1966 Slab P Bass Edge Radius

[hoffmanj]

I'm planning to build a copy of the '66 slab P bass. I have the Barry Matthews book, and I've read everything I can find here and elsewhere online, but I can't find the answer as to what the edge radius on the body is.

I know it's a long shot and a lot to ask, but can someone with an original measure it for me?

The more copies there are out there, the more interest in the originals, so it's in your best interest.

Thanks in advance to anyone with the answer.

[Engine207]

Originally Posted by hoffmanj

I'm planning to build a copy of the '66 slab P bass. I have the Barry Matthews book, and I've read everything I can find here and elsewhere online, but I can't find the answer as to what the edge radius on the body is.

I know it's a long shot and a lot to ask, but can someone with an original measure it for me?

The more copies there are out there, the more interest in the originals, so it's in your best interest.

Thanks in advance to anyone with the answer.

Not such a longshot...JohnK10 should be along as soon as he's had a cup of coffee and give you that information.

Probably right off the top of his head...

[Slab66]

Hi!

I live in UK and too am building a 66 Slab. In the process of block sanding the body before being sprayed in 1956 antique white. The neck is a 21 fret maple capped vintage tint with black sctratch plate. Will post some pics when finnished. alot of friggin work!!!!

[MarthaSamira]

Didn't that radius vary quite a lot back then?

[hoffmanj]

I did get mine done earlier this year but just got around to snapping some pics today. I went for the later Olympic White / Tort guard look.





I love this bass. It's like driving a Lincoln Continental at 85 miles an hour down the highway. It just rumbles along. It won't necessarily turn on a dime, but it's a great ride.

The vital statistics:

VERY light 1 piece alder USACG body (about 4.5 lbs finished) - Tommy's the best. Marty Knapp did a great Oly White nitro finish.

Musikraft maple cap P Bass neck with a 1.75" nut width.

Fralin 5% overwound pickup.

This was a really fun project and I'm very happy with how it came out.

[One Drop]

Originally Posted by MarthaSamira

Didn't that radius vary quite a lot back then?

This was a particular run of basses done in one or two batches, they seem to be quite consistent amongst themselves.

[bassdude51]

A comment of very little value about edge radius.

First off, didn't Fender only make around 48 of the '66 slab Ps? And they only went to England/Europe? Seems like I read that there are only a handful left in existence. (John Entwistle destroyed 3 or 4 of them.)

In my humble opinion, wouldn't the radius of those '66 Ps be exactly the same as any Telecaster guitar made about that time period?

My son is pretty much a historian and a fanatic on Telecaster guitars and I'll ask him about the edge radius (which should be the same for the slab P).

Also just 2 years after 1966, Fender re-introduced the old single coil P Bass calliing it Telecaster Bass. I'd think the edge radius on it was the same also.

I'm sure it would have been a standard rout bit like a 1/8 inch or 3/32 inch. If I find any accurate info, I'll re-post.

Good luck on your project!

[Mingo Sanders]

Originally Posted by hoffmanj

I did get mine done earlier this year but just got around to snapping some pics today.

The vital statistics:

VERY light 1 piece alder USACG body (about 4.5 lbs finished) - Tommy's the best. Marty Knapp did a great Oly White nitro finish.

Musikraft maple cap P Bass neck with a 1.75" nut width.

Fralin 5% overwound pickup.

This was a really fun project and I'm very happy with how it came out.

Wow, it looks great! Can you tell us what edge radius you used? Thanks.

[hoffmanj]

From JohnK:

"IIRC they were the same as an early slab p bass or a telecaster guitar which was about 1/8", but less than 3/16". AFAIK, they used a 1/8" roundover bit and then hand sanded them which enlarged the radius just a tiny bit. at least that's what the one that i used to own looked like."

I had Tommy replicate this.