real well but it is 23 years old!!

i had mine "set-up" a couple times (frets filed,nut adjustment)the neck is still factory stock.
hardware still showroom perfect. stays in tune nicely!!
laquer finish will wear off in spots over time..adds to the flavor
this bass was made to be played. never had a breakdown and believe me
it does get played!!

i use it for live work in the rock venue. all is solid..finish,(like i said earlier) wears but its playability and sound far out-does lookin' pretty.
note; why do more bass players still use a "p" bass on stage than anyothers? its the sound st....
the 1982 model is a better bass than the later reissues

never needed fenders' help...sure they are outstanding

been playing 43 years. i think i was 15.
i have played and owned 'bout every bass out there and there are some great ones..but "p bass" is my bread and butter!!!
i really do not dislike a darn thing about it...what is there to dislike?
i gave this catagory a 10 based on the '82 model only.

This baby was made in the USA in November of 1982. Standard 20 fret like how they made them in '57. Original vintage P-Bass pickups with the A pole-pieces protruding per original specs. Maple Neck, Alder body, gold anodized pickguar, but here's the kicker, the finish is Fiesta Red. Yes, Fiesta Red. V00xxxx serial number, a very early model. Everything on this is stock except for the strap knobs, the previous owner swapped those out for schaller strap-locks. Boo-hoo on that. I give it a 10 because of the Fiesta Red finish, it is beautiful, especially in contrast with the gold pickguard. I am told that this used to be owned by a working musician from a famous punk band from the 80's.

I play classic rock, and this baby is perfect for that. I use it mainly with a Carvin RC210, but for practice at home I play it through an Ampeg BA112 or B100R. No matter what, it gives me that thumpy, P-Bass tone with rich, rich tones. Very full sound, it is The P-Bass sound. I strung it with TI Flats, and those are the PERFECT strings for this instrument. The tone is mmm, mmm, good.

Action is top notch, the finish is a little worn but in excellent condition for a 21-year old instrument. The neck is excellent, and plays so smoothly. The C neck (1 3/4" at the nut) is perhaps the most comfortable neck I've ever played, I really love the flat but wide necks of the C neck.

This baby is as solid as they come. I never gig without a backup, but this is one bass that would not need a backup.

Never called Fender, and this model is probably a little too old to be covered under warranty anyway. I take all my instruments to my luthier and he takes care of all my needs anyway. I never had a prob with Fender instruments though.

I bought it under the guise it was a 1987 model, so when I popped the neck and saw it was an early 57 RI model built in 1982, I was stoked. I sent an e-mail to the guy I bought it from, and he replied had he known it was a 1982 model he would've charged me $200 extra. I would have gladly paid it too! Anyway, it better NEVER get stolen or I will hunt the person down who took it. It is irreplaceable IMO.

What I love about this bass is:

The tone
The finish (love that Fiesta Red!)
The playability
The mojo factor

Since Fender is notorious for having gaping holes in its record keeping, and not caring, I'm making an educated guess that this '57 reissue was made in or around 1990/91. Hecho in USA, Corona, CA, Fender works. 4-string with reverse-wound tuners (mine, the original owner had added a matching reverse-wound Hip Shot detuner to the 'E' - handy). All maple neck and fretboard with 20 "medium" guitar-sized frets, black dot markers, white bone nut, truss rod adjustment at the heel (with no cut-out in the gold anodized pickguard for a slot-head screwdriver access to the truss rod). This means that the neck must be removed in order to set the bass up and adjust the truss rod tension - just like the originals. Just like the originals, this is a pain in the ass and must be done a couple of times to get it right - but it holds a set up. This reissue is very accurate: the neck is wider by at least 1/16" than modern P-basses, and a thinner 'C' shape - it is, in fact, a very wide fretboard. But I like that, for some strange reason. Neck is "clear" nitro laquered and is aging graciously and naturally, and gets a bit tacky when warmed (played much). Gorgeous "Fender Precision Bass" decal on the headstock, and one round string tree. Vintage 4-saddle (cut threaded rod with screws) adjustable top-load bridge, NOT through-body strung. Chrome hardware.

Body is alder (and a very nice, relatively light weight and VERY resonant, piece of wood). Balance is just slightly neck-heavy. It has a single, passive split-coil humbucking P-Bass pickup (this one with raised pole pieces under the 'A' string - I called Fender and it IS authentic to the '57, though I have never seen a P-Bass pickup like it), single volume and single tone (chrome knurled knobs) on the 10-screw hole gold anodized pickguard. All the wiring is cloth insulated in keeping with the 'vintage' theme.

It's a '57 Precision - sort of. The only thing about it, and I laugh about it, is that this one is factory-finished in Ocean Turquoise metallic: a color offered from Fender only from '65-'71! I have to say that the deep turquoise against the gold pickguard and naturally aging maple neck IS drop dead gorgeous - if wrong. Fender assures me that Ocean Turquoise metallic WAS a color option for '57 reissues, especially around 1990. Came with a vintage Fender case (tweed, with orange interior).

I bought her used - just picked it up to try out an amp not knowing it was a reissue - and fell in love (not lust). I'm primarily a Rickenbacker player, and just love wide/thin necks and small low frets. Mine appears to have had the "ashtray" over the bridge removed (the holes in the pickguard and in the wood are there) BUT did not have the chrome pickup cover: holes are there in the pickguard but there are no screw holes in the body. I asked Fender about this, and was told that they sometimes offered the option of chrome cover(s) or not. The original owner obviously didn't have the pickup cover installed. I don't have either the "ashtray" or the pickup cover as they weren't still with the bass when I bought her, unfortunately. The finger rest located near the neck has been removed, and it looks like the original owner tried to relocate this on the body above where a bridge J-Bass pickup would be, but then removed it. All that's left are the screw holes and some chipped lacquer.

She was strung with medium light (45-105) round-wounds when I found her, and have left that guage and type of string (GHS, in my case) on her - even though flat-wounds would be 'accurate' for a '57. She has THE definitive old school P-Bass tone with her round-wounds.

How do you rate features on a Precision? 1 pickup, with a volume and a tone... let's see... But I'll give her an '8' based on the attention to detail to being built like a 1957 - minus 2 points for being ONE DECADE OFF on color.

OK, again I'll profess that I am a Rickenbacker bass player and lover. And mechanics-wise, I'm a finger player. But when I'm not playing a Ric, I grab a P-Bass. I use Precisions for country-style music, anywhere the bass is a support and not a lead role, and if I'm under lots of neon signs. I had another (very bastardized) P-Bass that I played LOTS, until I found this bass. Until recently (explained later), she usually got the nod over my other Precisions if I wasn't playing a Ric. I liked her SO MUCH, in fact, that I ordered a '57 reissue neck from Fender and had it installed on my other primary gigging P-Bass, plus added a Hip Shot detuner to the 'E' (normal wound tuners on that bass). Fender did a GREAT job on that reissue neck, by the way - a work of art! My other "main" Precision has a Jazz Bass bridge pickup installed (vol/vol/tone controls), and is a much more versatile instrument. I now play HER more than this '57. But the TONE of this '57 reissue IS THE DEFINITIVE classic Precision Bass. The tone is round and full and rich and CREAMY. The tone control actually works, but the bass never gets very muddy or very tinny - it has an exceptionally well-balanced tone. The one piece maple neck and fingerboard give it a little extra ring and attack and note definition, and I feel that the nitro lacquer allows the wood of the body and neck to "breathe" and to project more of their character into the overall tone of the instrument. Ditto the smaller frets - I may be wrong, but it seems that fretting is less harsh, with more "wood", than on larger frets. Tons of sustain from this bass - more than my other Precisions (not as much as a Ric). I attribute this to the excellent materials used by Fender in her manufacture.

My current rig is an Ashdown ABM-500 "bass magnifier" head through a David Eden 410XLT cabinet, no effects. I leave the EQ set-up the same as for my Rics, then just (using a handy-dandy button on the Ashdown) cut out the EQ to run the amp "flat" - and it sounds like Steely Dan's "Rikki Don't Lose That Number". The PERFECT P-Bass tone.

She's as "versatile" as a Precision gets (which is not very), with a touch more midrange out of the unique vintage pickup (raised 'A' poles). The "10" is because this P-Bass sounds exactly like what I think a P-Bass should sound like. It's the model, the standard by which all other basses and especially Precisions are judged. She has THAT tone.

I have yet to record with her - yet. Should a project call for a Precision tone, this bass DEFINES that tone.

I bought her used, and she had been on consignment for some time. The previous/original owner I never met, but I understand that he was a working/recording musician who bought the bass specifically for one "old school" recording project (his axe of choice, Music Man). He gigged it 1 time, supposedly - but he must have had a large belt buckle... there's a small gash on the rear of the bass, plus the front extra body holes I've mentioned. Anyway, set up was good, not great, when I found her. Pickup adjustment has not been changed - it sits kind of cockeyed for a P-Bass pickup, the low string coil being flat and almost reverse-tilted to even out the pull on the 'A' string.

The only true "flaw" was that it has COMPLETELY wrong color for a 1957 bass. It already has some crazing and dulling in the laquer - meaning, it's actually aging as it should. I don't fault this - I think it's wonderful. Modern finshes don't age and the wood never breathes.

The nature of the neck and truss rod is that this neck is difficult to adjust. This one has more relief in the neck than ANY of my other basses (I like Rics, and I like my necks FLAT). I leave it be. It's a very good neck and very stable, I just wish for my own personal preferences that I could get it flatter. Next time she needs a truss rod adjustment, I'll see what I and my set-up guy can do. As it is, I have to work just a bit harder on her than on most any bass I play/own. But the TONE...

I'll give her an "8" again here - it's not her fault that she has a vintage, old-fashioned neck. That's one of the main reasons for this bass, if not THE biggest reason.

She's a Fender Precision. Not much CAN go wrong. I guess a wrecking ball could, theoretically, come through the wall...

I don't play with a "backup" bass - but since I usually play Rics, any gig where I have a P-Bass I 'usually' have a Ric as well. But I've gigged her, if only a handful of times, without backup. She has this aura of dependability, even though I have lost Fender pickups and tuners before (died on stage, no less). Leo Fender's inventions might not have been pretty (take this vintage bridge, for instance - hey, it's just cut sections of threaded rod) but they WORKED. Well, in my case they USUALLY worked... But this bass has so far seemed to be the imbodiment of "Fenderishness" and reliability, the reason the old instruments have survived to become classics, worthy of reissue. No problems so far. I'll let you know in another 10 years.

But do I trust Fenders the way I trust Rickenbackers? Based on 20 years' experience: NO.

Called Fender 1 time, with the aid of a large music store in Portland (Portland Music - great folks, great service) and talked to a LIVE HUMAN BEING at Fender Musical Instrument Corporation in Corona, CA.

I asked questions specifically about this '57 reissue instrument: could he identify the year manufacture from the serial number (no - but he could get within a small range of years - jeez, I hate Fender for being so freakin' BIG and so freakin' BAD at records, and at not caring); was the color factory-applied (yep - even though it is incorrect for a '57 "reiussue"); was this a correct P-Bass pickup (yep - rare, and not even offered on all the '57 reissues - a rather unusual pickup to have, luck of the draw, but 100% authentic Fender and correct for '57); why were there no screw holes for a pickup cover (not installed, as an option around the time of manufacture); generally, was this an authentic Fender 1957 reissue Precision Bass or a knock-off made from parts. It's all real, it's all correct and original - as far as Fender can tell.

I'll give them a "3". They had to believe I was a major distributor of their instruments on the northwest coast to pick up the phone and did not seem at all pleased that Portland Music had allowed a CUSTOMER to contact their super secret Bat Phone number (which I promptly burned, lest it fall into the wrong hands - like other Fender customers), they didn't know from their own serial numbering "system" exactly what year the bass was manufactured, and the most reassuring thing they could tell me was, and I'll quote, "Sounds right to me."

But they DID answer the phone and, to the best of the individual's ability, answer my questions about the bass. Sort of.

I've played bass since 1980, mostly Rics (4, still have 3, want more) and Precisions (5, still have 4) with a few anomalies thrown in. This reissue '57 has *THE* FENDER PRECISION TONE.

If it were lost or stolen, I'm pretty sure I'd notice but the world would certainly not end. It's not a REAL 1957 Fender. And the color alone makes it totally WRONG for a 1957, so IS it a '57 reissue? - if you get my point. My other gigging P-Bass is close enough, tone-wise, and now feels the same yet is more versatile. And I know that I can BUILD a '57 "reissue" from parts if I really had the inclination. The Fender '57 reissue neck I purchased mail order from Musician's Friend is a dead-on work of art, and now one of my other P-Basses is a '57 resissue, sort of - and actually, it's color is more correct for 1957-62! The basses are interchangeable though I usually grab the one with the J-pickup for the extra versatility. The strange pickup is the only thing that would require actual research to find. But why? Seymour Duncan (and others) make vintage P-Bass pickups that are more vintage Fender than Fender. And IF I were to go the "vintage" route again, I'd go with an ash body. Basically, I've pretty much determined that my next Fender will be either a Hot Rod P-Bass, or the American Deluxe P-Bass: both of which have graphite reinforced necks and better truss rod systems. Except for the necks, I can't come up with justification for another Precision...

That said, this instrument DOES have a certain vibe about it. Maybe it's the nitrocellulose lacquer, or the wider than hell fretboard with little bitty frets? And it sounds perfect. For that reason, I don't see myself ever selling this instrument.

As the other reviewer stated, it's the "best of both worlds" if you just have to have a vintage instrument: it's a 1957, but it's not. It's a good gigging instrument, a working musician's tool. But most any of my other basses run rings around it in every way but tone. Mine gets lots of looks and questions as well, but that doesn't make it a better bass than any others. It is my opinion that modern American Fenders would be every bit as good as this reissue - actually, much better - if they were finished with nitro lacquers again and had a shallower 'C' neck shape. There are reasons Fender changed its necks and truss rod system and bridges, and reasons they haven't changed much else in 35 years. This is just a different Precision, which is very much like most any other Precision Bass but it doesn't feel like modern Precisions. You have to love VERY wide fretboards to like this Precision.

I've rated this a 10 not because of all the "extra" whistles and bells, but because it's a very accurate reproduction of a classic bass. If you're reading this review, chances are that you're interested in something that has some nostalgic value. It faithfully follows what a 1957 P offered, right down to the raised pole pieces on the pickup under the A string. It has the riveted "reverse" tuners, which are a little confusing at first, but historically accurate. Mine is a beautiful 2 tone sunburst, and it has a maple fretboard, as this was the only way they were offered back in mid 50's. The anodized aluminum pickguard is good looking and unusual. I don't know if its original purpose was to aid in shielding out interference, but that's what I've been told. Nice extras include the usual Fender tweed hardshell case, chrome bridge and pickup covers (I left them off), a black leather strap and a cable.

Right away, I took off the roundwound strings that came stock on this guitar and replaced them with flatwounds. This is probably the ONE point that Fender could improve on in regards to authenticity. I play this through a 1971 Ampeg V4 amp into 1x15 and 2x10 speaker cabinets. This isn't a versatile instrument, more of a one trick pony. But if that trick is world class, it's good enough for 99% of what I play, which is classic rock and blues based rock n' roll - mostly 60's and 70's style. It gives that deep thumping P tone that stands out and says "I'M THE BASS". Tone is difficult to describe objectively. But if I use terms like warm and brown, I think most of you can relate. 1957 was the first year that Fender offered what has become the standard P-Bass pickup: the split coil hummer. It's endured for the past 43 years because it works so well. Quiet and toneful. Now, it's not everyone's cup of tea, I understand that. This isn't made to be a one-bass-fits-all instrument.

This is one of Fender's "American Vintage" series intruments, and it's obvious that they take some extra care in selecting woods and applying hardware and finishes. It looks beautiful. The 2 tone sunburst shows the natural grain of the wood very well, and contrasts nicely with the light tint on the finish of the maple neck. The fretwork is flawless. I had only to make adjustments to the string height and pickup position. But this follows anytime I change strings.

Of course, it withstands live playing. I didn't get this to let it sit quietly in closet. This is a player's instrument. And I feel that I look better on stage with this strapped over my shoulder. On several occasions, audience members have made comments on it. And bass players have asked to look it over and I'm usually happy to oblige - as long as they're not too drunk. It's rock solid and it's become my primary instrument. The nitrocellulose finish is a slight concern to me, but that's the way they were made back in the day and they held up well.

I haven't needed to contact Fender directly. The local dealer handles any small concerns that I've had. No problems.

This isn't something that everyone is going to want. But for me, it's perfect. It looks so good and plays so well with the tone that I want. Like lots of other bass players, I've dreamed about owning a vintage original P from the 50's, but I'd never be able to afford it unless I won the lottery. And then I'd be afraid to take it out and play it on stage. So this is probably the best of both worlds - a vintage look and tone constructed to vintage specs, but a definite player. I'd get another without hesitation. I also have an American Standard Jazz that was my main axe, but has been gathering a lot of dust since I purchased this.