The Bass Doc Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 Hi all, Advance notice that there is a book coming out in a month or so about the history of this ultra rare model. It is so rare I only ever owned 2 of them! One went to U2s Adam Clayton via his guitar tech whilst on tour (my good friend was tech for the support). The other one is now owned by my mate 'Big Baz' Matthews who has written the book. Advance pics are being E-mailed to me by Baz since I helped in some of the research. I still get misty-eyed when recalling my favourite one as I consider it to be the best sounding of all of the many P basses I have owned. The book's foreward is written by John Entwhistle but sadly he never got to do the epilogue. Quote
bremen Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='385771' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:38 AM']Hi all, Advance notice that there is a book coming out in a month or so about the history of this ultra rare model. It is so rare I only ever owned 2 of them! One went to U2s Adam Clayton via his guitar tech whilst on tour (my good friend was tech for the support). The other one is now owned by my mate 'Big Baz' Matthews who has written the book. Advance pics are being E-mailed to me by Baz since I helped in some of the research. I still get misty-eyed when recalling my favourite one as I consider it to be the best sounding of all of the many P basses I have owned. The book's foreward is written by John Entwhistle but sadly he never got to do the epilogue.[/quote] Did parts of this become the famous Frankenbass as used on Live at Leeds? Quote
wateroftyne Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 Wow... I'm looking forward to that! Can you tell us a bit about Baz? I know he's a mine of info on all things Fender, but he's never got involved with discussions online... or has he? It would be great to hear what he has to say... Quote
Delberthot Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 I remember reading an interview with Baz in Bassist mag a few years back and he got a pic and a mention in the Fender Bass book. He must be a good age by now. Looking forward to getting a copy of this. Who's going to be selling it? Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 20, 2009 Author Posted January 20, 2009 [quote name='Delberthot' post='385779' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:46 AM']I remember reading an interview with Baz in Bassist mag a few years back and he got a pic and a mention in the Fender Bass book. He must be a good age by now. Looking forward to getting a copy of this. Who's going to be selling it?[/quote] Author.com, Amazon.com, also apparently Fender will stock it and 'others' Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 20, 2009 Author Posted January 20, 2009 [quote name='bremen' post='385773' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:40 AM']Did parts of this become the famous Frankenbass as used on Live at Leeds?[/quote] I do believe so Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 20, 2009 Author Posted January 20, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='385774' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:40 AM']Wow... I'm looking forward to that! Can you tell us a bit about Baz? I know he's a mine of info on all things Fender, but he's never got involved with discussions online... or has he? It would be great to hear what he has to say...[/quote] I don't think Baz is into online stuff but I could try to persuade him. However at this time it's probably best to let him get the book out and deal with follow-up interest which is bound to occour as a result. You're right that Baz knows his stuff - almost as much as me!(after all I must be one of the very few to have spent some time in the company of Leo Fender) Quote
buff Posted January 20, 2009 Posted January 20, 2009 This one was for sale last year in cornwall [url="http://www.modernmusic.co.uk/collectibles_and_rarities/sold/t_rex_steve_currie_bass.php"]http://www.modernmusic.co.uk/collectibles_...currie_bass.php[/url] Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 21, 2009 Author Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='EssentialTension' post='387054' date='Jan 21 2009, 12:44 AM']Does the book have a title?[/quote] The title is A Fender Bass for Britain - strange one I know but the fact is the Shermans didn't recognise it's existence since it was only targeted at the UK market. One theory is that it would be used as a 'market tester' towards whether to bring back the original P- bass (as the Telecaster) which of course they did. This was the first return to maple necks as standard since 1959. Better not say much more so that you can enjoy the full story when the book comes out. Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 21, 2009 Author Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='385796' date='Jan 20 2009, 10:58 AM']Author.com, Amazon.com, also apparently Fender will stock it and 'others'[/quote] Sorry, the first one should have read Authorhouse com. Quote
thedontcarebear Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 I'm not sure I understand, this is a whole book about a certain model p bass? Quote
skankdelvar Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 (edited) [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='387218' date='Jan 21 2009, 10:04 AM']I'm not sure I understand, this is a whole book about a certain model p bass?[/quote] So it would seem. I mean, I love P's but... - good luck to 'em anyway. BTW, look out for my lavish, coffee-table book book on 'Interesting Turnips of 1968' Edited January 21, 2009 by skankdelvar Quote
wateroftyne Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 Well, I'm looking forward to it, so that's one copy sold! If you want to raise your eyebrows at a book with minority appeal, may I suggest this? Quote
skankdelvar Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='387414' date='Jan 21 2009, 12:41 PM']If you want to raise your eyebrows at a book with minority appeal, may I suggest this?[/quote] Ah, tomatoes - the 'Poor Man's Turnip'. Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 21, 2009 Author Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='Toasted' post='387213' date='Jan 21 2009, 10:00 AM']What was it like meeting Leo?[/quote] Oh dear, I would have to do that by installments - for those old enough you may remember that in 1979 Srings and Things ran a competition whereby if you bought a Musicman item in a particular month you were automatically entered in a draw (via the guarantee card) where the prize was to meet Leo Fender. At this time I was intrigued by the Stingray bass being his first major project since the 60s and bought one at Rock City in Newcastle. It was the first (and only) time I bought a brand new instrument and it was a novelty to complete a guarantee card so I sent it off not thinking I might win. May 1979 - call from S'n'T - 'you won'! The value of the prize would be hard to justify these days - 10 days in L.A., all expenses paid, car hire, top class hotel in Newport Beach and approx. 3 of the days in the company of the great man. Other installments may follow...... Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 21, 2009 Author Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='thedontcarebear' post='387218' date='Jan 21 2009, 10:04 AM']I'm not sure I understand, this is a whole book about a certain model p bass?[/quote] Yes I don't expect it to be a thick book - likely to be 'padded out' with lots of big pictures of erm....1966 Slab bodied Precision basses. Shoudn't be pricey though Quote
johnnylager Posted January 21, 2009 Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='387563' date='Jan 21 2009, 02:43 PM']May 1979 - call from S'n'T - 'you won'! The value of the prize would be hard to justify these days - 10 days in L.A., all expenses paid, car hire, top class hotel in Newport Beach and approx. 3 of the days in the company of the great man. Other installments may follow......[/quote] You the man, Sir. Quote
The Bass Doc Posted January 21, 2009 Author Posted January 21, 2009 [quote name='skankdelvar' post='387407' date='Jan 21 2009, 12:37 PM']BTW, look out for my lavish, coffee-table book book on 'Interesting Turnips of 1968'[/quote] I'm thinking of publishing a tome about a certain second-hand La Bella flat-wound D string I once fitted to my Jazz bass. It would probably run to 2 volumes ( and one tone....geddit?) Quote
Brother Jones Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 [quote name='The Bass Doc' post='387584' date='Jan 21 2009, 02:56 PM']I'm thinking of publishing a tome about a certain second-hand La Bella flat-wound D string I once fitted to my Jazz bass. It would probably run to 2 volumes ( and one tone....geddit?)[/quote] You, sir, should be on television. Quote
warwickhunt Posted January 24, 2009 Posted January 24, 2009 [quote name='Brother Jones' post='390157' date='Jan 24 2009, 01:44 AM']You, sir, should be on television.[/quote] I'd have to move the vase then. Quote
bigthumb Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 Sorry about the dreadful quality of the pic. This is the one I played on. It was owned by John Entwistle. I wish I never had to put it down. It was stunning. Quote
acidbass Posted January 25, 2009 Posted January 25, 2009 Wow, that ex-Entwistle bass looks AMAZING! It could have been the only one out of 3 that he had that didn't have the extra tone control added. Where is it now? Quote
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