Double Bass American Standard and design changes

[truckplayer]

I own an American Standard and have some questions about the design changes that occurred in the early years of production. I was wondering if anyone might have the answers?

1.What years for the bell shaped design? (1936-?)
2.The number of bell shaped basses?
3.Why did they go to the sloped shoulder?
4.With the sloped shoulder design, where there any other changes made?

thanks!

 

[superman]

The date is uncertin,,I would guess the first year or so,,The basses with the humps were a full 1 inch wider across the top on the upper part of the top(under the fingerboard),the neck design was changed ,but I did own #66 at one time and it did not have humps,,so they were making both early on.
I have taken over ownership of the Am Standard web page ,and in the process of updating it as we speak,,I hope to have it back up and running in a few weeks,,We will be updating it regulary,,so get your A/S,,and King's ready.Kent

 

[MollyKay]

Howdy Kent!

Good for you and glad to see the AS and King website will continue. There is too much good information to let it die on the vine. If there is anything I can do to help things along let me know. Once you have it finished and have the new website address let me know as I will cross reference your AS site to my Epiphone site. Best wishes and THANK you for your efforts.

To answer the OP question. I own a bell shoulder AS bass number 247 which makes it 1937…unless the manufacture dates and serial numbers are being adjusted.

 

[derft]

My AS bell shoulder bass is number 399, which makes it 1938 I think.

Bass is in very poor condition. Several cracks in neck heal, bass bar attached with screws, top held on with nails and a terrible refinish that stained the wood. About to start this project.

 

[truckplayer]

kent

looking forward to providing information on my bass! thank you for keeping the website alive