Fender '66 slab P-basses

[Muzikman7]

In the current Vintage Guitar magazine (Jan '09) there is a great article on the Fender '66 slab P-basses, check it out if you get a chance.

[Chris P.]

Ow, man, that's interesting. Could you scan it?

[eb2]

I got it and it is pretty nice.  Very informative.  Some people want Fenderbirds, but I always wanted to make one of these.

[ilan]

Is there a good reason to want a '66 slab P other than its rarity? Personally I don't like post-'76 Fenders because the tummy cuts are shallow, I like deep contours. A P with no contours? I'm not sure they are for me.

[eb2]

If you don't like Tele Basses for lack of contours, you will not dig it.  They are a fun combo of things that I personally liked - slab body, maple cap C neck, black guard and vintage white fin.  Sure a rarity, but that is the bass that is on some of the most distinctive sounding records I ever owned. 

[rahock]

Is there a good reason to want a '66 slab P other than its rarity? Personally I don't like post-'76 Fenders because the tummy cuts are shallow, I like deep contours. A P with no contours? I'm not sure they are for me.

I find your comment very intresting. Is it a "feel thing" or a "visual thing"? I used to view the slab cuts as sort of a Fred Flintstone look , but eventually they grew on me and became my preference.

If I were blindfolded, I would never know if I was playing something with a contour or without. Ability to determine the depth of the contour is way over my head
Since I got my 51 RI , I've often wondered if they went to the contour for visual appeal or comfort.

Rick

[Dave W]

I've always preferred slab bodies.

[rahock]

I've always preferred slab bodies.

Is it a "feel thing" for you? Again , I can't tell the difference from a "feel standpoint".
Of course I may be desensitized after playing an Earthwood ABG for over 35 years. Playing something that's 8 inches or so deep , definately has a different feel against your body.

Rick

[Dave W]

Yes. Back contours are never in the right place for me anyway.

[rahock]

Yes. Back contours are never in the right place for me anyway.

That's pretty much my sentiments. They don't seem to be in the right place for me either, so I have no feel for them.
The only time I even notice the "feel against the body thing", is if I'm playing something with an odd shape. Like my Earthwood , a Steinberger or Flying V etc.
 Rick

[ilan]

The closest thing I had to a slab P was a Peavey T40 

[gearHed289]

Entwistle seemed to think there was some mojo with the electronics in the slab basses. His Fiesta "Frankenstein" had the guts of a slab bass. Apparently he had the opportunity to compare a number of slab basses against some standard P basses from the same era.

[bobyoung]

I've always liked the contoured bodies myself, more comfortable to me. Of course I've owned at least one for 90% of my playing time and owned a slab bass for about 5%. They feel kind of klunky to me, but then again I wouldn't not buy one because it was a slab, but I definitely wouldn't go looking specifically for one either. I knew a guy who would only buy and play 66 J basses, I always thought he was a little nutty myself .

[Muzikman7]

This satisfied my slab desires.

[tom grossheider]

I love my slab P.......