love of Ampeg and other Scroll Basses - Page 22

Bruce Johnson · #**421** 01-14-2013, 03:15 PM

Likewise, I joined TB specifically so I could write on this thread. And I recently became a supporting member so that I could post more pictures!

There are times I've thought about starting my own forum/blog on my own web site. But I barely have the time to build and restore basses now.... So, for now this thread on TB is working out for us Scroll Bass fans to exchange information. And hopefully we'll pull in a few new fans too.

Thanks to JumboD for starting it!

Tele295 · #**422** 01-14-2013, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Johnson

I plan to completely write and publish it myself, not through some book company. I'll sell it directly through my web site, Amazon, and maybe Stew-Mac. It will be 100-200 pages, spiral bound, and priced under $20. That's the plan.

Put me down for a copy!

RobJ · #**423** 01-14-2013, 07:47 PM

Yeah I'd buy a copy Bruce. Definitely.

glennonbass · #**424** 01-15-2013, 05:00 AM

I'm in for a copy as well, if Bruce can find the time to do it. JumboD, by starting this thread, it has ended up being a great resource for info on Ampeg basses. I'm fascinated by some of the stories, and what appears to be hardcore loyalty of fans of these instruments. Question for Bruce, do you send any kind of documentation with your instruments, once they are completed? Just wondering...

jumbodbassman · #**425** 01-15-2013, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass 45

And by no small coincidence I became an active member of TB three days later

commission checks welcome

RobJ · #**426** 01-16-2013, 06:22 AM

Other than a genuine AMB-1 do any other Scrolls (Ampeg or Bruce's) sound like an AMB-1? Specifically as reference I'm hearing George Biondo's Ampeg on Screaming Night Hog by Steppenwolf (or pretty much anything on 7). Further, which model is most flexible soundwise? Just trying to keep the ball rolling whilst learning all I can about Scrolls in hopes of making a purchase down the line.

Bruce Johnson · #**427** 01-16-2013, 11:22 AM

Well, the whole point of my new AMB-2 models is to look, feel and sound like an AMB-1 (with a few improvements). I can't offer the hard evidence yet, because the first batch of them are just coming together right now. But, I've developed the AMB-2 specifically for you guys who want an original AMB-1, but can't find one.

I guess I would say that the AMB-1 has a "more flexible" sound than the AEB-1, but neither is really flexible. Both of them are single pickup, with a passive Volume and Tone control circuit. You can roll off the high end with the Tone control, but that's the only adjustment. The AMB-1's sound is more mainstream than the AEB-1. That is, the AMB-1's sound is closer to a P-Bass and more suitable for general rock and country. The AEB-1 has more of a special-purpose sound.

My earlier Series IV AEB-2/AUB-2 models are the flexible ones. They can make the AMB sound and the AEB sound, and blend them together. Plus they go a little further in either direction on frequency range. Several of the guys on here own my Series IV models, but I'm not currently taking orders for them.

In general, Ampegs and my Scroll Basses are "specific sound" basses, not all-purpose basses. They have their own unique character, and you either like it or you don't for any particular music.

RobJ · #**428** 01-16-2013, 12:45 PM

I'm aware though it's been some years since I played an Ampeg Scroll, that these basses do have a "sound". I'm a Rickenbacker player so I understand the concept well.

Thanks for the details on what some of your models offer.

Bruce Johnson · #**429** 01-17-2013, 01:49 PM

I think many of us Ampeg lovers are also into Ricks. They're both classic old American manufacturers, with a unique sound, a quirky look, and plenty of fussy technical issues. I have two nice Ricks of my own, a '82 4003 and a '76 4001F, both in JetGlo (black, for you non-Rick fans). I bought them back in the '80's for about $400 each. They were my regular players for several years. I struggled learning Geddy Lee and Chris Squire parts on them. Then I got into Carvins for a while. Then I started building my own Scroll Basses......

So, the poor old Ricks don't get out of their cases very often, but I intend to keep them forever. A few years back, I did some work with Dane Wilder, who is one of the Rick modding guys. We did some conversions basses, making Rick 4-strings into 5-strings and "potato head" 8-strings. I did the woodworking and some custom metal parts. Dane did the detail work and assembly. They were some cool basses. We made a beautiful replica of Chris Squire's '71 custom 8-string, which Dane still owns.

**Stephent28** · #**430** 01-17-2013, 02:42 PM

Dane is a great guy and has help me to mod several of my Rics.

bluesblaster · #**431** 01-17-2013, 03:22 PM

Love the look and the sound of the Rickenbacker but could never get comfortable with those necks. Was there a period when the necks were a bit thinner ? I know this is off topic, but... since the subject was mentioned.

**Stephent28** · #**432** 01-17-2013, 03:34 PM

I just sold a '74 Ric that had a very slimline fast neck. I also own one of the 4001C64 models and it also has a very fast slim neck.

Seems the 4003 models have a chunkier "C" style neck while early '70s 4001s had a much slimmer profile.....but one of the true Ric experts will probably correct most of what I just said!

Zentner · #**433** 01-17-2013, 04:04 PM

My '68 has one of the thinnest necks I've EVER played. The truss rods are incredibly weak almost unusable in it as well, so it likes extremely low tension strings.

Alternatively... my '73 has a big, fat, C shape neck that I can put any strings on and it will play magnificantly regardless.

nouroog · #**434** 01-18-2013, 05:14 AM

Likewise, my '84 4003 had a pretty thick C shape neck. A beautiful ruby red, almost mint. But I had to sell it... To buy an AEB-2. I know I won't regret it

nouroog · #**435** 01-18-2013, 06:53 AM

Bruce, do you still use Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder P-bass coils for the PU of the new batch of SSB's, like you did for the first 5?

jumbodbassman · #**436** 01-18-2013, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nouroog

Bruce, do you still use Seymour Duncan Quarter Pounder P-bass coils for the PU of the new batch of SSB's, like you did for the first 5?

IIRC he is now making his own pickups for that bass

Bruce Johnson · #**437** 01-18-2013, 01:56 PM

Yes, SSB #008 is the last one with the Seymour Duncan QP coils. All of them from #009 on use my own new pickups. They are the same coils that I use in the AMB-2, but in different housings. In the AMB-2, a pair of them are mounted in a single rectangular housing. In the SSB, they are mounted in two separate rounded housings. They are a humbucking pair; opposite polarity magnets and wired for opposite wind direction.

The new SSB pickups could be swapped into any of my earlier SSB's in place of the Duncans. The housing envelope is the same. But I don't think there's any great reason to do that. I expect that my new ones will have a little higher output level, and be a little quieter, but the general sound will be similar. I don't know yet, because I haven't finished SSB #009 yet.

There's certainly nothing wrong with the Duncan pickups. Last Sunday night I did a gig with my blues band, and I played SSB #001. A fun comfortable bass, and a thundering blues sound.

nouroog · #**438** 01-18-2013, 02:47 PM

As you redesigned the SSB from the ground up, did you consider giving it a mini scroll head?

jumbodbassman · #**439** 01-18-2013, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nouroog

As you redesigned the SSB from the ground up, did you consider giving it a mini scroll head?

I won't speak for Bruce but really small body would make a terrible neck diver plus he pretty much stays close to the original ampeg designs with these basses. just made better using newer technology and such.

RobJ · #**440** 01-18-2013, 03:16 PM

Two thumbs up for Dane Wilder! He did major surgery on my early model 4004Cii and saved it from the wood pile. Ricks seem to be all over the map when it comes to neck thickness, my '86 4003 has a thinner and faster neck than my '72 4001.

But enough about Ricks. So Bruce, if a guy wanted to get into one of your AMB-2 Scrolls what's the procedure?