Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:43 pm
This is the last instrument created by Leo Fender. This prototype was called a 6-string bass, though it seems more akin to a baritone guitar.
It has a 25 1/2" scale, two humbucking pickups, a swamp ash body and a maple neck. The final drawing for this prototype was made in February, 1991,
and this prototype, the only one in existence, was completed on March 21st, the day Leo passed away. A man of passion and determination, he held on
until he was certain his life's work was complete.
Fri Aug 08, 2014 7:55 pm
Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:32 pm
Fri Aug 08, 2014 8:47 pm
Fri Aug 08, 2014 9:50 pm
Mon Aug 11, 2014 6:28 pm
Tue Aug 12, 2014 7:09 pm
Thu Aug 14, 2014 8:41 am
yowhatsshakin wrote:I hate to be the party pooper here, but my information has it that this is distinctly NOT the last instrument Leo worked on. The last guitar Leo worked on is S/N G028886, on which he was trying out a new humbucker he was designing. After some testing on that guitar he left for home on the evening of March 19, 1991. It was Dale Hyatt who put the instrument of this thread (S/N G029213) together the same evening and he constantly calls it a '6-string bass', not a baritone. He left it on Leo's chair for Leo's approval but unfortunately Mr Fender never made it to his lab again and passed away March 21st. So he never saw the final result displayed in the beautiful pictures (for which I want to thank Dave).
Don't take my word for it, just read Dale's letter originally pictured at the bottom of this post but repeated here:
.
- Jos
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:32 am
Fri Aug 15, 2014 7:31 pm
Fumble fingers wrote:So based on that letter Dale built the 6 string Bass ?
Fri Aug 15, 2014 8:21 pm
HLG wrote:A rare letter indeed Jos.
Only a handful of people are aware of it. I have personally seen the letter when Dale showed it to me at his home in 2009. As is Dave, I was curious about the lack of signature so I just asked him. He explained it was a draft for his personnel files which he seldom signed. He did however sign everything he mailed out.
HLG
Fumble Fingers wrote:So based on that letter Dale built the 6 string Bass ?
Sat Aug 16, 2014 5:09 pm