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Average Price: $2,551

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$400

$1001+

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High-end

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Description

Step into a world where vintage flair meets modern innovation with the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass. Originally born in the late 1960s, this iconic bass makes a powerful return, combining timeless design with cutting-edge features. With its plexiglass body, this see-through marvel not only turns heads but also delivers incredible resonance and sustain. The 30" scale maple neck is adorned with a smooth Indian rosewood fingerboard for effortless playability, while its 24 frets provide a full two-octave range.

The Dan Armstrong Bass truly shines with its unique, custom interchangeable pickups designed by Kent Armstrong. Choose between the Bright and Deep Bass pickups and experience a versatile palette of tones. The innovative stacked coil design allows the Tone control to blend treble and bass coils seamlessly, giving you the depth and richness of sound that defies its compact scale.

Whether you're laying down the groove in a studio session or commanding the stage, this bass is a testament to style and substance. With high-quality components like Grover nickel die-cast tuners and a rosewood bridge with compensated brass saddles, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is crafted for performance and reliability. Plus, it comes with a hardshell case to ensure your instrument stays protected on the go.

Key Features:

  • Reissue of the classic plexiglass electric bass
  • Transparent acrylic body
  • Custom removable pickups: Bright Bass and Deep Bass
  • 24-fret hard maple neck with a rosewood fingerboard
  • 30" scale length with bolt-on construction
  • Master volume and tone controls with a 2-position tone switch
  • Grover nickel die-cast tuners
  • Rosewood bridge with compensated brass saddles
  • Hardshell case included

Product specs

Brand Ampeg
Model Dan Armstrong Lucite Bass
Finish Clear
Year 1970
Made In United States
Categories 4-String Basses
Active / Passive Pickups Passive Pickups
Active Preamp No Preamp
Body Shape Double Cutaway
Fretboard Material Rosewood
Number of Frets 24
Number of Strings 4-String
Right / Left Handed Right Handed

FAQs

What is the body material of the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass?

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass features a unique clear lucite body, which gives it a distinctive look and contributes to its weight and tone characteristics.

How many frets does the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass have?

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is equipped with 24 frets, allowing for a full two-octave range on each string.

What type of pickups does the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass use?

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is fitted with passive pickups, providing a classic, warm tone without the need for an active preamp.

Is the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass suitable for left-handed players?

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is designed for right-handed players, as indicated in its specifications.

What is the fretboard material of the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass?

The fretboard of the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is made from rosewood, contributing to its smooth playability and warm tonal quality.

eddievegas1

eddievegas1

1969 DAN ARMSTRONG AMPEG BASS Demo www.eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas

Video thumbnail for 1969  DAN ARMSTRONG AMPEG BASS Demo www.eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas by eddievegas1

1969 DAN ARMSTRONG AMPEG BASS Demo www.eddievegas.com Eddie Vegas

eddievegas1

eddievegas1

Video thumbnail for Dan Armstrong Ampeg Bass Guitar by Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dan Armstrong Ampeg Bass Guitar

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Dave's World of Fun Stuff

Video thumbnail for 1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Glass Bass by Dave Simpson

1970 Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Glass Bass

Dave Simpson

Dave Simpson

Video thumbnail for 1971 Dan Armstrong Ampeg Lucite Bass | Guitar of thee Day - Roberto Vally by Normans Rare Guitars

1971 Dan Armstrong Ampeg Lucite Bass | Guitar of thee Day - Roberto Vally

Normans Rare Guitars

Normans Rare Guitars

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass.

Build quality

  • Lucite basses, such as the Ampeg Dan Armstrong, are noted to be heavy and prone to scratching and cracking easily.

    Source
  • Some reissue models reportedly suffer from a "floppy" neck, which can be overly thin and cause inconsistency during play.

    Source

User experience

  • Owners mention discomfort due to the weight of lucite basses after a few minutes of playing.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Some suggest a Warwick or Spector bass with dual humbuckers for better performance at a similar price point.

    Source
  • Compared to a Peavey T40, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is significantly heavier, making the T40 feel lightweight.

    Source
  • An owner of a reissue noted the neck on their model was thicker compared to original Armstrong guitars, highlighting variation in build across different releases.

    Source

Other

  • The aesthetic appeal of a clear bass is highlighted, particularly in live performances or music videos.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The slide-out pickup design is a standout feature, adding versatility and ease of use for quick sound changes.

    Source
  • The slide-out pickup design is praised for allowing quick sound changes, with some owners wishing more brands adopted this feature for convenience.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • The bridge design has been critiqued for causing issues with fret buzz, intonation, and string height adjustments.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Owners suggest changing to 500k or 1meg potentiometers to brighten the tone, compensating for the bassy sound from low resistance capacitors.

    Source
  • An aluminum neck could enhance the playability and stability of the instrument, suggested as a potential custom modification by owners.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The acrylic body is noted for providing incredible sustain, making it suitable for genres that benefit from extended note durations.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass | Vintage Guitar® magazine

vintageguitar.com

The Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass is a visually striking instrument that captures attention with its unique lucite body and cool design. Praised for its playability and versatility, it features modern upgrades like quick-change pickups and a comfortable neck. However, while the nostalgia factor is strong, some may find the weight of the instrument a drawback compared to more contemporary options. The reissue offers a blend of vintage charm and modern functionality, making it a worthy choice for collectors and players alike. Overall, it’s a fun bass that might just reignite your passion for low-end tones, but it’s not without its quirks.

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Bill Wyman uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass

Bill Wyman

Bassist

The Rolling Stones

...
Verified via Photo

In a user-uploaded photo, Bill Wyman is seen holding a 1974 Prototype Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass with a Cherry Finish.

See how David Roback uses Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass

David Roback

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Mazzy Star

...
Verified via reverb.com

Listed in Roback official reverb shop

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Ampeg Dan Armstrong Bass, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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1

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