Guild/DeArmond Ashbory
Guild/DeArmond Ashbory |
|
  |
This amazing instrument was invented back in 1985 by a couple of Brits, Nigel Thornbory and Alun Ashworth-Jones. To cut a long story very short, they managed to sell their idea of a short-scale bass with silicone rubber strings to Guild, who manufactured the instrument for a few years under license and gained a few big name endorsees (Most notably Tony Levin, of King Crimson fame). When Guild was sold, the licensing agreement was terminated. About 1,500 Ashbory's had been made. Fast forward to 1999. and Guild is now owned by Fender, and the Ashbory is the stuff of legend. Used examples change hands for large amounts of money. With help from the original designers the Ashbory is reborn (with several improvements - like tuners that actually work) under Fender's DeArmond brand, manufactured in Korea. The lines you see on the neck are just that - lines. The bass is actually a fretless! The unique piezo |
|
pickup/bridge combo provides a very wide range of tones, from woody string bass to punchy rock. When playing
this thing, it really helps to use talcum powder on your fingers - to
avoid the friction of the rubber strings! |
|
| Cool Features: - Silicone rubber strings. BOIING! - Sounds from authentic stand-up to rock bass - Small - 18" scale neck - It is fretless. - Looks ridiculously geeky! - Invented in England
|
  |
|