• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Ampeg Scroll

B

bultaco

Feb 29, 2008
45
1
#1
Hi All, I had the opportunity to use a vintage Ampeg Scroll bass in a recording situation. I fell in LOVE with it !! amazing, upright-like sound.
Question: Is there an affordable bass available that has a great upright-like sound? "affordable" means less than $1000.00 :) just to clarify.. I'm talking about finding an electric fretted bass with this amazing tone that the Ampeg Scroll has.
 
#3
Italia makes a copy, if I'm not mistaken. Not sure on the sound (Youtube, mayhaps?), but I know it's a dead-on replica.
Rockingedit: I looked it up again, and I'm mistaken. Its not a dead on replica (one pickup, one f-hole, doesn't go all the way through the body) but it still may be worth checking out. I believe it's called the Imola.
 
#4
As an eBay Associate, TalkBass may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
#5
bultaco said:
Hi All, I had the opportunity to use a vintage Ampeg Scroll bass in a recording situation. I fell in LOVE with it !! amazing, upright-like sound.
Question: Is there an affordable bass available that has a great upright-like sound? "affordable" means less than $1000.00 :) just to clarify.. I'm talking about finding an electric fretted bass with this amazing tone that the Ampeg Scroll has.
Click to expand...

Just to clarify: I assume you are referring to the upgraded Ampeg AMB-1 and not the original design AEB-1 bass, which had only the "mystery pickup" in the bridge and no visible pickup in the sweet spot? There's a reason why Ampeg added a "real" pickup in the later models and did away with the mystery pickup altogether (And also why many of the originals were modified by owners with an added pickup too) - the mystery pickup sounded like crap unless you were using gut strings. Even so, the added pickup in the AMB-1 made the bass a million times more versatile/useful. So I'm not sure which Ampeg scroll bass sound you're after, but there are a few basses out there that come close, IMO, to the sound of an upright. The Ashbory, with it's silicone strings, is pretty convincing, though may seem like more of a toy than a real bass due to it's scale and "approximate" fret lines, Hofners, especially defretted and played fingerstyle, and Ricks with the string mute engaged are some examples. Technique and string choice also get you closer - tapewounds, playing up near the neck heel, etc.
 
#7
smcd said:
Um... that's far from an "exact copy". It's more like what one would call an "updated replica".
Click to expand...

Read the next sentence in his post, which he added six hours before you replied -

Rockingbird said:
Italia makes a copy, if I'm not mistaken. Not sure on the sound (Youtube, mayhaps?), but I know it's a dead-on replica.
Rockingedit: I looked it up again, and I'm mistaken. Its not a dead on replica (one pickup, one f-hole, doesn't go all the way through the body) but it still may be worth checking out. I believe it's called the Imola.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
 
#9
If you are interested in these instruments, Bruce Johnson at www.xstrange.com specializes in the restoration of original Ampeg Scroll heads and also produces his own updated Scroll heads. They are by no means inexpensive but they are hand made and excellent. Bruce is an engineer, luthier and bass player in Burbank CA and his website is well worth visiting.
 
#14
My lefty Eastwood. While it is a great bass with a nice tone, it doesn't sound like an old Ampeg.
eastwood001.jpg
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back