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What the heck is this? Violin-shaped content

Discussion in 'Basses [BG]' started by Fuzzbass, Aug 6, 2021.

  1. Aug 6, 2021 #1
    Fuzzbass

    Fuzzbass P5 with overdrive Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 2001
    Maryland, between DC and Bawlmer
    I'm a boomer and was watching some Ed Sullivan reruns (highly edited) just for grins. I skip past a lot of the acts, but it's been really cool to see a very young and clean-cut George Carlin, and the biggest hoot so far was the Rolling Stones (with Brian Jones) performing "Let's Spend Some Time Together". :roflmao:

    Anyway, I'm watching a Sonny James tune, and noticed the bassist was wielding this unwieldy electric with enormous violin-shaped body. Did a quick google and couldn't find a match, but I found the clip on YouTube, and I'm sure someone here knows. TIA

     
    Fender1980 likes this.
  2. Aug 6, 2021 #2
    DirtDog

    DirtDog

    Jun 7, 2002
    The Deep North
    Looks like an Ampeg Baby Bass.
     
  3. Aug 6, 2021 #3
    bolophonic

    bolophonic

    Dec 10, 2009
    Durham, NC
    That thing sticks out about two feet behind him!
     
    Fuzzbass likes this.
  4. Aug 6, 2021 #4
    Pimpernel Smith

    Pimpernel Smith

    May 25, 2012
    In the Pond
    Scary looking thing!
     
    Fuzzbass likes this.
  5. Aug 6, 2021 #5
    GretschWretch

    GretschWretch Supporting Member

    Dec 27, 2013
    East Central Alabama
    I'm too full of pizza right now to try to track down the links, but this question has been posed on TalkBass before, and someone ferreted it out that the bass is a Fender with a hollow cosmetic afterbody added. This bass is a perfect subject for the "weight"question.
     
    B-Mac, Reedt2000, Fuzzbass and 1 other person like this.
  6. Aug 6, 2021 #6
    Inara

    Inara Fierce Fun Fretless Female

    Jun 12, 2017
    Seattle, WA USA
    There have been a few threads about this ... Apparently it's a custom thing with some cosmetic, non functional pieces to it. Here's one of the threads, and if you Google Sonny James Bass, others appear in the results. It's a really weird bass!
    What in the ____ is that?!?!
     
    Reedt2000 and Fuzzbass like this.
  7. Aug 6, 2021 #7
    GretschWretch

    GretschWretch Supporting Member

    Dec 27, 2013
    East Central Alabama
    Fender1980, Reedt2000, J_Bass and 4 others like this.
  8. Aug 7, 2021 #8
    Fuzzbass

    Fuzzbass P5 with overdrive Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 13, 2001
    Maryland, between DC and Bawlmer
    Thanks, all! Inspiration to Pete Steele, maybe!

    tumblr_px7geyXA0U1yq0dl2o1_400.gif
     
    DeliriumTremens and JimmyM like this.
  9. Aug 7, 2021 #9
    JimmyM

    JimmyM Supporting Member

    Apr 11, 2005
    Apopka, FL
    Endorsing: Yamaha, Ampeg, Line 6, EMG
    I'd say it was my late friend Marshall Lytle, the original bassist of Bill Haley And His Comets:

    marshall-lytle-of-bill-haley-comets-slap-bass.jpg
     
    Pauly 4001, nixdad, Fuzzbass and 1 other person like this.