Fender '66 slab P-basses

Started by Muzikman7, November 17, 2008, 06:43:03 AM

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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.
Tony

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.
Model One and Schallers?  Ish.

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. 
Model One and Schallers?  Ish.

rahock

Quote from: ilan on November 18, 2008, 07:27:29 PM
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 :o
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

Quote from: Dave W on November 19, 2008, 09:04:22 AM
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

Quote from: Dave W on November 19, 2008, 09:21:52 AM
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  ;D

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 ;D.

Muzikman7

This satisfied my slab desires.
Tony

tom grossheider