Classic Instruments-Ampeg Horizontal Basses

Classic Instruments-Ampeg Horizontal Basses by Gregg Hopkins and Bill Moore

Source: www.vintageguitar.com/features/brands/details.asp?AID=1065

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The Ampeg Horizontal Bass, perhaps because of its rarity and odd beauty, has become quite a collector's item. And because production records for Ampeg products were lost or destroyed after various corporate buyouts, it is impossible to say exactly how many of these instruments were made.

Serial Numbers
Serial numbers can be found in two places on the Horizontal Basses. For the AEB, AUB, ASB, and AUSB models (all with the "mystery pickup"), look under the block tailpiece. For the SSB, SSUB, AMB, and AMUB basses (all with a magnetic pickup), look on the bridge/tailpiece plate. The serial number prefix M, perhaps for "Master," seems to indicate a prototype bass. The serial number suffix C may indicate a "Custom ." Serial numbers run chronologically, but mixed among the various models of basses, as if the relevant parts for the different models were kept in one bin. Serial numbers seem to run from 1 to nearly 1,200, then start over, with a triple zero prefix, from 0001 to nearly 000600.

Horizontal Bass Users
Joe Long the Four Seasons - lefty Model AEB-1
Rick Danko The Band - Model AUB-1
Boz Burrell Bad Company- Model AUB-1
George Biondo Steppenwolf- Model AMB-1
Fred Smith Television - Model SSB
Billy Rath Johnny Thunders' band - Model AEB-1
Michael Been The Call- Model AMB-1
Christ Novoselic Nirvana Model AMB-1

Chronology
Early 1966 - Dennis Kager designs Horizontal Bass with F-holes.
July, 1966 - Horizontal Basses introduced at Chicago NAMM.
Late 1966 to 1967 - Production of AEB-1 and AUB-1 basses (most numerous, perhaps 1,200 made).
1967 and early 1968 - Production of ASB-1 and AUSB-1 "Devil Basses" (rare, perhaps 100 made).
September, 1967 - UNIMUSIC buys Ampeg.
Mid 1967 to 1968 - Production of SSB and SSUB basses (very rare, perhaps 50 made).
Late 1968 to 1969 - Production of AMB-1 and AMUB-1 basses (hard to find, perhaps 600 made).
Late 1969 - End of vintage Horizontal Bass production.
Late 1996 - Start of contemporary AEB-2 and AUB-2 basses (available!).
Note: Production figures are estimates based on incomplete information, since no relevant records have survived.

Everett Hull presents the fretted and fretless Horizontal Basses to his salesmen, NAMM, July '66. Courtesy E.A. Hull.

This article originally appeared in VG's March '97 issue.

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