RoundSound

I Can Play Clearly Now, The Wood Is Gone...

Another bit from Guitarist [UK]'s issue #301 reported the true fact that we're going to be reissuing the original Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Bass. That's right... you can play clearly now, the bass is here. Gone are the dark clouds that had you blind... the 4-string tone machine with the body you can see through, thanks to its plexiglass (perspex to you limeys) body.

Of course, it was only a matter of time before we reissued this baby, since the guitar has done so well. And though some of the bass magazines missed it (perhaps they couldn't see it?), the super sleuths at Guitarist "saw their way clear" (couldn't resist) to running at least a little blurb on it.

To quote them: "The ADA4 is sure to garner bass players out there some serious audience attention onstage. A recreation of the 1960s original, it also features custom interchangeable pickups (Bright Bass and Deep Bass are the models included) by Kent Armstrong [Dan's son, btw]--these use an ingenious design where the tone control can be usel to split the treble and bass coils for wide tonal options."

Once again, thanks to Dave Burrluck and crew for the copy block and now if we could just get someone over in the UK to send our editor a box of Tunnock's Caramel Wafer biscuits, our
(my) work here would be done.

Posted by Publisher at 5:50 PM | Permalink

Ampeg's Makin' Guitars, Pt. 2

Okay, so we never actually ran a part one of this story. We did reissue the original, iconic Plexi Guitar recently, though, and now we're coming out with wooden versions of that great, comfy body. But the description "wooden" only describes the body material--these guitars are ready to rock, and they won't break your back OR your wallet. In fact, the story is so exciting, the UK's Guitarist magazine in their issue #301 just called this news the TOP STORY from NAMM 2008. That's right... toppermost of the poppermost. Let's let them tell you about 'em (transcribed so you can read it):

"If the price of the 2006 Plexiglas reissue was too steep and the weight too much, check these new Ampegs. The new Korean-built. wooden-bodied AMG100 comes in three versions: swamp ash body (blonde), mahogany body (vintage cherry), and alder (black). They all have rosewood [fret]boards, a 24.75-inch scale, a three-way tone circuit and interchangeable pickups: either a Rock Treble single-coil, or Sustain Treble humbucker, which are both supplied. Hot cakes..."

I believe they're referring to the old saying "... get 'em while they're hot."

They also gave some of our bass products some ink... see the next story. And thanks Dave Burrluck at Guitarist!

Posted by Publisher at 5:40 PM | Permalink

Clearly Under Review - Dan Armstrong, That Is

Ampeg's reissue of the vaunted Dan Armstrong Plexi Guitar has stirred up all kinds of press. The latest review comes from one of Pete's favorite mags, Vintage Guitar. In their April '07 issue—the one with Stevie Ray Vaughn on the cover—they review it under the title "New 'Glas Splash." In the review you'll find a brief history of the guitar (also look here for our own historical overview) as well as a once over. Author Phil Fraser liked the "very strong, punchy clean tone" through the two test amps (an Ampeg J-12T and another brand), the "pleasantly aggressive bright rock tone" when played through an amp with more overdrive, and the "in your face bark as [they] played power cords." For the whole review, click here.

Posted by Ampeg at 4:52 PM | Permalink

Keith and Jimi Groove on the Plexi

Take a trip in the wayback machine with this vintage video footage of Keith Richards and Jimi Hendrix, which features the rock legends checking out a Dan Armstrong Plexi guitar as they hang with their entourage backstage.

Posted by Ampeg at 4:41 PM | Permalink

Guitarist Gives the New "See-Through" Four Stars

Guitarist magazine recently spent some time assessing the Ampeg Dan Armstrong Plexi Guitar, and the verdict is in. Drumroll, please.... After a thorough vetting from fingerboard to pick-ups, the re-issued "see-through" earned a four-star rating, garnering heaps of praise for its unique voice and retro-modern good looks.

"Dan Armstrong's vision is a perfect example of the highly experimental time of the late-sixties and seventies.... There's definitely something quite inspiring about the instrument."

The reviewer notes that this guitar, like the original, is still one-of-a-kind: "For those of us that 'get it,' the 'see-through' remains a truly unique and highly recognisable instrument."

So, do you get it? We thought so.

As a bonus, the review includes an interview with Dan Armstrong's pick-up maker son, Kent. His opinion on the new Plexi?

"I think the latest version is far superior to the old ones. Far superior."

'Nuff said. Click here to read the piece in its entirety.

Posted by Ampeg at 11:56 AM | Permalink

Inter-Scrambler Overdrive

Our pals over at Guitar World have cottoned on to a vintage piece of Ampeg gear, the Scrambler Overdrive pedal. In their December 2006 issue story "Weird Science," they've got an entry for it, under the subheading "The 10 Strangest Vintage Effects of All Time." Well, we wouldn't call it strange. The Scrambler--currently available as the SCP-OD--is a great way to add fuzz/overdrive/distortion to your guitar tone without taking away your axe's characteristic tone. GW's Chris Gill says the original is "rarer than Paris Hilton's brain cells," and though we're not exactly paying attention to how many brains the lady has, we do know that you can get yourself a modern reissue of this baby today at your local Ampeg dealer. If you want to "generate a mutated rainbow of fuzz tones" then go try one out today.

Posted by Ampeg at 3:24 PM | Permalink

Ampeg Introduces New Products To European Audience at Musikmesse

St. Louis, MO— April 6, 2006: Ampeg, the industry standard in bass amplification for more than 50 years, debuted a variety of new products for the first time in Europe last week at the 2006 Musikmesse Convention in Frankfurt, Germany.

Continue reading "Ampeg Introduces New Products To European Audience at Musikmesse" »

Posted by Ampeg at 2:27 PM | Permalink

Ampeg Winter NAMM Wrap-Up

Winter NAMM is always a time for manufacturers to shine and this year was no different for Ampeg, the high-energy brand known for their legendary bass amps.

Continue reading "Ampeg Winter NAMM Wrap-Up" »

Posted by Ampeg at 2:21 PM | Permalink

Ampeg Reissues Dan Armstrong Acrylic Guitar

Anaheim, Calif.—January 19, 2006, NAMM: Ampeg announced today that it is reissuing the Ampeg Dan Armstrong acrylic guitar for 2006. Featuring a completely unique body that is made of an eye-catching clear Plexiglas material, the Ampeg Dan Armstrong guitar’s distinctive construction actually eliminates unwanted vibrations and frequencies, while producing tremendous sustain. The net result is a playing experience and tone unlike any other.