The Mighty Hybrid and the Keeper of the Slabs

The Mighty Hybrid and The Keeper of the Slabs at last unlocks the mystery surrounding Fender's 1966 Telecaster/Precision Bass Hybrid. Over the last forty-eight years, the author's Hybrid has become legendary; its reputation is peerless. This first time reveal of the bass's true origin is from the ve [...]
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The Mighty Hybrid and The Keeper of the Slabs at last unlocks the mystery surrounding Fender's 1966 Telecaster/Precision Bass Hybrid. Over the last forty-eight years, the author's Hybrid has become legendary; its reputation is peerless. This first time reveal of the bass's true origin is from the very man that ordered the genesis instrument. With a double shot of rhythm and blues, venues, bands, Stars and events, the book reveals vibrant slices of the mid 1960s British blues boom when recording The Shamrocks LP in Germany and later joining Dr. K's Blues Band. The author's incisive recall, vivid descriptive ability and colourful anecdotes of the day put you right in there. Barrie's unique 1966 commission for a Telecaster Bass forever links him with Leo Fender's 1950 and 1957 Precisions and 1967/8 Telecaster basses. It spurred on the R & D team at Fender, who, under the aegis of Leo, assembled a Telecaster bodied, maple-fretboarded Precision Bass Hybrid of astonishing beauty. Importantly, it was the forerunner to the 1967/8 Telecaster Bass, the first instrument of the Fender reissue programme.On arrival in Britain the genesis instrument quickly generated a second order that have affectionately become known as 'Slab' basses due to the bass's distinctive square edged body. These mysterious basses have been revered though misunderstood by so many for so long; this treatise on his 1966 commission is a must have read for Fender bass connoisseurs, players and fans. The Quest will fascinate those interested in the conservation and restoration of vintage instruments. Barrie comprehensively takes the reader through seven restorations of original 1966 slab-bodied Precision basses including John Entwistle's first much admired three-knob Hybrid that featured on many of The Who's early hits. The reference section at the back is a first time reveal of the production sequence and hitherto unexplained neck plate numbering and neck stamp dates. Packed with facts only The Keeper of the Slabs could reveal, Barrie has produced a commanding Fender bass reference work and social history that will enhance any library.