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1946 Ampeg Michael-Hull Bassamp

vmabus

vmabus

Nov 1, 2013
2,210
2,105
7200'
www.mabus.info
#1
1946 Ampeg Michael Hull Bassamp Bass Guitar Amplifier RARE Historical Pre Fender | eBay

$_57.jpg

This amp is one of only THREE known to exist. This is the first commercially available amp offered for sale. (Rickenbacker beat Ampeg to the punch, but their amp was not really a properly designed BASS amp.) This Ampeg amp was offered for sale when the company was called Michael-Hull Electronic Labs. Soon after, the name was changed to Ampeg after the accompanying “Amplified Peg” that was installed in upright basses.

The “Bassamp” amplifier was designed to put out 18 watts and utilizes 1 5U4, 2 6SC7, 1 6N7, and 2 6L6 tubes. The cabinet is Mahogany veneer with a 12” GE speaker. The cabinet itself has more in common with a radio cabinet than other instrument amplifier cabinets of the era. The cabinet is of a very complicated construction and has a removable back panel. Gibson Guitars designer and endorser Les Paul used one of these early Ampegs. (This must have been when he was touring with the Andrew Sisters.) His Ampeg was in his car when he and Mary Ford were in a terrible car accident in ‘48. Les has credited the amp for saving his life as it was ejected through the roof of his car which gave him and Mary an escape route.

This amp was designed years before Fender offered a bass guitar or amp! The Ampeg Bassamp was also originally suggested for use as a guitar amplifier too.

This amp is FARM FRESH! It has apparently not been plugged in for decades. It is totally untested. Handmade replacement handle.

This is one of the most historic amps ever to surface and you may NEVER see another one of these for sale again!
 
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#4
I had a chance to play through one. It was a good sounding amp, especially when you consider the age. They are rare but not as rare as they are trying to lead you to believe. The condition is better than I've seen. The last one that I saw was priced at $500. It was well used but was a good platform for a restoration.
 
#10
I have bits and pieces from an Ampeg Bassamp. (Chassis, transformers and a few of the tubes.)
It had an 0C3 voltage regulator tube in addition to the ones listed above.
The preamp seems to have been mounted at the top of the cabinet, while the power supply and output stage were at the bottom.

(If anyone would like the bits and pieces, let me know. They're free for the asking.)
 
#15
vmabus said:
1946 Ampeg Michael Hull Bassamp Bass Guitar Amplifier RARE Historical Pre Fender | eBay

View attachment 2430118
This amp is one of only THREE known to exist. This is the first commercially available amp offered for sale. (Rickenbacker beat Ampeg to the punch, but their amp was not really a properly designed BASS amp.) This Ampeg amp was offered for sale when the company was called Michael-Hull Electronic Labs. Soon after, the name was changed to Ampeg after the accompanying “Amplified Peg” that was installed in upright basses.

The “Bassamp” amplifier was designed to put out 18 watts and utilizes 1 5U4, 2 6SC7, 1 6N7, and 2 6L6 tubes. The cabinet is Mahogany veneer with a 12” GE speaker. The cabinet itself has more in common with a radio cabinet than other instrument amplifier cabinets of the era. The cabinet is of a very complicated construction and has a removable back panel. Gibson Guitars designer and endorser Les Paul used one of these early Ampegs. (This must have been when he was touring with the Andrew Sisters.) His Ampeg was in his car when he and Mary Ford were in a terrible car accident in ‘48. Les has credited the amp for saving his life as it was ejected through the roof of his car which gave him and Mary an escape route.

This amp was designed years before Fender offered a bass guitar or amp! The Ampeg Bassamp was also originally suggested for use as a guitar amplifier too.

This amp is FARM FRESH! It has apparently not been plugged in for decades. It is totally untested. Handmade replacement handle.

This is one of the most historic amps ever to surface and you may NEVER see another one of these for sale again!
Click to expand...
I just came across your post above and am wondering how you made out selling that amp. I have one in my collection that I bought from the son of the deceased owner who had purchased it in New York City in 1946 when he returned from the war. Do you know if that "known to exist" number has gone up since 2015? Thanks.
 
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#19
Rich Reece said:
Hey Jim. I've got one out here on the west coast. Just pulled it out of my folks' basement. This thread is how I learned what it is. I'll try to get some pictures up soon.
Click to expand...
Two thoughts come to mind:

1. Your folks are cool!

2. Please do get pics! Would love to see some pics of another survivor. Makes me wonder just how many are out there and not accounted for. Can't be many.
 
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