Can anyone Identify this bass?

[Edward Galm]

Invalid Link Removed

I'm trying to find out who made this replica/re-issue of an Ampeg AEB.

 

[Turnaround]

Maybe Bruce Johnson:
Johnson's Extremely Strange Musical Instrument Company Home Page

 

[Gilmourisgod]

That bridge looks a lot like Bruce's custom made ones, calling @Bruce to confirm. That pickguard looks like some kind of etched metal, very cool.

 

[bholder]

That bridge looks a lot like Bruce's custom made ones, calling @Bruce to confirm. That pickguard looks like some kind of etched metal, very cool.

I thought the bridge looked a bit like the Hipshot Ric replacement, but I don't think the shape is quite right.

And yeah, Ampeg AEB meet Zemaitis, very cool looking.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Edward, I just answered your e-mail directly. But for for everyone else's info, here's the scoop:

These basses are a joint project between James Trussart and myself. If you aren't familiar with James' work, he builds very interesting guitars and basses using elaborate etched and engraved metal plates. His web site is at: James Trussart Custom Guitars

This bass is a dressed-up variant on my AMB-2 Scroll Bass. James calls it the SteelScrollPeg. It's the same general construction and specifications as my standard AMB-2, with extra decorative metal hardware added in his unique style. In place of the standard vinyl pickguard, there are metal plates recessed into the front and back of the body, which are chemically etched in an artistic pattern. There are similar plates on the sides of the headstock. The scroll inserts on the headstock are machined aluminum, and a few other details. I build most of the components of these basses here, and ship them to James in bare wood. He and his crew paint them, etch the metal plates, and do the assembly.

We've only built four of them so far. The picture you've shown is one of the first two, which have the single pickup, just like my standard AMB-2. The two we built last year have two quad pickups, a special variant that I made just for him.

I don't know which of them, if any, are still available for sale. You'll have to contact James and ask him. The SteelScrollPegs are only available through him. He hasn't ordered any more of them from me in about a year, but I can build more any time he asks.
​

Have you seen the Love Of Ampegs Part 2 thread, here on TB?
love of Ampeg and other Scroll Basses, Part 2
I'd have to dig around, but somewhere in those 49 pages are pictures and more detailed info on these SteelScrollPeg basses, as I was building them.

The first two with the single pickups were completed in December 2014, and James had them at the January 2015 NAMM show. The second two with the twin quad pickups were finished in January 2016, and didn't make it to the 2016 NAMM show. Last I knew James still has them and they have not yet been painted and finished. I don't know if he plans to complete them for the 2017 show. We had talked about making a few modifications to them, but that hasn't happened yet.

Yes, I build all my own hardware and pickups for my basses. My own designs, hand machined and shaped by me personally.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Okay, here's the first post on the first two SteelScrollPegs, with more info and pictures. It's in the Love Of Ampegs Part 2 thread, page 27, post #539, halfway down:
love of Ampeg and other Scroll Basses, Part 2

 

[Edward Galm]

I want to thank everybody for helping me find out about the bass it's been haunting my dreams.

Without everyone's help would've never noticed the bridge.

This is one sexy bass!

 

[ThudThudThud]

Does it sound like the Ampeg bass?

 

[Edward Galm]

https

 

[two fingers]

Once again, TB awesomeness prevails.

Guy- "Hey, who made this awesome bass?

Another guy - "Yeah, I made that. Here's the scoop."

Yay TalkBass!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Here are some pictures of one of the two-pickup SteelScrollPegs. This is when it was dry assembled here in my shop, bare wood, and the etching hasn't been done on the steel plates yet. The pickups are the same specs as the "M" pickups I make for my Series IV Scroll Basses, but with perforated aluminum shells instead of perforated brass. Four independent coils, one for each string, three 1/4" A5 magnets each, wired in series-humbucker.

I built two of these and, last I knew, James still has both of them sitting unfinished and available. You'll have to ask him.

 

[TyBo]

Sooo much coolness!

 

[JIO]

That one is my favorite! Just like that/as is.

 

[gidbass]

No. Not my thing. But it looks bad a$$.

Good Luck!

 

[anotherhomeysan]

Here are some pictures of one of the two-pickup SteelScrollPegs. This is when it was dry assembled here in my shop, bare wood, and the etching hasn't been done on the steel plates yet. The pickups are the same specs as the "M" pickups I make for my Series IV Scroll Basses, but with perforated aluminum shells instead of perforated brass. Four independent coils, one for each string, three 1/4" A5 magnets each, wired in series-humbucker.

I built two of these and, last I knew, James still has both of them sitting unfinished and available. You'll have to ask him.

View attachment 998796 View attachment 998797 View attachment 998798

These look AWESOME.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

View attachment 998271 Invalid Link Removed

I'm trying to find out who made this replica/re-issue of an Ampeg AEB.

Edward, I'm curious where you found that image. Was it listed for sale somewhere? Or is that from the 2015 NAMM show?