We received this as a Bass of the Week entry recently, but instead of having it as a feature instrument, it was actually more appropriate to build a separate article around this to see if anyone out there schooled in vintage Ampeg history can help positively identify it.
Owner of this instrument, Tony, writes:
This instrument was purchased by my father in the mid-60’s. The owner of the Bronx NY store where it was bought represented it as a prototype of the Ampeg Baby Bass. There is no brand name or other marking anywhere on the instrument, My father played it professionally for more than twenty years, until his passing when I inherited it.
I’m posting this not only so others can see and enjoy it, but also in hopes that someone can tell me more about it.
Given we have not looked at this instrument in person and the fact there are no identifying labels nor a serial number, we cannot positively identify this instrument as an Ampeg Baby Bass…
…but hopefully someone out there (maybe you?) can.
If anyone out there with good experience in vintage Ampeg bass instruments wants to shed some light on this instrument and confirm that this is (or isn’t) an actual Ampeg prototype from the 1960s, please feel free to leave a comment or two – and be as long with your comment as you like.
The owner of the instrument is looking for information here, so if you can provide any, it will be greatly appreciated.
Don’t forget to post a comment. 🙂
anyway its a beautiful double bass….
Interesting bass it would be nice to have a video
I am curious to know if the metal plate has been removed to look for info. it is possible that at one time there was a paper sticker id inside the cavity of the jack. a craftsman would have not put something on it to at least id the maker. there could be something under the tail piece as well.
I would look under the bridge and electronics to see if there are any signatures, serials, or QA stamps.
Indeed…I saw some pictures of this bass on another site…can’t recall where…
It is an Ampeg “proto” Baby Bass. Wish I had more for you other than my recall. Hopefully, another will have more detailed info.
Mark “Doc” Mackey
If I recall correctly Ampeg copied, or bought, the Baby Bass design from Zorko including the fiberglass bodies. BB’s bodies are filled with sound dampening to prevent feedback which produces the signature thumpy tones still sought after in the traditional Cuban sound. Seems unlikely they would bother to create a wooden copy when the Zorkos were readily available – https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/68/Bass_zorko.jpg.
Zorko and Ampeg originally just sourced upright necks and used them in the construction of EUBs. The very cool laminate neck pictured was a style used by Epiphone for one of the plywood uprights they made in the 40-60s.
My guess is a talented player/luthier copied some of his favorite ideas and rolled his own, perhaps with a BB donor bass, much like the very cool personal instruments already featured here on best bass gear!
Looks to me like a copy of an Ampeg ‘Baby Bass’. A very good and possibly improved version. The wood is awesome!
The shape, bridge and neck look like an Ampeg. The production model bodies were made from styrofoam filled resin shells. This one is wood, but for a prototype that wouldn’t be unusual. Probably the real thing, but couldn’t say for sure.
Bruce Johnson is the world expert. If anyone would know, it would be him. His Talkabass tread:
https://www.talkbass.com/threads/love-of-ampeg-and-other-scroll-basses-part-2.1044767/page-43
I concur. Bruce did some amazing work on my uncle’s baby bass. He is the expert.
awesomeness!!!
has to be a handmade one off by somebody very familiar w/ ampeg… there’s no markings on the pickup? who made the knobs? devil is in the details. who made the electronics? that should give some info. a very pretty instrument, by the way… how does it sound? looks in great shape…
I played an Ampeg Baby Bass at the Music Go Round in Columbus OH just last week. Same bridge / elecs as this mystery bass.
Thanks to each of you for your comments and suggestions. The bass has been taken apart already to look for clues and I haven’t found any. Next up will be contacting Bruce Johnson. I’ll post here if I learn anything new.
It looks to be a lefty to boot? Awesome bass.
Last best guess would be to date the resistors and caps, and who made them. Always wanted one of those.