Ampeg AEB-1

[66Atlas]

My latest toy is an Ampeg AEB-1, pretty cool bass in my opinion but I'm it's probably a love-it or hate-it type of a thing.  The sound of the "Mystery Pickup" is really distinctive sounding and I was actually surprised at the tones I get from it having always heard they were very much a 1 trick pony.  The neck has a wide and flat profile that's a big adjustment from my daily T-birds but It's been a lot of fun to play so far.

It came set up with what I'm guessing are D'Addario Helicore upright strings (based on the color of silks at the ball end) and appear to be medium tension (based on the color of the winding end).  Anyone have any experience running upright strings on an electric?  I dig the sound but the higher tension vs a standard electric string worries me a bit.  I know one of the initial design features of the bass was to be able to use upright (non-magnetic) strings but I'd hate to damage a vintage bass.

Anyway, it's a pretty great New Bass Day

[gweimer]

I love those basses.  No doubt, you will get to know Bruce Johnson, if you don't already.  I had a Johnson AEB-2 for a few years.  Absolutely gorgeous instruments.

[ack1961]

In my opinion, they're one of the best looking basses ever made.

[chromium]

Congratulations!  Looks beautiful.

I've always been curious to play an original, but never have.  I had one for several years, but it was a odd 80s reissue prototype that was built under SLM ownership... and prior to Bruce getting involved with them in the 90s.  It was nicely done, but very modern feeling and sounding (no mystery pickup).  Turns out that he has a sibling to it in his collection.  He had seen it when visiting their offices, and ended up purchasing it.

[66Atlas]

Thanks guys! I haven't talked to Bruce yet but I've seen his reissues before and he does some amazing work. I may have to give him a call and see if he can point me in the direction of a bridge cover, although I kind of dig the look of the bass without it.  The worst part is I like the bass so much it makes me want to track down a fretless...its a slippery slope, I may end up collecting for fins...

[4stringer77]

Didn't Boz Burrell play a fretless ampeg bass with bad co? If you can find a fretless Devil bass that would make a nice pair.

[Pekka]

Didn't Boz Burrell play a fretless ampeg bass with bad co?

Yes he did, modded with a P-pickup as it seems.

[amptech]

Nice thread, I love the design, really one of the most beautiful basses made. I always wanted one, but never dared trying bidding on one; expensive, rare and then the usual one trick pony comments. I think I have to play one before the lust takes over, but damn they are good looking.

I don´t think I could route out something like that If I had a mystery pup model, though

[Aussie Mark]

Congrats, I love my AEB-1.  There is a very informative thread at Talk Bass where all your technical questions can be answered  ..... http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/love-ampeg-other-scroll-basses-part-2-a-1044767/index13.html

Bruce Johnson can fix you up with custom length Labella or D'Addario strings too.

[gweimer]

Michelle Steele from The Bangles

[Aussie Mark]

Rick Danko

[gweimer]

[Highlander]

Didn't Boz Burrell play a fretless ampeg bass with bad co?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuVFkqKkoBA

Saw him with the beastie more than once...

[chromium]

 

[Granny Gremlin]

Nice score; congrats.