John Entwistle's legendary Frankenstein bass had parts from one of these Fender Slab basses, which if i recall correctly, only 20 were made. Does anyone own one, know a person who owns one, or have a picture of one?
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Fender Slab Bass
- Thread starter jazznrick
- Start date
Interesting thread. A little google search turned up this information.
"Slab" only refers to an old school body style associated with early fenders (like a '51 P-bass), no mention of any kind of limited numbers. and furthermore the "Frankenstein" bass' only association with slab basses is that it shared some electronics from two Entwistle's old basses.
"Slab" only refers to an old school body style associated with early fenders (like a '51 P-bass), no mention of any kind of limited numbers. and furthermore the "Frankenstein" bass' only association with slab basses is that it shared some electronics from two Entwistle's old basses.
you mean like the old 50s P-basses?
There's one in GC Hollywood... I didn't particularly feel like risking my life trying it (It was about 30k) but it was pretty
There's one in GC Hollywood... I didn't particularly feel like risking my life trying it (It was about 30k) but it was pretty
I apologize for not being more precise. I recall from an article
I read with Entwistle saying something about how these basses had a "natural growl" and a white coat of paint where you could see blue veins running underneath.
I read with Entwistle saying something about how these basses had a "natural growl" and a white coat of paint where you could see blue veins running underneath.
yes, there was a limited run of basses that were ash slab bodies but modern pickguard... pickups wound hot too I believe.
I had a 5 string slab P built.... white with blue veins
it's just Ash, ut has a killer vibe in a bass IMO/E
I had a 5 string slab P built.... white with blue veins
it's just Ash, ut has a killer vibe in a bass IMO/E
http://www.thewho.net/whotabs/equipment/bass/equip-entwistlegear-60-66.html
Has everything about the slab bass, but i'm still wondering are any still out there?
Has everything about the slab bass, but i'm still wondering are any still out there?
jazznrick said:
he's describing ash IMO.
and no, I've never heard or or seen one of the early Fender ones John favored.
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jazznrick said:
A friend had one (Providence, RI) in the 1970's.
He ran it through a Sunn with 2x15 D140f jbls (Sunn 200s)--that was a sound I have been searching
for ever since I first heard it.
I've come up with a plan to get one of these slab basses. Now all i need is a Delorean and a Flux Capacitor. Why doesn't fender make a John Entwistle Frakenstein sig? Or they could just make slab RIs
According to The Fender Bass (Black & Molinaro), Entwhistle's slab bass was one of a batch of Precisions made in 1966 and marketed in Great Britain. Besides the "slab" (non-contoured) body, they featured black pickguards rather than the typical tort.
I have a Squier II P with a back-routed (no pickguard) slab body with white pearl finish. Since the Entwhistle Ps were only sold in UK, I'll sell my collector's item for, oh, $50K?
Seriously, I also have a '51 P RI with the slab, and guess what? Body contouring was a Really Good Idea!
I have a Squier II P with a back-routed (no pickguard) slab body with white pearl finish. Since the Entwhistle Ps were only sold in UK, I'll sell my collector's item for, oh, $50K?
Seriously, I also have a '51 P RI with the slab, and guess what? Body contouring was a Really Good Idea!
jazznrick said:
I've been saying this for ages. Fender could make a mint with em, particularly with that incredible pickup.
The slab bodied precisions were imported by Arbiter who were importing Fenders into the UK in the 60s. Only about 20-25 were brought in as this represented a lot of financial outlay for something that was considered 'specialist' at the time.
Some people believe that these were made from early 50s parts but they would've been routed for the single coil pickup and would've been too much hassle to fill and re-rout.
Either way, they are as rare as rare can be - not to mention uncomfortable. i also used to own a '51 reissue, also with no body contouring.
Some people believe that these were made from early 50s parts but they would've been routed for the single coil pickup and would've been too much hassle to fill and re-rout.
Either way, they are as rare as rare can be - not to mention uncomfortable. i also used to own a '51 reissue, also with no body contouring.
Here's a video of John playing what looks to be one of the Slab basses. There's a recording studio in London that advertises a "1966 Fender Slab P-Bass" on their list of available recording gear.
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