Custom Ampeg AUB-1 1966 Black / Red / Burst. #30 of 400 Built. Real Jazz Bass Guitar. Rare Collectible

AMPEG

AUB-1

FRETLESS

1966

SN: 30

VERY EARLY PRODUCTION

Only 400 built.

A true fact. The Ampeg “Scroll” basses of the later 1960’s basses were so stylish and cool that the UK “hit music show: TOP OF THE POPS” actually insisted that all bass players from groups appearing on the show use an Ampeg Scroll bass (and one was kept backstage for common use).

That’s why I call it one of the “statement” guitars-meaning that if you wore this guitar around your neck, you were making a “statement”. Look at it alone. It is sculpture. Look at it in a crowd of other basses from that era. It is still sculpture and one that draws the eye directly to it. No confusing it with any other guitar of any brand.

The brand “AMPEG” came, of course, from the term “Amplified Peg” which simply indicated that a “stand up” Ampeg bass had a microphone embedded in the floor peg that was hooked to an amplifier for louder sound reproduction.

This Amplified Peg Bass Guitar was different.

It was really designed to play JAZZ.

The microphone (pickup) was moved to the body and placed under the bridge. It featured “gut” strings. And it was played horizontally just like a regular guitar. And with its traditional bass violin/upright bass “scroll” it became instantly recognizable.

This bass guitar is in excellent mechanical and electronic condition and in GOOD cosmetic condition. As with most of these Ampeg “scroll” guitars, the finished is dinged and knocked a lot (please see photos) but does not have any significant damage.

Comes with hard shell case that appears to be original but not sure.

Details about this amazing guitar found online (“Johnson’s Extremely Musical Instruments” page):

This is an AMPEG MODEL AUB-1 “Fretless Scroll Bass” from 1966.

The AEB-1 (fretted) and the AUB-1 (fretless) were the first horizontal electric basses of Ampeg's own design, and they are the most commonly recognized of the Scroll Basses. 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. A total of about 1150 instruments were built, all by a small crew of luthiers in Ampeg's Linden, NJ factory.

In addition to the unusual overall appearance, the AEB-1 and AUB-1 have many interesting technical features that were innovative at the time. The "mystery" pickup, as it was called in Ampeg's brochures, is buried in the body underneath the bridge. The bridge itself is mounted on a thin steel diaphragm plate overtop of two big magnetic coils cast into a large epoxy block. It's not a piezo pickup.

The reason for this unusual pickup is so that the bass could use gut strings! Everett Hull, Ampeg's founder, was trying to create an electric bass for upright jazz players, and he thought that fretted basses with metal strings were just a passing fad. Obviously, he was wrong, and very few of Ampeg's horizontal basses were sold with gut strings on them. Most were shipped with LaBella flatwounds, and the rest had LaBella black tapewounds. Everett refused to equip his line of basses with roundwounds, although many players put them on themselves.

The tailpiece on these instruments hangs about an inch off the back end of the body on two steel posts, and the extra length between the bridge and tailpiece requires special strings that are about 3" longer than standard Fender length. This was done partly to get the necessary string angle over the mystery pickup, and also the extra string length allows the strings to stretch more, so they can be plucked harder like an upright bass.

The necks on all Ampegs are maple, and the center scrolls in the headstocks are actually molded plastic parts which are glued in place. Most Ampegs have ebony fingerboards, although some have rosewood.

The body of the AEB-1 and AUB-1 models is made of three blocks of maple glued onto a one-piece back cut from 1/4" birch plywood. Over the years, many of these instruments have developed cracks in the body down near the tailpiece. The pickguards on all Ampegs are made from a 5-layer engraver's stock, a hard laminate plastic which is used to make signs and nameplates on trophies.

Because of the difficulty in getting strings and the temperamental nature of the "mystery" pickup, many AEB-1's and AUB-1's around today have been heavily modified.

Approximately 400 AUB-1's were built. The serial numbers, which are stamped on the underside of the tailpiece, start at #001 and go up. 

NOTE: The Serial Number for this one offered for sale is #30 making it a very collectible early piece.

Terms and conditions of this offering:

CONDITION.

Guitar is in GOOD COSMETIC & GREAT OPERATING CONDITION. There are finish blemishes, small dents, dings, scratches, wear areas, finish fading, neck scrapes, etc. A real Relic.

TRY IT OUT POLICY.

Understanding the normal hesitation of buying a guitar without first playing it, I want to make sure these guitars make you happy. To accomplish that, I want you to try them for 72 hours (three days). Play them, hold them, walk around with them on your back, sleep with then-whatever it takes for you to make sure these are the ones for you. During that time, you can return them for a full refund of your payment price (but of course they need to be treated well while you have them, as I expect you will) less shipping cost and you must pay the cost to ship it back to us.

If one arrives damaged, please let me know immediately by email. Be sure to hold onto all packing material and the box. I will contact the shipper for an inspection. Remember that this can take up to a couple of weeks but I will rush it along.

Minor problems. If there is a problem with one of the guitars when it arrives, e.g., loose wires etc. then I will work with you to get it repaired by someone in your area.

OTHER POLICIES.

A. Payment Policy: PAYMENT DUE WITHIN 24 HOURS OF PURCHASE.

B. Shipping Policy: I will ship to the continental USA ONLY.

C. Return Policy:

1. Returnable within 3 days of delivery. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer pays all return shipping costs.

2. Returns of undamaged and unmodified instruments may allowed, with permission of Seller, for a period of up to 14 days following delivering but will be subject to a 20% restocking fee. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.

D. Refunds: Buyer receives a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.

E. The guarantee:

1. The guitar is in the cosmetic condition as described in this ad. Used guitars will all have signs of use to include dings, dents, scratches, smudges, etc.

2, The guitar is in fully operational condition.

3. Buyer has 72 hrs. to inspect the guitar or have it inspected. Any defects, damage, misrepresentations or other problems must be reported within that time period in writing to the Seller.

4. In the case of damage during shipment, Buyer shall immediately inform seller of such damage and will maintain all original packing materials and box for inspection by the transportation company.

5. If other problems are discovered, Seller will either arrange for repair etc. at a location near the Buyer or request that the Buyer return the guitar to the Seller. Items must be returned in original, as-shipped condition with all original packaging and no signs of use. Buyer assumes responsibility for all return shipping costs.

Seller will correct indicated problems and ship the guitar back to the Buyer within 7-10 days of receiving it.

6. Refund Procedure.

a. In the event that the guitar cannot be repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller will provide a full refund in their original payment method less any shipping charges and restocking fees if appropriate.

b. During this 72-hour evaluation period, the Buyer may return the guitar for any reason by notifying Seller and receiving a Return Authorization number. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.

c. Returns may be allowed, with permission of Seller and issuance of RA#, after the 72 hour evaluation period for up to 14 days total but a standard 20% Restocking Fee will be charged for the return. Guitar must be in the same condition as received by the Buyer. Buyer pays cost of shipping guitar back to Seller.

NOTE: I want each Buyer of a guitar from my collection to be pleased and happy with his/her purchase so let me know immediately of any problems with your purchase so that we can work it out. Thanks.

Thank you for looking at this incredible VINTAGE guitar from my collection.