Why Slab Basses? Can a tort guard save them?

[electracoyote]

Slab-bodied guitars and basses fundamentally transformed popular music into an art form that has thrived for the last 60+ years.

I play slabs, contours, and all permutations of the two. I'm glad I don't let body shape cheat me out of some incredible playing, sounding, and looking instruments.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

I think science has clearly proven that a tort guard does EXACTLY as much for the tone of your bass as a slab body does.

I agree, maybe even a bit more.
I have found I get turned down by better bands when I play with tort on. Without it, garage bands laugh at me.

 

[Kubicki Fan]

View attachment 783045 ÌView attachment 783042 View attachment 783043 View attachment 783044 My photos will never be as good as @ASATMAN but I do love me some slab.

Now, that IS a great relic job!

 

[40Hz]

Could not disagree more! Slab is where it's at. Hope this doesn't get your shorts in a bunch.

That silver one is a beauty. Definitely pretty enough to make me start hearing voices.

But what are you doing to scratch up the inside of the horn opposite the one that holds the strap so much? I don't think I've ever seen that type of wear before.

 

[Gyver]

Could not disagree more! Slab is where it's at. Hope this doesn't get your shorts in a bunch.

That white bass is just so damn beautiful it's frightening...

 

[engedi1]

That white bass is just so damn beautiful it's frightening...

it is pretty

 

[40Hz]

BTW...try not to use the word "slab" too much around older bass players. It's a real thing with some of them.

 

[Lowendtech]

BTW...try not to use the word "slab" too much around older bass players. It's a real thing with some of them.

I can't hear or see the word without associating it with The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

 

[troy mcclure]

ASATMAN, those are some damn good looking basses.... how much does the hollow-body weigh?

 

[Luckydog]

Slab-bodied guitars and basses fundamentally transformed popular music into an art form that has thrived for the last 60+ years.

I play slabs, contours, and all permutations of the two. I'm glad I don't let body shape cheat me out of some incredible playing, sounding, and looking instruments.

Thats a good one! LOL!

 

[Murdoc_420]

Tortoises are endangered and I don't think killing them to make your bass look better is a good idea.

That being said, I have a BEX4 which is beautiful and sounds great. Plays great too but really digs into my skinny arm after a short time. So it just sits there in a bag for the most part.

 

[okcrum]

All EBs are slabs to DB players.

 

[Ronbeast]

If you're like me, you've probably never been bothered by the edges of any bass guitar. I'm just as comfortable on a telecaster as I am with a Stratocaster. Makes no difference to me in terms of the basic feel of the instrument (though we all agree they are monumentally different).

I never really understood people who complain about marks, and sometimes even cuts in their arms because the edges are too 'sharp'. The first thing that pops into my head when I hear those people talk is : get a better strap and stop pushing down with your wrist to stop the neck dive! If your bass is hanging perfectly in balance, there should be no need to ever press down hard enough to hurt your wrist or cause carpal tunnel etc.

-Ron

 

[Tim817]

Calling any bass ugly (deserved or otherwise) is against the rules. Every bass is somebody's baby.

Oh no there are some really ugly baby's out there. Weather that's a politically correct to say or not is one thing,but its true .

 

[Mantis Tobaggan]

I play a 4003 and do not mind the lack of contour ...

 

[GretschWretch]

My shorts don't bunch easy. Your basses have so much mojo I can hear it through the screen! Different strokes and all that. I don't like hollowbodies, slabs, or bridges with only 2 adjusters. But if it works for you I am happy. What year is the black one?

I love hollowbodies, and I wish Fender would reintroduce those hollowbodies like made in Japan in the early nineties, only lighten them up,
and make the tops removable. Then offer interchangable tops with custom pickup options. You would preserve the iconic Fender look while eliminating a lot of weight, and players could maximize their sound options while minimizing the number of basses in their stable.

 

[Gravedigger Dav]

BTW...try not to use the word "slab" too much around older bass players. It's a real thing with some of them.

Correct. And we had to change the terminology for computers so now they have a monitor instead of a terminal.

 

[DigitalMan]

Correct. And we had to change the terminology for computers so now they have a monitor instead of a terminal.

And now it's display. Try to keep up.

 

[lfmn16]

Ok. I am 100% mystified why anyone would ever, under any circumstance, get a modern custom bass like Nash or Bluesman in the form of a slab precision.

Then don't buy one.

Can't we all agree that the slab precision was simply an earlier, and lamer design that was perfected when the contoured precision models came out later in the decade?

No

... a bass that will give you carpal tunnel and tennis elbow and is uncomfortable sitting or standing makes no sense to me.

They don't and the aren't. Please show your source for this statement because its not true.

 

[engedi1]

All EBs are slabs to DB players.

Right!!!???