Ampeg AEB-1

lars · Post by **lars** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 2:19 am

Thanks Mike!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 5:26 am

What do you think of it, Lars?

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 5:37 am

Here's some great info on these basses, if anyone was curious: http://xstrange.com/aeb1.html

lars · Post by **lars** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:02 am

The sound is as far from a rickenbacker as you can get: thumpy, midrangy.

I found out during the studio session that it is so microphonic that it picked up the sound of the drums! We had a hard time editing the drums afterwords because the drums could be quite clearly heard in the bass track!

This is a link to the track: http://www.larsnygaard.no/09%20July%2012th%201939.mp3

I like the ampeg because it's a very interesting bass, and a part of the history of the electric bass.

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:26 am

Yeah, that's the sound Lars!! Really cool tune, too!

mgauction · Post by **mgauction** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 10:36 am

Good job, Lars!

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Sat Jun 23, 2007 11:12 am

Very collectable too. If I remember correctly, John Entwistle mentioned in an interview that he hated the tone of the basses but bought them when he could because of their collectability.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 12:38 pm

If it has a diaphragm pickup, that explains why it picks up the drums so well and also why it would sound like an upright. The bass sounds good from what I could hear on my tiny speakers.
I've never tried one Mike nor seen one in person, I'd like to though.

lars · Post by **lars** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 1:17 pm

The reason for making the diaphragm pickup, was to be able to use gut strings. Kind of pre-historic piezo pickup!

The AEB-1 is a lovely piece of furniture! Big and quite heavy.

In the recording I used the roundwounds that was on when I got it, I have later changed to D'Addario chromes, wich suits the instrument much better. It had to be a special order, since extra long scale is too short for this bass (got them from Bruce).

cwk · Post by **cwk** » Sun Jun 24, 2007 7:15 pm

Played one years ago.Loved it.It had Flats as I remember and was a great sounding bass.Around the time I also was using a friends Danelectro but the
Ampeg was the better of both.I heard people yapping
about feedback and 'microphonics' but I never really had a problem running through a 100 bassman amp.
Neat Bass and I would like to have one again.

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 11:06 am

here is one on ebay right now with a reasonable price:

http://cgi.ebay.com/1966-67-AEB-1-Vintage-Ampeg-Bass-Guitar_W0QQitemZ120133559147QQihZ002QQcategoryZ121156QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

lars · Post by **lars** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:14 pm

Nice one with rosewood fretboard.

cwk · Post by **cwk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:40 pm

Bob,
I doubt that I'll find one on the 'Bay for a reasonable price anymore.Brings back memories though....Hey, I was never a great bassplayer but I had some fun playing some of these classics.
Bill

rictified · Post by **rictified** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:19 pm

Well that's a reasonable price for that these days, it is about 1000.00 cheaper than the refinished one at the beginning of this thread.

cwk · Post by **cwk** » Tue Jun 26, 2007 4:51 pm

I'll pass.Neat Bass, however I just don't have the cash/reason. BTW I did let my '76 jazz go for $1200
not too long ago on C/L.It was nice.