A lot of people visit this website courtesy of Google looking for information about the Ashbory bass guitar. Seeing as I own one and there wasn’t a dedicated page before, I thought I’d cobble some information together for all you weary web travellers. Firstly, I got turned on to the Ashbory bass in 2000 when I saw it being used by Trey Gunn at a King Crimson concert. Expecting the instrument to cost thousands of pounds, I was surprised that you could pick one up new for around $200. At that time, there weren’t that many stockists in the UK selling the Ashbory Bass, but luckily I was visiting Los Angeles for my birthday in February 2001. A search on the web, brought up the details of Highland Park Music & Pawn. I got in touch with Doug the propreitor and arranged to pick one up on my visit. So for $200, I got myself a little bargain in black.
The Ashbory itself is a unique instrument. It is around half the size of a standard bass guitar, fretless and uses silicon rubber strings. It is the combination of the strings and the pickup that makes the unique sound – it is supposed to give you a similar tonal range to that of a regular upright fretless bass for a fraction of the price. I like the tone of the guitar, but there are issues that make it difficult to play. Firstly, it is the tuning. My instrument is always slipping out of tune, especially the “G” string. The “G” string is always the first one to snap too and it can be expensive to buy replacement strings. Luckily, I found a man on the net that sells replacement “G” strings for a fraction of the price.
Here are some pictures of my instrument:
Here are some sound samples I’ve recorded using my Ashbory:
Ashbory Links:
The Story of the Ashbory Bass
The DeArmond Website
The LargeSound Ashbory Bass Resource Page
Replacement Ashbory G-Strings
Love the Ashbory! I had one for about two weeks and let it go because I was too impatient to work with it and familiarize myself with it. Now I regret it. I will probably build an Ashbory-type bass. There are some dudes on the web who’ve done this with great results – just google it.
Thanks for the sound files too!
Thanks for this.
Yesterday, I recalled seeing a demo for this thing back in 1987. I was impressed, however the price back then was quite expensive, especially for a 17-year old.
After a google search (“small bass, rubber strings”), I discovered that they’re making these things again.
Your youtube video was great, and I especially like the sound clips of it alone, so you can hear those rubbery strings in action.
Very cool sound. Nice job putting this info out here. Thanks!
Thanks to apreading the word about the Ashbory, wich is a really nice and amazing instrument. And your video explain all.
A tip: before replacing you strings, you should pre-stretch them, it will help keeping them in tune.
Every time I hear a clip of an Ashbory bass, the intonation is bad. I can’t really tell on yours since you’re just playing a bass part. I imagine it must be hard to play in tune with such a short scale and loose strings. Is it even possible? I wonder if there’s a fretted version.
I have one, too. Itentical to the one in the video. Bought it in late 2000 or early 2001. Cool little thing. I call it “Mini Me”.
It’s good with people playing acoustic guitar at a party and you plug it into a small amp or a stereo aux input.
Nice website. Thanks for the info. I just received my tiny bass. I bought it for novelty bass sounds in my recordings (amateur). The audio clips you posted made me sure that I did the right thing by buying it. Thanks again.
Hi Darren, just been watching your intro to the Ashbory on youtube and thanks for the mention of the G string replacement. My website got destroyed by changes my ISP made so I’ve got a basic replacement at http://ashborystring.website.orange.co.uk/ and still sell G & D. Best wishes Mike
surfing away then i found this site.
I worked with the chaps on the original strings, it must have been 20 years ago now. Fond memories of a music show in london when it was first demonstrated.
Nice to see that people are enjoying the sound.