AMPEG ASB1 1966 Natural. The DEVIL BASS. Extremely Rare & Collectible. Pure Art.

AMPEG

DEVIL

BASS

ASB-1

THE RAREST AMPEG BASS!

1966 ORIGINAL.

EXTREMELY COLLECTIBLE.

ABOUT THIS VINTAGE BASS GUITAR:

For collectors, especially BASS COLLECTORS, this is one of the ULTIMATE COLLECTIBLE PIECES TO OWN.  Not many people have ever seen one of these but less had the opportunity to actually own one.  THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY TO MAKE A UNIQUE ADDITION TO YOUR COLLECTION THAT WILL ONLY INCREASE IN VALUE.

Please read what Bruce Johnson, the AMPEG EXPERT says about it:

From Bruce Johnson's website:

The ASB-1 (fretted) and AUSB-1 (fretless) Scroll Basses are a limited production variation on the basic design of the AEB-1/AUB-1. They were introduced around December '66, which is about six months after the AEB-1/AUB-1, and were made for about a year. The most distinctive feature is the unusual body, with two long, skinny, outward-curving horns and triangular cutouts that go all the way through the back. For obvious reasons, they've have acquired the nicknames of "Devil Bass" or "Longhorn Bass". I've never been able to find out what "ASB" stands for.

The Devil Bass was the brainchild of an Ampeg employee named Mike Roman, who was inspired by the DanElectro Longhorn basses. He finally convinced Everett Hull to let him develop and build them as an optional model. They were doomed from the start. Nobody at Ampeg except Mike liked them, and dealers were sending them back. Customers were just beginning to accept the unusual appearance of the AEB-1, but they thought the Devil Bass was way too weird.

Devil Basses were made randomly from late '66 through late '67, in small batches. It's interesting that some of them are beautiful, and others are poorly made. The earlier ones have a lot of red on the body, including red on the front and back faces of the horns. The later ones, with serial numbers over 1000, all have much more black around the edges, with the horns being entirely black. The later ones also seem to be higher quality and have been kept in better condition over the years. At that time, in late '67, they may have just been made up on special order.


Very few Devil Basses are in good condition today, and they rarely appear for sale. They're mysterious and charming, but they're also heavy and clumsy to play. I don't know of anyone who actually plays one in regular gigs. So, most of them have just been sitting around in closets and attics, and the paint is usually cracked and peeling off.

The neck, "mystery" pickup, and hardware of the Devil Basses are all almost the same as the AEB-1/AUB-1. There are actually a few small differences between Devil Bass and AEB-1/AUB-1 necks, for example, all of the frets on Devil Bass necks are shifted 1/4" closer to the body. This was probably done to compensate for an error in the position of the bridge and mystery pickup on the body.

The bodies of early Devil Basses with serial numbers under #1000 are made of maple with a birch plywood back, similar to the AEB-1/AUB-1. However, later ones are cut from solid maple, similar to the AMB-1/AMUB-1 that would appear in '68. The Devil Bass body extends farther back than the AEB-1/AUB-1, so the tailpiece bolts down to the surface of the body, rather than being mounted on the overhanging steel posts like the AEB-1/AUB-1. The tailpiece itself is the same part as on the AEB-1/AUB-1.

I still don't know how many Devil Basses were made, but I estimate that it was about 100 total; 75 fretted ASB-1's and 25 fretless AUSB-1's.

This is a VERY EARLY VINTAGE PIECE that has been STRIPPED AND SEALED (maybe shot with Nitro Clear).  It is not the best job I have seen but far from the worst.  You can still see traces of the original red and black finish on the inside of the body and the headstock.  I had considered having it refinished in the original colors but have decided to leave it as it is (I have another one that is all original).

THE ORIGINAL CASE IS WITH THIS BASS.

Is this another great investment?  Who knows?  But it sure looks like it to me-that is why I am only selling this one and keeping the other one I also own.

I would rate its operating condition as excellent and its cosmetic condition as fair.  It is very attractive stripped but it could have been finished more professionally I think.

For buyers outside the continental USA, please ask for shipping quote before buying this item.  Thank you.

Please remember to read our policies and procedures listed below.

The guarantee.

1.                The guitar is in FAIR cosmetic condition and is as described in this ad. 

2.               The guitar is in fully operational condition.

3.               Buyer has 48 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 (Seller will reimburse Buyer for cost of shipment of guitar back to Seller).

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

7.               In the event that the guitar cannot be repaired or replaced with a similar item from Seller’s inventory, the Seller will give the Buyer Credit toward current or future purchases from inventory of Seller.

8.               No refunds or returns for Buyer Remorse or Buyer Mind Changing. 

9.               If there are any undisclosed physical attributes of this guitar that will prevent buyer from playing it successfully, e.g., neck to wide to be played with arthritic hands, guitar too heavy to be played due to back, shoulder, etc. problems, then we will, upon return of the guitar, issue a Credit Memo to Buyer in the amount paid for the guitar plus the cost of shipment paid by the Buyer against the future purchase of a guitar from us.

Have a look at other pieces in my collection.  They are all the most outstanding examples of vintage guitars that you will ever find for sale from one source.  When you buy the best, then you can sell the best.