A269D
Came up for auction in October 2011 by Southside Guitars, was asking $2,750, and it went through several tries with no sale. Pickguard needs the usual TLC, and someone must have been pretty desperate to use wood screws to hold down the pickguard. It's also a little surprising to find that the guitar has had a re-fret when the back of the neck seems so clean...bit of a mystery there. That said, there's no mystery about the value of the JB pickup - these are very difficult to find. Here's the seller's description:
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"For sale is this Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi guitar from 1969. This guitar plays and sounds great, it has been set up by our tech and is ready to go. It has been refretted and the frets are in very nice shape, and the screws which hold the pickguard on do not appear to be original. There is a small repair to the pickguard by the jack. It comes with the "jazz bass" pickup. Please see all pics. Low serial number! It comes with a non- original hardshell case."
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A269D next comes up for sale paired with a Dan Armstrong bass, with an asking price of $3,999 for both (sold for $3,500 on February 21, 2016). Here's the description...
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"For sale are two original vintage 1970 Dan Armstrong instruments. The guitar is earlier...pots date to 35 and 36th week of 1970 and the neck has serial number A289D probably made in late 1969. It has the original Schaller tuners and the earlier fatter neck profile. The neck is straight and very clean, frets are great, no issues...24 frets! Body in great shape with no cracks or routes. All original hardware...it has the earlier slot head bridge screws. Electronics are all original with the red paint over the solder joints still there. It comes with one pickup, the rather rarely seen "Jazz Bass" version...but don't be fooled...this pickup is mean! The "Bass" part means extended low end and the "Jazz" pickups were wound on brass cores for an even flat frequency response. I've had a few of these guitars and never had this pickup but it's great! The original bridge looks like it's had a fret inlayed in it, which was something Ampeg started doing towards the end of the run. This one doesn't look like the factory done ones though but it works to increase the "zing" factor. The only real issue here is the pickguard, which is original but the section around the jack has been spliced with what looks like the exact same material...perhaps part of another guard. There are other small cracks around the volume and tone knobs and one of the screws...see pics...but I've seen a lot worse. These pick guards are rarely in perfect condition and this one still looks good...all corners and lettering intact etc. The action is super low and the guitar plays easily and in tune...with terrific tone and that famous plexiglass sustain! This guitar comes with a vintage black case with black interior in decent shape...all latches and handle working but it's taken a hit to the bottom and the box is loose inside. It has a big "Massport" sticker on it...the previous owner worked at the airport!"
"The bass was made a bit later in 1970...it has the later Grover tuners, Phillips head bridge screws, and all original hardware and electronics...the pickguard is in great shape with no cracks. the only issue here is the pickup...it's original and working fine but some of the brown epoxy cover around the center bar has been chipped away...this is pretty common on these from pick wear. The pickups on these basses are one of Dan's most interesting and effective designs. It's really two pickups, a bassy overwound one, and a brighter, hotter one stacked up. When you adjust the tone control on this bass it's really a blend control for the pickups...so when you turn down the treble you are really mixing in more of the bassy pickup. It works really well and these basses have a surprising range of tone...and some really deep bass! Straight neck, good frets. Plays evenly all up the neck. It comes with the original black case with form fitted interior in good shape...some airline stickers, a bit of damage to the covering here and there but all latches and handle ok. Some wear to the back of the neck...looks like it was leaned against an amp a lot. These are short (30 inch) scale basses with 24 frets...kind of odd but it does give extended range. This even has the original warranty card dated November 1970. Plays easily and sounds great!" "These instruments are from the same year (and the same previous owner) but are not a matched pair...they are a good match though, with very little wear, no yellowing and very little scratching to the Plexiglass. Grab this chance to enhance your collection. I'm selling this pair for what others are asking for just the guitar!...get in touch with questions etc...I have more photos too." |