AEB-2K Preview 1

Here are some quick pictures of the first batch of the new Scroll Basses under construction. This first batch is five instruments, serial numbers 038-042. #038, #040 & #041 are fretted AEB-2's, and #039 and #042 are fretless AUB-2's. I'm keeping #038 for myself as a player/demonstrator, and the other four are already sold, and will be heading out soon to their new owners.

Here's a look at the new tailpiece design. There are now four seperate tailpieces, one for each string, and each has four holes for the strings' ball end to hook into. The body of the string passes through the slot in the top. The hole at the very back edge is for the special Ampeg-length strings that I stock. The other three holes, which are closer to the bridge, allow the use of most manufacturers' strings in the "Extra Long Scale", "Long Scale Plus", and "Super Long Scale" sizes. This gives you much more variety of brands and gauges of strings to choose from.
I machine the tailpieces up from brass bar stock, starting with a blank that's rough bandsawed to the profile. Next, the angled holes are drilled in my milling machine, holding the blank at the correct angle in special vise jaws. Then, the blank bolts to a fixture block and the slot is cut. The blank is bolted to a wooden "handle" and shaped with files and abrasive flap wheels, and finally buffed to a mirror finish. Finally, they go off to be chrome plated.

Here's the large brass block that's set into the body to provide a solid acoustic connection to the wood. It's 3/8" thick and is permanently attached in a bed of epoxy. It provides the mounting points for the bridge, the front ends of the four tailpieces, and the bridge cover. The brass plate which all of the controls mount to also attaches to the block at the notch in the corner. This connects all of the grounds and shields at one point.