D693A
Came on the market in February 2012 and sold for $1,150. Lots of good information from the seller so read on...
|
"Offered for your consideration we have a very rare, original 1969/70 Ampeg Dan Armstrong four string bass. The jaw-dropping, eye-catching, ultra-cool (choose your own superlative) Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass. This beautiful vintage bass guitar was introduced in 1969 at the Chicago NAMM show and was manufactured by the Ampeg plant in Linden, NJ. The unique material used had a broader purpose than just great looks. The body of the bass was made with clear Plexiglas. Some of the benefits of this material were that it could be cut and shaped just like wood and because it was so rigid it had superior sustain. The neck is good old maple and the 24 fret fingerboard is made from rosewood. It has a 30 ½ inch scale, a single humbucking pickup and the pickguard is made out of Formica which has a simulated wood grain finish. In addition to the clear bass there were also 8 black Lucite basses made and some 150 fretless models were produced as well. Well known bassists like Jack Bruce and Bill Wyman both used the traditional see-thru bass for a while with Bruce preferring the fretless model. Production of the Lucite bass only lasted until 1971 when Armstrong and Ampeg parted ways over a financial dispute. This one is all original and in super condition. It's only missing the small thumb screw thingy that secures the pickup from the back. The pots date to the fourth week of 1970. There is some emulsion missing from the top of the pickup but, I see this on every one of these. This fine instrument has a unique tone and is very playable! Plays well, sound great. The frets are in super condition and just some slight swirly whirly, you would expect to see in a plexiglas guitar. Very cool! It comes complete with the non original hard shell case as shown. The case is kinda funky! Smells a little funky too! But it will work fine for shipping. It's lived in this case for at least the last 20 years."
|
Bass then came back on the market a few months later and sold for $921 in June 2012.
|
"Made only for 3 years. Super cool 1969-70 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass. Serial looks 1969 (D693A) but pots are 1970 (13770XX). Looks all original except maybe the pickup screw on the back (?) Pretty nice condition and great sounding. Neck looks straight and action is super comfy. Some buzz with open strings (the 2 middle). Looks like the nut is too low. May need a basic set-up. Comes with a vintage case (little vintage smell)."
|