P Bass body differences - '51 - '54 - '72 ?

[Steve_Karl]

Hi there,
I'm seeing 4 different choices for P Bass bodies at warmoth.com but I'm not finding a description of the differences.
P Bass - '51 P Bass - '54 P Bass - '72 P Bass

Can someone point me to a URL that tells the story?

Also, if I was wanting to duplicate a '65 P bass would I choose '54?

Thank you!

 

[TBurst Std]

51 is a slab body. 54 got contours. In 72 it got more rounded and the control plate change to accommodate a top jack rather than a side jack.

 

[Steve_Karl]

Thanks!

 

[TBurst Std]

The Fender Precision Bass Timeline: 1951-1982 - Bass Guitar Shack

Taking a look at the Fender Precision Bass timeline shows the evolution of a crucially important instrument in modern music history.

bassguitarshack.com

More detail

 

[Steve_Karl]

Thanks TBurst.
This helps date the one I owned as close to '63 as I'm sure it had clay dots and a strap button on the back of the head stock.

Also, looking at photos of pick guards

it seems I'll need to get the P Bass body to match the location of controls and 1/4" jack.
I appreciate your help!

Steve

 

[Steve_Karl]

The only thing I'll be missing is the 1.75" nut width and original back profile.

 

[DuckBaloo]

Also, if I was wanting to duplicate a '65 P bass would I choose '54?

You would choose the regular P-Bass.

51 is a slab body. 54 got contours. In 72 it got more rounded and the control plate change to accommodate a top jack rather than a side jack.

* '51 - Slab, "Tele bass", Tele-like one coil PU, chrome control plate
* '54 - Slab, "Tele bass" with belly and arm contours, Tele-like one coil PU, chrome control plate
* P Bass - this is the classic '57 style with large pickguard, top mounted jack, and split-coil PU, but it is probably not period correct, like other Wamorth bodies it is optimized to allow custom options
* '72 - edesigned pickguard to match look of the '72 Tele Thineline, Custom, and Deluxe, with a side jack