After the success of the their bass amplifiers and upright electric basses, Ampeg ventured into the "horizontal" bass market with the AEB-1 and its fretless sister model, the AUB-1. Including interesting features inspired by the upright design, such as a scroll headstock and through-body f-holes, they also used a "mystery pickup" that was activated by the vibration of the strings themselves, allowing for gut strings that produced a more traditional tone. This pickup was switched out for a more traditional design midway through production. 

Only around 1,150 AEB-1 and AUB-1 basses were manufactured between 1966 - 1968. 

Years of Production: 1966 - 1968