D1065A
This one came up on eBay in November 2011 with an asking price of $2,700. Serial number was confirmed to us by internet dealer Music Pro Shop as D1065A. Here's the seller's description:
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"VINTAGE LOOK, VINTAGE TONE. This bass is completely original in our opinion and comes with the repair tags from the original shop it was for sale in. It has had one owner who is a customer of ours and has played it in his house only and asked us to sell it for him. It has some normal wear but nothing major and comes with the original case. The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi-Bass is a one-of-a-kind bass, with a one-of-a-kind sound. It was introduced in the late 60s by guitarsmith Dan Armstrong, who had been hired by Ampeg as a consultant to improve their products. The maple ADA4 neck features 24 frets inlaid into an Indian rosewood fingerboard, which when combined with the unique diamond cut acrylic double cutaway body allows a full 2 octave access clear of the body. Custom interchangeable pickups use a unique stacked design where the TONE control mixes the treble and bass coils for a depth of tone that belies the instrument's 30” scale. Pickups included are Bright Bass and Deep Bass. Famous names that have used Dan Armstrong basses in past years include Jack Bruce of "CREAM", Geezer Butler of "Black Sabbath", Paul McCartney of "The Beatles", Bill Wyman of "The Rolling Stones" and many more. Get this deal while it lasts! Deliveries are fully insured and come with a 3-day money back guarantee. Specs include: clear acrylic polymer body, maple, bolt-on neck, 30" scale, 24-fret, Indian Rosewood fretboard, master volume, master tone, Interchangeable Stacked Coil Bright Bass and Deep Bass pickups, Grover nickel die-cast Tuners, and Rosewood Bridge."
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D1065A came back on the market in February 2016, paired with a DA guitar, with an asking price of $3,999 for the whole package (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 with their original cases. 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 the original 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." |