Stingray / Sabre body shape

[kenito]

Hey Gav (or anyone who knows), do you know if the Stingray remained a slab body until EB took over ?

Why was the Sabre contoured from its introduction in '78 while the Stingray was a slab ? Where's the logic in that ?

 

[Aussie Mark]

My guess is that the "logic" in the Sabre being contoured from day one is that it was aimed to compete against Jazz basses - 2 pickups, body contour, narrower neck

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>do you know if the Stingray remained a slab body until EB took over ?

As far as I know all the Pre-EB 'Rays were slab.

>>>Why was the Sabre contoured from its introduction in '78 while the Stingray was a slab ? Where's the logic in that ?

I think Mark's got it. From what I understand, the 'Ray was a revamped version of the Fender P Bass. The Sabre was meant to be the deluxe model so they gave it the V.I.P. treatment.

.

 

[cgworkman]

Maybe I'm just an idiot... But what's a slab body?

 

[Aussie Mark]

Maybe I'm just an idiot... But what's a slab body?

A slab body is the same thickness all over, with no contouring of the body.

 

[kenito]

It would be kind of expected to produce a slab bodied bass in the early '50s but to do it in '76 seems very strange. Especially as the Precision and Jazz, introduced before the Stingray, are contoured.

Why go back in time ?

 

[dlloyd]

It would be kind of expected to produce a slab bodied bass in the early '50s but to do it in '76 seems very strange. Especially as the Precision and Jazz, introduced before the Stingray, are contoured.

Why go back in time ?

Were the contours subject to a patent owned by Fender?

Only guessing... certainly the defense of body shapes is less vigourous now than it was in the past when Gibson was forced to drop the reverse Firebird shape.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>Why go back in time ?

Good Question!

I have a chance to put some Q's to George Fullerton so I'll add that one aswell.

.

 

[pabloshaila]

hello i´m pablo from argentina.
i'm about to buy a MusicManSabre 1979, do you think is a good bass? do you recomend it?. I love the Stringray sound but this one is the only one that i can found at a razonable price.
thanks...
pablo

 

[Evil_Ernie_Ball]

A slab body is the same thickness all over, with no contouring of the body.

pics ?

 

[Aussie Mark]

pics ?

You want pics of a slab bodied bass? Well, if you're serious, here's one ....

And for contrast, here's a later model Stingray with a contoured body, rather than the early slab style .....

Would you prefer I draw a picture in crayon or finger paint to help explain it to you?