ID my bass???

[slaphead1979]

Hey everyone,

Can anyone tell me exactly what bass this is, when it was built (roughly), value etc?

P Bass Style of course, but I can’t figure out who made it.

 

[BassAgent]

I think this is a bass built by Croydon (UK) luthier Tim de Whalley somewhere in the 1980s. He also built the Ampro Activator preamp, which was fitted to basses as standard (like in your bass) or sold as a separate kit. I can't find any other basses built by De Whalley that look even remotely like yours so putting any value on it is pretty useless. It looks like a well built bass with a DiMarzio pickup in the neck position.

Here's an article from 1985 on the Activator preamp: Ampro CD-P Activator (International Musician & Recording World, Jul 1985)
And here is one from a year later: Ampro Guitar Electrics (One Two Testing, Apr 1986)

Tim is the brother of UK music journalist and music producer Chas de Whalley. I couldn't find any contact details for Tim, but Chas is on Linkedin.

 

[slaphead1979]

Very interesting, this is proving extremely difficult to identify with supporting evidence. I’d love to be able to definitively figure it out. It’s a great bass

 

[BassAgent]

Well the logos speak for themselves. If you google the Ampro logo you'll find the info I've provided. I don't know if Tim is still alive but you could reach out to Chas and see if you can get in touch with Tim.

 

[Polfuste]

Really nice bass !

 

[UNICORN BASS]

Definite high cool factor!

 

[cdef]

Below are pictures of a de Whalley-branded bass. Similar pups/controls, as well as the Ampro badge on the backside.

 

[Saetia]

Hey everyone,

Can anyone tell me exactly what bass this is, when it was built (roughly), value etc?

P Bass Style of course, but I can’t figure out who made it. View attachment 7180716

That’s beautiful

 

[Coldmilk]

That’s awesome, looks all rosewood to me. Kinda like a Schecter Van Nuys from the 80s.

 

[jerry]

I'm not too fond of gold hardware but it looks sweet on that bass!

 

[burgerdj]

That’s gotta be worth $250. What’s your PayPal?

 

[BeyondFiredUp]

Agreement with the above post from Jerry about not being fond of gold hardware but it looks fantastic on that bass. Looks versatile for tones and like you've got a winner there and that DiMarzio Model P will blow some doors off. Great score and congrats on it. Play it with pride.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Nice! always like the walnut (rosewood?) Fenders, looks well made and nicely finished at a glance. I'd take that over a standard Fender P any day.

 

[MVE]

That looks like a very cool bass.
I suggest you remove the neck and pickguard and see if anything is written inside the neck pocket or under the guard.

 

[corvette_br]

That's a nice looking bass alright!