Why Slab Basses? Can a tort guard save them?

[kcole4001]

Assuming everyone uses the same plucking technique and likes their bass at the same height is the inherent flaw here.
If we all played in exactly the same manner we'd all have 1960s P basses with tort and flats.
Fortunately we don't.

 

[engedi1]

Just my two cents.

I have an early Precision. A "transition" 1956 with all the vintage look, but DEEP contours.

Best of both.

I'll show myself to the door now....

Awesome. That is seriously badass. Please post a few pics!

 

[M.R. Ogle]

This one.

 

[Luckydog]

The audience is immaterial. Anyone who uses the audience as a measuring stick when picking out gear has defeated themselves already.

I agree to a point. However, the selection of gear certainly has an aspect of "correctness for the vibe". Some audiences would see pointy-headed basses in a smooth jazz ensemble as pretty weird. If the musicians and audience are not concerned with that, so be it. But you cant say the issue isnt real or that it doesnt matter to a degree.

However my point was simply that if someone chooses a non-contoured bass because, in their mind, the audience would see that as a cool factor, the bass player would most likely be the only one to notice that aspect.

 

[JimmyM]

I agree to a point. However, the selection of gear certainly has an aspect of "correctness for the vibe". Some audiences would see pointy-headed basses in a smooth jazz ensemble as pretty weird. If the musicians and audience are not concerned with that, so be it. But you cant say the issue isnt real or that it doesnt matter to a degree.

However my point was simply that if someone chooses a non-contoured bass because, in their mind, the audience would see that as a cool factor, the bass player would most likely be the only one to notice that aspect.

Which is enough

 

[engedi1]

This one.

Wow. I have never seen one like that, and it looks to be near mint. How long have you had it?

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Oh, it's pretty beat, actually. This is a flattering photo. The back looks like an old school desk. I got it about 15 years ago. It USED to be 2T sunburst.

 

[engedi1]

Even so I bet it's worth a pretty penny

 

[M.R. Ogle]

The pickup is definitely NOT original, and the two covers are suspect.
I don't care. It's my birth-year bass, and I like it.

Sorry for the derail....back to Slab City.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Yes, a Invalid Link Removed guard can save them.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

Tort on slab is historically inaccurate.

 

[Flaked Beans]

Tort on slab is historically inaccurate.

Exactly, anodized gold all the way.

 

[M.R. Ogle]

LOL!!!
In the slab days, you got black bakelite, then later pure one-ply white. Tort and Gold anodized were later than slabs.

 

[veebass]

Just my two cents.

I have an early Precision. A "transition" 1956 with all the vintage look, but DEEP contours.

Best of both.

I'll show myself to the door now....

I have one too. Some nice developments in these over the earlier slabs- the contours, raised poles for A and D strings and the sublime soft V profile neck. The sound of these surprises many- quite articulate, but still with plenty of oomph.
If I were getting a custom build 51 style bass, I probably wouldn't bother with the contours. as I said earlier, they don't worry me.
I would however specify a soft V neck profile and I would go with a custom wound pickup made by Jess Loureiro from Spain. These pickups look like the venerable single coil but are actually side by side splits and can be wired series/ parallel switchable with a push pull pot.
I am installing one of these in my 69 Tele.
I would specify see through blonde over well grained ash with a black guard for the imaginary custom build.
Anyway, I know the rules (no pics, no bass).....here's some pics of my Ash 56. Original down to the last screw.It may also be a one piece body- I can't find a seam anywhere.

 

[DwaynieAD]

I literally had to get out of bed and go look at my five basses to remember which are slab and which are contoured. It literally doesn't even occur to me.

Literally

 

[Lowendtech]

I literally had to get out of bed and go look at my five basses to remember which are slab and which are contoured. It literally doesn't even occur to me.

Literally

May I respectfully suggest that you should get out of bed more often.

 

[DwaynieAD]

May I respectfully suggest that you should get out of bed more often.

I got Netflix In here.

 

[paulnb57]

Slabs are cool!………

Bitsa!

 

[KPJ]

That's a sweet bass. It just needs a tort guard for maximum ton I get the replica thing. If it were me, and it might be someday, I would get a 51 replica with at least the arm contour. Not a true replica, who really cares?

Then that would be a '54 replica.

Also, I reject your premise completely.

 

[Robert Spencer]

Yes, tort & slab worked for me.