Custom Ampeg Scroll Bass AEB-1 1967 Black / Red

Ampeg Scroll Bass AEB-1 SN 335

This bass is plays very well, and has tape wound strings on it right now. 3 packs of La Bella AEB-1 strings are included in purchase. Good action. Maple neck. Rosewood fingerboard. The Lacquer on these basses started to deteriorate after 15 years, so most look like this unless refinished. Here is some history from a noted expert on these very rare and unusual basses.

From 1966 through 1969, Ampeg made a family of horizontal electric basses that were quite unusual and advanced for the time. Most of them had a scroll-type headstock, similar to a violin or upright bass, that was a derivative of headstock on the the Baby Bass that Ampeg had been manufacturing since the early '60's. For this reason, these instruments are often called the Scroll Basses. About 750 of these AEB-1’s ever were made.

The AEB-1 (fretted) was the first horizontal electric basses of Ampeg's own design, and is most commonly recognized of the Scroll Bass. They feature a scroll headstock, similar to Ampeg's Baby Bass, and a rounded body with two large F-holes that go all the way through the body. Most of the front surface of the body is covered by a large black pickguard that wraps around the F-holes. You may think they’re beautiful or you may think they’re ugly, but you can’t mistake them for any other bass!

The initial development of these instruments was done in the spring of 1966, and they were introduced to the public at the NAMM show in July 1966. Production started right after the show and ran into the middle of 1968.