’51 P-Bass

True 50's P-Bass Tone

$95

  • Single Coil
  • Clean & Articulate
  • Traditional Appearance
  • Vintage Output

New Soundclips Coming Soon

( 20 genuine reviews)

Loud, clear and sweet. This is a great single-coil tone replacement for 50’s-era basses and reissues. With Alnico V USA-Made Magnets and wire, the Fralin ’51 P-Bass is great for those looking to add more definition, clarity, and extended low-end to their ’50’s bass.

 

Options

Select options for our '51 P-Bass:

Notice

Due to the nature of Raw Nickel, Raw Nickel may contain slight cosemetic defects or abrasions.

Recommendation

We recommend using 2-Conductor With Shield Lead when purchasing a single pickup. 2-Conductor lead allows you to reverse the phase should you have phase issues. Learn About Lead Choice

Upgrade To A Prewired Pickguard

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True '50s P-Bass Tone

Want to learn more about our '51 P-Bass? Here's all the information you'll need:

’51 P-Bass FEATURES:

Since its creation, the P-Bass has been a bass icon. Known for its classic, deep, and fat low-end, the 51 P-Bass is the bass that started the classic P-Bass tone. Our 51 P-Bass pickup is a warm, rich, and thick-sounding 51 P-Bass replacement. Expect deep lows, warm mids, and “Fender-y” highs.

Did you know? We have a Split ’51 P-Bass Model, for noiseless operation. Check it out here.

  • Original Fender specifications, with modern output
  • Superb articulation for a clean and clear tone
  • Designed to be even across all frequencies
  • USA-made Alnico 5 Magnets for optimal tonal balance and output
  • Hand-wound with our “Sectioning” technique for unique, dynamic tone
  • Hand-built fiberboard Bobbins for unrivaled quality control
  • 10-Year Warranty on manufacturing defects

 

Sound

Our 51 P-Bass replacement sounds clean, clear, and deep. Expect enhanced definition, clarity, and articulation. The Fralin 51 P-Bass replacement has bright highs and warm mids. The low-end will sound deep, rich, and fat – without sounding muddy. We’ve taken care to make sure that we enhance the most important aspects of your bass: the bass. We guarantee that you’ll love your P-Bass even more -you’ll wonder why you didn’t make the switch earlier.

Our Tone starts here: our manufacturing process. It allows us to achieve unparalleled quality control. Our pickups consist of USA-Made magnets and wire. Our bobbins are hand-built using local fiberboard and incredible attention to detail. We wind each pickup by hand, one at a time. Each pickup is wound using our proprietary “Sectioning” technique. This gives the pickup a sweet, clear tone.

We assemble each pickup one at a time, by hand. This allows us to achieve unbeatable attention to detail. Finally, we wax-pot the pickup to preserve the pickup and prevent microphonics.

 

Tonal Graph For ’51 P-Bass:

The tonal graph below for our ’51 P-Bass features Lows, Midrange, Highs, and general Output.

HIGHS
MIDS
LOWS
OUTPUT

Attack: Dynamic & Full

Tech Specs

See below for the estimated DCR and Polarity Information for our '51 P-Bass.

SPECIFICATION VALUE
Stock Ohm Reading:7.2K 1
String Spacing:17.5mm (Magnet to Magnet)
Magnet Wire:USA-Made 42-Gauge Single Poly Nylon
Magnet Material:USA-Made Alnico 5
Bobbin Material:USA-Made Fiberboard
Magnet Polarity:North To Strings
Coil Direction:Clockwise (from Ground to Hot)
Recommended Pot Value:250K
Recommended Cap Value:0.02mfd 2

More Information:

1 Ohm Readings can vary due to a multitude of factors, including ambient temperature, multimeter calibration, different wire batches, and other factors. Due to this, ohm readings are approximate. Learn more about Ohm Readings here.


2 We recommend a 0.02mfd Cap Value on most guitar and bass pickups. The exception is a Magic Cap, which Lindy prefers on the Bridge Pickup of Fender® guitars only. Learn More about Caps Here.


’51 P-Bass Dimensions:

51 P-Bass Dimensions

’51 P-Bass FAQ's

General FAQs

Here are quick answers to common questions we get:

  • What Ohm Readings does your ’51 P-Bass have?

    Navigate to our Tech Specs Tab for complete Ohm Readings and more useful information.

  • Will this pickup fit my instrument?

    Check our "Sizing" tab for the size of the pickup. No Sizing tab? Check under the product image gallery for dimensions.

  • Is your Lead Time of 2-3 Weeks accurate?

    It really depends on the shop capacity at the moment, and the size of your order. Feel free to give us a call for an accurate lead time. We always try to underpromise and overdeliver.

  • What pickup height do you recommend setting your ’51 P-Basss to?

    Our recommended Pickup Height is 1/8" (3.175mm) on the Bass Side and 1/16"( 1.5875mm) on the Treble Side. Measure by holding the corresponding side down at its highest fret and measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the pole piece.

Customer Reviews

20 Genuine Reviews for ’51 P-Bass

  1. Ted

    Verified Purchase

    This pickup sounds amazing. It’s an accurate representation of Leo’s first p bass single coil pickup design. It has that crunch and punch, along with clear warm bottom. The 60 cycle hum isn’t too bad, even with the tone pot wide open.
    I did wire it upside down, meaning the pots turn off to the right, on the left. It doesn’t make any difference, just an adjustment getting used to. I usually set it and forget it anyway.

  2. Erland

    Verified Purchase

    Bought a cheap Squier 51 P Bass and replaced the pickup by the Fralin ’51 P-Bass pickup (5% overwound).
    It has great performance with la bella flatwounds and a real 50’s sound. Love it!

  3. Kim Hebert

    Verified Purchase

    Pickups are installed & sound great?

  4. Matthew Roberts

    Verified Purchase

    Bought a Fralin 51p to replace the stock pick up in a squire. This pickup is way more responsive to changes in playing dynamics and the tone is phenomenal.

  5. James Nicol

    Verified Purchase

    I purchased the 51 p-bass regular wound pick up for a Squire P bass i picked up. I have absolutely have fallen in love with this pick up. Every gig I get complements on how well the Squire bass sounds and cuts in the mix. When recording this is my go to bass. It has such range just by playing with the tone knob. I play everything from country to punk rock and this pick up gives me the exact tone I need.

  6. Pinflap

    Verified Purchase

    Outstanding performance and quality. Service is always top notch. I like this pickup better than the original actually. Less noise, more clarity, and just a better tone all the way around. I have a couple of these in “51 builds, and they always garner compliments.

  7. Jay west

    Hey guys,, I installed 2. 51+5s in my jazz bass and it kicks like nothing on the planet. I have almost a dozen different bass guitars and this one is outstanding! Thank you for making these pick ups it really have to try it both of them! The bass it’s a 63 jazz bass so it has the great wood that you really can’t find any more

  8. Chris Wenkle

    Verified Purchase

    Superb replacement!

    I purchased a Fralin 51 P-bass pickup that had normal stagger, and was 5% overwound. It turned a Squire Classic Vibe 51 P-bass into a tone monster! Clarity and warmth is just outstanding, and my bandmates and the sound techs all agree. I’ve always gotten the very best pickups from Lindy Fralin. Period.

  9. Richard Weeks

    Verified Purchase

    ‘51 PBass 5% Overwound – Wow
    I thought I was a pretty fair player until I installed this pickup… man, this thing keeps me honest, sounds killer and has just the right amount of growl – which is easily controlled by the tone pot. Amazed. Seriously. I turned a carefully selected everyday player Squier ”Vintage Vibe” bass into a big stage-ready axe. Can’t say enough good things about this, Lindy., THANK YOU! Going to blow out some festival stages this summer…and my local circle of players. cheers!

  10. Billy Smith

    I got this to replace the stock pickup in a ’55 reissue Precision. The quality is great, you can see the materials and detail are spectacular.

    But I did get it for the tone, and it disappoints. The low end is rendered indistinct and mushy, and the high end a little brittle.

    Going back to the stock pickup. Didn’t like the Fralin at all.

    • Tyler Delsack
      (store manager)

      Hey Billy, I’m sorry to hear that! Would you like to return the pickup? If so, please contact us!

  11. Don Schlottmann

    Verified Purchase

    Amaaaazing – Best pickup I have ever had, building 3 more like this and will only use Fralin pickups from now on.

  12. David Boileau

    Verified Purchase

    Amazing tone variety…
    …I now have on my bass project! (Fender Jazz) Kept the original bridge PUP and replaced the neck one with your ’51 P-Bass one…Totally blown away by how this thing can sound now! Thank you! Dave Boileau, Iqaluit, Nunavut, Canada

  13. Robert Quintano

    Verified Purchase

    I have a Japanese “Sting” P bass. I received the ‘51 P bass, overwound. I installed it in about 15 minutes. The fit was exact. The only hang up was stripping the insulation off the wires. That material is tough, it’s like the old ‘50’s insulation, cloth not plastic. I vaguely remember my high school shop teacher burning that insulation off. I finally got (no fire used) with a fair amount of salty language. The sound this pickup delivers is superb. On stage, my in ears delivered the deep bass i wasn’t even expecting. This pickup is super quiet. I’m glad I didn’t opt for the split pickup, seems unnecessary . What can you say, real American quality should never be taken for granted.

  14. EthelZon

    ?® SASHA – Mala (official video) Spanish Version / NEW ?© 2020

  15. Phil Clark

    Fralin is legendary! I bought a Squier Classic (something or other) 50’s P Bass on CL and proceeded to hot rod it out. The first thing I ordered was the split 50’s pickup with +5 overwind. It went right in with no effort and sounds amazing! I also upgraded all the electronics. The last thing to do is new Hipshots. Thank you Fralin team for your attention to detail. You have earned your reputation!

  16. Joel Herd

    Great pickups! I got the 10% overwound P-Bass pickups and they sound incredible. I couldn’t be happier.

  17. Dieter Bauer

    Thanks for the fast delivery.
    The pickup works very well in my 51 P Bass Reissue
    and the SOUND IS SENSATIONAL!
    Thanks to all at Lindy Fralin!
    Yours sincerely

    Dieter Bauer

  18. Philip Parrillo

    Verified Purchase

    My 1951 Made in Japan Pbass Reissue had very unusual Pickups that looked like a start pickup.. They were smaller then most 1951 Pbass pickups. Lindy and his staff were world class in helping me with my pickup issues. Lindy himself help made a pickup that would fit my bass and It sounds amazing. I can’t recommend buying a fralin pickup more. A huge Thanks to everyone working at Lindy Fralin

  19. William Clark

    Had them re-wind the original from my dad’s 50’s era.
    Used it live for the first time, yesterday.
    EVERYONE’S jaws were on the floor at the tone.
    I couldn’t believe it myself.
    Thanks to all at Lindy Fralin!

  20. Michael Powers

    Verified Purchase

    As advertised – The pickup was delivered in a timely manner. The pickup sounds great in my CIJ ’51 P Bass Reissue. The sound really opened up. A worthwhile upgrade.

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